Chapter 12
“Is that something you call a report?”
Executive Director Lee Min-sik was dumbfounded.
“Is it that difficult to bring him to the police station?”
It was Executive Director Lee Min-sik’s idea to have the police arrest Lee Jeong-seok at the airport.
He had enough influence to put pressure on the police station.
Even the chief of the detective division.
“A lawyer? You’re saying that you’re too scared to do your job because of a lawyer… Is that the extent of the police’s power? Fine. Just make sure the investigation is thorough.”
Executive Director Lee Min-sik hung up the phone, annoyed.
Things hadn’t gone as he expected from the beginning.
“It would’ve been better if the police had just intimidated him.”
He couldn’t rely on the police any longer.
“This will cost more money.”
Executive Director Lee Min-sik picked up the phone again.
He was calling the prosecutor in charge.
“Prosecutor Kim, how’s it going? Do we need to wait for the police investigation report? Can’t the prosecution handle it directly? Investigation rights?”
He got even more frustrated at Prosecutor Kim’s hesitant response.
“What’s going on? I know you can do it. If you handle it properly, I’ll make sure you’re well compensated. Huh?”
It was clear that Prosecutor Kim was stalling.
He was trying to fish for a bigger bribe.
“How about dinner tonight? It’s been a while since we’ve had a meal and drinks together. Yeah. It’ll be on me. Let’s meet around 8 PM.”
Executive Director Lee Min-sik hung up the phone and called his secretary with an irritated tone.
The secretary came in immediately.
“Yes, Executive Director.”
“Make a reservation at Palmi-jeong and bring something clean, around 500 million won.”
“Understood.”
Palmi-jeong was a high-end bar with strict privacy.
It wasn’t just an ordinary bar.
It was like the exclusive clubs you see in dramas and movies.
An enormous spread of food, like a royal feast, would be served.
After the secretary left, Executive Director Lee Min-sik smirked.
“Well, at least they handle their business properly as long as they get paid.”
He believed he could pressure Lee Jeong-seok effectively.
“And one more thing.”
Executive Director Lee Min-sik was prepared to use every method at his disposal.
He picked up the phone again.
***
We dropped Senior Lee Jeong-seok off at his house.
Leaving only two bodyguards behind, I headed to Song Law Firm with the lawyer.
Due to the rushed nature of our contract over the phone, we hadn’t been able to discuss things in detail.
After arriving at Song Law Firm, we moved to a conference room.
Once we sat down, Attorney Bae Jeong-min, who had accompanied us, began to speak.
“Mr. Lee Seon-su, I have a rough idea of the situation from what I heard on the way here, but let’s go over it again to confirm.”
Attorney Bae Jeong-min didn’t look too pleased.
“You said it’s a case involving corporate information leakage and misappropriation, and the opposing party is Samdo Group, correct?”
Due to the 500 Million won retainer that was paid immediately after our phone consultation, he hadn’t thought much about it.
Before leaving the company, Senior Lee Jeong-seok had successfully executed a project that the company had previously rejected as unviable.
The company had forced him to resign under pressure, using various tactics to push him out.
He hadn’t mentioned that it was Samdo General Trading.
Still, Attorney Bae had seen it positively because, based on what I had said, the likelihood of winning seemed high.
However, the 500 Million won retainer was the bigger reason.
“To be precise, it’s Samdo General Trading, Attorney. It’s not just any company.”
“It’s all the same.”
His tone wasn’t good.
“Samdo General Trading is one of the key subsidiaries of Samdo Group. In other words, this is a lawsuit against Samdo Group itself.”
Attorney Bae Jeong-min was under pressure.
Even though Song Law Firm was ranked fifth in the industry, going up against Samdo Group would be extremely challenging.
“It sounds like you don’t want to take on a lawsuit against Samdo Group.”
“That’s not it.”
Attorney Bae Jeong-min wasn’t sure how to respond.
Just then, someone entered the conference room.
Attorney Bae Jeong-min immediately stood up.
“Representative!”
It was Song Il-su, the managing partner of Song Law Firm.
“Attorney Bae, is this the client you mentioned?”
“Yes, Representative.”
Managing Partner Song Il-su approached me.
“I’m Song Il-su, the managing partner of Song Law Firm.”
“Yes, I’m Lee Seon-su.”
“I’m sorry, but due to internal circumstances, we won’t be able to take on your case.”
Hearing this, Attorney Bae Jeong-min’s expression brightened.
He didn’t have to personally reject the case now.
The responsibility had shifted to Managing Partner Song Il-su.
“But I’ve already deposited 500 Million won as the retainer.”
“We’ll return the full amount to you.”
This is ridiculous.
