You Have Been Defended - Chapter 178
My insides felt like they were flipping over. On my way home yesterday, I'd dumped a hangover remedy into my mouth and chugged some honey water. With a sigh, I gazed at the four tangled bodies sprawled across my living room.
Gukjeongwon, Jo Bongjun, Choi Jonghyeon, and even Kim Jeongu. Whatever had them so hyped, they'd driven themselves into the ground with booze. They'd mixed soju and beer in a 1:1 ratio—or maybe even more soju—pouring it into beer mugs. Of course, they hadn't forgotten to pressure me into joining. I'd kept refusing, but eventually gave in to their nagging and downed one glass, then two. And this was the result.
My plan to shove them into the officetel I'd set up for Jo Bongjun and Choi Jonghyeon, then head home alone, had gone completely off the rails. I was too wasted myself, so I'd ended up dragging them all back to my place.
I changed out of the clothes I hadn't managed to shed and showered before retreating to my study. Since the broadcast had run late into the night, the real reactions would probably hit around morning.
It wasn't front-page material, but it had generated enough buzz to top the news tab lists. Most articles included screenshots from the internet broadcast, so the promo effect seemed solid.
Time to check the sites too.
Couldn't tell if these were real viewer reviews or our plants, but it wasn't bad. Even on sites packed with internet broadcast fans, the debut buzz had rookies like them trending—plenty of mentions.
Reactions were decent overall. Thanks to Myeonghwa timing their lawsuit perfectly, things were rolling per plan. Time to map out the defense strategy.
"Attorney, good morning."
After soothing my gut with some haejangguk, I got to the office to find Oh Yanghun already there, rag and duster in hand.
We'd wrapped all cases, taken a week off. Needed time to rent a studio for the broadcasts, brainstorm ideas. Looked like he'd come early to clean after the long absence.
"Office Manager, why do the cleaning yourself?"
"It's nothing. Just wiped some dust off the desks."
He stashed the tools on the balcony and sat at the table.
"Watched the broadcast yesterday. Good reactions, right?"
The docs I'd shown Choi Jonghyeon and Jo Bongjun about Myeonghwa? Our collab—me and Oh Yanghun. Couldn't hunt papers, translations, articles solo in that timeframe. Even if I'd seen them in my past life, no eidetic memory; had to reread everything.
"Yeah, better than expected. Lucky break."
"Jo Bongjun and that reporter have great delivery. Even my wife thought it was fun."
"Glad to hear."
"You revealed the lawsuit on air. Game on now?"
"Yep. Time to prep the defense."
"Got a consult inquiry this morning. Hold till this wraps?"
"No need unless it's big. We got Kang anyway."
I glanced at the memo he handed over.
"Kang's here? Were you talking about me?"
The reply came from elsewhere. Kang Minjae burst in, shopping bags in both hands, looking fresh as hell.
"Talking clients."
"Ah. Nice vacation? Go anywhere?"
"Nah, just chilled at home."
Couldn't tell him Myeonghwa was our setup, so vague it was.
"Should've gone somewhere."
"Where'd you go, Kang?"
"Bali. Heh. Souvenirs for you two."
He plunked the bags on the table, beaming.
"Dig in."
He handed one to each; I took mine to head back, but he grabbed me. Sighing, I peeked inside.
"Grabbed all the Bali hits. Haha."
Tropical fruit hand cream, soap, air freshener, dried fruits, mugs and keychains screaming "Bali," coffee beans, Hawaiian shirt, whiskey. No wonder the bags were huge—packed with knickknacks.
"Thanks. This cream's for my daughter."
"Whiskey's all yours, Manager."
"Got it. Haha. Bali fun?"
"Oh yeah—rented a beach villa, swam all day, epic dinners, hit clubs."
"Clubs?"
The word flashed me back to that night: club fight, dragged to the station at midnight. If not for meeting Kim Chan-young then, pure rage leftover.
"Haha, no biggie. Haha. But a week of play got old. Kinda missed work."
What a bald-faced lie. I crossed my arms, eyeing the glowing [Lie] above his head.
"Really? Perfect—case just landed, as you wanted."
"Huh? Oh... right."
"Don't wanna work? I can cut you out."
"No! No way! What's the case? Spill!"
"Defamation."
He shrugged like it was minor.
"Defamation's usually summary indictment, right? Easy peasy."
Normally, yeah—no jail, maybe a fine for first-timers. But we weren't settling for small stakes.
"Maybe not. It's Myeonghwa Pharmaceuticals."
"Myeonghwa?"
Kang's eyes widened in surprise.
"Myeonghwa—like Apollo?"
"Saw the articles?"
"Yeah, this morning. That's coming to our office? Article said he got sued last night. Already a client?"
Even hiding our involvement, he'd meet them eventually. No point faking awkwardness with folks he knew.
"Acquaintances."
"Gotcha."
He bought it easy.
"You scoped the case basics?"
"Heard the rundown; consult tomorrow."
Per yesterday, they should've come today. But seeing them tangled in my living room this morning? No chance.
"Gotta get the vibe today then. Articles everywhere. Apollo was on radio too, internet streams. Seems he really hates Myeonghwa's guts. Real justice warrior type?"
"Kinda."
Not really, but whatever.
Kang nodded and plopped at his desk.
"Gonna read his posts, watch the streams, listen to the radio."
Hates work till it's assigned—then he's the hardest worker. I watched him spin his wheel, staring through the monitor.
He wasn't showing it, but he was troubled. Couldn't fool Kang forever. Time for me to ramp up; bullshitting him each time was inefficient and gnawed at me.
Still hadn't decided. Trusted him now, but the danger kept me from spilling. Exhibit A: me, recently targeted by Wooshin, grilled by prosecutors.
But knowing his grandpa's ex-president? Different story. Grandkid of that guy might not face my level of heat.
Even if Kang wanted in, would Kang Gwanung allow it? No clue on his Go Sangjun ties, but saving me back then? He knew it'd irk him a bit.
Might not want it escalating. Worst case, if he's anti-Go, helping a rando like me is one thing—throwing his green grandson into the fray? Nah.
Kang leaving the prosecutors' office for Taegwang? Low odds he beefed with Go Sangjun.
Anyway, all moot till he wants in. Surprisingly, he might bail.
I snapped from my thoughts at the new mail alert in Jo Bongjun's inbox I'd left logged in. Wasn't expecting much. After yesterday's broadcast call for helpers—email public—braced for spam.
Simple subject. Tempting.
But I'd gotten tons like this. Titles promised gold; contents were curses, memes, or stock portfolio consults.
"Hmm."
Wonder if this one's different.