Chapter 214 [Light and Salt Disabled Welfare Foundation Appreciation Day]
Wednesday night at 7 p.m. A massive banner hung on the wall of the foundation building.
As he stepped out of the car, black sedans filled the parking lot came into view. Only those who had donated over 500 million won in the past year were invited, so the owners of these cars must all be people of considerable wealth.
"Lawyer, I'm kinda nervous."
Kang Minjae stuck close behind Cha Juhan and said so.
"This isn't your first time at something like this."
"True, but still. What if I run into someone I know?"
"What then? Just greet them like normal."
"Think I can pull it off?"
"What's so hard about it?"
Kang clung to Cha Juhan like a piece of gum as they entered the building.
Upon arriving at the hall where the event was held, foundation staff stood at the entrance checking invitations. When Cha Juhan handed his over, they verified his face and gave him a small name tag.
"You said three people in your party, but I don't see the other two?"
"Ah, they're running a bit late. It might be awkward for me to step out during the event. Can they still get in?"
"Yes. As long as we can identify them as your group, it should be fine."
"Would it work if they're carrying our office's business cards?"
"Ah, yes. We'll do that. We'll give them escort passes so they can show the cards and enter. Please go in now, Lawyer, and take your seat at the table with your name on it."
Cha Juhan and Kang Minjae pinned on the name tags and entered.
Inside, people who seemed to know each other gathered in small groups, chatting. High-end catering had been prepared—waiters circulated with finger foods and champagne. A panel at the entrance noted that the catering was sponsored by the head of a certain hotel, one of the foundation's major donors.
It might sting to see donated money spent this way, but sponsorship was a relief.
"Huh? Look who it is. Lawyer Kang Minjae!"
As they sat at their assigned seats waiting for the event to start, a voice called from behind.
"Ah, Assemblyman Oh Janghyeon. Good to see you."
Kang Minjae jumped up, grabbed the hand Oh extended, and bowed his head. Oh patted Kang's shoulder with a bright smile.
Oh Janghyeon, the current spokesperson for the Minwoo Party. I figured he'd be here.
"What brings you here?"
"Ah, the law firm I work at donated to the foundation this time, so we got invited."
"The firm you work at... Ah! You must be with Lawyer Cha Juhan."
He turned his gaze as if only just noticing Cha Juhan.
Cha Juhan knew he was in his forties, but the sudden casual tone made him wonder when they'd supposedly gotten so familiar.
"Hello. Nice to meet you."
"Pleasure. I've heard a lot about you. Quite the celebrity."
Rumors? The kind circulating among them was obvious. Probably that he was a madman.
"You're too kind."
"How's your grandfather doing?"
"Just fine. Same as always."
Kang Gwanung, former president, was politically opposed to the Minwoo Party. The party he'd belonged to had recently changed its name to the Free Justice Party and was still locked in fierce battle with the Minwoo Party.
Yet here they were, acting chummy. Cha Juhan hadn't expected that.
"The leader will be here soon. Want to say hello?"
"Ah, should I?"
"The leader's praised you a lot too, Lawyer Cha."
"Has he now."
Sarcasm? Lee Jeongchan praising him was unlikely.
"Haha. Talk later."
After Oh Janghyeon left and was far enough away, Kang Minjae whispered to Cha Juhan.
"Grandpa hates that guy the most. Calls him a two-faced bat."
"Him?"
"He flirted with the Free Justice Party at first, but when that didn't pan out, he jumped to Minwoo and got their nomination."
Cha Juhan hadn't paid much attention to Oh's background; he didn't seem worth it.
"But Kang, you know Lee Jeongchan too?"
"Saw him once as a kid. Lee Jeongchan was a judge, right? Before politics, Grandpa thought highly of him as a protégé. But once he entered politics... well, he started criticizing Grandpa. Honestly, not someone worth greeting. That guy's just talking. Or maybe he's too dumb to know Lee Jeongchan trashed our grandpa. Or he's hedging his bets in case he needs to flip again."
Cha Juhan hadn't realized Kang already disliked Lee Jeongchan, even without this case.
"Anyway, no sign of Lee Se-hyeong?"
About five minutes until the event started. Maybe he'd appear with his father.
"Here he comes."
Sure enough, people began murmuring and looking toward the entrance.
Lee Jeongchan was pushing Lee Se-hyeong's wheelchair into the hall. Minwoo Party figures like Oh Janghyeon rushed over. They surrounded him like courtiers escorting royalty. Reporters trailing behind snapped photos furiously.
