CH 152

“All other swindlers upon earth are nothing to the self-swindlers.”

The delusion that he acclimatized and the misperception that he became more skilled—Yoonshin would certainly fool himself that way. Yoonshin would feel much better; guilt was too leaden of a feeling. Sehun knew that Yoonshin was always earnest in whatever he did, so Sehun could easily picture how burned out the younger man would become.

This was the path that Sehun walked before Yoonshin followed, and at times, he felt incredibly isolated. Sehun was worried that a draining fate would loom over Yoonshin. He knew that worrying was useless, but he couldn’t stop himself.

“Don’t you feel anything at all, Attorney Song? You liked Professor Do a lot,” Sehun said, turning the table against Mihee.

“Okay, that’s that, but this is totally unlike you,” Mihee replied.

“What about?”

“For once, your moral response to another person is quite normal. Although I might interpret it slightly differently depending on whether this is directed toward the professor or Attorney Do.”

“The incident at that dinner was your misunderstanding. You still don’t believe me. I wouldn’t feel so wronged about that if I did something then.”

“Let’s say that you didn’t do anything last time. I don’t know if you did anything after.”

Sehun shook his head at Mihee in disbelief.

“Don’t try me. We didn’t do it,” he retorted.

Mihee raised her voice. “Hey, Sehun Kang. What do you mean, you ‘didn’t do it’? Who do you think you’re fooling? Do you realize how long I’ve known you? You have interest, curiosity, and indecent feelings for him. I’m sure you’ve stripped and devoured him in your head a thousand times already.”

“If stabbing in the dark is your hobby, open up a psychic reading shop instead of staying at a law firm.”

“Stabbing in the dark? My conclusion is backed up with evidence. Do you really think I don’t know how lenient you are with him? You’re a snake in a suit. The lawyers under you now are the ones who just managed to survive by avoiding your venomous bite. Why is Yoonshin Do the exception? Why is he the only one to rouse your long-buried guilty conscience? What’s so special about him? Bring me up to speed.”

Sehun didn’t answer, and Mihee—gaining momentum in her logic—said firmly and conclusively, “I’m the recruitment manager as well as the associate lawyer manager. Yoonshin Do has been cast out by the junior lawyers for over half a year. All your cases are billed hourly, so he’s earning money just by attending each meeting, and as long as he stays in your favor, he’s guaranteed success. If it were me, I would be absolutely livid with envy.”

“I’m only using him everywhere because he’s so useful. You should know since you’ve seen his work.”

“You mean that’s one of several reasons. You’re obviously very lenient with Attorney Do. Something is different here.”

After mulling over her reply, Sehun answered calmly but somewhat defeatedly, “I received a flower. It was too pricey of a bribe.”

“A flower? What the hell are you going on about? Did he promise you some rare precious stones? I don’t think Attorney Do is the type to do that.”

What Yoonshin had given him was truly priceless. It was a gift of incomparable value to gems or anything else of the like. Thanks to that, Sehun felt an overwhelming tidal wave of emotions, threatening to sweep him away even with a wave of a hand by Yoonshin.

Everything Mihee said was right. From the beginning, Sehun’s attitude and perception of Yoonshin were different. This firm was a jungle. Some would die while others would survive. Sehun knew that there was no way Mihee wouldn’t know about his dynamic with Yoonshin because she was always hyperaware of her environment. That was probably why she could bring this topic up in the first place.

“Whatever. Let’s stop talking about this. If you understand the situation, can you set up a meeting with me and President Cho of Youngjin Construction? I’ll take that as a yes and head out,” Sehun concluded.