You Have Been Defended [EN]: Chapter 394

[Chief Prosecutor Hwang Young-chan’s private vault was found to contain a large amount of cash and ledgers. These ledgers detail Chief Prosecutor Hwang Young-chan’s receipt of money and valuables from figures in the political and business world, as well as records of concealing criminal facts, causing a great stir. These ledgers are known as the ‘Hwang Young-chan List,’ and the Seoul High Prosecutors’ Office has announced that it plans to summon and strongly investigate those named in the ledgers.]

The discovery of Hwang Young-chan’s ledgers in a private vault in Mokjin-dong has ignited a major scandal in South Korea.

What’s particularly satisfying is that it’s being called the ‘Hwang Young-chan List,’ highlighting the incident’s significance and widespread attention.

Hwang Young-chan is still referred to as Chief Prosecutor because his trial hasn’t concluded, but he’s likely to be dismissed and imprisoned after the proceedings.

At this point, I believe I’ve achieved adequate revenge.

He was also abandoned by Wooshin Group, leaving him in an irrecoverable situation.

The illegally obtained funds will be returned to the national treasury, ensuring a miserable life for him after his release from prison.

Most importantly, Ko Sang-jun, Wooshin’s Chief of Staff, who attempted to pin everything on Hwang Young-chan during the police investigation and escape unscathed, also failed to cover his tracks. I couldn’t ask for a more gratifying outcome.

Of course, this doesn’t give me grounds to arrest Ko Sang-jun directly, but Ko Yoon-ho and Ko Yoon-seok will undoubtedly face punishment without any escape.

I’m content with the results of this incident to this extent.

I never expected to easily capture Ko Sang-jun anyway, and we still have cards to play.

“Attorney Cha! Over here!”

A meeting was arranged at Daebak Restaurant after a long absence.

This time, Choi Jong-hyun, Jo Bong-joon, Kang Min-jae, and Heo Min-woo were all present.

Originally, it was just supposed to be Kang Min-jae, Heo Min-woo, and me, but Heo Min-woo mentioned being a fan of Choi Jong-hyun and Jo Bong-joon and requested that I invite them, turning it into a larger gathering.

Heo Min-woo spotted me looking around at the entrance and waved his hand while shouting loudly.

Consequently, some of the people sitting at nearby tables recognized me and started glancing in my direction.

I sighed and quickly made my way to the table where the group was seated.

“Cha’s here?”

“Yes, I’m here.”

I replied as I took the empty seat.

They were already engaged in a lively conversation, and after greeting me, they resumed where they left off.

“Anyway, that’s why I stayed up all night watching the reporter’s broadcast replay. I even got scolded at work for watching it, haha.”

“I didn’t realize Officer Heo was also a viewer of our broadcast. Ah, should I have been more careful with my words if I had known the police were watching?”

“No, no. It had a raw, unfiltered appeal. I even chatted sometimes.”

“You chatted? What’s your nickname?”

“My nickname is a secret. I’m embarrassed because I think you’ll look it up.”

“Why keep something like that a secret? Just tell us.”

“It’s a secret.”

“Ah, come on, tell us. Then we’ll give you a coupon to skip the ads.”

“It’s a secret.”

“You’re being too much, really.”

“No, I mean the nickname is ‘Secret’.”

“Ah… Are you saying that ‘Secret’ is your nickname?”

“Yes! Ha, you finally understand.”

Heo Min-woo said, as if relieved.

Needless to say, the table erupted in laughter.

I quietly observed them enjoying themselves.

It’s not an awkward scene for me.

Heo Min-woo and Choi Jong-hyun were close in my previous life as well.

Of course, Jo Bong-joon and Kang Min-jae weren’t at a table like this back then.

“Attorney Cha, you should have a drink too.”

When Heo Min-woo brought a soju [Korean distilled spirit] bottle to the glass in front of me, I shook my head.

“I drove here.”

“You can call a designated driver.”

