Knock, knock.
A knock sounded from outside. Yoon Shin, who had been absorbed in reading documents, quietly raised his head. Checking the wall clock, he saw it was already lunchtime. Today, he didn't seem to have time to go down to the company cafeteria, so he had pre-ordered Secretary Tak to buy sandwiches. That must be him.
“Yes, please come in.”
The door opened, and someone entered. Yoon Shin gestured toward the reception table, intending to tell him to leave the delivery there.
“If you leave it there, I'll eat on my own. Thank you. And hurry down to eat.”
“Are you very busy? Can't we just eat together? I haven't had lunch yet either.”
A voice at an unexpected pitch reached his ears. Surprised, he looked up, and Mihui greeted him by lightly shaking a drink carrier and a paper bag with sandwiches.
“Attorney Song? What brings you all the way here?”
“I ran into Secretary Tak on my way down, and he said Attorney Do was eating in the office. I thought we could have lunch together, so I bought it myself. If it's okay, won't you come over here?”
Smiling, Yoon Shin rose from his seat and approached where she pointed.
The two sat facing each other and took out the simple items for lunch. Though not as busy as Seheon, Attorney Song was busy enough to be considered his equal; for her to seek out a mere junior lawyer, there must be a reason. Pushing her coffee forward, Yoon Shin asked casually,
“You didn't just come here for this, did you?”
“I really came hoping to chat with Attorney Do. How's the work?”
After taking a sip of his own coffee, Yoon Shin replied softly,
“So far, so good. There aren't any major cases I'm leading in particular. Right now, I'm just running various errands as instructed or reviewing the pro bono case Chief Kang gave me.”
“This team is a corporate law team, but since M&A is our main focus, a labor law expert will be quite helpful. You'll be able to attend team meetings soon too. You understand what I mean, right?”
“Of course. There's nowhere else that would take me in. They even raised my salary to fourth-year level. I'm a parachute hire who fell from the sky one day; I'd be suspicious of myself too. If they need me, they'll call. I'll do my best.”
As he answered, Yoon Shin glanced unnecessarily out the window and opened the lid of his disposable cup to smell the coffee. Watching him closely, Mihui continued,
“How is your sister doing?”
“My sister? I think she's been very busy these days. Still, she used to call at least once or twice a week, but she's been out of touch lately. I want to see my nieces and nephews too, but it's not easy.”
“Actually, I was surprised when I first heard from Yi Gyeong. Soohan works with us frequently, but we mostly deal with the legal team, so there was no reason to meet the second madam separately. I did pass by her at Professor Do's funeral a few years ago, but I thought our connection would end just like that.”
It was an indirect question asking why his sister had sent him here. The truth was, Yoon Shin didn't have an answer either. He only had a rough guess.
“I think it's just my thought, but perhaps Father had mentioned Attorney Song to my sister. When he was alive, he used to talk about his standout students over a glass of soju after work sometimes. I didn't understand any of it back then... but anyway, she must have contacted you because she judged you trustworthy enough to entrust me to you.”
“Oh, our firm is very trustworthy?”
At least that much was certain. Yoon Shin was her sore spot. Though his sister had felt their mother's warmth until middle school, he had never once been held in her embrace. She had always felt sorry for him and looked after him.
Yoon Shin smiled faintly as if confirming this, then took a bite of his sandwich. As he chewed diligently, Mihui smiled and stared at him as if observing him through a microscope. Startled, Yoon Shin wiped his mouth, though nothing was on it, and tilted his head.
“Did I get something on me?”
“No. I was wondering how Seheon managed to keep you. You accepted it faster than I thought. I thought he'd torment you for at least half a year, but he cut you loose in two months? I don't know what the rush was.”
“'Torment' is a transitive verb that suits Chief Kang better than anyone I've ever seen.”
Mihui clapped her hands in vigorous agreement. Her loud laugh was a bonus.
“He's a bit like that, isn't he? He gives off the image of someone who'd enjoy a bit of sadistic play.”
