You Have Been Defended [EN]: Chapter 4

You’ve Been Defended – Part 4 (4/641)

The next day, as work hours began, I contacted Taekwang.

They welcomed the call, asking if we could meet immediately.

I replied that I could spare some time during lunch, and they arranged a meeting at a hotel near Seocho-dong.

Even though I mentioned it as if I might consider a contract, they seemed to be jumping the gun, not just sipping the *kimchi jjigae* [a spicy Korean stew], but gulping down the whole pot.

“Room 1005 can be accessed using this elevator.”

Perhaps to avoid attention, the meeting was set up in a guest room.

It felt like they were planning to get the contract signed, even though I hadn’t even considered offering it.

“Cha Pro! Long time no see.”

Two people had already arrived in the room.

Taekwang’s founder, Yoon Won-hyung, and his paralegal secretary, Ji Hye-won.

I had met both of them a few times at the Seoul National University Law School alumni association.

“Hello.”

“Have a seat.”

“Hello, Prosecutor Cha Joo-han.”

“I didn’t expect the CEO to come in person.”

“It’s the day Cha Pro signs the contract, of course, I had to be here.”

They were definitely overeager.

I didn’t reply and drank the coffee placed in front of me.

Maybe because it was expensive coffee, it tasted good.

“May I ask why you changed your mind?”

“My mind?”

“You rejected us without even hearing the conditions, but suddenly you’ve changed your mind, so it’s natural to be curious, isn’t it?”

I had never directly faced Yoon Won-hyung in court.

He was an elder statesman, and Taekwang had many capable lawyers to represent him.

However, that didn’t mean I had never clashed with him.

-Chief Cha Joo-han. Stop being so cocky and let’s end it here. Let’s not make it tiring for each other in a fight you can’t win anyway. Okay?

Was that when he came to warn me before the second trial?

Thinking about it again, he was still annoying.

“Cha Pro seems to be learning about life now. I always felt sorry for the juniors who talked about justice and chasing rainbows. I thought Cha Pro was one of those types too.”

Yoon Won-hyung added when I didn’t respond to Ji Hye-won’s words.

He was presenting the guideline for the answer I should give.

I was dumbfounded.

Although I appeared to be a 5-year-experienced prosecutor, inside I was a 15-year-experienced chief prosecutor.

“What should I do about this.”

“Huh?”

“I didn’t expect you to come out so formally, even the CEO. I came here to ask you not to bother me anymore.”

Disappointment flashed across their faces in an instant. I did come with the intention of giving them a little something, but having the CEO show up was the icing on the cake.

“Cha Pro. What are you…….”

“If I don’t put a stop to it now, I feel like you’ll contact me again in two years. I have no intention of joining Taekwang.”

The CEO coughed uncomfortably.

Ji Hye-won also looked at me and the CEO, not knowing what to do.

“Prosecutor Cha. You’re making a mistake right now.”

“Mistake? What mistake did I make?”

“You’re feeding us [giving us an opening], right now.”

He’s a bit quick on the uptake?

“It’s probably just your imagination.”

“Haha. You’re not thinking about the future at all. You’ll eventually join a law firm someday. Won’t you regret being so rude to us then?”

“I’ll be leaving soon, so it’s not exactly a distant future.”

“Yes?”

“But I don’t particularly regret it now either.”

“……You’re leaving soon? Do you have a place lined up already?”

Even in the midst of displeasure, he wants to dig up information?

Typical Ji Hye-won.

“I don’t think we’re close enough for me to tell you my future plans.”

Ji Hye-won’s face flushed.

She quietly gathered the document file that contained the contract.

Yoon Won-hyung was still silent.

His eyes seemed to be cursing me out.

“CEO.”

“Do you still have something to say?”

“Unfortunately, yes. I’m just telling you not to be too disappointed.”

“What does that mean?”

“I’m still the kind of guy who talks about justice and chases rainbows. I’ll probably be clashing with you often in court from now on.”

“Huh!”

Yoon Won-hyung, who understood my words, now let out a hollow laugh as if he was dumbfounded.

“If there’s anyone among your affiliated lawyers who clashes with me in court, please tell them to take it easy on me.”

Appropriate humility is a virtue of Korean society.

“Then I’ll head in first. Please take care of your health.”

I was sincere.

I sincerely hoped that Yoon Won-hyung would live a long life and see with his own eyes how I would crush Wooshin.

* * *

Five days since returning to 2008.

Now I no longer get confused about my home address, and I don’t feel strange when the past of the people I pass by comes to mind.

I can manage to endure the prosecutor’s office, which I’ve lost all affection for.

However, I can no longer waste precious time.

It’s time to start moving.

I wrote the words on a white envelope and folded the prepared resignation letter inside.

It will take some time to be accepted.

I could just throw it down and not show up from tomorrow, but I should clean things up neatly so they don’t give me trouble with my meager severance pay.

“Prosecutor, a, a resignation letter…… Are you serious?”

I was resting my chin on my hand, lost in thought, and didn’t even notice Chief Oh Yang-hoon approaching.

“Do you think I would write this as a joke?”

He was the person who stayed with me until the end of my journey to catch Wooshin in my previous life.

“Suddenly, what is this…… You said you received an offer from Taekwang before, are you going there?”

“No, that’s not it.”

“You said you would continue being a prosecutor until you became the Prosecutor General!”

That’s what I said back then.

The ambition from 10 years ago is ridiculously naive.

