Chapter 80
Chapter 80
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 80
Chapter Title: Stupid Mistake
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Dong-hyun, who had spent a sweet week-long vacation, returned.
"Have a good trip?"
"You bet~ Man, with the exchange rate up, exchanging money in Korea felt like it was duplicating itself."
That was right.
With the exchange rate soaring, Dong-hyun's salary in dollars had ballooned when converted to Korean won.
He said he'd given his parents a generous holiday allowance for the occasion.
Of course. His pay here was at least three times what he'd made working in Korea.
Dong-hyun came back loaded with Korean sweets and handed them out to the staff as gifts. Everyone loved it.
You know those flower-shaped pastries they sell at the market?
"What'd you do for fun in Korea?"
"When did I have time for fun? Spent Chuseok with family, met up with the kids for drinks, and time was up. Came right back. But... somehow, America feels more like home than Korea now?"
Hmm. Good sign. Please settle down here for good.
It felt nice to sit peacefully before opening and chat like old times.
"Whoa, by the way. Your ex-wife's been on TV lately?"
Huh? What was that about?
"What'd you say?"
"Was watching TV, some divorce camp show? She was a guest, playing the victim card. Ugh... made me wanna puke."
Hadn't kept up with Korean news for a while, so something new must've blown up.
"Really? What'd she say?"
"Yeah, admitted to cheating but blamed you for provoking it—total bullshit. Made me wanna smack her. Celebrities nodding along like they get it... fuck."
Phew. Good thing I bailed.
Couldn't fathom the nerve.
Money must be running low, but dragging out the lawsuit... maybe appearing on shows to cover legal fees?
Broadcast stations thrive on controversy anyway.
"Tch, what a bitch. Let's drop it. Lawyer's coming today anyway; gotta hear how it's going."
"Yeah. But with that medal you got, shouldn't it sway the ruling?"
"Nah, apparently not."
"Really?"
"Yeah. They're just enforcing the Korean judgment here, after all."
"Hmm... that's bad, right?"
"Real bad."
Enforcing the Korean ruling as-is would've been straight-up against me.
Curious how the lawyer was countering.
Conveniently, we'd set a meeting soon.
"Nothing happened while I was gone?"
To Dong-hyun's question, I sipped my coffee and replied.
"Was tough without time to play with Lily. Now that you're back, spend some time with her."
He shot me a grossed-out look at that.
Heh. Singles wouldn't get it.
This urge to stay together forever.
"Yeah, you worked hard for a week—go chill with the missus."
"Yep~ That's the plan."
"Sticking around for lunch?"
"Yeah, meeting's around then. Cafe nearby. Want me to grab coffee after?"
"Get some for the crew."
"Sure."
"I'll be back."
"Good luck with the talk."
One perk of the shop stabilizing.
Could pop in and out freely, claim my time anytime.
If I'd tried handling it all solo without Dong-hyun, no way I'd have this leisure.
Self-employment's infamous for eating your personal life.
Work when others rest, rest when they work.
With Dong-hyun, someone reliable to leave it to—huge relief.
Paid him well, of course.
I headed to the cafe across from the shop.
David sat by the window, sipping coffee.
"Whoa, you're early, David. Long time no see."
Hadn't seen him face-to-face since handing over the case.
Got phone briefings occasionally, though.
"Haha, been a while, Hoon. Doing well?"
"Of course. You?"
"Lately? Having a blast."
A blast?
"Because of the lawsuit?"
"You know it."
David set down his cup and opened his briefcase.
"Have a seat, Hoon. Time for a briefing."
I sat across from him.
"Bottom line: opponent's coming on strong."
"So, how're we responding?"
"Our strategy questions the judgment's legitimacy. Specifically, under recognition and enforcement of foreign judgments, whether it blatantly violates U.S.—especially California—public policy."
"Public policy?"
"Exactly. A judgment splitting 50% of the husband's assets with a spouse who contributed nothing to the marriage and was clearly at fault. Does that align with California's legal sensibilities and public policy? I'm challenging the judgment's 'fairness' itself."
David grinned.
"What's your take, David?"
Straight to the point.
"Think we'll win?"
His smile faded a bit at my question.
"Hoon. Honestly? Tough fight."
"...Why? Isn't it violating public policy, like you said?"
"Sure is."
David nodded.
"But this is the realm of law, not feelings. U.S. courts rarely reject foreign judgments."
