Chapter 30
The old gentleman had one only son. He was born when the man was already in his forties—his sole blood relative.
But when the child was still young, his wife ran off with another man, and they divorced.
The old gentleman left his son in the care of a nanny and devoted himself entirely to his business.
His business was successful. It was the result of tireless effort and constant dedication, day and night.
But raising a child was a different story.
As the son grew up, his personality became increasingly violent.
He had no patience for studying or learning any skill, and instead spent his time getting into fights.
The more this happened, the more the old gentleman disliked his son and distanced himself from him.
The person who killed the son, according to the police, was the old gentleman’s secretary, Choi Min-ho.
Choi Min-ho was a young man who had joined the company right after graduating from a commercial high school.
The old gentleman, who spent most of his time at the company except for sleeping, ended up spending more time with Choi Min-ho than with his own son.
For 17 years working in the secretary’s office, Choi Min-ho had never once disappointed him.
On the day of the incident, the old gentleman’s son was drinking and causing trouble at a hostess bar.
After receiving a call from his driver, the old gentleman sent his secretary, Choi Min-ho, in his place.
He told him to bring his son home. This had happened several times before, so he didn’t think much of it.
But that day was different.
The son and Choi Min-ho got into a violent physical fight.
During the struggle, Choi Min-ho struck the son’s head with a glass bottle.
Choi Min-ho called an ambulance, but the son died before reaching the hospital.
It was ruled an accident.
“So, I would like Attorney Yoo to take on the defense of my secretary, Choi Min-ho.”
After hearing the story, the first question that came to my mind was:
“You still personally run the company, correct?”
“Yes.”
“What kind of company is it?”
“A shoemaking company. I built it with nothing but craftsmanship in footwear from my younger days.”
The old gentleman took out a business card and handed it to me.
‘Chairman Kim Du-sik, Baekdu Footwear’
I had seen Baekdu Footwear in the news recently. It wasn’t a conglomerate, but a solid mid-sized company that had even been exporting for the past 20 years.
They sold good-quality shoes at reasonable prices. I had even bought my own dress shoes from Baekdu Footwear.
“I’m actually wearing Baekdu shoes right now.”
“I know. I could tell from the moment I saw you. People like us tend to look at shoes first when we meet someone.”
Chairman Kim nodded.
“Still, for a company of Baekdu’s size, wouldn’t you have in-house counsel or at least an advisory lawyer?”
“I do.”
From Chairman Kim’s attitude, I realized something.
This was a murder case involving his son.
In such a case, there would be social constraints in directly hiring a lawyer tied to the company.
“So this is a confidential request?”
“Correct. You’ve understood it exactly. I would prefer no one knows I am paying legal fees.”
“But will the accused accept that? We must disclose that you are the one who hired me. The client cannot be defended without knowing who appointed the lawyer.”
“Then only tell Choi Min-ho. I hope you can convince him to accept the defense.”
“Choi Min-ho, you said? Is he in detention now?”
“He turned himself in at the scene and was immediately arrested.”
“Even if it’s manslaughter, it would be difficult for the sentence to be under five years. It could go up to ten.”
At my words, Chairman Kim let out a deep sigh. It was a sigh filled with regret from a lifetime.
Was it because of his son’s death, or because his trusted secretary had become a murderer due to his order?
“Are you truly okay with defending the man accused of killing your son?”
I had to ask again. It wasn’t something that made sense by ordinary standards.
“Min-ho did nothing wrong. It wasn’t even working hours. He went there after receiving my call after work.”
“I understand. Do you have anything else to add?”
“No.”
“Then I will visit the detention center tomorrow to meet Choi Min-ho.”
“That would be best.”
The retainer agreement had to be signed directly by the accused, Choi Min-ho.
Chairman Kim agreed to transfer the legal fee as soon as Min-ho accepted the representation, and the contract was prepared.
After Chairman Kim left the office, the red-eyed presence that had been quietly watching from the corner approached me.
—This is a strange case.
‘Chairman Kim is hiding something from me.’
—What? Could he be involved in his son’s death?
‘I don’t know. I might find out more after meeting Choi Min-ho tomorrow…’
—This feels unsettling.
The red eyes tilted their head, unable to figure it out.
Early the next morning.
I met Choi Min-ho in the attorney visitation room at the detention center.
His face was dark and gaunt, but he still had a firm, disciplined impression.
He was of average height, and his shoulders looked strong, as if he exercised regularly.
—Hey, look at his eyes.
The red eyes pointed behind Choi Min-ho.
Standing behind him was a male ghost in his mid-thirties, his face completely bloodied, his forehead cracked open.
The ghost was staring at Choi Min-ho with murderous hatred.
—That must be Chairman Kim’s dead son. The resentment is so strong it’s freezing the air here.
