Chapter 25 – The Proof That They Are Second-Rate

The next day. Teum Law Office meeting room.

The attorneys affiliated with Teum were gathered and holding an emergency meeting regarding the notice of Attorney Geum Nae-yeong’s disciplinary committee.

“No, a disciplinary committee just because a rookie attorney who is doing so well on TV did some promotion and took on cases… Isn’t this too much?”

Attorney Shin Chang-ryul burst out in dissatisfaction, his lips twitching.

“To present this business card as evidence… who on earth did such a thing?”

“Well, the business card was a bit strange… but it is not like he swore in public. A violation of the duty to maintain dignity… Aren’t the regulations being applied too arbitrarily?”

Opinions were divided inside the meeting room.

Just then, Attorney Seong Seok-yeon cautiously began to speak.

“Still, it would be a relief if it is just a reprimand or a fine, but a suspension would be a disaster. There are so many cases in Attorney Geum Nae-yeong’s office right now, and since he cannot work during the suspension period, the other attorneys will have to take over his cases.

Or we will have to advise him to resign and refund the retainer fees, which is also a problem.”

“By the way, where is Attorney Geum Nae-yeong right now?”

When Attorney Shin Chang-ryul asked, Office Director Ju Yong-hae replied.

“Perhaps because he has had many consultations since the broadcast lately, he did not even have time to exercise. So he goes for a walk for an hour after lunch.”

“My, Attorney Geum Nae-yeong’s mind is at ease… this is not the time for that.”

Attorney Seo In-ja, who was listening to the conversation, stepped forward.

“First, since I know someone on the disciplinary committee side, I will find out how things are going. If it is about a reprimand, it will be able to pass quietly.

People these days cannot stand to see others do well. Since Attorney Geum is doing well, they must be jealous for no reason.”

A sigh flowed inside the meeting room.

With Geum Nae-yeong referred to the disciplinary committee like that, the worries of the Teum Law Office attorneys grew bigger and bigger.

***

The spacious meeting room attached to the office of Seo Gi-ryong, a partner attorney at Law Firm Gankyeok.

The attorneys of Litigation Team 2 sat around a long marble meeting table with tense faces.

“Now, Park Gwon-do, stand up.”

When Attorney Park Gwon-do jumped up at Seo Gi-ryong’s command, Seo Gi-ryong clapped his hands vigorously. The thick ring on his finger flashed as it caught the light.

The employees who were clapping clapped in an orderly fashion following Attorney Seo Gi-ryong, as if they were possessed.

Clap, clap, clap.

“Very well done. I am proud of you. How did you think of such a thing?”

At the sudden praise, Associate Attorney Park Gwon-do bowed his head and replied, pretending to be humble.

“With the thought of winning the lawsuit at all costs, I worked overtime frequently. However, when I went out for dinner, I saw a Teum Law Office employee daring to promote audaciously right in front of our firm.

Thinking it would be useful somewhere, I took the business card.”

“And then?”

“Yes. Naturally, shouldn’t we sweep away the small fry who try to tarnish the name of our Gankyeok?

I thought that those who try to obstruct our victory should pay the price, whether big or small. Therefore, I reported him to the bar association based on the confiscated business card.”

“I see. Gwon-do, you did very well. Hahaha.”

Seo Gi-ryong laughed loudly and took out a wallet from his inner suit pocket.

Slide.

What he pulled out of his wallet was a limited black platinum card that only the highest VVIPs could possess.

He pulled out the card and slid it across the table toward Park Gwon-do.

“Use it to buy whatever you want to eat or buy, as much as you want with the employees of Litigation Team 2. There is no limit.”

“Wow…”

Someone let out an exclamation of admiration.

“In the future, even greater benefits will go to those who handle troublesome problems cleanly. Park Gwon-do, you can look forward to the next promotion.”

As soon as Seo Gi-ryong’s words fell, Attorney Han Si-hun, the leader of Litigation Team 2 who had handled Ms. Jeong Geum-hee’s defamation case, bowed his head deeply.

Not only did he receive physical punishment from Seo Gi-ryong due to the Jeong Geum-hee case, but now he was even pushed back by his junior Park Gwon-do. He was completely losing face.

