Chapter 213
"Cha Byun, isn't this pushing it a bit?"
"……Yeah, you gonna be okay?"
Choi Jonghyeon and Jo Bongjun stared wide-eyed at the number on the screen. They grabbed my hand as I reached for the click, not forgetting to urge me to think it over one more time.
I shook off Jo Bongjun's hand and moved the mouse back to the transfer button.
"To use that method, this is the safest way. And it's going to a good cause anyway—what's the harm? Think of it as a social contribution."
"You've made a ton of money as a lawyer, sir. Using it for good is perfect," Oh Yanghun chimed in from the side, at which Choi Jonghyeon threw up his hands in surrender.
"Fine, fine. It's his money, he can spend it how he wants. Never heard any dirt on Light and Salt Disabled Welfare Foundation anyway."
"You're too naive. You think there couldn't be any issues? Those guys might all be in cahoots, and Minwoo Party bigwigs are probably dumping loads of cash there to kiss up to Lee Jungchan. There has to be something fishy going between the foundation and Lee Jungchan."
"We'll find out when we investigate."
I replied curtly.
Even if there were problems with the foundation, they wouldn't be major ones. Once the Lee Se-hyung case blew open, the Light and Salt Disabled Welfare Foundation—where Lee Se-hyung had worked—would inevitably come under scrutiny. Verifying if any funds had been misused would be a piece of cake. Park Younggi would have my back anyway. Worst case, if issues cropped up later, I could demand the donation back on grounds of the organization being untrustworthy. Or if everything checked out, just let them use it for good.
"Yeah, after pocketing tens of billions in real estate gains, this is pocket change. Hit it! Hit it!"
> [Transfer 500,000,000 won to ‘Light and Salt Disabled Welfare Foundation’?]
"Whoa, 500 million looks like it has so many zeros."
"You sure this amount goes through in one go?"
"It's a business account."
I hit confirm without hesitation.
"Whoa. It's done. Everyone, give him a round of applause."
At Choi Jonghyeon's rallying cry, everyone in the office showered me with claps.
"I'd infiltrate as an employee before donating 500 mil just to crash the event."
"Same here."
"My face is too well-known for that anyway. Plus, I'm curious about the faces attending."
Not every attendee gets spotlighted, even with reporters there. Showing up would make it easy to map Lee Jungchan's network, and who knows what else I might uncover. On top of that, as someone paying massive taxes every year, donations came with tax breaks. The money I'd made now was on a scale I'd never touched in my previous life. Gained through future knowledge—essentially a cheat—it felt right to give some back to society.
"Jo Bongjun, you've made bank on stocks too. Time to donate."
"I'm supporting my grandma and siblings—no leftovers. My back's killing me. Killing."
"Didn't you just buy a new car?"
"Bro, shut it."
"Don't hog all the good investments, hyungnim. Share with me too."
Kang Minjae, newly hooked on stocks, piped up to Jo Bongjun.
"Hey, Minjae. What do you need stocks for? You're set."
"I'm not rich—my grandpa is."
"So he says he won't leave you a dime?"
"Not exactly, but……."
"Greedy punk."
As the three bantered away, the phone rang. I picked up the receiver and signaled them to quiet down.
"Yes, Cha Juhan Law Office."
"Hello. This is Light and Salt Disabled Welfare Foundation."
"Yes."
"We saw you donated 500 million won through our site just now. Just confirming. In case it was a mistake with the amount."
"No mistake. It's correct—500 million."
"……Ah, I see. It's such a huge sum, we were all shocked. Thank you so much for your interest in disabled welfare. We'll make sure it goes to those who need it most."
"Yes, thanks for your hard work."
"If you need a press release, just say the word. We can—"
"No, that's fine. I wanted to donate quietly."
"Ah, in that case, shall we send a donation certificate?"
Our staffer continued in an excited, cautious tone.
They seemed stunned that someone with zero prior ties had suddenly dropped such a massive sum.
"Yes, that would be appreciated."
"Sure. We'll send it to the address you provided on the site. Thank you again for your generosity."
And the line went dead.
"Cha Byun, no word on the event invite?"
"Not yet."
"They wouldn't skip inviting you after 500 mil, right?"
Choi Jonghyeon said worriedly. I shook my head.
"They won't. A first-time donor dropping this much? They'll want to lock me in. And who donates 500 million with ulterior motives?"
"True. Not like it's 5 grand—shelling out half a billion screams pure goodwill."
"Call will come soon. I have somewhere to be, so I'm heading out."
"Where to?"
"Gonna scout an actor and cameraman."
I shrugged on my jacket and stood.
To snag those quick ones and put 'em to work, prep started now.
At Jang Taesik's office, he was dozing off, feet propped on the desk. He didn't stir even as I approached. I slammed the desk.
"Hngh, ugh, Lawyer…… when'd you get here……?"
"Earlier. Three hours ago."
"Gasp, why didn't you wake me? Wait, I slept three hours?"
Taesik frantically checked the clock on his desk.
"Ah, whatever. Only 10 minutes. Why say three hours ago?"
"Whatever. Sit."
I sat at the table. Taesik slouched over and plopped down opposite, grumbling.
"What."
"Call over two of your guys who look clean-cut."
"Clean-cut? Hmm, Hoseok's handsome."
One of the employees huddled at the back table playing cards bolted up.
"You called, boss?"
……Manly-looking, but with a knife scar on his face.
"Nah, not him."
"You're out. Sit back down."
Taesik waved him off, and Hoseok slumped back dejectedly.
"Handsome not required. Just neat, like rich-kid bodyguards."
"Oh! Got one. Jeonghyeok! C'mere."
"Yes, boss!"
Jeonghyeok, slurping jjajangmyeon, jumped up and dashed over.
"Hey, you punk. Wipe that jjajang sauce off your mouth. What're you, wearing it?"
"Shit, sorry."
Under Taesik's scolding, Jeonghyeok scrubbed his mouth with tissue.
"Hmm. Button that shirt proper, tidy up."
Jeonghyeok straightened his collar and stood at attention. Dressed neat, he didn't look thuggish. This could work.
"Fast runner?"
"Track team in high school!" Jeonghyeok bellowed.
Overkill energy, but he'd follow orders to pipe down.
"Good actor?"
"Drama club in middle school!"
I'd doubted it inwardly, but damn—track and drama club for real.
"Lying and you die?" Taesik menaced.
"Truth! I'll bring my transcript!"
"Still fishy……."
"Truth!"
"Fine. He'll do."
"But what's this for?"
Taesik, still glaring at Jeonghyeok, turned to me.
"Got a mission. You're in."
* * *
The next evening, in the studio, we were brainstorming the next broadcast topic.
"Who the hell left their ringer on during the meeting? Rude."
Choi Jonghyeon, furiously scripting, shot me a dirty look. My phone was buzzing.
"Cha Juhan speaking."
I hung up. Choi Jonghyeon, who'd griped about manners mid-meeting, snapped his head up.
"Event long? How many escorts? Can I go?"
Sometimes it was hard to tell if his obsession with Lee Jungchan was love or hate. His eyes sparkled at the mention of a rich Lee Jungchan event.
"You and Jo Bongjun probably can't. Lee Jungchan's directly tied to the Myungwha Pharma case, and my link to it is public. You two tagging along would be too obvious."
"Ugh…… then who?"
"Kang Byun, plus the actor and cameraman."