With only donors of 500 million won or more allowed, this was clearly staged to publicize Lee Jeongchan's annual donations via press releases.
"Haha, enough already. It's an event I attend every year—no need for all this filming."
Lee Jeongchan waved smilingly at the reporters following him. They surely hadn't donated 500 million to get in; the foundation must permit press for publicity. They wore name tags marked 'PRESS'.
The foundation seemed to give Lee Jeongchan special treatment. Makes sense for a heavyweight politician donating massive sums yearly.
So far, it felt like he'd get his donation back.
"Alright, let's wrap it up. Don't want to disrupt the event."
At Lee Jeongchan's second urging, the reporters regretfully lowered their cameras and moved to the press section below the stage. Lee Jeongchan and Lee Se-hyeong sat at the front-row table.
Lee Jeongchan looked thrilled, shaking hands and warmly greeting well-wishers. With this event screening Minwoo Party's big-money donors, how could he not be pleased? Especially since today was his last chance—might as well enjoy it.
"On behalf of the Light and Salt Disabled Welfare Foundation, we thank everyone for your great contributions this year."
The event began with opening remarks from Pastor Lee Seungjin. An orchestra of church members where he served as associate pastor performed, and he went table to table greeting guests.
"Lawyer Cha Juhan, so glad to see you here."
"No, thank you for inviting me."
"Oh, not at all. We're grateful you graced us despite the short notice. Have you always been interested in disabled welfare?"
"I've cared from afar, but never acted. Glad I found such a fine foundation."
"You've been a huge help. God sent you to us for a purpose, and He'll surely bless you in return. Hope we can keep building a good relationship in the Lord."
"Yes, of course."
Hollow words, but Cha Juhan played along—thankful once more that his truth-seeing ability was his alone.
"Lee Se-hyeong's working the room hard."
As the pastor moved on, Kang Minjae whispered. Cha Juhan's eyes were already on him.
"Huh? Coming this way?"
"You know Lee Se-hyeong?"
"No. And Lee Jeongchan was when I was really young—"
Kang cut himself off. Lee Se-hyeong had arrived at their table.
"Hello, Lawyer. I'm Lee Se-hyeong, welfare worker at Light and Salt Disabled Welfare Foundation. Nice to meet you. Haha."
His tone was warm and kind, utterly unlike the voice Cha Juhan had overheard on surveillance. Just as Sanggil described, he had a benevolent face. The same voice, but the gap was jarring. Cha Juhan nearly stared at his face instead of taking the offered handshake.
"Deciding to donate such a large sum couldn't have been easy. Impressive. We were all shocked."
"It's going to a good cause."
"Yes. Thanks to generous people like you, our disabled residents live comfortably. All donors are amazing. Truly admirable."
During the chat, Cha Juhan felt Lee Jeongchan's gaze from afar. He was staring intently. As Oh had implied, Lee Jeongchan knew who he was. How could he not—the guy who'd faced prosecution over the Wooshin-Taegwang joint venture. Close as brothers with Go Sangjun, his nemesis; no way he didn't know Cha Juhan.
Curious what father and son might be discussing. Maybe wondering if he'd cause a scene. His head must be spinning: Why'd that guy suddenly donate here? Didn't hear about it. Is he Protestant? Minghwa Pharma scandal just broke—bad timing.
But Cha Juhan didn't mind the glare. Because he was going to cause a scene.
"See you next time."
Lee Se-hyeong smiled softly and wheeled to the next table.
"Lawyer, did you see Lee Jeongchan? Felt like he was boring holes through you."
"Yeah, I felt it too."
"You must really be on his radar."
"You're on it too, Kang."
After a brief exchange, Lee Jeongchan looked away. He was swarmed—Minwoo Party folks and unfamiliar faces orbiting him.
"Next, the appreciation plaques. Distinguished guests, please take your seats."
The MC tapped the mic and announced. It was now 8 p.m. The mood was perfectly ripe.
"Lee Se-hyeong will present the plaques."
Lee Se-hyeong wheeled onstage, plaque on his lap.
"Mr. Kim Youngjun, please come forward."
The called man went up and received his plaque from Lee Se-hyeong.
It was now 8:15.
[Wee-ooo-wee-ooo-wee-ooo!]
Then it happened. The fire alarm blared deafeningly, and the entire building's lights went out.
"What the—?"
"Why'd the lights go out?"
"Power outage?"
The sudden chaos unsettled everyone in the hall.
This is just the beginning.