Chapter 80 – You Have to Say ‘Yes’

Click.

Crunch, crunch.

An office where even the lights were not turned on.

Morning sunlight shone in weakly through the window.

Attorney Kim was sitting on the sofa in the shadowed office without any lamps, chewing candy. The sound of candy cracking in his mouth echoed in the silence.

In front of the door, Noh Si-an stood with his head bowed.

“So… you are saying that something we could have won sitting down, we got caught with that?”

It was quiet.

Noh Si-an just bowed his head even further without a word.

Swish, crash!

The glass jar lid that Attorney Kim Hong-seok was holding in his hand flew instantly, hit the wall, and shattered.

Glass fragments splattered all over in all directions.

“Is that bastard an employee of our firm, or does he know someone here? It’s a story only we know, would such a story just leak out! Who on earth snitched!”

“I… I don’t think someone snitched.”

“What, then is he some kind of god? So that he knows all the inner thoughts just by looking at a person’s face?”

Attorney Kim Hong-seok’s voice, furious to the tip of his head, burst out all the way to the corridor outside the office door.

Tap, tap. The sound of knocking on the door.

“What is it!”

At the moment he shouted irritably, the door opened slowly.

“…Why is the shouting voice leaking all the way outside?”

It was Seo Ki-ryong.

He glanced at the atmosphere in the room and wore a smirk on his face.

“What are you doing with the lights off? Are you disciplining him because of getting caught, by any chance?”

Seo Ki-ryong snorted and raised his head.

At that momentum, Kim Hong-seok’s voice also softened.

“What nonsense are you talking…”

“I told you he wasn’t an easy guy, didn’t I? Extremely quick-witted, he’s a guy with an extraordinary head.”

Thud.

Seo Ki-ryong sat as if throwing his body onto the sofa.

“Well, getting caught is getting caught… since the tribunal has changed, now it’s a battle of legal principles. Isn’t it enough if we can win through the trial? Do you lack confidence?”

Kim Hong-seok glared and spat out.

“What is there to lose. We just need to present evidence that we did not obstruct business.”

Seo Ki-ryong snorted mockingly.

“Pathetic. It seems you haven’t even checked that a new tribunal has been assigned yet?”

“…What? The tribunal?”

“My goodness. If you’re entrusted with work, you should take good care of it… far from checking, you have not even half as much interest as I do?”

Seo Ki-ryong shook his head with a cold expression.

“When I checked this morning, the tribunal had newly changed.”

“…..?”

“Tsk, tsk.” Seo Ki-ryong clicked his tongue.

“Even more, if you know who the presiding judge is, you’ll feel even worse?”

“…Presiding judge? Why, who is it?”

“Jin Dae-seong.”

The color drained from Kim Hong-seok’s face.

“What?… No way, is it really Jin Dae-seong?

Then… connections, school lines, none of that will work…”

Seo Ki-ryong spoke in a low voice.

“Exactly. Judge Jin Dae-seong is famous for being incredibly thorough, isn’t he? He is the style to look at even a single particle in the documents.

This wouldn’t be the time to be leisurely disciplining your junior.”

As Seo Ki-ryong’s last words fell, Kim Hong-seok’s face stiffened.

“You saw how that Geum Nae-yeong guy acted this time, right?

If you just sit on it and chant that you’ll naturally win, will you win?

You lose because your information power falls short. Information power. If you can’t do it, hand it over. So I can take it back.”

Kim Hong-seok’s pride was thoroughly scratched.

“We haven’t lost yet, only the tribunal changed, and you’re really impatient. I will just proceed like this.”

Seo Ki-ryong nodded mockingly.

‘Arrogant bastard. Go ahead and try. See if that bastard moves as you think…

If the tribunal weren’t favorable, I would have done it right away… When I return… I will fire you first.’

“Tell me if you need it. Since I can at least give you review materials.”

“I will take care of it myself, so hang onto your worries. Please return to the branch office.”

“I stopped by briefly after coming to have lunch with the representative attorney. Then I will be on my way now. Good work.”

Seo Ki-ryong left the room, leaving behind a voice mixed with sarcasm.