They were happy to take the money, but now that it’s Samdo Group, they want to back out?
“You’re only returning the retainer? A verbal contract is still a contract. The penalty for breach of contract is at least double that amount.”
They would have to return 1 Billion won.
It wouldn’t be easy for them to refuse the case.
“We haven’t signed the official contract yet. You deposited the money, but we never formally accepted the case, Mr. Lee.”
“So that’s your argument.”
“If you want to file a lawsuit against Song Law Firm, feel free to do so. But I doubt you’ll find any lawyer willing to take the case, including within our firm.”
Managing Partner Song Il-su wasn’t wrong.
“Even if rumors spread that you withdrew from the case because you were afraid of the conglomerate?”
“We don’t care about such rumours.”
But it seemed like they did care.
The fact that the managing partner had come in person showed that.
He could have just called Attorney Bae and given instructions.
There was definitely something more.
“We’ve made our firm’s position clear, so please leave now.”
I wasn’t going to back down that easily.
“I have a recording of our conversation. Can I report it to the media?”
That made him flinch.
“Hah, a recording?”
Song Il-su was taken aback by something he hadn’t expected.
But he quickly masked his surprise and started thinking of how to respond.
“Even if you report it, do you think it’ll get aired? If I announce that I’ll take legal action, it won’t be easy for the media to broadcast it.”
“I’m also considering sending it to the Bar Association. Do you think everyone at the Bar Association is friendly towards Song Law Firm?”
Finally, his expression twisted.
It looks like I’ve hit the mark.
“It seems like the name of Song Law Firm will be mentioned negatively in the legal community. Don’t you think?”
Just as Lee Seon-su said.
There were plenty of law firms that would want to bring down Song Law Firm’s reputation and use that opportunity to rise higher.
Moreover, law firms ranked first through fourth, who would want to block Song Law Firm’s progress, would certainly take the opposing side.
“You don’t need to take on such risks. How about not rejecting the case?”
If they still reject it after all this, then it’s clear Samdo Group has already intervened.
“Fine. We’ll include the 1 billion won, with the penalty fee included.”
Just as I thought.
“Looks like Samdo Group has already contacted you.”
“Feel free to think what you like.”
So, he’s not denying it.
If they neatly pay up the penalty fee, then there’s no way to keep Song Law Firm involved.
“Can you transfer the penalty fee today?”
“We’ll do it immediately. Just give us your account number. Attorney Bae.”
Attorney Bae Jeong-min came forward.
He placed a pen and a piece of paper in front of me.
“I guess there’s no other choice.”
I wrote down the account number on the paper.
It wasn’t a Singapore account, but a personal account.
“You can transfer it here.”
“Very well. Now, please leave.”
I wasn’t going to leave just yet.
“I’ll leave after I confirm the transfer. I’ll wait here in the conference room until then.”
Song Il-su shook his head in disapproval but responded.
“I don’t like it, but I’ll allow it. Attorney Bae, go ahead.”
Attorney Song Il-su and Attorney Bae Jeong-min left the conference room.
The truth is, I said I’d wait just to make sure the transfer was verified.
“Mr. Im Kang-min, correct?”
“Yes.”
He was the head of security who had been following us since the airport.
“As you just heard, the opponent is Samdo Group. Could you check with your company to make sure there won’t be any issues with security?”
Even with a reputable security firm, it was best to confirm everything on-site.
I wasn’t particularly worried, but checking wouldn’t hurt.
“Our company only handles security. We don’t concern ourselves with anything else.”
Just as expected.
“Can you be sure of that statement? Is there no need to confirm with the company?”
Im Kang-min smirked.
“Yes, I can be sure.”
“What makes you so certain?”
“I’m the CEO.”
I didn’t know he was the CEO.
I had only heard that Super Guard was a security company that never broke its contracts.
How did I know that?
Super Guard once clashed with a subcontractor from Samdo General Construction.
It was over a redevelopment issue.
The subcontractor tried to evict the redevelopment residents through violence.
Super Guard stopped them.
Samdo General Construction then attempted to bribe Super Guard.
But they failed.
In the end, Samdo General Construction had no choice but to involve the police and enforcers through a court order.
I had heard about this incident before.
“I didn’t know.”
“Haha. I figured you wouldn’t.”
“But, aren’t you afraid of Samdo Group, Mr. Im?”
His response was unexpected.
“I am afraid.”
But Im Kang-min’s eyes didn’t waver.
“But I’m more afraid of losing trust.”
“I’m grateful to hear that.”
“No, I’m the one who’s grateful.”
What is he talking about?
“The truth is, our company is facing financial difficulties.”
It was because of their conflict with Samdo General Construction.
They gained a reputation, but they lost clients.