Without realizing it, Yoon Shin nearly knocked over his cup and spilled its contents. He tried hard to maintain his composure and regulate his breathing. He didn't know what expression to make at times like these. She paid no mind to his reaction and added,
“Attorney Kang earns a lot of money, you know. But he doesn't really have a lust for money. Did you know that?”
“Is it possible to 'earn well' and 'not be greedy for money' at the same time?”
“Since it's the closest measure to proving one's worth, he keeps it in mind. Lawyers speak with their price tags. But he takes cases not based on how expensive the deal is, but on how much they touch his desire for achievement, or stimulate his competitive spirit. That's why he especially likes taking on appeals.”
Yoon Shin couldn't understand this at all.
“He likes appeals?”
“Yes. When he's swamped with advisory work, he always brings in something like that. Even though he's not on the litigation team, he can't seem to give up appellate trials. He thinks everyone works twenty-four hours a day like him. So sometimes the seniors on that team curse him out—curse him... but he deserves it. Anyway, because of that, you'll occasionally have headaches organizing documents for Attorney Do too.”
“I knew he enjoyed difficult fights, but I thought he hated relying on other people's work.”
“Think about it the other way. There's a thrill in overturning what another lawyer lost at the lower court. He says it's electrifying. It's inherently difficult, after all.”
After mulling it over, Yoon Shin replied hollowly,
“Is it a sense of superiority? It suits Chief Kang perfectly.”
“You mean he's a pervert.”
“That's exactly what I wanted to—”
Unable to finish his sentence, Yoon Shin laughed awkwardly, and Mihui nodded. If Seheon made people tense, she had the exact opposite ability to put others at ease. Like relieving travel fatigue, she unwound tension. He had thought so since their first interview. Perhaps that was why the difficult Seheon had considered coming to Do Guk as well.
After hesitating, Yoon Shin opened his mouth again.
“I'm curious what kind of person Attorney Kang is.”
“Seheon? He is exactly what he looks like. Smart, capable, handsome.”
About to respond lightly as if to a joke, Yoon Shin suddenly pressed his lips shut into a firm line.
The moment he heard Mihui's words, a certain refined face naturally came to mind. And that image was so vivid, as if it were actually before his eyes, passing by too closely.
For someone with little interest in others' appearances, being able to recall a face this clearly was limited to his sister, his father, or close acquaintances. The moment he realized that fact, he finally understood. He had often stolen glances at Seheon and thought of him for no particular reason, which was why his memory could replay so vividly.
With great difficulty, Yoon Shin swallowed dryly and replied a beat late.
“I feel like there's much more to him than that. I think I misunderstood some things, and on the other hand, he seems far scarier than I imagined.”
“Scary? As far as I know, Seheon hasn't shown his true self yet. Whatever you've seen is probably just the tip of the iceberg.”
“Well... not long ago, he sent me materials related to a pro bono case.”
How he had obtained them was unclear, but the fact that Seheon had made his work a little easier was something Mihui already seemed to know. She assumed a posture of curious listening.
“What was in there? I heard he used a private investigator for Attorney Kang. I don't know if you know, but they're really difficult to handle and expensive. The meeting place changes every time, so I've never even seen their face.”
“Just, shall we say, fatal weaknesses of a mid-sized enterprise that appeared solid from the outside. Important clues that could send a man and his family straight to ruin with a single blow.”
What Seheon had provided was information of a caliber that a single threat to report to the press would make his client withdraw their lawsuit, pay damages, and even hold a press conference to apologize. With corporate corruption and personal scandals galore, Yoon Shin only had to pick and choose.
Though he spoke indirectly, his counterpart seemed to roughly grasp the specifics. Mihui appeared quite amused as she fell into thought for a moment, then responded calmly.
“Seheon naturally lures people with the logic of reward and punishment. He must have given it because it was worth giving to Attorney Do. So use it well without wasting it. While he's at it, he seems to want to see how you plan to use it. He's extremely suspicious.”
“So I should use it, right? He gave it to me to use, right? If I don't, he'll scold me, right? But the scale is enormous. It's only nominally an SME—it's a mid-sized company that no one in the country wouldn't know the brand name of.”
“Choosing which parts to use in appropriate proportions is also a skill.”