“Leave him alone. He doesn’t get drunk anyway.”

“You’re a strong drinker.”

At Jo Bong-joon’s words, Choi Jong-hyun turned to me and asked.

I’m not a weak drinker, but there’s a reason why I avoid alcohol.

I once confessed to Kang Min-jae that I was living my second life when I was drunk, and considering how I apologized to Dong-jin, who was also present, I need to be especially cautious in front of Heo Min-woo.

Who knows what nonsense I might say.

“No, so when I first met Attorney Cha… That was when Wooshin was trying to frame the attorney for the murder of Lee Jung-chan, and I greeted him, saying that I respected him. I said it was cool to crush Wooshin, but Attorney Cha coldly said that he had never done such a thing!”

About an hour later, Heo Min-woo was half-drunk.

He started shouting, his face flushed, as if he had a lot of pent-up feelings towards me.

“Bad guy.”

Choi Jong-hyun, also with glazed eyes, looked at me and chimed in.

“Very bad guy, that guy.”

Choi Jong-hyun usually speaks informally to me, but this is the first time I’ve been cursed at.

I’ve never been cursed at in my previous life either.

“But he also helps Reporter Choi and Jo Bong-joon with their broadcasts, and he takes on all the cases related to Wooshin, so it’s obvious that he’s targeting Wooshin. I was really upset, really.”

Should I apologize?

“And! When I was working on this case, he told me to drop out of the case! I was so shocked at the time.”

“No, Attorney Cha was bad, very bad, when our Officer Heo does such a good job. Why tell him to drop out, why!”

“I thought I was doing something wrong. But Attorney Cha didn’t say anything to me. Really… I’m upset, really!”

“Apologize like a human being.”

“Apologize, Cha Joo-han.”

I sighed.

I can’t explain everything to them, who are unaware of what happened in my previous life.

I got up and went outside the restaurant, pretending not to hear.

When it’s difficult to answer, it’s best to avoid the situation first.

I figured that if I smoked a cigarette and came back in, they would change the subject and start giggling among themselves.

“Attorney.”

When the cigarette was half-burned, Heo Min-woo came to my side and took out a cigarette.

“Why did you come out?”

“I’m trying to sober up. Can I borrow a light?”

When I handed the lighter to Heo Min-woo, he lit his cigarette and gave it back to me.

Then he glanced at me furtively.

As if he was trying to read my mind, I spoke first.

“If you have something to say, say it.”

“Attorney, you’re not angry because of me, are you? I was just joking.”

“I know. And I think it’s something you can be upset about.”

I mean it.

We’ve been saying for a while that it would be beneficial to have a colleague within the police force, and even though Heo Min-woo has essentially volunteered, I’m reacting lukewarmly.

He’s been signaling his desire to continue working with us.

If I had welcomed him, he would have tried to help us a long time ago.

Just like he helped with this case.

“Then why did you tell me to drop out of the case?”

Heo Min-woo asked, staring at me.

I avoided his gaze and put out my cigarette in the ashtray.

“Don’t worry about that. The case has already been handed over to the High Prosecutors’ Office, and it’s progressing well, isn’t it?”

“…….”

“Let’s go in.”

When I gave off the impression that I didn’t want to talk, Heo Min-woo didn’t press the issue further.

“You’re back. What were you two talking about for so long!”

In the short time I was out smoking, Kang Min-jae, Choi Jong-hyun, and Jo Bong-joon had become completely drunk.

They ordered fried rice and spilled it all over the table without even eating it with chopsticks, and they poured the remaining soju so much that it overflowed. It was quite a sight.

“It hasn’t even been five minutes.”

“Really? Boss! Please give us two more bottles of soju!”

Ah, I want to go home.

About an hour later, Kang Min-jae was completely drunk and had his head on the table, and Choi Jong-hyun and Jo Bong-joon were drunk and started arguing over trivial matters.