"Only if the issuing country's procedures lack due process under U.S. constitutional standards—like no notice of trial, default judgment, or confessions via torture."
"......"
"Your case? Pleadings filed in Korean court, full procedures followed. Just an unfair outcome. If the judge shrugs, 'That's how they do it there,' we lose."
Wait, David. Weren't you confident?
"Sounds like we're gonna lose..."
A twinge of anxiety.
"...Are we?"
David smiled.
"No way. It got complicated... but opponent made a huge blunder mid-case."
"Blunder? What?"
"See the docs."
He slid a paper my way.
"Plaintiff went to Korean media during active proceedings... badmouthing and defaming you big time."
"......"
"So?"
"Big deal here."
David said firmly.
"In U.S. courts? Stupid mistake."
I stared, not getting it.
"Hoon, what's our argument?"
"That... the judgment's unfair?"
"Precisely: it blatantly violates California's public policy. We're saying it's not fair. But plaintiff proved it herself."
"Her goal isn't legitimate asset split—it's personal revenge against you, Hoon, via public pressure."
"......!"
"U.S. judges despise tainting judicial process with media stunts. Hands us a powerful weapon in scrutinizing the judgment's legitimacy."
David smirked.
"Stupidly proved the suit's about revenge, not money."
Oh?
"So... she fucked up?"
"Yep."
David nailed it.
"If she'd stuck to the case, per your initial plan, we'd drag costs beyond the split even in loss. Now? Win's possible."
Jackpot.
But why didn't Ji-su's lawyer warn her?
Odd.
"If it's that stupid, why didn't her lawyer stop her?"
David looked puzzled too.
"Good question. If I were her lawyer, I'd ban media appearances or badmouthing till case end."
He pondered, then added.
"Maybe doesn't know U.S. law... or some other reason."
"Hmm... yeah?"
Really wondered why Ji-su was pushing so hard.
The lights were hot.
Countless cameras blinked red at her.
Ji-su sat as a panelist on another variety show.
Lighter makeup than usual. Fragile expression, on the verge of tears.
MC opened sympathetically.
"Ji-su, thanks for the tough steps today."
She bit her lip briefly.
Eyes reddening.
Other panelists watched solemnly.
"For others like me, fellow victims."
"Victims, you say?"
"Yes."
Ji-su stared straight at the camera.
"Legally owed money, but if they flee abroad, women get nothing. Too many cases."
Her voice trembled.
"It's... a clear legal loophole. To prevent more victims like me, we need new laws ASAP."
A tear rolled down her cheek.
"Oh my god..."
Panelists moved by her words, audience pitying her tears.
Truth was, Ji-su no longer cared much about winning or losing the U.S. case.
Her eyes were on bigger things.
Her boyfriend Min-jun, skyrocketing daily on TV.
Variety, ads, key movie supporting roles.
With the women's ministry's invisible push, Min-jun was a rising star.
In return, Ji-su faithfully played victim per their directives.
Interviews, campaigns—she showed up.
Trashed ex-husband Kim Ji-hoon, stirred opinion for new laws based on her "victimhood."
Ji-su wasn't dumb.
Calculations done.
Just 220 million won.
But leveraging "victim" role to lock in future top star Min-jun?
Far bigger payoff, she knew.
Her sacrifices had warmed things with Min-jun again.
His agency now respected her presence.
Squeezing cash from Ji-hoon? Secondary now.
She was fully committed to nurturing her Min-jun insurance policy.
".....What?"
Mid-work, the call made his hand tremble; Ji-hoon's every action froze.
Shop buzzed with customers.
Staff hustled, Dong-hyun managed the floor.
But to Ji-hoon, it all turned gray.
No sounds. Eerie silence.
He panicked.
"Uh... uh... got it."
Call ended.
Yet Ji-hoon stood dazed, receiver in hand.
"What're you doing? Customer's waiting to pay."
Dong-hyun spotted the blocked counter, rushed over.
Sensed something off immediately.
Ji-hoon stared blankly at him.
"....Sorry, gotta go to Korea."
"What? Suddenly?"
Dong-hyun froze mid-reach for the register, eyed him.
Ji-hoon's face was awful.
Dong-hyun asked carefully.
".....Something wrong?"
Ji-hoon spoke slowly.
".....Grandma passed."
"......"
Chuseok, on tablet: "My baby, you'll visit Grandma, right?" Weak smile.
Dong-hyun faced his grieving friend, words failed.