Chapter 163
The moment he arrived home, Cha Juhan collapsed onto the bed without even taking off his clothes. When he came to, it was already 4 p.m. It had been ages since he'd slept this deeply.
He still had plenty of time before the 7 p.m. appointment. Having been stuck in the investigation room for so long without a proper wash, he showered first and downed a cup of coffee. Then he turned his thoughts to the person who had gotten him out.
To figure that out, he needed to run through everyone he remembered from his past life—high-ranking officials and all. Plenty of names flashed through his mind, but none fit the bill for this situation. These were people he hadn't even met by 2010. In any case, he'd see for himself in three hours, but he wanted to prepare as much as possible.
This was the biggest crisis since starting his second life, and whoever had saved him did so for reasons unknown. Even if it was just to use him, any deal required mutual agreement. Right now, he was only temporarily released from prosecution questioning; the suspicions hadn't been cleared. If things didn't align with that person, he'd have to go back for more grilling. Best to meet without any preconceptions.
"……."
Before he knew it, 7 p.m. had arrived. Looking down from the veranda, he spotted the sedan from that morning idling at the entrance.
"Thank you."
The driver spotted him and promptly opened the door. The courtesy was appreciated, but it wasn't something Cha Juhan was used to. The car glided smoothly along, soon crossing the Han River Bridge. Forty minutes after departure, it entered the upscale neighborhood of Pyeongchang-dong.
Pyeongchang-dong. Nice neighborhood. He'd never lived there himself, but it was the place he'd raided most often during searches.
The car pulled into the garage just as the doors opened.
"Good evening, Lawyer Cha Juhan."
Before Cha Juhan could even touch the door handle, it swung open. The voice was familiar—the man he'd spoken to right after leaving the prosecutor's office that morning.
"Good evening. What should I call you? I still don't know who you are."
His pointed remark drew the same chuckle from the man.
"Just call me Manager Kang. I've heard a lot about you. Quite the impressive track record."
"You're too kind, but I'm curious who told you so much about me."
Instead of answering, Manager Kang led him inside the mansion. Up the stairs, a vast lawn opened up—a meticulously landscaped garden. Trees lining the walls bore the clear touch of a gardener's hand, dense and lush enough to rival a botanical garden. Under the largest hackberry tree was a spot set up for tea, and beyond that, even a small artificial pond. "Garden" didn't quite capture the scale.
In the center of the lawn stood a sculpture that could have been by a famous modern artist. It wasn't a space from his memories.
"The garden's something else, isn't it?"
Manager Kang smiled, noticing Cha Juhan looking around.
"It is."
"The Elder has always dreamed of country life, but sadly, he hasn't realized it yet."
"Why not?"
"Probably because there's still something he has to protect. Who am I to guess at the Elder's heart?"
They crossed the lawn along a stone path, the mansion's main building emerging under the soft glow of garden lights. Modern and stylish for someone of the Elder's age, it featured floor-to-ceiling windows offering a clear view of the spacious living room. Cha Juhan glanced in, hoping for a glimpse of the owner, but saw only a busy housekeeper.
"Come on in."
They reached the entrance, and Manager Kang opened the door. Cha Juhan's first impression was the striking paintings on canvases lining the walls. But amid his admiration for the mansion, he hadn't forgotten his goal: uncovering the owner's identity. It only piqued his curiosity more. Who the hell owned this place?
"Wait here a moment."
He guided Cha Juhan to the living room sofa, and no sooner had he sat than the housekeeper set down a teacup. Manager Kang ascended the stairs slowly. Soon, two sets of footsteps descended toward the first floor.
Cha Juhan watched the figure slowly appear.
"……."
"Kept you waiting, Lawyer Cha Juhan?"
The man approaching made Cha Juhan shoot to his feet without thinking. He knew he should greet him, but the words stuck in his throat.
"Looks like Lawyer Cha is quite shocked."
It was rude, he knew, but unavoidable. Among all the power players he'd racked his brain over for three hours, this man hadn't even crossed his mind.
"My apologies for the rudeness. Good evening, Former President Kang Gwanung. I'm Cha Juhan."
"President? Come on, I'm just an old man in retirement now. Call me whatever feels comfortable."