There weren’t many people willing to hire a firm that defied the pressure from Samdo Group.
“We’ve already spent 300 Million won out of the 500 Million you transferred.”
That’s shocking.
“It was just this morning that I made the deposit…”
Im Kang-min scratched his head, his face turning red despite his large frame.
“We used it to pay overdue wages, unpaid bills, and severance pay.”
No wonder he was so happy when I said I’d deposit 500 Million won over the phone.
Wait a minute.
“Then you can’t even return the retainer, let alone the penalty fee.”
Im Kang-min chuckled awkwardly.
“Haha. That’s right. All I can do is provide security services no matter what happens.”
“But what if I ask you to return the money?”
“We’d go bankrupt. You’re not really going to ask us to return it, are you?”
This man seems to have forgotten what we were talking about up until now.
I’m the one insisting that they provide security even if I have to pay more.
Yet he’s worrying about something else.
“You really think I’d do that?”
“Phew. I was worried you’d ask for it back.”
He looked genuinely relieved.
I got up from my chair.
“I’m looking forward to working with you, Mr. Im.”
I extended my hand.
Im Kang-min took my hand in both of his.
“Likewise, Mr. Lee.”
Perhaps I’ve found a good connection.
Maybe I should take more care in maintaining relations with Super Guard.
Just then, the conference room door opened, and Attorney Bae Jeong-min entered.
“The transfer has been completed. Now, let’s go.”
He had brought the deposit slip, indicating he’d gone to the bank to make the deposit.
I couldn’t leave just yet.
There’s still something I need to check.
“Sure. But does Samdo General Trading only offered 500 Million won?”
“…….”
“Your expression just changed.”
He definitely wasn’t saying anything.
It was clear that Samdo General Trading had paid the penalty fee on their behalf.
They might have even given Song Law Firm more legal work.
“Mr. Im, let’s go.”
“Yes, sir.”
CEO Im Kang-min pushed Attorney Bae Jeong-min aside.
“Move.”
It was as if he had seen something he wasn’t supposed to.
“Let’s go, Sir.”
With CEO Im Kang-min and the bodyguards providing security, I left Song Law Firm.
After getting into the waiting car, CEO Im Kang-min asked:
“Where should I take you, sir?”
I still hadn’t decided where to go.
The truth is, I had a plan in mind in case Song Law Firm rejected the case.
But I hadn’t had the time to properly execute it.
“Mr. Im.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Is it possible for your company to find someone for me?”
“Of course. I still have connections in the police, and some of my juniors specialize in locating people.”
“Great.”
“If you have some basic information, we can find them within a day. If not, it might take a little more time.”
“I need it done by tomorrow.”
There’s no time to waste.
“I’ll do my best. Do you have any specific information?”
“Not exactly. The person is a lawyer, and his name is Kang Mu-song.”
CEO Im Kang-min’s eyes widened.
“Are you referring to Attorney Kang Mu-song?”
“Yes. Do you know him?”
“Of course, I do. He’s the one who caused all this mess.”
“That guy?”
“Yes. He’s the reason we clashed with Samdo General Construction in the first place.”
“Is he a friend of yours?”
“Haha, no. He was a client.”
CEO Im Kang-min gritted his teeth as he spoke about Attorney Kang Mu-song.
“He persuaded me with his slick words… ”
He paid 50 million won to protect the residents of a redevelopment area for just one day.
It was all of Attorney Kang Mu-song’s assets.
Falling for his sincere plea, Im Kang-min ended up protecting them not for a day but for a whole month.
He couldn’t bear to leave the residents of the redevelopment area to fend for themselves.
In a way, the company’s financial troubles were caused by Attorney Kang Mu-song.
“Do you know where he is now?”
“Yes. He has an office on the third floor of a rundown building. I’ll take you there.”
It was someone I needed to meet as soon as possible.
“Head to Dongdaemun.”
The bodyguard in charge of driving nodded and started the car.
Then, CEO Im Kang-min spoke up.
“One thing’s for sure, Attorney Kang Mu-song isn’t afraid of Samdo Group.”
I already know that.
He’s currently handling the case of Samdo Chemical’s factory wastewater problem and the industrial accident lawsuit against Samdo Electronics.
In the end, after a long fight, he managed to secure compensation and acknowledgment of the industrial accident.
It took about ten years.
Everyone said he was crazy.
But despite everyone’s doubts, he’s continued the lawsuits against Samdo Group, and I believe he’ll take on mine as well.
***
“I’m busy. Can’t you see that?”
“Hey! You shouldn’t act like this.”
CEO Im Kang-min intervened angrily.
“Third parties should mind their own business and leave.”
I could see CEO Im Kang-min clenching his fist.
—
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