Seo Gi-ryong, who glanced at Han Si-hun with his head bowed, added coldly.

“A few members entering the disciplinary committee are already on our side. The firm has already taken steps in advance. That guy Geum Nae-yeong or whatever will soon be packing his bags at the office.

How dare an arrogant novice touch our Law Firm Gankyeok? We must make an example of him. So that such things never appear again.”

Everyone nodded at Seo Gi-ryong’s words.

In Seocho-dong, there was no lawyer who could continue their business properly after falling out of favor with Law Firm Gankyeok.

“Go on out.”

The employees who left Seo Gi-ryong’s office were excited about receiving the black card.

“Wow, what should we eat with this? How about a hotel buffet? And some champagne on the side.”

As Associate Attorney Jeong Chan-woo spoke excitedly, Park Gwon-do snapped coldly.

“It is an achievement I won, so why is Attorney Jeong deciding the menu? Aren’t you stepping out of line too much?”

“Just… well…”

A sheepish Jeong Chan-woo trailed off.

At that moment, Attorney Han Si-hun chuckled and chimed in.

“Hey, Park Gwon-do. Do you think you became a team leader just because you did this one thing? You won’t even let him express an opinion on the menu? Still, Attorney Jeong is senior to you.”

However, Park Gwon-do did not even blink an eye.

“What seniors are there in a law firm with over hundreds of lawyers? Do you not know our firm’s motto? Ability and performance are the seniors.”

Han Si-hun was dumbfounded, but no more words came to mind.

A few associates clung to Park Gwon-do’s back as he walked triumphantly to his office, pouring out flattery.

Watching that, Han Si-hun muttered bitterly.

“You might laugh now. But once you see Geum Nae-yeong in person, you will know. There is something tremendous about him.”

***

Geum Nae-yeong began his afternoon consultations after eating lunch and taking a walk today as well.

The power of broadcasting was great. Geum Nae-yeong skillfully handled several consultations and spent a busy day organizing cases.

Meanwhile, Attorney Seong Seok-ju suddenly became an all-around associate and did not even know how the day passed while handling the cases assigned to Geum Nae-yeong.

Just as he was preparing to leave work, Attorney Seo In-ja contacted Geum Nae-yeong to meet for a moment.

Knock, knock.

“Attorney, did you call for me?”

As Geum Nae-yeong opened the door and entered, Attorney Seo In-ja and Representative Seong Seok-yeon, who were talking, raised their heads.

“Ah, Attorney Geum. Sit here.”

Seo In-ja welcomed him with a smile.

“I watched the broadcast yesterday. Haha, it is rare for me to laugh so loudly in my life, but I really laughed out loud.

You said that if you get sworn at, you would receive this and that much, and at that moment, my son came to mind. He was also very mischievous when he was young…”

Geum Nae-yeong, wearing a smile that only raised the corners of his mouth, cut to the chase and immediately threw a question.

“What is the matter?”

“Ah… I have a friend I know in the KBA Disciplinary Committee, so I asked.”

Clack.

Seo In-ja put down the teacup she was holding.

“As expected, the problem is Gankyeok.”

“Gankyeok?”

Attorney Seo In-ja continued.

“They said Gankyeok… filed the report. They said they took the business cards Attorney Geum’s employee distributed and reported it to the KBA for violating the maintenance of dignity and advertising regulations.”

“Ah. That is how it happened.”

Geum Nae-yeong replied shortly with a face that did not move at all.

Representative Seong Seok-yeon clicked his tongue and chimed in.

“Even so, for just handing out a business card… Good grief. To hold discipline over that.”

Seo In-ja nodded and continued.

“So I asked them to lower the level of discipline. That can happen in the early stages of opening an office, right? It was because he wanted to work hard, right?”

Geum Nae-yeong tilted his head and replied.

“Rather than working hard, I considered the principles of supply and demand in the market. In terms of maximizing business profits. Since nobody takes Gankyeok cases, it was strategically the optimal choice.”

“…Ah, well… that is true, but.”

Seo In-ja’s smile faded.