Of course, I managed to avoid being a groundhog who only went around the criminal and trial departments in the provinces.

But Prosecutor General? No way, I’ll die as a chief prosecutor.

“That’s how it turned out.”

I wanted to ask if he would come with me, but I couldn’t say that yet.

He was one of the few people I completely trusted in my previous life, and a reliable assistant.

How could I tell such a person, when I haven’t even settled down yet, to kick away his *iron rice bowl* [secure job]?

I’ve known Chief Oh for 15 years, but from Chief Oh’s perspective, it’s only been 5 years.

There’s no way he’d come with me if I asked.

I’m thinking of asking him when I have a lot of funds and am ready.

I took the resignation letter and headed to the head prosecutor’s office.

“What is this.”

Hwang Young-chan looked at me askew.

“It’s a resignation letter.”

“So, why are you bringing a resignation letter.”

“I’m quitting.”

“Do you think I’m asking because I don’t know that?”

“What do you mean?”

“What on earth happened that made you like this.”

He looks quite anxious.

He’s probably worried if there were any problematic remarks among the things he said to me.

He must think I’m betraying him.

“Nothing happened. I just changed my mind.”

“Changed your mind? Are you going to Taekwang?”

“No.”

“Or, Jang Young?”

“That’s not it either.”

When I didn’t give him a straightforward answer, Hwang Young-chan slammed his desk.

“Answer me.”

“Are you ordering me?”

“If necessary, it could be. You’re still my subordinate.”

“Are you anxious?”

“What?”

“Aren’t you anxious that I’ll go around telling stories that are unfavorable to you?”

When you’re under the head prosecutor, it’s natural to keep your mouth shut for the sake of your future career as a prosecutor.

But now I’m leaving his wing, aren’t I?

No matter what I say, the head prosecutor can’t pressure me.

Well, that’s not why I’m writing a resignation letter, but making him anxious is more fun than I thought.

“What are you talking about?”

“Don’t tell me you don’t know?”

“Cha Pro. What’s the problem? You know better than anyone how much I’ve cherished you, right?”

“Oh, is that so.”

“Oh, is that so?”

He mimicked my words like a parrot and let out a hollow laugh.

“Let’s talk frankly. What’s the problem?”

If I keep going, I’ll see something I don’t want to see.

I have to keep the jokes appropriate.

“There won’t be anything to worry about, so please accept my resignation letter.”

“Cha Pro. Do you think I’m doing this for nothing? I’m worried about you. You’re doing well, but that’s only within the prosecutor’s office. Once you go outside, you’re just a 5-year-experienced prosecutor. It’s not the right time to submit your resignation letter yet.”

His change of attitude is so quick that it’s ridiculous.

Worry? Is he saying that sincerely?

[LIE]

At that moment, holographic letters appeared above Hwang Young-chan’s head.

‘What is it? Did I see it wrong.’

I rubbed my eyes, but the letters were still floating there.

It lasted for about 5 seconds and then disappeared.

“What’s wrong?”

“……I think something got in my eye.”

“Anyway, you know I’m trying to help you. Don’t you think it’ll be difficult if you quit now?”

I’ve always been curious.

He always says he’s trying to help me, but how much have I actually benefited? How much sincerity is there in those words?

[LIE]

Once again, letters appeared above Hwang Young-chan’s head.

‘What is that.’

“Cha Pro. Are you not concentrating?”

“Head Prosecutor. I’ve said everything I have to say. Please accept my resignation letter. Then I’ll be going.”

I ran out of that place as if I were escaping.

The letters floating above Hwang Young-chan’s head were unforgettable.

I fell into deep thought.

What was the reason those letters appeared? Was there anything in common in those two situations?

‘It was when I was wondering if Hwang Young-chan’s words were sincere.’

If so…….

“Prosecutor, what did the head prosecutor say? I’m so curious that I can’t focus on my work at all.”

[TRUTH]

“He keeps trying to stop me, but what can the head prosecutor do. I want to leave.”

“That’s true. Ah, losing a talent like you, Prosecutor. It’s a national loss.”

[TRUTH]

“What is this, Cha Pro? Don’t tell me you submitted your resignation letter?”

Prosecutor Lee Ye-jin, who was entering my room, ran over and asked.

She must have heard my conversation with Chief Oh.

“Yes.”

“You’re crazy, you’re crazy. What’s with resigning already after only 5 years? It’s not like you’re leaving to become a head prosecutor.”

“That’s how it turned out. I have my reasons.”

Prosecutor Lee Ye-jin sighed and patted me on the shoulder.

“Sigh. Well, you’ll do well wherever you go.”

[TRUTH]

“Thank you.”

“It’s a shame. But I came to work to see the handsome Cha Pro.”

[TRUTH]

“If you’re going to a law firm, please introduce me later. I’ll quit being a prosecutor for sure.”

[LIE]

Prosecutor Lee Ye-jin and Chief Oh Yang-hoon returned to their seats, and I was left alone at my desk.

‘It seems to be judging the sincerity and lies of the person speaking.’

Prosecutor Lee Ye-jin thought I would do well wherever I went, and that she came to work to see my face, that’s the truth.

But the words that she wanted to quit being a prosecutor were a lie.

Everything Chief Oh Yang-hoon said was the truth.

Hwang Young-chan was worried about me after seeing the resignation letter, and that he was trying to help me, those were lies.

“……What an absurd thing.”

I have gained an incredible ability.