Chapter 247: Election Camp
I paused, the hand holding my glass frozen mid-air. With the presidential election coming up, based on my memories from my previous life, this had to be Jeon Jeong-il's campaign team. In that past life, after getting crushed by Yi Jeong-chan, Jeon Jeong-il had tried for the presidency again but lost the primaries to Lee Se-hwa. In this timeline without Yi Jeong-chan, he was a frontrunner—but me joining his camp?
"This is the first time I've seen you flustered, Counselor Cha. Was it that shocking?"
Lee Se-hwa asked, clearly amused by my reaction. A lawyer in a campaign mostly handled legal advice, but she expected more from me. Otherwise, trustworthy as I might be, there were plenty of other lawyers—why pick me specifically?
"You're asking me to join Candidate Jeon Jeong-il's camp?" I confirmed.
Lee Se-hwa tilted her head slightly. "No?"
Not Jeon Jeong-il? That was a variable that never existed in my previous life.
"I mean my camp. Do you think I can't beat Candidate Jeon Jeong-il in the primaries?"
Lee Se-hwa? History said she wouldn't even run in this election—not because she lost the primaries, but because she didn't enter them at all. And now she was throwing her hat in the ring?
"That's not what I meant. I just never imagined you running for president."
"Is that so surprising? With former leader Yi Jeong-chan gone, the Free Justice Party has never had this much support since its founding. If not now, when? By the next election, the bubble might burst, and I could miss my shot."
She was blunt, and she was right. Minwoo Party had no path to victory this time, so the Free Justice Party's nominee was all but guaranteed the win. If Lee Se-hwa wanted her next chance, she needed to recreate the administration. But that wouldn't be easy. In my past life, Yi Jeong-chan of Minwoo Party had won, and their failure to hold power paved the way for her.
"You're right. If you faced him in the primaries, it'd be your complete victory."
"You really mean that?" Lee Se-hwa narrowed her eyes suspiciously.
"I do."
"Thanks for saying so. So, will you join my campaign?"
The favor I'd asked her was to pass a message to Chairman Seol, whose promising young son lay in a vegetative state: that the accused who'd caused it was innocent. Even for close allies, and even if Chairman Seol was discerning, hearing that from someone else wouldn't be easy. I knew I'd put her in a tough spot. But joining her campaign? That was a massive ask too. It meant publicly declaring my political colors.
"Looks like you're not open to swapping it for another favor."
"Of course not."
She'd answered instantly, as if she'd been waiting. I'd avoided party affiliation even while taking Kang Gwanung's help and forming a strategic alliance with her—because a political label wouldn't help my image. People got turned off by celebrities jumping straight into politics anyway. She didn't really need my strategy; the odds were already stacked in her favor. She just wanted to tie me down as an ally.
I'd heard she was spreading word that she had my support, but I hadn't expected her to go this bold.
"Can you give me a moment to think?"
"Of course."
Lee Se-hwa smiled leisurely. I stepped out of the room and headed outside the hotel. No destination in mind, but I naturally gravitated to the smoking area. I lit up out of habit and sank into thought.
"Haa..."
Saving Dongjin was more important than anything right now. It was one of my top priorities since reincarnating into this life. If Lee Se-hwa didn't relay the message, Han Young Group wouldn't let me meet the guards. I could approach them first and fall back on her if that failed—but they'd already be offended, unlikely to cooperate. Hell, they might not even grant an audience.
Plus, joining her camp wasn't without benefits. Political colors faded fast if I stayed out of politics post-election. And with her victory all but certain, cozying up to the future president could pay off later against Wooshin. I'd naturally meet cabinet-level folks through the campaign, and even without her direct help, plenty of others could prove useful. Sending chaebol heirs to prison often needed a nudge from the top.
Once Wooshin was done, I'd have no reason to stay in these shark-infested waters. A regular citizen's politics? Who cared.
"Figured it out? Didn't take long."
Lee Se-hwa had finished eating while I was gone, empty plates before her. I sat across and replied.
"I hate deciding on impulse. Just needed a moment to double-check alone."
"I like your caution. So, what's the verdict?"
"I'll join."
She might think she'd hooked me, but long-term, I stood to gain more. We were accelerating against Wooshin now—this administration would matter to me too.
Lee Se-hwa was decisive. Some dragged their feet on urgent matters, but not her. Soon after, she gave me the contact for Bae Manager, a close aide to Chairman Seol. Contact him, she said, and he'd arrange a meeting with the guards watching Seol Hyeong-seok's room.
I called right away. The meeting was set at Han Young Group headquarters.
"This way, please."
Someone came to the lobby on Bae Manager's orders, issued a visitor pass, and escorted me inside.
"Manager, your guest is here."
After an intercom call, what seemed like a secretary led me into the office. A middle-aged man with patches of gray hair sat there.
"Hello. I'm Cha Juhan."
I handed him my business card. Bae Manager examined it closely, eyeing me.
"I've heard a lot. Leader Lee Se-hwa praised you so much, I was curious."
"Is that so."
"She said you're working hard on our Executive Director Seol's case."
A humble phrasing—as if I were digging for Seol Hyeong-seok, not Dongjin. Without Lee Se-hwa's goodwill, I'd never have seen this reception. Charging in raw? They'd have called me crazy.
"We still believe it was Dr. Yang Dongjin's order error. But Leader Lee Se-hwa said you must have your reasons—trust you."
"I'm truly sorry about what happened to Executive Director Seol. To prevent recurrences, we need to pinpoint the fault. And no innocents wronged, or Han Young Group suffers too."
"Well said. The chairman doesn't want innocents hurt either. With the doctor and nurse blaming each other, we're stuck too. The hospital hasn't clarified responsibility."
"I see."
[Truth] floated above Bae Manager's head. At least they wanted real accountability—not just venting on Dongjin. So they'd sued the doctor but fired Nurse Gu So-jeong. If both at fault, the buck stopped with the physician anyway.
"Shall I bring them in one by one?"
He asked before hitting the intercom, probably to prevent collusion. But with my ability, it didn't matter.
"It's fine."
"Alright? Send the guys in."
Four men entered promptly. More guards than expected.
"This lawyer has questions. Answer truthfully."
"Yes, Manager."
"All four of you were on duty outside Executive Director Seol's room the day he went into shock?"
"Yes."
All [Truth]. I'd worried they might not remember, but with four, at least one should.
"I heard lots of people came and went that day. Around 11:30 a.m., just before lunch—do you recall attending physician Dr. Yang Dongjin and head nurse Gu So-jeong entering?"
"Yes."
"After that, Dr. Yang left around 11:45, followed by Nurse Gu. Remember?"
"Yes."
"Someone entered before 11:30 and left after Dr. Yang—but later than 11:45. Excluding Nurse Gu. Anyone come to mind?"
They exchanged uneasy glances, but Bae Manager cleared his throat first.
"Counselor Cha, are you saying someone was in the room when the attending ordered an anaphylactic antibacterial for Executive Director Seol?"
"Exactly. Someone overheard the doctor and nurse."
"Finding them confirms if he really ordered cephalosporin."
"Yes."
Bae Manager raised his brows at the guards. "Answer."
"..."
"If you know, say who. If not, say you don't. Speak up—it's not hard."
He pressed again.
"No such person."