Only then did Seheon's intention in designing this entire board game seem to click.
“So this was the real test. To see if I'm prepared to get my hands dirty.”
She neither affirmed nor denied, merely shrugging her shoulders.
“Well, anyway, to teach you how to survive as Yi Gyeong requested, Attorney Kang is a very good teacher. Just endure exactly two years under Seheon, then go study abroad.”
Hearing that far, Yoon Shin's eyes widened.
“Am I going to study abroad? I wondered if my sister had other plans for me.”
“Not that. Most juniors go after their fifth year, so I brought it up. Why, do you like it here? Your sister said you'd quit after a few years?”
It was true that he had harbored such thoughts since joining. After fulfilling his sister's request for a few years, she would acknowledge that he had done his part. But that she had anticipated this so clearly was disconcerting. His sister understood her younger brother far better than his own judgment.
Unable to affirm this in front of the daughter of the firm head who had scouted him directly, Yoon Shin pressed his lips together. Whether she knew his distress, Mihui changed the subject.
“The siblings really take after the Professor. I miss him; he was a wonderful person... Not just me, but Seheon too, though he pretends otherwise, respected Professor Do. Because he was fair and thoughtful in all things.”
Kang Seheon respecting someone.
The image didn't readily form in his mind. Even if he sketched an outline, he couldn't color it in. Yoon Shin let out a short laugh.
Mihui, not knowing why, tilted her head while taking a late bite of her sandwich.
Only after receiving her gaze did he realize he had laughed. He was more bewildered than when he heard his sister saw through him completely.
Trying not to reveal his feelings, he responded with as much composure as possible.
“I miss him sometimes. But I'm fine because I have my sister. My nieces and nephews are cute too. And my brother-in-law isn't as bad as gossip makes him out to be. My sister chose him, after all.”
“I noticed from before. The siblings must be very close.”
“I think of her as someone I must protect. I'm sure she thinks of me the same way.”
“Chief Kang would call that a weakness. Things you must protect. He thinks you shouldn't have them.”
As if flicking on a light, questions settled in Yoon Shin's blinking eyes. His thoughts were entirely different. He believed people grew stronger only when they had things to protect. Whether she read the doubt reflected in his pupils, Mihui supplemented her words as if explaining further.
“So if you want to endure under him well, don't expose too much of yourself. If by any chance someone needs to attack or control Attorney Do, they'll target that first. There are more than one or two who've fallen that way.”
“I'll keep that in mind.”
“Goodness. Have I interrupted too much? Let's hurry and eat. This is delicious.”
Yoon Shin matched Mihui's pace as she began eating in earnest. Chewing fresh vegetables in his mouth, he mulled over many things.
As befitting a long acquaintance, Attorney Song seemed to know a great deal about Seheon. Thanks to that, even though he had entered this place and had hardly any in-depth conversations with Seheon, he felt he was cram-learning quite a lot about him. Secretary Tak's contribution in providing various hints couldn't be ignored either.
Indeed, Seheon seemed to be someone who executed whatever he thought. If he believed there should be nothing to protect, he would create nothing.
‘So that's why he charges ahead so aggressively in everything.’
The Seheon he had observed was the stereotype of a “smart but bad guy,” yet quite contradictory. His cruelty, strength, and ruthlessness seemed like defense mechanisms.
Perhaps that was why. Yoon Shin kept worrying about Seheon. His eyes went to him unconsciously, and he became interested in what his inner self was like.
But he didn't know whether this was worry born from tension toward the senior he had to serve, concern about dealing with someone fundamentally incompatible in disposition, or some other sense he wasn't properly acknowledging.
He simply felt this prickly cynic stuck in his throat like a fishbone, grating on him constantly.
* * *
Today as well, Yoon Shin had been buried in documents at the firm building until late, returning home when it was almost midnight. Thinking he might drive drowsy, he took a taxi and was getting off in front of his apartment building entrance when a call came in and he stopped. Given the late hour, the caller was obvious.
Sure enough, checking the screen, it was his sister.
He answered the call and sat down on a bench nearby.
