Chapter 223: The Appointment Spot Mentioned by Park Director
The appointment spot that Park Younggi had mentioned was a hanjeongsik restaurant in Yeouido. Remodeled from a hanok built in the late Joseon era, this place was famous even for its servers dressed in modernized hanbok designed by a renowned hanbok designer. The food was exquisite, to say the least. Frequented by heavyweights from politics and business, it was said you'd inevitably bump into one or two familiar faces even without a reservation. I'd been here once before. In my previous life, of course.
"This way, please."
After I gave my name, the server checked the list and guided me to the back. The soundproofing was excellent; we passed several rooms without hearing a peep. At the end of the hallway, the server slid open the door.
"Oh, Lawyer Cha. You're here."
He must have given me the time a bit late on purpose. Park Younggi and Lee Se-hwa, the leader of the Freedom Justice Party, were already seated.
"Hello. Cha Juhan."
I bowed in greeting, and Lee Se-hwa smiled warmly, gesturing for me to sit next to Park Younggi.
"I thought you looked good on the news, but you're even better in person. I should sue the broadcasters, Lawyer Cha."
"You're too kind."
"Nice to meet you. I'm Lee Se-hwa."
She tucked her short bob behind her ear and stared straight at me.
"I'd been dying to know who this lawyer our teacher favors so much, but I never imagined it'd be you."
Her "teacher" had to be Kang Gwanung. When footage of Lee Se-hyeong standing on his own two feet aired, Kang Gwanung had immediately called Lee Se-hwa and had me issue a statement demanding an explanation. They must be close. Given the age gap with Kang Gwanung, probably not senior-junior colleagues. She was a former prosecutor turned politician. Senior to Park Younggi but far below Kang Gwanung. A distant senior to me.
"I don't think we've ever met at any law circle alumni gatherings?"
"This guy's not the type to hang out at private parties."
"Is that so?"
Lee Se-hwa kept gazing at me intently with a peculiar expression, her eyes probing as if sizing me up. She seemed eager to gauge my style from the vibe I gave off.
The current Lee Se-hwa lacked nothing as a presidential contender. Though the Minwoo Party had its powerhouse card in Lee Jeong-chan, making her less talked about as a top candidate, she was highly regarded among Freedom Justice Party supporters. She'd firmly declared no run this election, but she would in the next—and win handily. In other words, the future president sat before me.
"Park Younggi filled me in. This whole affair is your handiwork, Lawyer Cha."
Before this meeting, Park Younggi had asked if he could brief her on the full story. Kang Gwanung vouched for her trustworthiness, and I had no objections. Being in the same boat meant that much. We didn't have to lay all cards on the table, but some openness was necessary.
"The picture was intriguing. Some mysterious tipster—identity unknown, a bit villainous even—hands massive scoops to an internet broadcaster who can hardly be called proper media."
In this case, where I'd exposed Lee Jeong-chan and Lee Se-hyeong's scam from the start without revealing myself, there was one reason: my methods weren't entirely above board. It wasn't time yet for my name to get tarnished.
"I'd wondered who it could be, but to think it was you, Lawyer Cha."
Above all, I hadn't shown my hand because I still lacked the power to protect myself and my team. But things were different now. Lee Se-hwa needed me more than anyone. And through her, I could secure safety and achieve my goals. We needed each other. So it was time to let her see the real me.
"You're the one who exposed that Myeonghwa Pharma scandal through those reporters, right? I knew you were handling the case but never connected the dots. I just figured you were a regular lawyer taking whatever cases came your way... no, not regular. Talented, sure. But I never pegged you as the type to orchestrate something like this."
Lee Se-hwa continued with an amused smile. Her brief words hinted she'd been watching me for a while.
"You seem to know me well, Representative."
"Not well, but I've been interested. Ever since Kang Minjae left Taegwang to join you, I've been curious. And why Teacher let a talent like that go without a fight. Capable people stand out. You pop up just when I'd forget, then again when I almost do."
Among my cases, the big ones were hard to ignore. It was only natural.
"Personal curiosity here, but that Jangmyeong High School thing before—was that you too? I've heard rumors."
"Yes."
"Hahaha. This guy's a riot, huh?"
Lee Se-hwa laughed heartily, clearly delighted.
"Why? Why do it like that?"