The red eyes shivered.
I had the same thought.
Was he seeking revenge on the man who killed him?
I calmly handed my business card to Choi Min-ho.
“I’m Attorney Yoo Hyun-jae. I’ve been asked to take on your defense.”
“Did you meet my mother?”
His voice was hoarse and barely audible. It sounded like he had lost his voice over the past two days.
“No. Chairman Kim Du-sik asked me.”
“The chairman?”
His eyes wavered.
His rough face twisted further. He covered his face with both hands and began trembling as if sobbing.
At the mention of Chairman Kim, the ghost behind him released an even stronger chill.
It was only natural that he would be enraged—the father of the victim had personally sent a lawyer to defend the suspect.
—It’s so cold… I’m a ghost too, but I feel like I’m freezing to death.
The red eyes exaggeratedly trembled, turning pale blue, frost forming on their brows and hair.
‘You’re overreacting.’
—It’s really cold… aren’t you cold?
Even though it was early spring, the room was cold enough to see one’s breath.
After a moment, Choi Min-ho straightened his back as if making a decision and pushed the retainer agreement across the table toward me.
“I don’t need a lawyer.”
“You’re just going to give up like this?”
“……”
There was no trace of hope in his face.
I scanned his aura.
Choi Min-ho originally had a green aura.
Green-aura individuals are altruistic, steady, and trusting of others.
But his green aura had been stained lemon-yellow.
Fear and depression were consuming it.
In short, he was consumed by self-loathing.
“What about your mother? You have a single mother, don’t you? What will happen to her if you give up like this?”
“……”
Chairman Kim had told me that mentioning his mother would weaken him.
He was a devoted son who had been raised with hardship.
As expected, his hardened expression wavered.
His eyes, drifting anxiously, finally met mine.
“My mother has kidney problems. She had a transplant last year. She must be in bad condition now because of me.”
He lowered his head suddenly.
“I want to get out of here quickly for my mother’s sake, but because of me, someone died. And it was the chairman’s son.”
“Kim Jeong-hwan reportedly initiated the violence first.”
“Still, I shouldn’t have killed him.”
His voice was filled with guilt. It was sincere.
No matter how I looked at it, this seemed more like an accident than murder.
“I’ve known Jeong-hwan since middle school. He used to be quiet and a bit depressed, but at some point he changed and became more and more twisted. That day was especially bad. It really felt like he was trying to kill me. But he is still the chairman’s only son. I cannot accept legal help arranged by him.”
I had expected this wouldn’t be easy from the beginning.
If I were in his position, I wouldn’t easily sign the retainer either.
In the end, I left the detention center without persuading him.
As Choi Min-ho stood up and left the room, the ghost of Kim Jeong-hwan followed him.
The ghost kept emitting black malice and white cold energy each time he opened his mouth.
If left alone, I was certain he would either torment Choi Min-ho to death or cause an “accident” that killed him.
Outside, I called Chairman Kim and explained the meeting.
—As expected?
“He is deeply blaming himself and doesn’t seem willing to defend himself.”
—…Lawyer, please meet his mother.
Chairman Kim gave me her contact information.
I immediately went to the restaurant where Choi Min-ho’s mother worked.
It was just after lunch, so the place was quiet.
She worked in a Japanese restaurant kitchen preparing side dishes.
Her calm, resolute face resembled Choi Min-ho’s.
“As I said, Chairman Kim will cover all expenses.”
“I heard from him. My son is refusing?”
“Yes. He said he cannot accept it.”
“I’ll try to convince him myself.”
—The mother is definitely trying to save her son. That’s normal.
The red eyes nodded.
She seemed reassured that Chairman Kim was paying.
Perhaps because he had been Min-ho’s employer for 17 years, she trusted him.
“Since you’re here, please have a meal.”
I had no room to refuse.
I ate lunch while talking more with her.
She served a warm, clear soup made with pollack.
“What’s this vegetable? It’s delicious.”
“It’s called buji-gaengi greens. From Ulleungdo. That’s my hometown.”
“When did you come to Seoul?”
“When I was twenty-two. I was naïve and thought I could do anything in Seoul. I ended up suffering, and now I’ve made my only son suffer too.”
Her face twisted between a smile and tears as she recalled the past.
“Lawyer. I’ve lived my entire life trusting only Min-ho. I couldn’t even send him to university because we were poor, but he never once blamed me or caused trouble. He is a good boy.”
“Yes, I will do my best if I take the case.”
“Please, I beg you.”
She pleaded earnestly.
After meeting his mother, Choi Min-ho finally changed his mind.
He signed and sealed the retainer agreement.
Once the prison officer stamped the confirmation, the appointment process was complete.
Chairman Kim transferred the legal fee immediately, before the ink on the seal had even dried.
