The Empire's Servant - Chapter 8
Lee Hoe Jang got up from his seat upon seeing Je Guk.
“Why are you contacting me like this!”
Lee Hoe Jang was about to raise his voice but lowered it when his eyes met Je Guk’s.
“Sit down. Let’s talk sitting down.”
Je Guk put aside numerous emotions and sat down uncomfortably facing Lee Hoe Jang.
Then, he handed a report to Lee Hoe Jang.
“What is the head of legal affairs doing? Why are you the one bringing this?”
“Didn’t I say that I will be the one reporting to you regarding this case from now on? Let’s leave the head of legal affairs to focus on the legal response.”
At Je Guk’s words, Lee Hoe Jang coughed, displeased. Then, he moistened his fingertips with saliva and flipped through the report.
Thanks to Je Guk removing the pages with the investigation outline, Lee Hoe Jang had to read from the main content right away.
“What, there’s nothing much here. They held a busy person for such a long time over this?”
“Since I consistently invoked the right to remain silent, it ended up like that.”
Je Guk made Lee Hoe Jang understand with an appropriate lie.
“To make even you attend and be investigated. Huh…… That fearless prosecutor caused things to turn out this way!”
Lee Hoe Jang was still greatly enraged.
Je Guk felt dizzy but looked at Lee Hoe Jang with a firm expression on the outside, unwavering.
“I found out he’s a new prosecutor. He’s at an age where he’s brimming with passion, so let’s just overlook it.”
“I won’t let this slide!”
“Sir, I don’t think taking any action against the prosecution regarding this matter will be helpful for the progress of the case.”
“Ahem.”
Lee Hoe Jang was uncomfortable at Je Guk’s words.
Je Guk no longer wanted to see Lee Hoe Jang covering for Hyun Baek Hap behind the scenes under the pretext of doing it for the company and his children.
“So you’re saying I should do nothing even though this situation has occurred.”
“Yes.”
Je Guk spoke firmly without any hesitation.
It was simply surprising to hear such words from the very person who contributed to making the situation this bad.
Je Guk hoped there would be no more incidents that disappointed his father.
“Ah, no!”
Lee Hoe Jang let out a voice mixed with anger and bewilderment.
“Sir, do you see this matter as a mere power struggle? The fate of Cheonha Group depends on this. You know that the atmosphere among the major shareholders and board members is not good right now, don’t you?”
“Hmm.”
When Je Guk pointed that out, Lee Hoe Jang exhaled sharply and swallowed the words he was about to say.
“Fine, then I’ll trust you and leave it to you. Resolve it well.”
After finishing his talk, Je Guk walked towards the elevator and took out his cell phone from his pocket.
Je Guk opened the reply from Ha In.
– Yes, it’s possible. Let’s meet in front of the ‘Heaven’s Rock’ piece at Cheonha Art Museum.
Je Guk’s steps stopped upon seeing that message. The ‘Heaven’s Rock’ piece was his mother’s most cherished work.
There was even an incident when Hyun Baek Hap tried to incinerate it, knowing its significance.
Je Guk had a slight idea of Ha In’s intention behind choosing to meet in front of that specific piece.
It seemed like Ha In’s intention was to strike at Je Guk’s most vulnerable spot, but Je Guk was not one to show weakness.
– Alright.
Je Guk got his mind straight, realizing that such a day would come in life. Ha In was no longer that young child from back then.
“How dare she. Challenge me then. How will she handle the aftermath?”
* * *
It might be a cruel thing to do, but it was the place where Je Guk’s heart could be the most vulnerable.
She found a place with traces of Lady Yoon Joo Hwa. To make Je Guk take her side, she needed to shake the firm Je Guk even a little.
There, Ha In planned to tell Je Guk something that would completely shatter his relationship with Lee Hoe Jang.
Ha In admitted to herself that she was a bad person, but her hands kept trembling as she bit the tips of her nails.
It was uncertain how Je Guk would take what she was about to say and how far the repercussions would reach.
Without making Lee Hoe Jang, who was firmly backing Hyun Baek Hap, powerless, this case could be difficult.
She also had to consider the anger they would have when they found out about Ha In’s existence. However, if Je Guk stepped up, things could change considerably.
To do that, she had to drive a wedge between Je Guk and Lee Hoe Jang.
Ha In couldn’t focus on work the entire time she was waiting for the scheduled meeting with Je Guk.
“Sunbae, would you like to take a look at the summarized content?”
Gang Jun’s voice broke Ha In out of her daze.
