Chapter 97
Three days passed since then, and there was still no word from Jeong Yeongjun. In the meantime, Taegwang Law Firm called once a day to press me, but I repeatedly told them I couldn't meet because I hadn't finished consulting with the client yet. Each time they called, the voice on the other end of the line sounded younger and younger—probably because dealing with us had become such a hassle that they kept passing the task down to their underlings.
Anyway, as expected, they wouldn't file the complaint until we met in person to discuss, so I didn't push Jeong Yeongjun. I just hoped Jang Taesik would quickly figure out who Jo Hyeon-seok was gifting that bag to before Jeong got in touch. Unfortunately, though, there was no such update in Taesik's daily report by the time we wrapped up that day.
It was around 9 p.m. I was out on the balcony, gazing at the city lights below while smoking a cigarette, when my phone suddenly rang.
"Cha Juhan speaking."
"Hello, Lawyer Cha. This is Jeong In-ah, Jeong Yeongjun's younger sister. I'm sorry to call so late, but are you free to talk?"
"Yes, of course."
"There's something I wanted to ask you."
Her voice was more subdued than usual. Something had definitely happened with Jeong Yeongjun.
"That day when Lawyer Kang brought my brother home—the 15th. What happened at your office?"
"Is something wrong with Jeong Yeongjun?"
"At first, when he decided to stay home, things seemed okay. He was going to the hospital and getting better. But after the 15th, he stopped eating altogether. He's holed up in his room, just drinking. He won't open the door... And at night, I can hear him crying from inside..."
Jeong In-ah's voice started to tremble, on the verge of tears.
"And earlier, I pounded on the door until he finally let me see his face for a second, and out of nowhere, he says he'll divorce his wife unconditionally, just like she wants. It doesn't make sense. How could an innocent man agree to divorce without even finishing the investigation?"
"What did you say to him?"
"I told him straight up. I said it doesn't make sense for someone who's been wronged to do that. I told him he could be honest with me. I asked if he was really innocent."
I let out a sigh. Those words might have come across to Jeong Yeongjun as even his family not believing him.
"Is something going on with my brother? Why is he acting like this all of a sudden...? It's been three days now, and my parents are so worried. I'm going crazy. What if something happens to him... Sob sob."
"......"
"I'm scared he's going to say he's really going to kill himself. Why is he like this? You know, don't you, Lawyer Cha?"
I sighed again. This was Jeong Yeongjun, the man who had agonized over even coming home for fear of worrying his family. Could I tell Jeong In-ah everything? I hesitated for a moment, but the answer was clear. What she didn't know was that he'd already attempted suicide once. If he was in that state for three days straight, another try wouldn't be surprising. More importantly, if she knew the full truth, she'd oppose his decision. And if anyone could persuade him, it would be his family—not me. To change his mind, I had to confide in her.
"It seems he learned some new facts about Go Jin-ah."
"His wife? Did she do something to him?"
I repeated to her the same explanation I'd given Jeong Yeongjun. She listened silently, without interrupting once, letting out only sighs.
"...So, you sent him home because you thought he'd go along with what that woman wants—no, her conditions—and divorce her? And after three days locked in his room thinking it over, that's the conclusion he reached?"
"Yes."
"I'm so upset... How could a woman like that exist? Even if her parents matter more than her husband, how could she bury someone socially like that... It makes me so mad, really..."
Jeong In-ah was crying, but she hadn't lost her composure. Clearing her throat, she continued.
"Our family opposed the marriage too. I was young, but I remember it clearly. I knew he'd be mistreated there. Especially after Go Sang-gyeong—her father—opposed it. That's when I started paying attention."
"Hm. During the seven years Jeong Yeongjun was married to Go Jin-ah, were there any conflicts between the families?"
"Conflicts? We'd have to see them to have conflicts. Aside from the wedding day, I never saw anyone from her side."
"For seven years?"
"Yes."
"You never saw Go Jin-ah either?"
"Well, I did during holidays. But that's not much to complain about... Though honestly, I thought it was a bit much. The year they got married, my mom prepared a birthday spread for him at our house, but her family wouldn't let her come."
"I see."
It wouldn't play a huge role in Jeong Yeongjun's divorce case, but if things went to litigation, it was worth noting in the answer brief. I rummaged for a notepad but ended up jotting it quickly on the corner of my newspaper.