The night air had grown quite chilly, brushing against his face. It felt a bit sharp and painful, but that much cleared his mind. He liked this refreshing feeling and remained there.
“Noona? You haven't been in touch for a while, so what's going on at this hour? Are the kids doing well? Is brother-in-law the same as ever?”
Her voice came through, sounding as if submerged in deep water.
— Everyone's doing well. I put some side dishes in your refrigerator. I told you to hire someone, why don't you? Your house is a mess. Air it out often too.
“A house where a man lives alone doesn't need a housekeeper... These days I come home just to sleep, just sleep. But when did you stop by? You should have told me. Then I would have left work earlier.”
— I'm on my way back now. Just came down to the parking lot. I came because I had something to tell you, but you're getting off work later than I thought. I'll come again next time.
Hearing that far, Yoon Shin stopped fidgeting with one hand.
“What? Then you're still in the parking lot?”
— Yes. Aren't you still at the firm? You only have one sub-car.
“No, I'm right... wait a minute.”
He had been leisurely stretching out his long legs, but he sprang up. Then he moved quickly. Passing through a triumphal arch-style entrance with columns connected by arches and an attica overhead, he saw a black sedan emerging from the inner corner. The license plate was familiar. Waving both hands in delight, he made the car stop.
Beep. The rear window of the car parked beside the park rolled down.
“Noona!”
Having ended the call, Yoon Shin peered inside at his sister. She was wearing a dark bucket hat pressed down deep, a scarf wrapped thickly around her neck, and a black mask over her face, so almost no skin was visible.
“Won't you show me your face? Why so standoffish these days?”
Only then did she slightly lift the brim of her hat to meet his eyes. Though he couldn't see clearly in the dark, her eyes looked unmistakably exhausted. As expected, she had been busy lately. Her voice, too, cracked at the ends unlike usual. What had seemed a bit submerged during the call was much worse in person.
“Yoon Shin. I thought I'd have to leave without seeing your face, but I'm glad. Is work manageable?”
Listening quietly to that voice, Yoon Shin gripped the window frame tightly.
“I thought your voice sounded strange. Did you catch a cold?”
“Yes, it's not serious, so don't worry.”
“If you're sick, why did you come? Roll up the window. Cold air will get in. Just let me get in.”
“No, stay there. I'll finish talking and leave right away.”
Yi Gyeong reached out her hand and pushed Yoon Shin's two arms out the window. His upper body was subtly pushed back as if being expelled, and confusion settled in his eyes.
She was different from always. Yi Gyeong had never once prevented him from approaching. But today, she clearly disliked her brother drawing near. The way she pushed him away and then averted her gaze proved it. Perhaps a superficial action, but because it had never happened before, the difference was immediately felt.
Honestly, he was quite hurt. Whether it was food he didn't like or clothes that didn't suit him, he was prepared to accept anything from her; so for her to be uncomfortable with him coming close after so long was deeply disappointing.
Hit dead-on by the awkward atmosphere flowing between the siblings, Yoon Shin asked cautiously,
“Did something happen with brother-in-law?”
“Nothing like that.”
“Did he tell you not to go out without permission again? You fought over that last time. Or is it the kids? If there's anything I can help with...”
She cut his words off immediately.
“It's not something you should worry about. Anyway, Yoon Shin.”
As his disappointment mounted, Yoon Shin deliberately put his hand back inside the car. Then, as if asking her to look at him and talk, he gently gripped her shoulder. It was the kind of physical contact he used when throwing a tantrum. But today, his sister received this unusual touch very sensitively and irritably shook his arm off.
With a smack, their skin collided. In the process, the high-quality scarf caught on Yoon Shin's hand and fell down. The way she frantically covered her neck immediately after was extremely, incredibly suspicious.
“Noona?”
Having counseled numerous interested parties in various disputes over the years, Yoon Shin had learned one thing. In such cases, his instincts were right about ninety percent of the time. Those who suffered harm or loss tried to hide it from those they cherished most. Because they hated causing worry. His sister's actions were a textbook example.
Feeling a bad premonition, Yoon Shin glanced at the chief secretary in the driver's seat. The man kept his eyes strictly forward despite being aware of the small commotion behind him.