"What would you prefer?"
"Hmm. For now, just Elder—like that guy does."
Former President Kang Gwanung glanced at Manager Kang beside him.
"Sit."
He gestured to the still-standing Cha Juhan. Sinking back into the sofa, Cha Juhan still couldn't tell if this was a dream. But Kang Gwanung explained everything. Who else in Korea could casually spring him from the jaws of Go Sangjun, his brother, and Taegwang Law Firm?
Even knowing his identity, though, it didn't fully make sense. Why had Kang Gwanung stepped in? He'd completely retired from politics. Former presidents couldn't officially participate, but some wielded influence behind the scenes. Kang Gwanung, however, had vanished from public view after the 1980s—except for Blue House events—and lived quietly in seclusion, as he always said he would. Unless he got tangled in new scandals, Cha Juhan never would have thought of him again before his death.
"Eaten yet?"
"Not yet."
"Hungry?"
"No."
"Good. Someone else is coming."
Someone else? Cha Juhan furrowed his brow briefly, then let it go. He'd never even considered Kang Gwanung on the way here—what were the odds he'd guess this?
"Fifteen hours of questioning, right? Must be exhausted."
"No, I've rested plenty."
"Oh?"
He chuckled softly and sipped his tea.
"You look like you have a lot of questions. Can't blame you—I'd be stunned too if a total stranger suddenly yanked me out of the prosecutor's office."
"As you said, Elder, I want to know why you got me out of the investigation."
Kang Gwanung let out a tsk of amusement.
"Most people start with thanks. Questions first? Out of order, don't you think?"
"I haven't decided if it's something to be thankful for yet."
"Why not?"
"Because I don't know your purpose in pulling me from questioning. If what you want from me doesn't align with my principles, I can't accept your favor."
Kang Gwanung tapped the armrest with a smile.
"No rushing into gratitude? How stingy. Whatever my goal, the fact is I got you out."
"A longer investigation would've worn me down, so I'm truly grateful for cutting it short. Thank you."
"Haha, Manager Kang—this guy's a puzzle. Strong pride? Rude? Or just cautious?"
He spoke to Manager Kang with a laugh. Cha Juhan knew he'd been stiff in front of a former president, but with unknown intentions, he couldn't afford carelessness. Thanking him outright might give leverage for demands. His investigation wasn't fully closed—he wanted to make that clear.
"Maybe he just doesn't want to say anything premature, Elder."
"If it came off as rude, my apologies. But it doesn't feel like the time for hasty words."
"Fair enough. Like you said, thanks can wait till it's all over. So, how do you plan to get out of this mess? What would you have done without me?"
Kang Gwanung met his eyes directly. They'd only played one card so far: the fabricated double ledger. But it wouldn't end there. The charges were real estate speculation and excessive fees. The fees weren't criminal—just bad optics, and not overly inflated from the start. The land deal in northern Gyeonggi was the real hook.
They had no solid proof of speculation yet. But what if a source emerged claiming to have leaked new city development info to him? Wooshin would fabricate one. Probably already on standby.
"Honestly, no immediate plan."
"No plan? So you'd just lie down on Go Sangjun's execution block and let them chop your head off?"
"I'd stay quiet, reviewing the exposed evidence until I gauged how far they'd prepared. Rash moves could backfire if inconsistencies show."
"What about the image hit while you wait?"
Image hit. A politician's question, fitting. But not a lawyer's main concern—though Cha Juhan valued his.
"What does my image matter as a mere lawyer?"
"Really?"
He lowered his glasses, staring with naked eyes. For such an aged man, his gaze brimmed with vitality, as if saying he knew Cha Juhan was lying.
"Elder."
Then Manager Kang, standing quietly behind, approached and whispered something. Kang Gwanung shifted his gaze to the entrance.
"Oh, time flies. Lighten up—I don't want to get scolded for grilling you."
The sensor light at the entrance flicked on. Someone had arrived. The housekeeper headed over, taking a coat and bag from the figure still hidden by the inner door.
"Grandpa, I'm here... Huh? Law—Lawyer?"
And the one who stepped out was none other than Kang Minjae.