Chapter 98
"Ah, the day has finally come when I set foot in the Taegwang office again."
Kang Minjae fiddled pointlessly with his tie inside the elevator as he spoke. He was dressed in his usual suit, but there was no mistaking the extra effort he'd put in today.
"How may I help you?"
When we gave our names—mine and Go Jin-a's lead counsel—to the receptionist, she guided us right in without delay.
As we entered the office, the lawyers scurrying about their work began to murmur. I could feel the eyes turning our way.
"Lawyer Kang Minjae. Long time no see?"
Suddenly, a middle-aged man's voice stopped us in our tracks. It was Lawyer Kim Yunhui. We had no prior acquaintance in this life, but I'd crossed paths with him a few times before. Taegwang's open number two. An original member who'd been there since Yoon Wonhyeong first founded the firm. Unlike Yoon, he was still active on the front lines.
"Ah, Lawyer. Good to see you. It's been a while."
Kang Minjae shook the hand Kim extended and bowed politely.
"Yes, yes. How's Grandfather doing?"
"...Ah, yes."
Kang Minjae answered with obvious discomfort. Kim Yunhui chuckled heartily, then shifted his gaze to me.
"Well, well, if it isn't the famous Lawyer Cha Juhan. Nice to meet you."
"First time meeting you. Cha Juhan."
"Yes, yes. What class from the Judicial Research and Training Institute?"
"29th class."
"Is that right? Junior from ten classes below me, then. You look young—must've passed the bar early. Let me think, you were in the Criminal Division at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office, right? Which department?"
"Third."
"Ah, so under Senior Prosecutor Hwang Youngchan, then."
19th class would make him Hwang's classmate. He probably knew and was testing me. Hwang never missed a single gathering, especially class reunions. Come to think of it, Kang Minjae had once bragged that Taegwang's number two was a friend of his.
In truth, Kim Yunhui wouldn't be much of a thorn in my side. A few years from now, he'd leave Taegwang to start his own firm.
I checked my watch. We'd arrived a bit early, but Kim had already wasted our time.
"Ah, sorry. You must have business here, and I've held you up too long. Go on ahead."
Kim said with a smile and brushed past us. Once he was out of sight, Kang Minjae let out a deep sigh of relief, patting his chest.
"Whew."
"What."
"I used to work under Lawyer Kim Yunhui back at Taegwang."
"Really? Impressive that a first-year prosecutor like you landed under a big shot like him."
It was just an offhand comment, but Kang Minjae didn't respond.
"Let's hurry! I'll show you the way. I know this place like the back of my hand. And I know all the best spots around here. We can hit one up after."
He was still acting awkward in situations like this.
"No one's here yet."
As soon as we reached the conference room, Kang Minjae peered through the glass wall.
"They must know we're here. Making us wait on purpose or what?"
He grumbled and flung open the door. At least the lights were on. Two bottles of water sat on the table near us, four on the opposite side. Ours, presumably.
I set my briefcase on my spot and checked my watch again. We'd lost time to Kim, but still had five minutes.
"Kang, I'm going to wash up quick."
"Sure."
As I headed out, Kang Minjae grabbed me like he'd remembered something.
"Not the one right nearby—go left past the conference rooms. That's near the partners' offices; it's nicer."
"Got it."
I said so, but planned to hit the closer one. Lunch hour was ending, though, and the area was crowded. People stood around with toothbrush kits, so the inside was probably packed with brushers.
No choice—I headed where Kang suggested.
"Ah, yes. Yes. That's right."
I'd barely stepped into the hallway when a woman approached from the opposite direction, phone wedged between shoulder and ear, rummaging distractedly in her bag.
"Yes, Chairman. They're starting discussions now. I'll report back the moment we begin."
Too focused on her call and bag to notice me closing in.
"Ack!"
I sidestepped slightly, but she suddenly veered my way and we collided. I was fine, but she wasn't—her bag slipped, spilling its contents everywhere.
"Sorry."
"Ah, Chairman, it's nothing. I'll call back."
She hung up and started gathering her things from the floor. So flustered she didn't even acknowledge my apology. Felt wrong to just walk away, so I helped pick up pencil case, clear files, lipstick, glasses case, and such, stuffing them back in her bag.
"......"
Then I spotted a small ring on the floor.
A silver band with a blue gem in the center. Long lettering engraved on the side.
It was Jo Hyeonseok's ring. Or rather, an exact match to his design.
While she was distracted with the rest, I snatched it up. Touching it confirmed it. Too small for me—or for Jo Hyeonseok at 193 cm. This was the women's half of a couple's set.
Before she noticed, I scanned the inscription.
Naci Para Conocerte
Latin phrase. Probably about love, but I memorized the short line just in case.
Too bad it wasn't the name we'd been desperate for—but it wasn't nothing. If anything, we'd gained more than a name. With high certainty, this woman was the ring's owner.
"What do you think you're doing, taking someone else's things?"
That's when she snatched it from my hand. She'd already gathered everything else.
"Just picking it up for you. My apologies. Looks like something precious."
When I asked, she finally looked at my face. For a split second, her eyes widened. She composed herself quickly, but I was certain.
She knew who I was.
"No need to explain."
Her tone was curt. I tested my ability, but it wasn't a statement that registered truth or lie—no result.
"Thanks for the help. Excuse me."
She turned sharply and headed the opposite way from before.
I stood watching her back. Going the wrong way meant reporting our encounter to someone.
She'd been too frantic mid-call, bag undone—must've had urgent business elsewhere.
She called the person 'Chairman.'
I hadn't meant to eavesdrop, but her conspicuous movements drew my ear.
Discussions are about to start.
I'll report right away once they begin.
Only those two bits mattered. Plenty of people here for meetings. No reason her 'Chairman' had to be me.
But factor in the wide-eyed recognition, the matching couple's ring with Jo Hyeonseok...
She meant me.
Jo Hyeonseok's girlfriend.
That much was solid. To nail everything down, though, I needed the 'Chairman's' identity. That would tie it all together in one go.
Jo Hyeonseok—his girlfriend—Go Sanggyeong. Exposing that trio's connection was our top priority.
Leaning against a nearby coffee vending machine, pretending to check my phone, I tracked her. Once she rounded the corner, I moved quickly but cautiously—not wanting to seem like I was tailing her.
By the time she reached the hall's end, I'd peeked around.
She was still there, in front of a door labeled...
[Representative Director]
"......"
Before opening it, she suddenly scanned her surroundings. I ducked back behind the wall.
If her destination was the rep director's office, did that mean Go Sanggyeong had sent her to Yoon Wonhyeong? Not strange—his only daughter divorcing would demand attention.
Knock knock knock.
A knock echoed down the hall. Her, probably, at the door.
I peeked out to watch. Yoon as rep director would be inside, but who else?
...Damn.
The door cracked just enough for one person—no glimpse inside before it shut.
Frustrating, but unavoidable. No point camping out.
I shook my head and headed back to the conference room.
The ring's owner was likely Go Sanggyeong's right hand. She'd gone there to check our meeting's progress and report back fast.
I'd head back first. Figuring out who she was could wait.