You Have Been Defended [EN]: Chapter 70

You Guys Are Defended – Episode 70

[The link between Jangmyeong High’s principal and the superintendent…]

[The superintendent’s son, the top student at Jangmyeong High… Could it be?]

Following Yoon Se-yeon’s exclusive article, all media outlets began covering the story of the principal of Jangmyeong High, the superintendent, and Lee Hyuk-min.

The superintendent’s house was besieged by reporters, and Jangmyeong High was in an uproar.

As the description narrowed down to a student who had received the leaked exam papers and consistently held the top student position, Lee Hyuk-min stopped attending school.

Even unauthorized absences for a few days wouldn’t significantly impact his academic standing, and it was better than facing the scrutiny of classmates and faculty.

Even if his peers and teachers believed his innocence, the reporters gathered outside Jangmyeong High would undoubtedly recognize him and swarm him.

He was likely holed up at home, urgently cramming with private tutors to catch up on his studies.

Not long ago, the vice-principal had revealed Lee Hyuk-min’s mock exam scores, sparking debate about the discrepancy between his mock exam performance and his internal grades.

A renowned academy instructor gave an interview, stating that even students in the top 50 in the district typically achieve top-tier scores on mock exams, making Lee Hyuk-min’s third-tier performance incomprehensible.

Cornered, Lee Hyuk-min’s only recourse was to achieve high scores on this internal exam, which he hadn’t received in advance, to mitigate suspicion.

The media, the public, and, most importantly, the parents of students at Jangmyeong High were watching intently.

Due to the backlash from parents who distrusted even the Office of Education, the exam papers were guarded with the same high security measures as the national college entrance exam papers.

And today, Jangmyeong High’s final exams had concluded.

“Wow, what’s this? The office is nice.”

Yoon Se-yeon, visiting my office for the first time since its opening, looked around, placing a small potted plant on the drawer.

She seemed intrigued by the space, as the interview location during the Kim Hyung-joon patricide case had been a nearby cafe.

After exploring the office, she finally sat down when Kang Min-jae brought out aloe juice.

“The accomplice the lawyer mentioned is Kim Hak-seong, right?”

She asked with a smile.

I shrugged and sat across from her.

“I haven’t disclosed any further details.”

“Kim Hak-seong is currently detained for adultery. During the prosecution’s investigation into the adultery, it was discovered that he had been visiting Lee Hyuk-min’s house. Consequently, that aspect of the case was separated and transferred to the relevant jurisdiction.”

“Is that so?”

As a successful instructor, he must have amassed considerable wealth, making it difficult for him to flee abroad. Detaining him for adultery was a strategic move.

He would undoubtedly maintain his innocence regarding both the adultery and the exam paper leak.

However, the prosecutors are seasoned professionals.

Eventually, a search of his electronic devices would reveal evidence of exam paper exchanges.

Kim Hak-seong wasn’t the type to take the fall alone for Lee Hyuk-min.

Instead, he would drag the superintendent and Lee Hyuk-min down with him.

The prosecutors would recognize this and negotiate accordingly.

Even though plea bargaining is technically illegal in our country, tradition often prevails.

“The prosecution suspects that Kim Hak-seong has been leaking exam papers for a while, so the moment he confesses, several Jangmyeong High alumni from prestigious universities might lose their degrees.”

Yoon Se-yeon said, sinking into the sofa.

I wasn’t sure if Kim Hak-seong would confess to all his past wrongdoings while admitting to his involvement in the Lee Hyuk-min case.

We had only investigated the circumstances surrounding Lee Hyuk-min.

But if the prosecution uncovered everything, Kim Hak-seong’s crimes would escalate significantly, potentially becoming a national scandal.

“Oh, Lee Hyuk-min’s score is out.”

Yoon Se-yeon announced, checking her phone.

Since the exam concluded today, all faculty members must have been working tirelessly to grade the papers and mitigate the criticism directed at Jangmyeong High.

“Wow, Lee Hyuk-min is ranked 138th in the entire school? Out of 500 students.”

I smiled faintly.

“Shall I predict what he’s going to say?”

“What is it?”

“Lee Hyuk-min’s explanation.”

“Alright, let’s hear it.”

Yoon Se-yeon said with a playful expression.

“He was unintentionally identified as the culprit in a case that has captured national attention, causing him immense pressure. The resulting stress and anxiety impaired his focus during the exam, negatively impacting his performance.”

“Above all, he deeply regrets being branded a criminal simply because his father is the superintendent and he has a close relationship with the principal of Jangmyeong High, and this exam score shouldn’t be used to determine his guilt.”

Kang Min-jae, who had been listening attentively, added.

Yoon Se-yeon laughed and looked at Kang Min-jae.

“Lawyer Kang and Lawyer Cha get along so well.”

“Who else would tolerate that grumpy old man besides me?”

Kang Min-jae seemed proud and continued to joke with a flushed face.

Yoon Se-yeon indulged Kang Min-jae’s humor for a while, and laughter filled the office.

Then, a silence fell as if on cue.

“Lawyer.”

Yoon Se-yeon, who had been texting intermittently, regained her composure and looked at me.

“Now, tell me.”

“Tell you what?”

“The real reason you started investigating this case.”