Heo Min-woo lowered his head and started headbanging, and I, the only one who hadn’t had a sip of alcohol, was furious at the fact that cleaning up was once again my responsibility.

“Let’s get up now.”

I slammed the table and stood up.

Kang Min-jae was startled and jumped up, and Heo Min-woo stopped headbanging and stared at me with glazed eyes.

“I’ll pay, so come out on your own.”

I left them behind and went to the 계산대 [checkout counter] to pay with my card.

Then, in the distance, I saw Choi Jong-hyun and Jo Bong-joon coming out with their arms around each other’s shoulders, followed by Kang Min-jae and Heo Min-woo.

To be precise, it would be more accurate to say that Kang Min-jae was supporting Heo Min-woo and dragging him along.

“Officer Heo can’t come to his senses. He’s heavyyy.”

Ha, I need to sort out the transportation first.

I put Choi Jong-hyun and Jo Bong-joon in a taxi and called a driver for Kang Min-jae.

Everyone scattered, leaving only Heo Min-woo, who still couldn’t come to his senses.

How much did he drink?

I rubbed my forehead and took him to the convenience store.

“That’ll be five thousand won.”

I bought a hangover drink and came out, handing it to Heo Min-woo, who was sitting under the convenience store parasol.

He seemed to understand that he needed to drink it, so he did so without complaint.

Okay, now I just need to ask him where his house is and put him in a taxi.

I know where his house is from my previous life, but I don’t know if he still lives there at this point in time.

“Officer Heo.”

“…….”

“Where is your ho–”

“Uwaaaaaaack!”

And he vomited spectacularly on my shoes instead of answering.

“……Ugh.”

He lowered his head again and started headbanging.

Traffic control has always been my responsibility, but Heo Min-woo is the first person to vomit on me.

I was overcome with an unbearable feeling, but I decided to calm down.

I have extra shoes in the trunk of my car, so I can change into them.

Yes, I can do that.

Be patient.

“Ugh, uh…….”

“Officer Heo, where is your house?”

“Uheu…….”

Kang Min-jae too, why are there only people like this around me?

I dragged Heo Min-woo to the parking lot.

First, I took off the shoes that Heo Min-woo had vomited on and stuffed them into the trash bag in front of the store, then changed into new shoes.

I didn’t mind putting Heo Min-woo in my car, but I was worried that he would vomit inside.

So I got a plastic bag from the store and hung the handles on both of Heo Min-woo’s ears.

“If you’re going to throw up, do it here. It’s a quick trip home.”

I have no choice but to have Heo Min-woo sleep at my house tonight.

I dragged Heo Min-woo from the house parking lot into the house again.

First, I threw him into the bathroom to throw up as much as he wanted, then I went into the bedroom bathroom and showered.

The smell of Heo Min-woo’s vomit still seemed to linger, so I threw the suit I was wearing today into the laundry basket.

When I went out to the living room, Heo Min-woo was sprawled out on the sofa.

“Ugh… Attorney Cha.”

“Are you feeling a little better?”

“Ugh… I think I threw up 3 liters of alcohol. I’m going to die…….”

“Here are some pills. Take these and sleep here, then leave in the morning.”

“Thank you…….”

Heo Min-woo struggled to get up, swallowed the pills, and lay down again.

“Then I’ll go to bed too.”

“Attorney.”

As I was about to go into the bedroom, Heo Min-woo suddenly called me.

“Yes.”

“You trust me now, right?”

He reminded me of Kang Min-jae.

When I get a question like this, I’m at a loss for words.

Instead of answering, I just looked at him.

“You don’t……?”

“No, I trust you. I trusted you from the beginning.”

“But why…….”

“I’m shy.”

“Ah, is that so.”

Heo Min-woo, in his drunken state, accepted even the nonsense I was spouting.

“I’ll turn off the lights.”

“Yes. Good night…….”

I turned off the lights and looked at Heo Min-woo lying on the sofa.

Suddenly, his image from my previous life flashed before my eyes.