Then, like a child brimming with curiosity, she asked innocently. Her eyes sparkled too brightly for a woman in her sixties. I believe politicians at their peak each have a unique charisma. Kang Gwanung had his pull. And though I hated to admit it—and hadn't spotted it—Lee Jeong-chan must have had his too. Lee Se-hwa was no different. Even in this conspiratorial meeting, she had a knack for putting people at ease.
"Can't I just say it was for upholding justice?"
"Upholding justice? Classic prosecutor answer. I like it."
Lee Se-hwa rubbed the rim of her teacup with her fingertip, her smile slowly fading.
"So the veiled 'tipster' Lawyer Cha agreed to meet me for the sake of justice too?"
"Yes."
"But I'm a politician?"
Meeting heavyweight politicians at my mid-thirties age was a first in this life. And they all tested me—Kang Gwanung had, and now Lee Se-hwa. My response would determine their judgment.
"Representative, we're here because our needs align. You want the Freedom Justice Party to win the election; I want Lee Jeong-chan's downfall. What we need now is a plan to achieve those goals."
With Kang Gwanung, I'd been the one begging for help. Not anymore. Impressing her wouldn't hurt, of course. Though circumstances had shifted with my deeper involvement, in the future I'd seen, she became president. Still, I wasn't in a position to grovel. Her testing me felt less grateful and more insolent.
"I get it. Deputy Chief, this guy's not just firm—he's bold."
Lee Se-hwa tossed a playful remark at Park Younggi.
"He's not the type you can push around, Representative. You saw him as too soft."
As Park Younggi chimed in, Lee Se-hwa raised both hands in mock surrender, playing along.
"Sorry. It's my first time with someone like you, Lawyer Cha, so I slipped into party leader mode, scouting talent. You know politics always craves fresh blood. So when I talk to young folks, I can't help probing. Ah, shall we eat and chat?"
The full-course meal arrived soon after. During dinner, the talk stayed light and personal. She asked most of the questions; I answered. Why I'd quit as prosecutor to open my own firm, why turn down offers from big law firms. She'd sworn off probing, yet her curiosity stayed fixed on me. I gave measured replies and steered the conversation.
"The public knows about Lee Jeong-chan's scam now, but it'll fizzle out if left alone. We need to pour oil and fan the flames to make it roar. The three major dailies won't touch it until their editorial lines solidify. Broadcasters will play it safe too."
"We're handling the media side."
Lee Se-hwa didn't elaborate, her demeanor suggesting no need to detail her moves to me, even as the source provider. And she was right. As Freedom Justice Party leader, she owed no reports to a mere lawyer.
"I wanted to meet you not to plot together, but to ask you to hand over any cards you haven't played yet."
Unlike her smiling self moments ago, Lee Se-hwa spoke gravely and firmly. Ah, now I saw—my talk of making plans must have sounded awfully presumptuous to her.
"Choi Jonghyeon said on air that they've done their part and would leave the rest to the authorities. He's right. You've accomplished something huge, Lawyer Cha, and done all you could. Now leave it to us."
Her words rang true on the surface. Even with allies, I was just an individual. Handing everything over, stepping back, and awaiting results was the ethical play. But I couldn't settle for that.
"Representative, I sought this meeting because I figured you'd want to steer this case more than anyone."
"And?"
"Not because I know you well, but because of the Freedom Justice Party's position as the main opposition. I want Lee Jeong-chan's downfall more than anyone, but that doesn't make me a supporter of you or your party's base."
Lee Se-hwa's expression hardened briefly at my response.
"It's true I have more. But whether it fits perfectly... I haven't decided."
"You don't trust me?"
Her eyes narrowed.
"Without knowing your plan, I can't judge anything. Not even if meeting you was wise."
"You want me to share my plans."
Precisely, I wanted to check if her plan matched mine.
Lee Se-hwa fell silent, drumming the table thoughtfully. I waited for her to speak.
"Deputy Chief, this guy's not just firm—he's downright audacious."
She glanced at Park Younggi with a smile tinged with annoyance.
Park Younggi just offered a faint smile. Even if she snapped at my rudeness and stormed out, it wouldn't be odd. She led one of Korea's two pillar parties. Known for her bold style, she might still see a junior like me flaunting an extra card as arrogant. I was prepared either way.
"But here's what I think. Lawyer Cha doesn't want to hear my plan—he wants to pitch his own. Looks like you've sketched something big. Care to share?"