Kim Hong-seok stared at the door Seo Ki-ryong had left for a long time, then spoke to Noh Si-an, who was standing on one side, as if giving a quiet order.

“…Noh Si-an.”

“Yes.”

“That Geum Nae-yeong guy, check every single one of the attorneys, staff, family, and even the name of the dog raised at home in that office, and organize it into a file.”

“Yes… I understand.”

After Noh Si-an bowed and went out, Kim Hong-seok’s office became quiet again.

In the darkness, only the broken glass shards sparkled, reflecting the faint light.

Kim Hong-seok spat out the candy he was chewing among those shards.

“Right… who is he anyway… we just need to do it in our Gangyeok style. Because as long as we win somehow, that’s enough.”

***

At that time, Law Firm Teum.

“Now, we have completed consultations up to client number 23.

Lunch break is from 12:00 to 1:00, so please have your meal, make sure to bring your number ticket, and come by 1:00.”

At the entrance, Im Seon-hui was organizing the list and guiding the visitors.

“Damn it… why tell us to wait all day. I came because I was in a hurry.”

On one side of the waiting area, a young man muttered complaints to himself, and eventually jumped up from his seat, approached Im Seon-hui, and began to argue.

“I told you the police station told me to come for an investigation in the afternoon.

Shouldn’t you provide a quick consultation for something like this?”

“If you didn’t make a reservation, there is nothing we can do. And what time did you say the investigation was?”

When Im Seon-hui asked calmly, the man irritably set his cell phone down on the table with a thud.

“What are you going to do with that information, just give me a quick consultation instead of spending time asking about that.”

“I am not in charge of consultations, so I don’t have the authority to make changes.”

At Im Seon-hui’s firm tone, the man raised his voice even more.

“No, are you getting annoyed with me right now?”

“Annoyed? You spoke like that first.”

“What? What did I say? How did I speak?”

Perhaps because irritation welled up due to the wait, the man’s pupils grew larger and his face flushed.

His voice grew loud enough to echo through the entire office.

It was then,

Click, clack.

Along with the sound of shoes, someone approached and smoothly took the man’s consultation documents that were on the table.

“Name is Jang Ki-dong. Scheduled for a police investigation due to assault… right?”

Jang Ki-dong looked at the person who took the documents.

She was a woman who was tall like a model and neatly dressed, but whose features shone like a celebrity’s.

The woman’s gaze was calm but somehow strangely confident, and when that gaze stared straight at him, Jang Ki-dong felt somewhat intimidated for some reason.

“Yes… y-yes, it is. Why?”

“You just turned twenty? You’re young, but you’re already fighting?”

As Cha Ra-ri tilted her head while looking at the documents, Jang Ki-dong shut his mouth.

Coming all the way here due to a fight somehow felt… a bit embarrassing.

“Ah, by any chance, is your mother’s name Ms. Park Su-ja? It seems correct that you were referred by my mom’s friend?”

“…Yes.”

“I see. I feel like I might have seen you when I was young, too? By any chance, are you Min-ki’s friend?”

“No? I… this is the first time I’ve met you?”

“Really? Well, my memory must have been confused.”

Cha Ra-ri put down the documents with a laugh.

“The police investigation is at 4:00, right?”

“Yes.”

“Then go have a meal and come back. When people are hungry, they get angry, you know.”

“…”

Jang Ki-dong nodded his head slightly at Cha Ra-ri’s words.

“Still, the time is not late. If you come around 2:00, you will be able to consult right away.

Since our attorney reaches conclusions quickly, once you actually consult, it won’t even take 30 minutes. Therefore,”

She looked at Jang Ki-dong.

And then she smiled brightly.

“Don’t act rudely to our staff for no reason, okay?”

Jang Ki-dong blinked his eyes and nodded his head without realizing it.

“…Uh… uh…”

“Not ‘uh.’ You have to answer ‘yes.'”

“Ah, yes…”

“Good. See you later then!”

As Cha Ra-ri waved her hand lightly and returned to her seat, Jang Ki-dong stood awkwardly on the spot, staring blankly at the direction where she had disappeared.