I crossed my arms.

As she pointed out, unlike the media, which was celebrating Lee Hyuk-min’s poor performance, I still had an underlying motive.

“This case is a criminal matter. Lawyers typically only intervene to defend the accused. However, in this instance, it was the lawyer who implicated Lee Hyuk-min, the superintendent, the principal, and Kim Hak-seong as defendants. Therefore, there must be a reason for the lawyer’s involvement.”

She tapped the armrest of the sofa and observed me intently.

“I’ve cultivated numerous sources this time, so I’ll assist you in achieving your true objective. Please tell me.”

With a determined expression, she glanced at her phone again and exclaimed,

“Ah, hurry! I have to go in.”

“I didn’t intend to conceal it, but I refrained from mentioning it because the timing didn’t seem right. If you’re so curious, I’ll tell you now.”

I gestured to Kang Min-jae.

He seemed to understand and took his car keys from his pocket, shaking them.

“Where are we going?”

“Well, it seems like Yoon reporter will have an opportunity for an interview. If you’d prefer, I can simply tell you here. Ah, but you said you had to leave quickly. Then here…”

Before I could finish, Yoon Se-yeon interrupted.

“Ah, ah, why are you doing this, lawyer? Let’s go quickly. I’m so excited. Where is it? Is it far? Will it take long? Do I need to prepare anything?”

The destination we took Yoon Se-yeon to was the hospital where Jin-cheol was hospitalized.

I had previously asked Jin-cheol and his mother if they would consent to an interview, and they agreed, hoping it would ensure Lee Hyuk-min was held accountable for his actions.

“Ah, lawyer!”

Jin-cheol’s mother, who was watching the news with Jin-cheol, stood up upon seeing us.

“Oh, this person is…”

Mother and Jin-cheol looked at Yoon Se-yeon with confusion, and Yoon Se-yeon mirrored their expression.

“This is Yoon Se-yeon, a reporter from Iljung Daily [a fictional newspaper]. She will be writing an article about what happened to Jin-cheol because of Lee Hyuk-min and the kind of student Lee Hyuk-min was.”

Yoon Se-yeon seemed slightly embarrassed by my introduction but quickly nodded, understanding my intention, and handed her business card to the mother.

“Yes, ma’am. I’m here to listen to your story. You know Iljung Daily, right?”

“Oh my, of course. Our family subscribes to Iljung Daily.”

For a considerable time, Yoon Se-yeon and Jin-cheol’s mother recounted the events that had transpired.

Yoon Se-yeon recorded the conversations and occasionally took notes.

The news of Lee Hyuk-min’s 137-place drop in the re-examination would likely be published in tomorrow’s morning paper, shifting the focus to Lee Hyuk-min.

And once evidence was discovered on Kim Hak-seong’s devices, Lee Hyuk-min would be expelled, and the superintendent would inevitably face charges.

It was only a matter of time.

My plan was to reveal Lee Hyuk-min’s school violence once the exam paper leak issue had subsided.

Revealing Lee Hyuk-min’s violence now would likely be overshadowed by the more prominent scandal.

“I’ve heard the story thoroughly. I’ll time the article’s publication to ensure it receives adequate attention.”

Yoon Se-yeon, having concluded the interview, greeted Jin-cheol and his mother.

Jin-cheol’s mother repeatedly thanked Yoon Se-yeon before approaching me and Kang Min-jae.

“Lawyer, thank you so much. I was so surprised to see Lee Hyuk-min, the superintendent, the principal… and even that private tutor in the news this time. Before Jin-cheol’s incident, I simply believed he was an exceptional student because he consistently ranked first in the school, and I was pleased that he was associating with him…”

Yoon Se-yeon looked at me, slightly taken aback by the mother’s words.

I turned away from her and addressed the mother.

“I was fortunate. I was unaware of the extent of Lee Hyuk-min’s misconduct. But thanks to you, Lee Hyuk-min’s misdeeds have been exposed, and he will likely face the consequences for his actions against Jin-cheol. It’s a relief.”

The mother nodded, tears welling up in her eyes.

She then gestured to Jin-cheol, who was reclining on the bed.

“Jin-cheol, quickly express your gratitude.”

At his mother’s prompting, Jin-cheol smiled awkwardly and fidgeted with his fingers protruding from the casts.

“Thank you so much, lawyer.”

“Hey, Jin-cheol. Why are you being so formal, lawyer? Call him uncle.”

Kang Min-jae waved his hand and laughed.

“…But he’s a lawyer. Thank you, really.”

“It’s not entirely over yet. We still have a long way to go. You’ll need to testify during Lee Hyuk-min’s trial… And there’s also a civil lawsuit remaining. Can you endure until then?”

At my question, Jin-cheol smiled, rubbing the tip of his reddened nose.

“Yes. Of course. I can do it. Really… I can do it.”

On the way out of the hospital room to the parking lot, Yoon Se-yeon, who had been quietly organizing her notes, suddenly asked,

“Lawyer, but doesn’t the client know that you were the one who revealed Lee Hyuk-min’s exam paper leak?”

Kang Min-jae simply laughed at Yoon Se-yeon’s question, and I shrugged.

“I told you, I didn’t do it.”