“Yes.”
Ha In examined the content Gang Jun had summarized.
Je Guk said the people on the list were on Hyun Baek Hap’s side, hiding the fact of Lee Hoe Jang’s involvement.
It seemed that Je Guk was still taking his father’s side for now.
Ha In handed a document to Gang Jun.
“Choi, take a look at this content. As we trace the accounts, the ultimate beneficiaries become clearer. Hyun Baek Hap and Lee Je Ni. It wasn’t all just for the sake of inheritance.”
Using Lee Je Ni’s inheritance as a pretext, Hyun Baek Hap had filled her own pockets.
She wondered how a person could be so greedy even after enjoying and living off so much already. She shook her head in disbelief.
Just then, there was a knock on the door, and an investigator entered.
“Prosecutors, you need to see this.”
The investigator entered with a serious expression, holding documents.
“Stock trading was done again using almost the same method as last time.”
At the investigator’s words, Gang Jun’s mouth fell half open.
“Even while we are investigating?”
“Yes.”
Ha In, who knew Hyun Baek Hap a bit better than Gang Jun and the investigator, thought it wasn’t even surprising.
While thinking that this was why the taste of money was frightening, she also thought it wasn’t difficult if she considered that Hyun Baek Hap was always like that.
“Is the law a joke? Ah, is the prosecution a joke?”
Those were the words Gang Jun couldn’t hold back, feeling angry.
“Choi, calm down.”
Ha In fully understood why Gang Jun was getting heated.
But the more crimes Hyun Baek Hap committed, the more punishment she would receive, so it was something to watch and see.
“If she commits more crimes, we’ll investigate again.”
Ha In showed even stronger determination in such a situation.
* * *
“Director, is this the extent of our Cheonha Group Legal Affairs’ capability? At this rate, we’ll have to appoint an external law firm.”
Hyun Baek Hap’s shrill voice filled the Cheonha Group Legal Affairs office.
Even though it was a matter that could be discussed separately in the director’s office, Hyun Baek Hap was displaying her tyranny in front of everyone.
The director of legal affairs tried to appease Hyun Baek Hap, hiding his embarrassment in front of the employees.
“Madam, let’s discuss this over a warm cup of tea in the office.”
“Do I look like I’m in the mood for tea right now?”
Hyun Baek Hap said, her veins popping in her neck. Even with Hyun Baek Hap’s unyielding force, the director of legal affairs, who had been standing tall, eventually lowered his head.
“You should have been like this from the start. I was wondering when you’d lower that upright head of yours.”
At that moment, all the employees sitting in the legal affairs office stood up and greeted.
Hyun Baek Hap turned her head towards where their greetings were directed. Hyun Baek Hap flinched and shrugged her shoulders.
“Je, Je Guk, what brings you here?”
That was what Je Guk wanted to ask. He was curious as to why Hyun Baek Hap was commanding here.
“Is this how the access to the legal affairs office is managed?”
“Oh my, Je Guk. Did I come somewhere I shouldn’t have?”
“This is where Cheonha Group’s top-level security information is stored. Is it okay to let just anyone in?”
Je Guk spoke without even giving Hyun Baek Hap a glance.
Hyun Baek Hap glared at Je Guk, her face turning red. Then, discouraged by Je Guk’s cold silence, she left the legal affairs office.
“From this time onward, we will increase the security personnel for the legal affairs office. Anyone whose fingerprints are not registered will not be able to enter this place.”
“Yes.”
Je Guk moved his steps to the director’s office. The director of legal affairs followed him inside.
“Director, I apologize.”
“What is there for you to apologize for? I’m just ashamed to face the employees.”
Je Guk looked at the director of legal affairs with a bitter expression.
The director of legal affairs just stood there quietly.
“I have reported to the chairman.”
“You’ve worked hard.”
“Hah…”
Je Guk let out a deep sigh.
“The secretarial office will soon send a document. It contains the stock price status of Cheonha Group’s subsidiaries.”
The director of legal affairs wondered why that information was necessary at this moment.
“They’re still meddling with it even now. I’m telling you this for your reference.”
Upon hearing those words, the director of legal affairs stood there with a blank expression, unable to answer.
If the people here heard it, they would all be discouraged.
They were busy dealing with the previous incident, yet the person who committed the crime was still not coming to their senses and causing trouble.
It was simply unbelievable.
“I’m providing this document for you to prepare.”
“Yes, we will thoroughly defend against it.”
Je Guk’s intention was not for them to defend the matter itself.