Then, perhaps to have a meal, he hurriedly packed his things and left the office.

As Jang Ki-dong, who was making a fuss, left, the office quickly became quiet.

Only then did Im Seon-hui let go of her tension. And then she looked at Cha Ra-ri enviously.

‘Wow, unni Ra-ri… how does she immediately suppress him while smiling like that? She’s a real pro.’

A moment later.

Returning to her seat, Cha Ra-ri checked her cell phone and opened her eyes wide.

* Yeongmun Girls’ High School 51st Class Reunion Guide

A link had been posted in the group chat room.

Soon, the chat window bustled with movement.

– Oh, Jin-hwa, are you coming this time?

– Of course I should go~ It was a pity I left a bit early last year.

– It’s a bit better since they say it’s in Seoul this time.

– Right… Should I go too? I should check out a hair salon after a long time.

Around the time conversations poured out without a break, someone tagged Cha Ra-ri.

@Cha Ra-ri: Ra-ri, are you coming? You came last year too. You’re coming this time too, right?

Cha Ra-ri stopped her hand while looking down at the screen. She hesitated for a moment, stopping in the middle of trying to write something.

– Me? Hmm… well. Since I went last year, I’m thinking of passing this year…

A reply went up immediately.

– Hey, you must come!

– Right, it’s fun only when you come. You’re going to show us your car this time too, right?

I heard last time that you are doing really well? Driving a good car too, I’m jealous. Let’s see your face and see your car this time too!

– Yes, yes, Ra-ri, come! Everyone is waiting~

Heart emoticons and smiling emoticons uploaded one after another in the chat window.

Cha Ra-ri let out a short sigh.

‘I ended up becoming a probation employee again… it would be a bit awkward to bring that up, wouldn’t it…?’

Turning off her cell phone screen, Cha Ra-ri muttered.

“By the way… since Gangyeok cases aren’t coming in as much as before lately, the balance sheet doesn’t add up…”

Hearing her talking to herself, Office Manager Yeom approached familiarly and spoke to her.

“Ms. Ra-ri, did you sell your car?”

“Oh, of course, Office Manager. A Ferrari while unemployed… that’s not quite right. Although it was a lease, the fuel efficiency was truly scary.”

“Indeed, didn’t that fuel efficiency come out to like 3 km per liter? Hahaha.”

“It wasn’t that bad, but it depends on how you drive… But it’s like that. Once a person drives a good car, they get to know that feeling. There is a reason why it is expensive.”

“Sure, sure. The driving would be completely different.”

Cha Ra-ri shrugged her shoulders and continued.

“But lately, the number of people arguing in front of Gangyeok has decreased, and there are cases where they resign when they hear we are appointed…”

“The earnings are not what they used to be. I guess you could say I’m less motivated…”

“Motivation?”

When Office Manager Yeom asked back, Cha Ra-ri nodded.

“‘To attend a company consistently, get into debt!’ It sounds like a joke, but it is a saying that truly pierces the core.

I am grateful to have returned, but still, only when there is a strong motivation like ‘I should work really hard’ does company life become enjoyable.

In the end, that motivation also works positively for the clients.”

“Well… that is true. Then, are you thinking of getting a new car? How about a BMW 3 Series or a Volkswagen on lease?”

“Actually, I planned to take the Ferrari to last year’s reunion to teach a lesson to the kid who used to tease me when we were young, but she didn’t show up. But since they say she is coming this time, I’m contemplating a bit.”

“That’s possible. A person should resolve their deep-seated grudges. That ends up lingering as a regret for a long time. You can’t just overlook something like speaking carelessly to someone else’s precious daughter.”

Ju Yong-hae nodded his head in agreement upon hearing that.

At that moment, a light came on Cha Ra-ri’s extension phone with a beep. It was Geum Nae-yeong’s call.

“Yes, Attorney.”

“Ms. Cha Ra-ri. Let’s meet in my office for a moment.”

“Yes. Understood.”

Cha Ra-ri put down the phone and immediately headed to Geum Nae-yeong’s office.