EPISODE 89 – A Devil's Bargain
Dohee's words hung in the air of the lavish private room, heavy with the weight of her desperation. On the couch across from her, Minjae lounged with a smirk, while Micha sat stiffly in a chair, her wrists taped behind her back and a strip of black electrical tape silencing her furious protests.
"I... I need your help," Dohee repeated, her voice cracking slightly. "A young girl named Nayeon was assaulted, and the minister's son is the criminal. He has money and power, and he's using it to create fake evidence and intimidate witnesses. The first trial failed. Her justice depends on me getting a conviction in the second trial."
Minjae's eyes were fixed on Dohee, a playful but thoughtful look on his face. He watched her for a moment, then sat up and leaned forward, his smirk softening.
"Okay, sis," he said, his voice dropping to a serious tone. "I'll help you. But first, did you talk to Alex about this? Or anyone at CHIPER?"
Dohee's shoulders slumped. "Not yet. I'll tell him later, but I don't want to worry him until I have a plan."
Minjae nodded. "You should still tell him, but okay. I'll get the evidence for you. We'll find something they can't hide." He then looked at the silent, furious Micha. "But I need an assistant."
Dohee, not hesitating for a moment, said, "Then I'll go with you. I know the case better than anyone."
Minjae chuckled. "Alright, a lawyer and a hooligan. I like it. We'll start by finding the minister's black book of contacts. That's where he hides all his secrets."
Dohee, relief flooding her face, quickly moved to Micha's side. She gently pulled the tape from her mouth and then untied her hands. "I'm so sorry, Micha," she whispered.
Micha didn't say a word. She slowly stood up, her eyes burning holes into Minjae. Her face was cold, impassive, a mask of controlled rage. She looked at him with an icy stare that promised future retribution.
Minjae, however, just smiled. It wasn't a kind smile. It was a devilish, knowing grin that showed he understood her silent threat and found it endlessly amusing.
"Let's go," Minjae said, standing up and heading for the door. "We have a minister's son to take down."
Micha, still not saying a word, walked past him with her head held high, leaving Dohee to follow.
A Call for Power
As they stepped out of the private room, the club's manager, his face pale and deferential, bowed low to Minjae.
"Mr. Minjae," he said, "I have secured all the phones and any footage of the... incident. They've been wiped."
"Good," Minjae said, his tone flat. He handed the manager a stack of crisp bills. "Compensate everyone for their inconvenience. And pay for that broken glass."
The manager nodded frantically, and Minjae, Dohee, and Micha walked out into the cool night air. A sleek black car was already waiting. Minjae got in the back, pulling out his phone. He dialed a number, his thumb moving with practiced ease.
"Hey, Jae," he said into the phone, his voice a low command. "Cancel everything for tomorrow. All my meetings, all my plans. Something came up. I'll call you with a new schedule." He hung up before the manager could reply.
The car took them to Minjae's apartment, a penthouse that overlooked the entire city, a testament to his wealth and power. Inside, the apartment was a minimalist masterpiece of glass and steel, filled with expensive art. Minjae walked straight to his study, followed by a bewildered Dohee and a silent, furious Micha. He sat behind a large desk and dialed another number.
"Hello, Mr. Park," Minjae said, his voice now formal and respectful, but still with a dangerous edge. "I have a small favor to ask you. I need information on Minister Song and his son. Everything. Their contacts, their financial records, their dirty little secrets."
The voice on the other end of the phone was deep and powerful. "Minjae-ssi? Why do you need this? That's a dangerous path to walk, son. Minister Song is a powerful man."
"A girl's justice depends on it," Minjae replied, his playful smirk returning. "And besides, you know I don't like bullies."
"Your father won't like this," the man on the phone said, his voice full of warning. "Getting involved in a political scandal like this could be very bad for you."
Minjae laughed, a genuine, careless sound. "Don't worry, Mr. Park. My father will never find out. And if he does," he added, his voice dropping to a colder tone, "I'll take full responsibility. You just worry about getting me the information I need. I'm counting on you."
He hung up the phone and looked at Dohee, a confident glint in his eye. "See, sis? Easy."
Dohee, completely stunned by the call, could only stare at him. Micha, standing in the corner of the room, watched it all unfold with a cold, calculating look in her eyes. Minjae had just revealed a new, powerful side of himself, and she knew in that moment that their fight was far from over.
With Minjae's power now fully engaged in the case, what is the first move he, Dohee, and a reluctant Micha will make?