You Have Been Defended - Chapter 259
[…Han Young Electronics CEO Seol Hyoseok, upon the successful completion of his glioblastoma surgery, devised a plan to murder his younger brother, Executive Director Seol Hyeongseok. Involved in this scheme were Dr. Kim, a neuropsychiatry specialist at M University Hospital, and the attending nurse, Ms. Gu. Their plan exploited Executive Director Seol Hyeongseok's antibiotic allergy to induce acute shock and lead to his death. Nurse Gu administered the allergy-inducing antibiotic to Executive Director Seol Hyeongseok under Dr. Kim's instructions, resulting in acute shock within an hour. Fortunately, he survived, but tragically became a vegetable.]
When the initial interview request came in, the show asked Dongjin if it was okay to show his face. They offered to blur both name and face if he preferred. But Dongjin chose full disclosure. Rumors had spread in the medical community during his ordeal, and he figured going public like this would help reclaim his lost credibility.
"Hey, the lawyer's on!"
And I appeared in the current affairs interview too. I turned it down several times, telling them to go to the prosecutors, but they kept pressing. I had my suspicions. Before pulling me into her campaign, Lee Se-hwa might've arranged this popular show appearance to boost my image a notch.
"Turn it off already."
I could picture Kang Minjae fawning over my TV self, so I reached for the remote on the table. But he'd anticipated it and snatched it first, clutching it tight.
"Aw, why? You looked so cool, Lawyer."
"He's right, sir. Let's watch together. You don't appear on TV often—it's nice to catch it like this."
Even Office Manager Oh chimed in.
As my segment ended, the screen cut back.
"Aw, what? That's it for the lawyer's part?"
"What else is there?"
"You said all sorts of stuff. This is outrageous—why'd they cut it?"
Kang Minjae huffed and poked at the TV. No idea why he was smacking it when it wasn't broken, but he looked seriously pissed. The key points from when the producer visited were all included—why the fuss? The extras he wanted so badly were ones I'd squeezed out at the producer's request for longer quotes.
"They cut it at a good spot anyway."
Anyway, I'd handed over most evidence to the prosecutors, with Team Leader Park Younggi's help speeding things up. Seol Hyoseok digging in heels was annoying, but Kim Seong-u confessed readily. No wiggle room after trying to murder Gu So-jeong—who wanted to surrender—and getting nabbed in the act, plus my call recording where he admitted everything.
"I'm heading out."
I slipped on my jacket. "You two go home too."
Kang Minjae had insisted on staying after work to watch my interview together, delaying our departures till now. Even after I said I was leaving, he held on, dragging me back. It was past 8 already.
"Lawyer, don't forget drinks tomorrow? No driving—got it?"
"Got it."
"Heh heh. Drive safe then."
No sooner had I wrapped Dongjin's case than Kang Minjae started griping for office attention, but drinks talk cheered him right up. Whistling along, I got in the car.
Before starting the engine, I checked my phone—Dongjin's text popped up, just arrived. He'd nagged about treating to something fancy, so I'd check out how extravagant.
I flicked on the radio out of habit but switched to music. No need to hear the Seol Hyoseok frenzy. I'd wash my hands of it now. Prosecutors and Han Young Group could handle the rest. My goal was saving Dongjin—mission accomplished.
"Reservation name, please."
"Yang Dongjin."
"This way, sir."
The place screamed high-end. First time here, but the interior alone worried me about Dongjin's wallet. If the menu confirmed it was too steep, I'd slip out and pay myself.
"Hey, you made it?"
"Open late, huh?"
We'd set 8:30 around his schedule, yet rooms seemed full en route.
"Super popular spot. A VIP patient in the ward tipped me off. After your TV spot, he said you deserved a big treat. I mentioned I was planning one anyway, so he hooked me up here. Tough reservation—used his connections."
"Dude, isn't this place too pricey?"
"Nah. I'm a doctor, y'know? Decent job. Think you're the only one raking it in?"
"Still, you've got family."
"Whatever. Without you, I'd never set foot here lifetime. Cheap at the price, then. I ordered the best course—top-rated stuff."
"Why no menu? Just order whatever?"
"Figured you'd peek, see the prices, and dash to pay."
He knew me too well. Kinda flustered.
"Saw you on the show—folks are begging intros."
"Intros? Come on."
"How'd you snag a friend like that? Handsome, jumps into your mess—heart of gold. Wife got texts asking to introduce you too."
"Quit the matchmaking."
"For real? Got a solid junior gal."
"I said no."
I waved him off emphatically. Double denial shut him up; he waited silently for food. Then a server entered.
"Lawyer, CEO Lee Se-hwa asks to at least say hi."
Out of nowhere. Calling me "lawyer" was secondary—the shock was her spotting me.
"CEO Lee Se-hwa's here?"
"Yes, next room over. She stepped out briefly, saw you arrive."
Dongjin's eyes widened in surprise.
"Lee Se-hwa? The one I know?"
"…Yeah."
"You know Lee Se-hwa?"
I'd arrived after her, so not stalking, but awkward. She was like an ally, yet wanted something from me. Felt anything but comfy. Like… a bolder Kang Gwanung, maybe?
"Ended up that way."
"Dude, mind if I tag along to greet? Voted Freedom Justice Party in the general."
"Oh, really?"
Lee Se-hwa appeared through the half-open door. Thought she'd summon me; didn't expect her to come.
"I'd have come to you."
"These days, telling folks to come or go gets you 'boomer' flak. You wouldn't get it, Cha."
She grinned slyly, extending a hand to Dongjin.
"Dr. Yang Dongjin, right? Lee Se-hwa. Thanks for the Freedom Justice vote."
Her playful tone made the middle-aged woman seem sharp and charming. That was her edge: weighty yet not flighty.
Dongjin shook firmly, bowing slightly. "No clue how you knew my name, but honored. Parents support you too. Ha ha."
"So grateful."
"Uh, photo maybe…?"
"Of course!"
Thrilled Dongjin and beaming Lee Se-hwa snapped four pics—none "cute" enough.
"Lucky you, Dr. Yang. A lawyer buddy who dives in for friends."
"Absolutely. Can't count the help."
"Cha busted his ass on this. Thrilled you appreciate it."
Posing protectively, she eyed me like, You're joining my campaign, right? Clearly thrilled.
"Saw your primary win. Wishing you the presidency."
"Thanks. With Cha's help, what's to worry?"
She patted my shoulder. Dongjin's puzzled face screamed incoming interrogation once she left.