“What’s my hourly rate to be wasting time like this on the street? And for a wicked client who makes me work even on Saturdays.”

Jung Se Hyun grumbled as he reclined the passenger seat.

“Wait patiently. You include waiting time in your billable hours anyway.”

Ki Dae Un, at the wheel, was more relaxed.

The two were waiting for Han Ga Eul to finish her English conversation class at the academy downstairs.

When Oh Myeong Se was arrested for destroying Dae Un’s office, Chairman Oh Kyu Baek contacted them to meet. At Dae Un’s suggestion, the three were now on their way to the chairman’s house.

“If we weren’t waiting for Ga Eul, I’d be raising hell. But is it right to meet Chairman Oh Kyu Baek in this situation? It’s obvious he’ll ask for leniency for Oh Myeong Se.”

“That’s why we’re meeting. If he wants something from me, he can’t refuse my demands.”

“Your demands?”

“I have some.”

“You have some? Won’t I know if you don’t tell me? There are only two things you could demand from Chairman Oh. Information about your father’s death, or money. It’s too weak to demand information about your father for Oh Myeong Se’s crime this time. So it must be money.”

Dae Un didn’t respond to Se Hyun’s words and just stared ahead. Se Hyun had hit the mark, so he had nothing to say. The downside of having such a smart friend is that it’s hard to keep secrets.

Se Hyun didn’t stop there and continued speaking.

“You don’t need money when you’re already making money without doing anything… It’s because of Han Ga Eul. You’re trying to get something from Chairman Oh for Ga Eul.”

Se Hyun paused and glanced at Dae Un.

“Is this your way of atonement? For pushing Ga Eul into Chairman Oh’s house, which led to her clash with Oh Myeong Se?”

“The old man is too stingy. He goes around bragging about Han Ga Eul and Han Gyeo Ul, but all he’s given them is a small apartment on the outskirts and some living expenses. Ga Eul is still struggling with debt and taking the bus because she doesn’t have a car.”

Dae Un skillfully deflected Se Hyun’s question.

“You’d get beaten if you said that elsewhere. An apartment is not enough?”

“Compare it to Oh Myeong Se and Oh Myeong Hui, the chairman’s real grandchildren. In comparison, Han Ga Eul and Han Gyeo Ul are barely above beggars. Oh Myeong Se drives around in a supercar. Han Ga Eul can barely afford to take the bus because she’s trying to save. She seems to keep coming to the office because she needs money. She lost all her tutoring jobs too.”

“So you’re going to let Oh Myeong Se go free to get a few more bucks? He won’t leave Ga Eul alone if he’s released. If you’re thinking of Ga Eul, it’s better to keep that guy locked up.”

“Anyway, charges like obstruction of business, property damage, trespassing – they can’t keep Oh Myeong Se locked up for long. He’ll be out in a few years at most. That’s more dangerous. Oh Myeong Se is the kind of guy who needs to be locked up for a long time.”

“Are you worried about what happens after you return to America? Because Han Ga Eul is involved?”

Dae Un didn’t answer.

“Just take her with you. Bring Ga Eul to America.”

Dae Un shook his head.

“Han Ga Eul belongs here. She can’t leave her grandmother and Gyeo Ul behind.”

Dae Un spoke, remembering how the neighbors had rushed to help Ga Eul on the day his office was attacked.

“I heard Seo Woo Jin’s mother told Ga Eul several times to go live in America. But Ga Eul refused.”

“I told you to choose one or the other.”

Like her or use her. Dae Un should have chosen one, but it seems he missed his chance. Se Hyun inwardly clicked his tongue.

Things have gotten terribly complicated.

His friend who usually kept his heart tightly closed finally found someone he cared for, but now he has to use that person to dig up information related to his father’s death. Moreover, that person’s father is said to be responsible for Dae Un’s father’s death.

“Chairman Oh is not an easy person. He won’t easily grant your request. He’s assigned several former high-ranking lawyers to Oh Myeong Se. Former Supreme Court Justice, former Chief Prosecutor, the defense team is quite impressive. He’ll think he can get Oh Myeong Se released without your help.”

“Not this time. Oh Myeong Se will be released this time. And the chairman won’t grant my request this time either.”

A subtle smile appeared on Dae Un’s lips. Seeing this, Se Hyun pressed him.

“What are you planning to do? This is Korea. You have no power here. You can’t even use Shinwa Group’s influence.”

“Don’t worry, my friend. I won’t do anything. As long as they don’t touch me.”

Dae Un’s smile widened a bit more. Se Hyun was about to probe further, but was stopped by Dae Un’s chin gesture. Ga Eul could be seen coming out of the academy.

* * *

Chairman Oh Kyu Baek’s study was quiet, unlike a place where many people were gathered.

Ki Dae Un had just declared “There will be no forgiveness.” It meant he wouldn’t show leniency to Oh Myeong Se.

Beside Dae Un sat Se Hyun and Ga Eul, and opposite them were Oh Sung Jin, Oh Myeong Se’s father, Lee Si Baek, the legal team leader of Pyeongan Group, and Ahn Chang Beom, the chief of staff. At the lower table, two lawyers brought by Si Baek were also waiting.

Ki Dae Un had silenced them all. Oh Sung Jin kept wiping sweat from his forehead. Although his son had caused trouble many times before, he couldn’t shake the feeling that this time he was really in deep trouble.

