Chapter 230

No sooner had Park Younggi become the Third Deputy Chief Prosecutor at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office than he sprang into action. As the so-called special investigations expert, he'd been head of the Special Investigations Division there before moving to Deputy Chief at the Western District Prosecutors' Office. The Myeonghwa Pharmaceuticals case he'd been directing naturally transferred to the Central District's Special ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Investigations Division, intertwined as it was with Lee Jeongchan's corruption.

Even if the commander switches, separate cases can be pursued independently—but since Myeonghwa was tightly linked to Lee Jeongchan, they merged them. The Western District Chief must have put up a fight, but Kang Gwanung and Park Younggi would have handled it smoothly. In short, none of my business.

This case was massive, mobilizing both Special Investigations Divisions 1 and 2. The prosecutors fired off summonses by the dozen each day—to Myeonghwa's CEO and executives, Food and Drug Administration officials, Myeongun University Hospital staff, and even Lee Jeongchan and Lee Se-hyeong.

All news channels zeroed in on the scandal.

"This is insane."

In restaurants, saunas, anywhere with a TV inside, the channels were locked on the news. No matter where you went, loud voices cut through the crowds, venting about the state of the nation—like right now.

"These days, news is more entertaining than dramas, I swear."

"That's why it's driving us nuts."

Interestingly, the sentiment was backed by ratings: dramas and variety shows tanked without other factors, while news viewership surged across the board.

"Lee Se-hwa's pissed—really pissed. With the presidential election looming, her frontrunner contender slips like this. Looks like the next president's coming from the Freedom Justice Party."

"Yeah, their politicians are all over interviews and broadcasts, going wild."

Watching folks click their tongues in the restaurant, I let out a quiet sigh. I'd warned Lee Se-hwa against poking the bear too hard. More diplomatically, of course, but she'd have gotten the point. I'd cautioned her to hold back too, but with Freedom Justice Party lawmakers chomping at the bit, who could blame them? Their arch-rival Minwoo Party was crumbling—how could they not be thrilled?

"The world's gotten so damn entertaining lately," Yun Se-yeon said, stirring rice into her soup.

"No kidding. How'd they even find out Lee Se-hyeong's legs were fine? Talked to a Minwoo Party lawmaker yesterday—guy vented for a full hour straight."

"What kind of venting?"

"He had no idea the Lee family was pulling that scam, but now the party's image is trashed because of it. 'What'd I do wrong?' That's the gist. Said the mood in the party was a total shitshow five minutes ago—voice cracking like he might cry if you poked him. What'd he do wrong? Politics is all about picking sides, and he picked the wrong one. Right, Lawyer Cha?"

"Spot on."

"It's chaos in there. Kang Jong-myeong's crew is scrambling to poach even Lee Jeongchan's people. 'Lee's fucked, but you're not—stick with us,' they're saying. 'Stay under him and you'll sink too.'"

Her language was rough, but "fucked" nailed Lee Jeongchan's state better than sunk, ruined, or done. Those words felt a bit short somehow.

"They rip into other parties when scandals break, dragging in unrelated folks for good measure."

Yun Se-yeon chuckled like it served them right. I felt the same. Without my second chance, life was unpredictable—you could mock others today and face the same tomorrow.

"Minwoo Party's internal vibe must be hell right now. If Kang Jong-myeong's scheming to flip Lee Jeongchan's faction, it'll sour even more."

"Yep. But get this—some in Minwoo still believe Lee Jeongchan will pull through, come back, and lead them. Like, how? Do they think he's Jesus raising cripples? Even Jesus couldn't clear his name and got crucified. If he couldn't, how's Lee gonna? Heh."

"True."

"It's gotten so bad, you'd think getting caught with drugs would've been better for him."

Hyperbole on her part, but fair. In my past life, politicians, execs, celebs rumored for propofol injections weathered it fine unless there were bigger issues—they'd take heat, then pop back unscathed. Unless it was huge, one scandal rarely toppled heavyweights. That's why I'd tied Lee Jeongchan to Myeonghwa—they amplified each other's flaws perfectly.

