Chapter 228
Choi Jonghyeon scrolled down the mouse wheel with a flustered expression.
"What’s this sudden crisis?"
The first article related to me and the economy had gone up twenty minutes ago. More related pieces had popped up since then, plain as day. But a crisis? Was that really the word for it? I skimmed a few more articles, then rose from my chair.
"Where are you going?"
"The broadcast's over for today, so I'm heading home. I'm beat. Gonna soak in a hot bath and crash."
"Huh? You're clocking out and sleeping in the middle of this?"
"I've said it from the start—this could happen. I might get pegged as the whistleblower."
I was slipping on my overcoat and grabbing my briefcase when Jo Bongjun rushed over like a bullet and plunked me back down at the desk.
"I said I'm tired."
"They're framing you as some criminal right now—if you get caught here, we're screwed. And if the prosecutors dig into this for real? Look, testimonies are already leaking out. If they go all-in, they'll sniff out that you're behind this broadcast in no time."
His words tumbled out faster than usual, nothing like his normal self.
Their worry wasn't lost on me. Right after the story broke, Lee Kangjin had come to me saying much the same. I'd requested invites for three, but only Lawyer Kang showed at the event—suspicious, he'd said. We'd brushed it off with the CCTV blind spot excuse, claiming they arrived post-incident. But if they pieced it together properly, it wouldn't be airtight.
"If you're really outed as the tipster, our broadcast's in hot water too."
"He's right, hyungnim. Once that hits, everyone'll know you're tight with our show—it's just a matter of time."
If I got fingered as the source, linking me to this broadcast wouldn't be hard. Jo Bongjun and Choi Jonghyeon shared a place under my name, and I was in and out like clockwork. We hadn't exactly hidden my stake in the show from the jump—it wasn't a dealbreaker if it leaked. Still, better if it didn't.
I nodded slowly.
"I get what you're worried about. But it won't come to that."
"Why so sure?"
This was gonna take some explaining. I glanced at the clock. Ah, no early night for me tonight.
I overslept. Checked the time and rushed to get ready for work. No time for the usual news or paper beyond a glass of water. I half-ran to the parking lot and hopped in the car, but yeah, tardy today. No fiddling with the radio either—I hit the main road.
Come to think of it, the alarm hadn't gone off.
"...Where'd I leave my phone?"
Checked the mount reflexively—nada. Light turned red; I rummaged the jacket pocket tossed on the passenger seat. Phone was dead. Plugged it in, powered up, and alerts exploded.
Nearly thirty missed calls. And the second it booted, Kang Minjae rang.
"Yeah, it's me."
Switched to speaker and kept driving.
"Lawyer Cha, where are you? Why was your phone off? We were worried sick."
"On my way into the office. Almost there—right by Gyodae Station."
"Don't come to the office then—head somewhere else."
"Why?"
"You miss the news today?"
"Slept in."
"Ugh, reporters are swarming the house right now... Office manager! The door's opening over there!"
"Why the reporters?"
That threw me. I pulled over to the shoulder, eyes on Gyodae Station ahead.
"Morning news blew up saying you're the whistleblower on Lee Se-hyung's fake disability! And get this—report just dropped that Lee Se-hyung tried to kill himself this morning. Caught early, didn't die, hauled off to the hospital... Now it's like you drove him to it or whatever."
"Suicide attempt? Which hospital?"
"Wooshin Hospital."
"Scripted as hell."
Two major hospitals near Lee Jeongchan's place: Jisan University Hospital and Wooshin Hospital. Wooshin was a good ten minutes farther. Ambulance went there anyway? Obvious. Wooshin probably wouldn't straight-up ice Lee Jeongchan, but with ties in play, maybe a deal to cut him loose without fully sinking the ship.
Laughter hit first, not surprise. Even if it was a real attempt, no take-backs on the mockery. Commit crimes against the public, then bail with suicide? Pure cowardice. Own your sins, take the punishment and the heat.
"Haa, what a pain."
"Pain? Try nightmare! Anyway, skip the office. And home, studio too—just in case."
"Got it. You and the manager still at the office?"
"Yeah. We're trapped."
"Reporters always chase gossip over real news..."
I grumbled irritably and pulled back onto the road. No home, no office, no studio—hotel nearby it was. Lingering in the car would just loop me around Seoul.
Checked in, ordered the papers and room service. Gotta eat, no matter the rush. Flipped on the TV, cycled news channels. So many blowups, hard to find mine.
Thanks for the bio, but not what I wanted. Next channel.
Okay, picture forming. Hero or criminal whistleblower debate, I recalled. Net's young crowd loves underdogs vs. establishment—me blowing open Myungwha and Lee Jeongchan fit the bill. But offline? Different story. Layer on Lee Se-hyung's "suicide," and holdouts for Lee Jeongchan paint me as the bully exposing dirt violently.
News tone matched: nudging negativity my way. Figured Lee Jeongchan's wheelchair prosecutor's entrance was the stall tactic. Didn't peg Lee Se-hyung as the curveball. Smarter play, though—pause probe, divert eyes, squeeze me.
"Team leader, Cha Juhan. Got a minute?"
Called Park Younggi right away.
"Cha, called you this morning—why so hard to reach?"
"Sorry. Phone died completely."
"Seen the news? Heard reporters blanketing your office. You okay?"
"Yeah. Checked into a hotel nearby to scope things. Lee Se-hyung's suicide attempt."
"Sounds fake to me."
Park Younggi, alright. No buying the spin.
"Thought so too. This idea screams Wooshin."
Classic bury story with story, but picking me? That's the tell. Wooshin had celeb dirt galore—why not that? Lee Se-hyung's stunt wasn't ideal for Lee Jeongchan père et fils. Sympathy maybe, but backlash risk high. Especially if he pulls through—coward dodging justice label sticks harder.
Still went for it? Whatever Wooshin told them, they were cut loose. But dangling a lifeline to stoke their grudge against me? Use them to hit back.
Tone shifts reality. Critique Lee Se-hyung's choice or blast the tipster pushing him over? Wooshin picked door two, making me public enemy one.
Not shocked. They've been dying to crush me forever.
"Team leader, time to call in that favor. Drop the Myungwha bomb now."
They don't know yet—you don't own burying stories.