Jinwoo stared at the message on his phone for almost a full minute.
We need to talk. —Lucas Lee.
He had no reason to meet the man.
No connection. No obligation.
But curiosity won. And annoyance.
So he texted back:
"Where?"
The reply came instantly.
"Blue Ridge Café. 20 minutes."
Jinwoo rolled his eyes.
"Great. He even chooses the place like he owns the world."
He changed direction and headed toward the café.
---
Blue Ridge Café — 20 minutes later
Lucas was already there.
Of course he was.
He sat by the window, calm as always, sipping black coffee like he had all the time in the world. He didn't look nervous. He didn't look tense.
He just looked… unreadable.
Jinwoo walked over and sat down across from him.
"No greeting?" Lucas asked casually.
"I'm not here for small talk," Jinwoo replied.
Lucas smirked slightly. "Good. Neither am I."
Jinwoo leaned forward.
"Why did you text me? We've never met."
Lucas pushed a file across the table.
"I need a prosecutor who isn't afraid of big companies," he said.
"And you were… interesting."
Jinwoo stared at him.
"Why would I help you?"
"Because KangTech has been bribing judges for years," Lucas replied calmly.
"And you hate corruption more than you hate me."
"Who says I hate you?" Jinwoo scoffed.
Lucas looked at him directly.
"Your face."
Jinwoo clenched his jaw.
He really didn't like this guy.
Lucas continued, "I'm going after KangTech. Legally. Strategically. But there are files only a prosecutor can request."
"So you want me to do your dirty work?"
"No," Lucas said. "I want you to do your job."
Their eyes locked.
For a moment, the café felt too small.
Too quiet. And too tense.
Finally, Jinwoo opened the file.
It contained witness statements, bank transfers, and evidence of illegal export deals.
And all of it was real.
"This is… strong," Jinwoo admitted.
"It's just the beginning," Lucas said.
Before Jinwoo could respond, someone approached their table.
A woman—soft voice, gentle smile.
The same woman from Lucas's penthouse balcony.
"Lucas," she said, surprised. "I didn't know you were here."
Lucas stood up instantly.
Not out of politeness… but out of instinct.
"Ari," he said quietly. "You should be home."
She frowned. "You disappeared last night without saying anything."
Jinwoo raised a brow.
A woman? The devil has a woman?
Ari finally noticed Jinwoo.
"Oh, sorry—um, I didn't mean to interrupt."
"It's fine," Jinwoo said. "I'm Prosecutor Park."
Ari nodded softly.
"I'm Ari. I… know Lucas."
Lucas cleared his throat.
"We're done here," he said to Jinwoo.
"I'll send you the next file soon."
Jinwoo closed the folder and stood up.
"Fine. But listen carefully, Lucas."
Lucas looked him straight in the eye.
"If you break the law even once," Jinwoo said, "I'll drag you to court myself."
Lucas didn't blink.
"Then you better be fast," he replied.
---
Outside the café
Ari walked beside Lucas, her arms crossed.
"You're working with a prosecutor now?" she asked.
"Temporary," Lucas said.
"And dangerous."
"I know."
She sighed.
"Lucas… whatever you're planning, just—be careful."
He didn't answer.
But he slowed his steps a little.
For her.
---
Elsewhere…
Chairman Han slammed Lucas's card on the table.
"He's back. I want him watched. Every move. Every person he meets."
A guard nodded and left.
Han stared at the card again, jaw tight.
"Lucas Lee… what do you want now?"
---
Next day
Lucas arrived at the courthouse before the sun fully rose. The hallway was almost empty, just a few early lawyers and sleepy clerks dragging files around.
Rafael walked beside him, straightening Lucas's tie.
"You sure you want to go on the offensive this fast?"
Lucas nodded.
"KangTech made the first move years ago. I'm just finishing the game."
Rafael sighed.
"You haven't changed at all."
Lucas gave him a small, humorless smile.
"Non ho motivo di cambiare."
(I have no reason to change.)
---
Inside Courtroom 5B
The atmosphere shifted the moment Lucas walked in.
People recognized him instantly—even after ten years.
Whispers spread like fire:
"That's Lucas Lee…"
"The one who disappeared…"
"He looks cold…"
"What case is he handling?"
Lucas ignored all of them and took his place at the defense table.
This case was his first step.
A small case, but with a big purpose:
Expose KangTech's illegal factory quietly, without making them realize he was aiming for them.
The judge entered.
The prosecutor stood up—
And Lucas raised a brow.
Jinwoo Park.
He wasn't expecting him.
Jinwoo looked just as surprised.
"You? You're defending this client?"
Lucas shrugged lightly.
"Coincidence."
"Or trouble," Jinwoo muttered.
---
The Case Begins
Jinwoo presented the evidence aggressively, as usual.
"The defendant illegally imported machinery into Korea. No license. No documents. No permit."
Lucas stood up calmly.
"Your honor," he said, voice cool and steady, "my client did not import anything illegally."
Jinwoo scoffed. "Of course he didn't—according to you."
Lucas handed a paper to the judge.
"This," Lucas continued, "is the real import permit. Issued two months before the machinery arrived."
The judge frowned.
"Where did you obtain this, Mr. Lee?"
Lucas glanced at Jinwoo.
"Where I always find everything," he said.
"Where people forget to look."
Jinwoo gritted his teeth.
"You're hiding something."
Lucas leaned slightly closer.
"Osserva meglio, Procuratore."
(Look closer, Prosecutor.)
He straightened up.
"My client is innocent. The illegal activity happened at the warehouse—run by KangTech Industries."
A quiet shock spread through the courtroom.
Everyone knew KangTech.
Everyone feared KangTech.
Jinwoo stepped forward.
"You're accusing a major corporation without proof?"
Lucas smiled faintly.
"Not accusing. Stating."
He placed another document on the table.
"This is the warehouse contract. KangTech is responsible for every machine stored there. Including the ones missing paperwork."
Jinwoo opened it, scanned it—face falling.
Lucas was right.
Again.
The judge exhaled.
"Prosecutor Park… your response?"
Jinwoo hesitated for the first time all morning.
"…The prosecution withdraws the accusation."
Gasps filled the room.
Lucas didn't look proud.
He didn't even smile.
He simply sat down.
As if this was nothing.
---
After Court
Jinwoo stormed outside.
Lucas followed calmly, hands in his pockets.
"What was that?" Jinwoo demanded.
"You turned a small case into an attack on KangTech."
Lucas shrugged.
"It wasn't an attack. It was a reminder."
"To who?"
Lucas stepped closer.
"To the people who owe me a debt."
Jinwoo stared at him.
"Lucas… what exactly are you planning?"
Lucas gave him a small, cold smile.
"La verità non può essere nascosta per sempre."
(The truth cannot stay hidden forever.)
Before Jinwoo could reply, Lucas walked away.
---
Elsewhere
Chairman Han watched the recording of the court trial on his tablet.
His hand tightened into a fist.
"Lucas Lee…" he whispered.
"Why did you say our name in court?"
His assistant looked pale.
"Sir… do we take action?"
Chairman Han's eyes darkened.
"Yes. Before he does."