"Apparently, Lee Jeongchan fought tooth and nail against resigning as party leader. Planned to use the party and supporters as meat shields."

"Will he resign?"

Not public yet. If Kang Jong-myeong played smart, it was inevitable. But I'd gamed out him ditching Minwoo to form a new party if idiots clung to him. Unlikely with elections near and desperation high, but possible.

"Yeah. Official announcement's coming."

"'Official announcement'—does that mean he's resisting to the end?"

"Bingo. But circumstances forced it—Kang Jong-myeong sweet-talked and strong-armed the resignation."

Probably promised big ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠plans later if things quieted, threatened to spill dirt on Lee if he didn't—party would suffer too.

"Resisting even now is shameless."

"He knew some meat shields were defecting to Kang. No choice short-term, and he needs the Minwoo label for future plays."

If Lee hunkered down, swallowing every demand to bide time... Ugh, not a pretty picture. Kang could snag his die-hard base and do well in the election. No way I wanted Minwoo retaining power. Long-term, I couldn't lurk in shadows forever—I'd surface within five years, and stronger backing from Kang Gwanung would help. Freedom Justice Party in power made that easiest.

Outsiders might peg me as a Freedom Justice supporter, but whatever. Could even work in my favor someday.

"What's Kang Jong-myeong's shot at the next presidency?"

Yun ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Se-yeon's question snapped me from my thoughts. I set down my utensils with a short sigh.

"Can't give numbers, but slim."

"Even absorbing Lee Jeongchan's base and blind Minwoo voters?"

"Sure, but..."

Not if I can help it.

"When's the resignation story breaking?"

"Embargoed till day after tomorrow, 11 a.m. Minwoo's announcing at 10, so no preemptive leaks."

"Got it."

Planning a pretty picture, huh. Naive in this mess—strong condemnations might still flip some, but Lee's base must be too valuable.

"Let's head out."

"Sure. Great meal, Lawyer. This place nails it."

Yun Se-yeon grabbed her bag, beaming, then quickly added—maybe sensing I'd balk at paying—

"I shared juicy info, so you're covering, right? Senior Choi Jonghyeon told me to spill something fun for you. Can't give it free—feels like a loss even if I'm grateful to him personally."

She grinned mischievously.

"Choi told you to tell me?"

"Yep. Info like this usually costs more than a bowl of soup, but I owe Choi. He said pay it forward to you—he owes you plenty too."

She shrugged, snagging a mint from the counter and offering me one. I shook my head. Restaurant mints? Unless individually wrapped, too many grubby hands.

"Gotta run, so no coffee on you. Shame."

She headed to the parking lot. I'd heard enough anyway—no coffee plans—but letting her think otherwise wasn't bad. I stayed silent.

"Fighting till the case wraps!"

"Not me who needs it."

"There you go again. Anyway, fighting!"

She waved a fist through the window, then peeled onto the road.

Figured it was odd her offering scoops first. Thanks to Choi Jonghyeon, I got premium intel from the never-free Yun Se-yeon.

"Whew."

Before pulling out, I lit a smoke inside. Heater cranked, warm afternoon sun filtering in—blissfully drowsy. How long since such leisure? Chaos lately, but with state agencies stepping up as Choi and Jo Bongjun demanded, things felt easy. Mostly because the lead investigator was on my side.

"These guys still sleeping?"

Ought to thank Choi at least. He and Jo Bongjun had been grinding nonstop on Lee Jeongchan—now hibernating like winter bears. Before, nonstop nonsense like "Cha-byeon, whatcha up to?" Good riddance, but gratitude was due...

I sighed, hitting accept.

"Cha Juhan speaking."

She laughed lightly. Not about disturbing—it was her wanting me solo. Park had said it'd be good if I got close to her. Kang Gwanung was tight with her too, so I half-agreed. I'd planned to reach out via Park today anyway. Time till day after tomorrow at 10 a.m.