The stubborn-faced chief secretary was one of the junior alumni his father had highly trusted, someone who had accompanied her to that house when she married ten years ago. During their last call, he had sensed something being hidden from him; it seemed it was indeed about his sister.
With psychological certainty, Yoon Shin ripped off her mask as well while she picked up her scarf.
“Do Yoon Shin! What do you think you're doing!”
Ignoring her scolding, he turned on his phone's flashlight. A bright light shone directly on her face. Having properly seen his sister's condition, Yoon Shin's face turned ashen. The marks on her neck, bound with something of unknown origin, were vivid.
“What is all that on your neck? Did robbers break into the house? Did you go to the hospital? Open this door first. Open it!”
As he pulled at the locked rear door handle, his sister rolled the window almost all the way up. She showed no sign of wanting to open the door. In panic, Yoon Shin wondered for a long time what he had just witnessed. But no matter how he thought, the only conclusion was traces of physical abuse.
Unless a skilled robber had broken into a heavily secured mansion, the only person who could inflict such injuries was his brother-in-law. He had always had a bad temper and often attracted scandal, but he had never laid a hand on his family. But perhaps that was no longer the case.
His logic connecting to that point, Yoon Shin knocked on the almost fully closed window.
“Noona! Noona! Please open the door.”
“Keep your voice down! People will hear! It's really nothing. Here, take this first.”
A white envelope squeezed through the narrow gap. When he just stared at it instead of taking it, Yi Gyeong eventually opened the door and stepped out of the car. The moment he faced his sister standing before him, Yoon Shin's face crumbled.
“Was it brother-in-law?”
“Yoon Shin.”
“Was it brother-in-law?”
“Take this first. I said I had something to tell you.”
She forcibly pressed the envelope into his trembling hand, then straightened her clothes and added,
“She's from a good family. It's well-organized inside. Meet her once.”
“A blind date? At a time like this? Are you kidding?”
“Brother-in-law seems to need it. It's not telling you to get married right away. Just meet her once. I need to at least take some action to have something to say.”
“Showing up like that and telling me to go on a blind date because brother-in-law wants it? What is going on!”
“Calm down and listen. This is an opportunity. It's a family brother-in-law needs. Conversely, it means if you're tied to this family, whatever happens, at least you'll be safe. Fortunately, they seem to like you very much. They'll contact you first, so if you like her, try dating; if not, you can turn her down later, but at least go to the appointment.”
As he tried to raise an objection, she cut him off and added,
“And I already told our usual wine merchant. When they call, ask one of your firm employees to receive it discreetly. One bottle for Attorney Kang, one bottle for Attorney Song. I already sent one to the Managing Partner's residence personally. This is very precious wine, so...”
He didn't even know what she was talking about. He was simply confused. Like someone injected with too much information at once, his head throbbed and felt like it would burst. Finally, Yoon Shin butted in and interrupted his sister, flaring up.
“Noona, I don't understand any of this!”
“I'm gathering evidence piece by piece!”
She too had been speaking calmly, but finally raised her voice slightly. Then she seemed worried someone might have heard, looking around. It was pitiful. With no choice, Yoon Shin had to lower his own voice's pitch. Consequently, his throat felt trembling.
“Brother-in-law is doing terrible things enough for you to gather evidence? And while doing so, you're telling me to go on a blind date with the kind of person he wants? Just how bad is it that even I need to be safe? Explain.”
“I told you I'm gathering materials now. I didn't just get hurt. I let myself get hurt knowing it would happen. He was originally someone who loved passionately, but he fell in love with someone else. He's afraid it'll cause company scandal and affect succession, so he wants a negotiated divorce, but I don't want to break up so cleanly. Even if we divorce, it'll be through litigation. So I'm biding my time.”
Divorce?
Litigation?
His sister was far more intelligent and clever than Yoon Shin. His father had always praised her. There were no thoughtless actions with his sister. So when she said she would marry his brother-in-law, the two men trusted and supported her choice fully. Unlike his messy public image, they believed there was something invisible in his brother-in-law that had