As Choi Eun Ho's fingers deftly weaved through strands of hair, expertly tying them into a bun, his phone suddenly vibrated in his pocket.
He pulled out his phone, and the name displayed on the screen made him pause slightly.
“Hello, Su-sik.”
On the other end of the line, Jang Su-sik's voice carried a hint of anticipation: “You... when are you getting off work? I made seafood noodles for tonight.”
“The Prosecutor’s Office has an urgent matter, I can’t go home tonight.”
As soon as Choi Eun Ho finished speaking, Lee Seon-mi beside him suddenly let out a soft whimper, as if echoing his words.
“What’s that sound?”
Choi Eun Ho’s brow furrowed slightly, and then he turned to the phone, saying in a light tone:
“Oh, we’re interrogating a criminal, he’s being stubborn and won’t open his mouth easily.”
Jang Su-sik was silent for a moment before softly replying: “I see.”
Choi Eun Ho hung up the phone and casually tossed it on the couch. He reached out a hand and gently patted Lee Seon-mi's pert buttocks.
Lee Seon-mi looked up at him, her face flushed, and her bright eyes flickered with complex emotions.
“Senior, I can make seafood noodles too.” She blinked, giggling.
“Why would we eat seafood noodles when we can discuss the development of the Korean legal system?” Choi Eun Ho applied a little more force, flipping her over.
Regarding Lee Seon-mi's lawyer status, the two began to discuss the development prospects of the Korean legal system and "Kun Yu".
For a time, the sound of their conversation filled the air.
………
………
Jang Su-sik gently put down the phone on the soft sofa in her home and let out a sigh.
Her heart churned with mixed emotions, her thoughts racing.
Jang Su-sik recalled every detail of her acquaintance with Choi Eun Ho. He had always treated her with respect, honoring her choices, and their relationship was pure and untarnished, everything beautiful seemed reserved for their marriage.
She began to question whether Choi Eun Ho was truly colluding with her father, together sinking into the dark mire. She hadn’t yet been able to discern the truth behind it.
Jang Su-sik remembered the threatening tone in her father’s last words, which made her wonder if Choi Eun Ho was forced into making those choices out of desperation.
She had secretly observed her husband’s work, knowing that he often worked late into the night, diligently putting in effort and hard work.
Choi Eun Ho had once told her that he was putting in all the effort, but the credit was being stolen by the despicable Park Minister.
An indescribable pain surged through Jang Su-sik's heart, but what she longed for even more was for her husband to become a brave, upright, steadfast, idealistic, and ambitious prosecutor. This desire burned like a raging fire in her heart, tormenting her.
Jang Su-sik had just summoned the courage to call Choi Eun Ho, but his response left her disappointed. His voice was hurried and cold, even mentioning the mundane matter of working overtime.
Jang Su-sik couldn't help but feel a pang of self-blame. She understood that her actions last night might have been a bit extreme.
In Korea, it was unusual for a newlywed to refuse her husband entry on their wedding night, especially when this husband was a respected prosecutor, surrounded by countless admirers.
Jang Su-sik gently furrowed her brow, recalling how Choi Eun Ho had repeatedly knocked on the door last night, begging her to hear his explanation. However, she hadn't given him the opportunity.
Jang Su-sik slightly lifted her left foot, rubbing her round and straight thigh encased in black stockings, a complex mix of emotions washing over her.
She realized she had wronged her husband, and this realization weighed heavily on her.
She lay sideways on the sofa, her gaze falling upon the photo on the coffee table. The two in the photo were smiling brightly, their faces radiating happiness and love.
She wanted to learn more about Eun Ho Oppa, to mend the cracks between them.
She decided to wait for Eun Ho Oppa's return, hoping that their relationship could be repaired and elevated.
………
………
After his secret visit to Park Jeong Won’s luxurious manor, Choi Eun Ho stood silently, his thoughts as heavy as the oppressive atmosphere surrounding the estate.
As Choi Eun Ho had stated, either persuade Kim Young-soon to abandon the pursuit of truth, or watch all his efforts go to waste, exposing Choi Eun Ho’s undercover identity.
However, Park Jeong Won knew Kim Young-soon too well – this anomaly in the Prosecutor’s Office was a passionate, justice-oriented, straightforward young man. All he held in his heart was the dignity and fairness of the law, he couldn’t tolerate any compromise or gray areas.
Once upon a time, Park Jeong Won himself had possessed such pure passion, but in the long river of reality, he had gradually come to understand that justice alone couldn’t sustain one.
Under the sway of power games and the allure of money, he found himself becoming increasingly immersed, entangled in the mire.
During those days, various novel excitements appeared in Park Jeong Won's life, just like the female celebrity he had become infatuated with recently, so intoxicating, so difficult to relinquish.
Park Jeong Won knew very well that even as a minister, he couldn’t easily sway Kim Young-soon's relentless pursuit of justice and truth with a single word.
The cost of eliminating a prosecutor was far too high.
Even as a minister, he couldn't easily dispose of a prosecutor, even the Prosecutor General couldn't easily decide their fate, especially a prosecutor like Kim Young-soon who had no blemishes on his record.
Park Jeong Won gently tapped the table, a look of helplessness crossing his face.
He pondered in his heart, if Monday's press conference truly publicly acknowledged Choi Eun Ho's undercover identity, then most of the leverage he held would be rendered useless as Choi Eun Ho would be exonerated.
After much deliberation, Park Jeong Won decided to introduce Choi Eun Ho into their circle, making him his valiant vanguard.
In Park Jeong Won's eyes, Choi Eun Ho's undercover mission had been completed successfully, bringing him fame and recognition. Coupled with his innate talent and the fact that he held the key to Choi Eun Ho's crucial secret, Park Jeong Won controlled his lifeline.
No, he could even be said to control his fate!
No matter how far he rose, he would have to be subservient, playing a vital role in Park Jeong Won's grand scheme.
Therefore, he planned to elevate Choi Eun Ho to the pinnacle.
He would make him another shining star in the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office!
With his goal set, Park Jeong Won lit a cigar and leisurely enjoyed the comfort of his success.