It was to thoroughly grasp and respond to Hyun Baek Hap’s movements.
“No. The Cheonha Group Legal Affairs should view this case separately. Our Cheonha Group Legal Affairs will not defend Hyun Baek Hap. The legal affairs department exists only for our company.”
Tension was evident on the director of legal affairs’ face.
As the new wife who received abundant love from Chairman Lee, Hyun Baek Hap was a burdensome figure to the employees.
“If you make that expression, it makes me uncomfortable. Are you afraid of Hyun Baek Hap? Or are you afraid of the chairman who is backing her?”
“Ah, no, that’s not it.”
The director of legal affairs answered with a flustered expression.
Je Guk wanted the director of legal affairs to stand by him without being swayed by other powers, just like now.
“Just trust and follow me.”
Male lead Asks for a Divorce Every Day
It’s not often you come across a plot like this in the female-dominant genre — make sure to check it out!
This is a novel I’m planning to reread as well.
The male lead is strong, skilled in martial arts, and not the usual fragile type you often see in matriarchal novels.
Meanwhile, the female lead is a scientist—rational and logical. Even when she falls for the male lead, she doesn’t let her emotions cloud her decisions.
If you push through the first few chapters, you’ll gradually find the story really intriguing.
It has a mix of mystery, detective elements, and romance.
The author’s writing style is like crafting a puzzle—except they deliberately leave out a few pieces, making it hard to predict what happens next, yet keeping you hooked.
In the end, everything will come together and be explained.
One-sentence summary: Wife, stop playing with beakers and look at me!
In a laboratory accident, research scientist Zhu Wansheng accidentally travels to a matriarchal world. The original owner of the body is an eighteen-year-old only daughter of a wealthy rouge merchant, already married with a handsome young man.
Zhu Wansheng grins: Nice! She always said she was heaven’s favorite granddaughter. After a life of toil in her previous life, she can enjoy blessings in this one.
However, her joy lasts no more than three seconds as bad news arrives: the original owner’s family is about to go bankrupt, and her husband wants a divorce.
Even worse, she’s stuck with a research system full of restrictions.
Zhu Wansheng: ? Is this the destiny of a research dog?
——
Faced with this mess, Zhu Wansheng pours herself a bowl of wine to drown her sorrows. In her drunken haze, her husband arrives.
His figure is imposing, holding a long sword, with a dignified air that captivates Zhu Wansheng.
Gu Yingqing, however, looks at the alcohol-reeking Zhu Wansheng with undisguised disgust and coldly asks, “Divorce or not?” The intoxicated Zhu Wansheng mumbles vaguely, “I think… it’s not… it’s not… impossible!”
——
The next day, after sobering up, Zhu Wansheng is full of energy, rolling up her sleeves ready to make a big move. As for yesterday? She has no memory of it.
Zhu Wansheng is ambitious; a research dog fears nothing!
Upgrading rouge, extracting fragrances, producing perfumes, researching lipsticks… all shall bow to the power of modern technology!
The original owner’s dying rouge shop is revitalized. Her mother is pleased and with a wave of her hand, passes on the family business to her. As she takes control and her experimental results gain popularity, it’s the pinnacle of her life…
——
But there are always those who can’t stand to see her doing well. Jealousy, scheming, assassination attempts – they want nothing less than her life.
The person who has always kept his distance from her suddenly holds her tightly in his arms, eyes full of concern.
She is unharmed, but he falls into a pool of blood…
Zhu Wansheng feels guilty, “I can grant you one wish.”
Gu Yingqing tentatively circles his arms around her, carefully resting his head in the crook of her neck, pleading softly, “I regret it. Can we not divorce?”
Zhu Wansheng: ? When did I agree to a divorce?
[Small Theater]
The newly developed rouge is beautifully packaged, and Zhu Wansheng is eager to try it.
Gu Yingqing suddenly appears: “My lady, may I apply it for you?”
Cool fingertips lightly brush her lips. His Adam’s apple bobs as he leans in for a light bite.
Zhu Wansheng: ?
Gu Yingqing: It smells so good, I wanted to taste it…
On a warm spring day, Zhu Wansheng tries a new perfume: “Spring Night.” Gu Yingqing corners her against a wall.
Warm breath lingers on her neck.
“My lady, from now on, may I test the fragrances for you?”
[Humorous female scientist vs scheming live-in son-in-law male lead]
[Touch the gear icon in the bottom right corner of the screen to move to the next chapter if you want.]
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