“Anyway, Gankyeok is entangled with a few disciplinary committee members. So save your words, and when you go to the explanation meeting, just lay low unconditionally and say you were wrong.”

“Say you will not do it again, and then it might end with just a reprimand.”

Geum Nae-yeong nodded, but the words that came out of his mouth were different.

“No. There is no problem at all.”

“…Huh? What?”

“According to what I have looked into, it seems I can continue as I have been doing.”

In an instant, Seong Seok-yeon and Seo In-ja were tongue-tied at the same time.

Obvious bewilderment was written on the faces of the two, as if to say, ‘Just what is he relying on to be so calm…’

But Geum Nae-yeong did not even blink at the embarrassed faces of the two, bowed in greeting, and left the room.

“Because he is young… perhaps his pride was hurt. Disciplinary action over a single business card… when they themselves cleverly advertise while pretending not to…”

When Representative Seong Seok-yeon clicked his tongue, Seo In-ja shook her head.

“My… Attorney Geum has no ordinary stubbornness. Did he even understand our words?”

***

The day of explanation at the disciplinary committee.

Geum Nae-yeong carefully adjusted his tie and neatly pinned the lawyer’s badge to his lapel.

Then he called Office Director Ju Yong-hae.

“Office Director Ju, is it possible to print this document right now?”

Geum Nae-yeong handed over a small USB.

Ju Yong-hae, who plugged in the USB, opened the screen.

Typical of Geum Nae-yeong, the files were neatly organized in alphabetical order.

“Of course. We got a new multi-function printer and its performance is very good. …But the quantity is quite large?”

Click.

The moment he opened the file to print, the letters packed tightly on the screen entered Ju Yong-hae’s eyes.

Ju Yong-hae muttered to himself.

“What is this… why is he printing something like this?”

Chwak, chwak, chwak, chwak.

The printer spat out the printouts at an incredibly fast speed. When all the documents Geum Nae-yeong requested were printed, the volume was thick enough to exceed the thickness of three law books.

Handing over the stack of documents, Ju Yong-hae said.

“Attorney, I think I should prepare a wrapping cloth for this?”

“Yes. That is a good idea.”

Thinking it was a good idea, Geum Nae-yeong grinned, wearing his characteristic smile.

However, Ju Yong-hae’s expression as he put the printed documents in the wrapping cloth and tied it well showed some resignation.

Rumors were already circulating among the staff.

Law Firm Gankyeok had stabbed Geum Nae-yeong in the back, and his discipline was confirmed to be at least a six-month suspension of qualifications.

Other office directors he knew through connections put forward the same speculation.

‘Sigh… the attorney needs to do well… just why is he so relaxed? I don’t understand at all.’

Thus, Geum Nae-yeong calmly headed to the Korean Bar Association, carrying a stack of documents too heavy for one person to carry, wrapped in a light pink wrapping cloth.

***

“I am Geum Nae-yeong.”

“Yes. Come this way.”

Guided by the association staff, he opened the door, and about five disciplinary committee members sat with cold expressions to greet him. Opposite them, in the center, sat a small desk and a single chair.

Geum Nae-yeong identified his seat and sat down.

“Attorney Geum Nae-yeong, thank you for coming. We will now begin the explanation meeting.”

The chairman sitting in the middle, Attorney Go Gi-hyeon, calmly spoke.

He first briefly proceeded with the verification process regarding the materials with Cha Ra-ri’s business card attached and the promotional activities in question. Then he looked at Geum Nae-yeong with a cold expression.

“Now, do you have any materials or opinions to explain regarding the disciplinary matter?”

Instead of an answer, Geum Nae-yeong stood up, untied the pink wrapping cloth he had brought, and picked up the first page of the neatly packed documents.

‘Mom said. I am not second-rate, but special. If someone treats me as second-rate, it is proof that they are second-rate.

And she also told me to treat that person the same way.

Of course, I know that the second-rate the doctor referred to had the meaning of “psychopath-lite.”

But at that time, I understood very well what Mom wanted to tell me.’

Finishing his thoughts, Geum Nae-yeong read down the prepared content clearly.

The expressions of the committee members gradually changed.

They began to exchange glances as if they could not understand him.