Chapter 245
"Suspicious, isn't it? How could there be no CCTV footage precisely that day?"
Dongjin let out a disbelieving scoff. It was a situation he'd seen all too often—nothing new there. Kim Seongwoo was the director's son. Whether it was the director pulling strings or just Seongwoo leveraging his title, erasing a single CCTV tape would've been easier than eating cold porridge.
"What reason did they give?"
"No idea. Something about a problem with the storage."
Another run-of-the-mill excuse. From the side hunting for footage, it left you wondering, 'Why that day of all days?' But for the liars, it was the perfect dodge: 'It broke—what are you gonna do about it?'
"What now...?"
"I was already expecting the CCTV might be gone before I even called you."
"...So you have a way?"
"I do, but first, let's check one thing."
Dongjin nodded, his face etched with anxiety.
"You said you need an access card to enter that room, right?"
"Yeah."
"Visitors probably had the guards swipe their cards. What about the medical staff?"
"Even medical staff had the guards swipe for them unless they were assigned to Director Seol Hyeongseok."
So the card logs probably wouldn't pinpoint who came and went. The only option was to ask the guards directly. Of course, that day had been chaos with Seol Hyeongseok's acute shock—plenty of people in and out of the room. No guarantee the guards would remember exactly who was where.
"Not sure if Hanyeong will cooperate. They've already pegged me as trash..."
That was exactly what I was worried about. As an outsider, I'd have to approach them through Dongjin as his representative. Even if they stonewalled, it was my job to make them play ball.
"I'll handle that."
"...You have a way? Ha, damn it. I'm pathetic. Just dumping everything on you and asking if there's a method."
"You're doing everything you can in this situation."
"..."
"So cut that look."
"...Thanks, Juhan."
Silence filled the car. Instead of replying, I offered him a cigarette. I didn't want his thanks yet. I would help him, prove his innocence with everything I had—but I'd said the same in my past life. And it hadn't helped him then. Thanks were premature.
Dongjin headed back to the hospital, saying he still had work. I went straight home. I considered contacting Hanyeong right away but dropped it. Charging in as Dongjin's lawyer out of the blue could sour first impressions.
Even during my shower and while nursing a beer afterward, I mulled over how to approach Hanyeong smoothly. Honestly, my instinct would've been to bulldoze in. But I knew chaebol elitism all too well. They'd view Dongjin like a court physician failing to cure a crown prince—worthy of execution. Charging at them with facts would just turn the arrows on him.
Late into the night, lying in bed, I checked my phone. A KakaoTalk from Kang Minjae at 8:30 p.m.
Kang Minjae. Any chance he had ties to Hanyeong?
The next day, I got to the office early. From the start of working with him until now, this was the first time I'd waited for Kang Minjae to arrive.
I didn't want to burden him unnecessarily, but on this, I had no qualms.
"Whoa, you're in early? Oh, Manager Oh said he's stopping by court first."
As 9 a.m. hit, Kang Minjae pushed through the door.
"Got the message. Anyway, Kang—let's talk."
"Talk? About what?"
Craving a chat with me? He bounded over, bag still in hand, buzzing with excitement.
"Put your bag down first."
"Right. But... why so serious? Am I fired?"
Hanging his coat, he whipped around to face me.
"Want me to fire you?"
"No?"
"Not that. Just have a question."
"Phew."
He patted his chest in mock relief and followed me to the balcony. I gave him the rundown: suspicions on Kim Seongwoo and Gu Sojeong, possible witnesses. Since he hadn't been involved from the start, I skipped explaining how I knew about the witnesses.
"So, any contacts at Hanyeong Group?"
"Hanyeong? Hmm..."
He crossed his arms, deep in thought, then scrolled meticulously through his phone contacts. The long deliberation suggested no close connections.
"Lost most when I switched phones recently—back to defaults. Can't recall. Hey, I'll ask Hyung Suil maybe."
"Suil Hyung?"
"Yeah, Manager Kang. His name's Suil. Grandpa's side might connect somehow."
Kang Gwanung. He'd help me, but personal favors like this? Doubtful. Sure, ex-president—acquaintances with the Hanyeong chairman inevitable. But after nearly twenty post-term years? Probably not.
Still, I didn't nix it. If it worked, I'd settle any debts with Kang Gwanung later. Saving Dongjin came first.
Kang Minjae dialed Manager Kang right there—speakerphone on, unprompted.
"Hey, Minjae."
"Hyung, you busy right now?"
"Nah, not busy. What's up?"
"Know anyone at Hanyeong Group?"
"Hanyeong? ...What's this about? Case-related?"
"Uh, yeah."
Before I could signal him to deny it, Kang Minjae jumped in. White lie anyway—he figured claiming it as his own case would get more effort.
"Case stuff? Handle it yourself. You said no begging Grandpa."
Kang Minjae slumped as Manager Kang chided him.
"I said that, but I'm asking 'cause I can't on my own."
"Kang, enough. I'll take it."
As it veered into him begging Grandpa for his case, I snatched the phone, switched off speaker, and held it to my ear.
"Lawyer Cha?"
"Manager Kang, how've you been?"
"Oh, yes. Long time. What's this sudden call?"
"Personal matter—need to reach Hanyeong. Asked Kang. Not him begging help for his case."
"Got it. That kid."
Manager Kang chuckled heartily.
"If you need someone to pass a message to Hanyeong, no need bothering the elder."
"What do you mean?"
"You already know someone connected."
"Who?"
"Haha. Lee Se-hwa, Liberty Justice Party rep. She's tight with the Hanyeong chairman. Likes you a lot—ask her."
I nodded. Better this way. Cleaner than owing Kang Gwanung—pay Lee Se-hwa directly.
I hung up and handed the phone back.
"What'd Suil Hyung say?"
"Said I know someone close to the Hanyeong chairman."
"Huh? Who?"
"Someone whose calls I've ignored about five times."
* * *
I'd ignored Lee Se-hwa's calls twice unintentionally, three times on purpose. The first two? Saw them but no callback—might as well count as deliberate.
Minwoo Party expelled Lee Jeongchan because Kang Jongmyeong heard from her. And her story? My lie about Lee Jeongchan's recording blowing up.
By now, she'd know no such recording existed. Those five missed calls were probably why.
"..."
Lee Se-hwa openly wanted me—awkward for chats. As a legal figure, we could've allied. But she aimed to drag me into politics.
No choice now. I called her.
"Well, if it isn't precious Lawyer Cha?"
She emphasized precious.
"How've you been?"
"Thriving? Kang Jongmyeong's calling me a liar everywhere—driving me nuts."
Predictable. Achieve the goal, eat the hate.
"Sorry about that."
"No need. Got Lee Jeongchan fully expelled—win for me. But I took all the heat."
"..."
"Dodging calls 'cause you think I'd blame you? Sneaky?"
"Not that."
I didn't mind the hate—just her constant sales pitch for politics.
"So, why's the great dodger calling me first?"
"Meet to discuss? Spare some time?"
"Time? Easy for me."
"Pick time and place—let me know."
"What's it about?"
She relished this—I asking first. Laughter laced her words. Teasing me.
I sighed long. "Tell you in person."
"Fun. Can't wait—what favor from Lawyer Cha?"
Sharp as a fox—how she thrived in politics.
I ended the call amid her laughter.