To mess with Ki Dae Un. Not knowing that his actions were being recorded on CCTV cameras.

Sung Jin only heard the full story after Oh Myeong Se was arrested, everything had proceeded so quickly. Before he could recover from the shock, he heard that an arrest warrant had been issued. Sung Jin felt like he had been ambushed.

He firmly believed that Ki Dae Un had pulled strings. Otherwise, the police wouldn’t have arrested the grandson of Pyeongan Group so swiftly.

He broke the silence and pleaded with Dae Un. He had no choice, being the most desperate person among those gathered here.

“Mr. Ki, I’m not asking for leniency. I’m just begging you not to do anything.”

He addressed Ki Dae Un, who was young enough to be his son, with respect. That alone shows how desperate he is.

“Mr. Oh, you seem to think I did something. But I didn’t do anything. The report wasn’t even made by me, but by my convenience store part-timer.”

Dae Un acted with complete composure. His gaze was fixed on Chairman Oh. His opponent was not Oh Sung Jin, but Oh Kyu Baek. Only Chairman Oh Kyu Baek could give him what he wanted.

“Tell me what you want.”

Finally, the words Dae Un had been waiting for came out of Chairman Oh’s mouth.

“What I want? For justice to be served. For Oh Myeong Se to receive the punishment he deserves for his crimes this time.”

He said words he didn’t mean. It was a roundabout way to get what he really wanted. Moreover, he hid a subtle threat in his words. If Chairman Oh caught the message he sent, he would dismiss the others in the room.

“I have urgent matters to discuss with Mr. Ki, so everyone please step out for a moment.”

“Father! This is about Myeong Se.”

“You step out too.”

Oh Sung Jin protested, trying to prevent his son’s issue from being discussed in his absence, but Chairman Oh was firm.

“You too.”

“Ga Eul is the victim.”

Chairman Oh gestured towards Ga Eul with his chin, but Dae Un insisted on Ga Eul staying.

If Chairman Oh had caught his message of “this time,” he would understand Dae Un’s intention to keep Ga Eul here. The benefits of the negotiation should go to Ga Eul.

“What else do you know about Myeong Se?”

Oh Kyu Baek asked after confirming that the study door was firmly closed. He seemed to have properly grasped why Dae Un specifically said “this time.”

Dae Un had essentially said, “I know that your grandson has committed many crimes until now and has cunningly escaped the law.”

Chairman Oh wanted to know how much Dae Un knew, what kind of evidence he had, and what he planned to do with it.

That’s not something to be discussed in front of many people. That’s why Chairman Oh had dismissed the others.

“Things you already know, Chairman. Rape, kidnapping, assault, embezzlement, drugs, things like that.”

“Embezzlement? That would be an internal matter of our group. How did Mr. Ki…”

Even the cunning Chairman Oh couldn’t hide his perplexed expression. He thought that if Mr. Ki had uncovered what happened within the group, finding out other things would be no challenge at all.

“That was the easiest to find out. Perhaps because the victim was my grandfather’s company, Oh Myeong Se went around boasting about it a lot. Even the guys who helped with the embezzlement were complaining that they didn’t get their fair share.”

Hearing Dae Un’s words, Chairman Oh closed his eyes tightly.

“Tell me what you want.”

“I told you earlier. Make sure Oh Myeong Se receives proper legal judgment this time. If you bail him out again, you’ll really regret it.”

Chairman Oh was silent for a while. After a long pause, he spoke.

“I’ll send Myeong Se abroad. Can’t we send him to a place where no one knows him and let him live quietly?”

“And then bring him back when public attention dies down? How can you prevent Oh Myeong Se from secretly entering Korea?”

“As long as I’m alive, I’ll make sure he doesn’t return.”

“You seem confident in your health. Shall I list the crimes Oh Myeong Se has committed so far, right here? There will be quite a few that you’re hearing for the first time. Things that Oh Sung Jin covered up. Right under your nose, Chairman.”

Chairman Oh sighed. If crimes were committed and covered up right under his nose, what would happen abroad? He’s not unaware of this. But when his son and grandson are involved, even he can’t remain cool-headed.

“I’ve said all I needed to say, so I’ll take my leave now.”

Dae Un thought he had heard Chairman Oh’s answer. He knew he wouldn’t get anything out of this meeting.

Chairman Oh would only be willing to give something when he’s more cornered. For that to happen, Oh Myeong Se would need to cause an even bigger incident.

So Dae Un plans to let Chairman Oh have his way. Because that will tighten the noose around his own neck.

As Dae Un and Ga Eul approached the door, Chairman Oh spoke.

“If Myeong Se receives a guilty verdict, the shareholders will rise up. Sung Jin will have a hard time keeping his position.”

The shareholders might not be able to oust the chairman, but they would hold Oh Myeong Se’s father, Oh Sung Jin, responsible. So he’s saying he’ll quietly extract Oh Myeong Se and send him abroad before the media catches wind of it.

Dae Un turned around, bowed his head slightly to Chairman Oh in farewell, and walked out.

Se Hyun, who had been waiting in the anteroom, approached and asked.

“As expected?”

Dae Un nodded.

“Then we should prepare too. First, we need to leak to the press that you’re going to India to meet Chairman Mishra of Mohindra Group. The date too, of course.”

Dae Un and Se Hyun exchanged tense glances, unbeknownst to Ga Eul.