"Ha... Lawyer Cha. I think I need to talk to my brother first. It doesn't make sense to divorce without clearing his name. I'll do whatever it takes to change his mind—even if I have to tell Mom and Dad."
"Please do."
"No, thank you. Dealing with my unstable brother must have been tough, but you didn't give up. I'm grateful."
"No need to thank me. Talk to Jeong Yeongjun and get back to me."
"Yes. Sorry for the late call. Rest well."
I hung up and set my phone down. If Jeong In-ah hadn't called tonight, Jeong might have texted tomorrow saying he'd drop the investigation and divorce. I didn't want that message. Beyond wasting our efforts, letting the case fizzle out like that wouldn't sit well with me.
The next afternoon, Jeong Yeongjun finally reached out. When he said he wanted to come to the office, Kang Minjae dropped what he was doing and brought him over.
"Hello, Lawyer Cha."
Jeong Yeongjun sat awkwardly across from me, forcing a smile.
"I heard your sister called late last night. Sorry if you were resting."
He must have had a heart-to-heart with her. It looked like it.
"No, it was fine. She had every reason to worry, and I was still at the office anyway. Have you given it some thought?"
I cut him off before he could apologize endlessly for the after-hours call.
"...Yes. I think I got too emotional and only considered myself."
Jeong Yeongjun rubbed his dry face and let out a long sigh.
"I didn't think about the pain it would cause my sister and parents. Everyone knows I'm their son, her brother. If I keep carrying this pervert label, people will look down on my family just for being related to me... My thinking was shortsighted."
Kang Minjae patted his chest in relief. Jeong Yeongjun gripped his knees tightly and continued.
"My sister didn't tell me, but apparently the video came up among her college friends too. She argued with them, saying it didn't seem like something I'd do on purpose. When they asked how she knew, she blurted out that she's Jeong Yeongjun's sister. Now her friends look at her funny..."
I hadn't met Jeong In-ah that many times, but it sounded just like her.
"My parents have been quarreling with relatives and neighbors who came to the wedding too. It's all because I'm lacking."
He gave a bitter smile. Kang Minjae clapped him on the back.
"No, that's not true. Thank you for pulling yourself together. We're sorry we couldn't resolve this faster."
"Oh, no. You've been doing everything right, Lawyers. I've thought it over a lot, and since divorce is inevitable anyway... I want my innocence proven so clearly that the whole country knows. I don't want just the video to be famous while my side gets buried."
It was a healthy conclusion, exactly what I'd hoped for.
"If I may share some good news we haven't mentioned yet—we found another clue in your video."
"Really?"
Jeong Yeongjun brightened. I'd planned to tell him after identifying Jo Hyeon-seok's girlfriend, but this seemed like the spark to reignite his will.
"When Jo Hyeon-seok was filming that video, his girlfriend was there with him."
"His girlfriend?"
"Yes. And we have a lead on who she is, so our investigator is tracking her down now. Jo Hyeon-seok wouldn't bring someone unrelated just because she's his girlfriend. In my view, she must be connected to Chairman Go Sang-gyeong too..."
"That makes sense. No way he'd drag a total stranger into that mess."
"Probably to check if the video was coming out right. That's the angle we've been pursuing."
Jeong Yeongjun nodded.
"Yeah, if we can identify her, it might really prove everything."
"However..."
"......"
"Go Jin-ah's lawyers are persistently requesting a meeting. They call once a day to urge us, and it's getting hard to keep dodging."
Jeong Yeongjun's newly brightened face hardened again. Kang Minjae waved his hands frantically.
"You don't have to go yourself, Jeong Yeongjun. We can handle it. If it's uncomfortable, there's no need for you to meet them. Unless you really want to, but..."
"Even if you do, I wouldn't recommend you going there."
I cut in, and Kang Minjae shot me a grumpy look of silent protest. I ignored it. If Jeong went and ran into Go Jin-ah, who knew if his resolve would waver again. Better to control the variables.
"I understand why you're saying that, Lawyer. I agree. Me showing up would only make things worse, not help."
It sounded self-deprecating, but it was the undeniable truth. Messing up the case aside, we couldn't risk shaking the determination he'd fought so hard to reclaim.
"Then we'll set a date with Go Jin-ah's side."