Chapter 65 - Dinner (3)

Everyone stood up to show respect to the Prime Minister who had just entered the dining table. He stood at the entrance, smiling at them. His grey hair was parted to the side and his dark eyes seemed to be emitting warmth. He wore a black Armani suit with a matching tie and properly ironed shirt. The man was every bit as dignified as he looked on the television but much more intimidating.

Sunye did not dare to look him in the eye. She kept her gaze on the floor, her head low. Orea, too, was overwhelmed by his appearance. The man was like a strict grandfather who seemed to be seeing right into their souls. She felt as if he would know her goal instantly if he looked at her directly. 

SD's eyes narrowed a little. It was the same person from his childhood. He had seen this man accompany the Emperor on many occasions and even then, he was not fond of him. Prime Minister Lee might be warm and kind from the outside but there was a darkness which he successfully hid away. Jonghyun was also wary of his 'father' who had obviously invited all of them for a reason. 

"Please, sit down!" Lee laughed. "Don't be so formal with me. After all, this is a family dinner!"

His eyes then fell on Orea who was frozen to her spot. "And who is this young lady?" he inquired with a curious smile. "I don't think I've had the pleasure to meet you before."

"O-Orea!" she stammered. "Heo Orea! I study at the same school as Lee Myung!"

She bowed low, trying to hide her nervousness. Orea was not easily intimidated but this time, she was truly scared. 

"She's my classmate," Myung said in a dry tone. "We're here to complete an assignment but Sam forced us to stay at the dinner table."

"Education is key to our future," Lee said, throwing a reproaching look at Sam. "If the kids are here to study, then I see no reason why they should be kept back like this. Sam, please don't interfere in their studies!"

Sam was abashed. He bowed and said, "Apologies sir."

"Your dinner will be sent to your room, Myung," Lee added. "You two can go and study."

Myung nodded while Orea inwardly let out a sigh of relief. SD was also relieved that Orea would at least be away from the PM's sight. The last thing he wanted was for her to be caught in the act since she would be put in the most vulnerable position once she hacked the system.

The two teens bowed and left the dining room, leaving the adults with the Prime Minister.

"Let us start dinner then!" Lee laughed. He snapped his fingers and a series of servants entered the hall, carrying large trays of food. The Prime Minister had prepared a lavish Italian themed dinner in honor of his family and the guests. 

The bread basket contained freshly made focaccia, croissant, pane toscano and ciabatta. An alluring scent came from it, which made even Sunye realize how hungry she was. The servants put individual plates of Chicory Salad dressed with Anchovy along with chickpeas on the side. The antipasto platter was adorned with mozzarella sticks along with cured meat, olives, artichoke and vegetables dipped in olive oil. 

Another servant placed the main courses which included chicken caprese with white sauce and beef tetrazzini along with individual ratatouille in medium shaped bowls. A large plate of seafood pasta skillet was placed on one side while at the center was a large roasted duck. For a small get together, the Prime Minister had prepared a very lavish menu.

"Dessert will be served after the main course," Sam declared. 

"I'm glad that we have gotten this opportunity to sit together for a quiet dinner after such a long time," the Prime Minister said. "I asked the chef to prepare a simple dinner for all of us. Hope that all of you will like it."

He scanned the new guests with a calculative smile. He called this simple? Sunye wondered. 

She glanced at SD who was calm and strangely quiet. What was he planning? It was obvious that he had a hidden agenda for the dinner but what was it? The Prime Minister was not an easy many to target and yet, he was in the mansion belonging to the most influential man in the country. What was his motive?

It seemed that the Prime Minister was also wondering about Haein because he was scrutinizing him with sharp eyes.

"I've heard of you, Kim Haein," he said, addressing SD. The latter nodded, looking a little grateful.

That expression does not suit SD, Sunye snorted in her head.

"It's a pleasure to work with Mr. Lee Jonghyun, sir," SD said in a formal tone.

"Yes, you are his famous right hand man," Lee said with a laugh. Jonghyun stiffened, sensing the underlying sarcasm. SD did not reply but simply kept up his farce. 

"He is a hardworking person," Jonghyun spoke up. "One of my best employees and very efficient."

"Of course he is!" Lee said encouragingly. "After all, the secretary is a shadow of his employer."

"Indeed I am," SD agreed with an equally calculative smile. Prime Minister Lee then turned his attention to Sunye. She meekly smiled, trying not to flinch.

"We meet again, Ms. Han," he said.

Sunye was shocked to know that he remembered her. It had been so many years and yet, he knew her name.

"Of course I know who you are!" Lee laughed, as if reading her mind. "Jonghyun had mentioned that the survivor of the palace coup had joined his firm. Besides, I also saw it in the small press release LN Partners had sent out. Indeed, I'm happy to see that you've made something out of yourself that too on your own accord. Can't say the same for some people."

Hyeri, who was about to take a sip of wine from her glass, froze. She threw a dirty gaze at Sunye as if wanting to rip her apart with her glare but the latter ignored her.

"It was hard but my father supported me," Sunye said. 

"Yes, Chef Han!" he exclaimed. "A very good man. How is he now?"

"He passed away a few years ago," Sunye said in a sad tone. "Dad was suffering from cancer. But he had a good life."

"Oh," Lee said. "I'm sorry for your loss."

Sunye smiled and nodded. She suddenly felt very stuffy and wanted to leave the dinner as soon as possible but she had to stay till the end. Otherwise, she would end up insulting the country's premier which was equal to treason. 

"Ms. Han is handling Shin Hyun's case isn't she?" Hyeri spoke up. "Tell us, Ms. Han. Is he going to jail?"

"If he's guilty then he will be sent to jail," Sunye stated. 

"Sunye is our most capable lawyer," Jonghyun said. "She'll win this case and ensure justice is served."

"Justice?" Hyeri snorted. "No one cares about that, Jonghyun. I'm asking if he'll be jailed."

"Ms. Lee seems to be very much interested in this case," SD remarked. "As Ms. Han said, if he's guilty, he'll be jailed. And all evidence is pointing that way."

Hyeri turned towards her father. "I believe that my father has been forced to throw out one of his most loyal supporters as soon as charges of murder and cirruption came up. If Shin Hyun is not punished, then my father's credibility will be at stake. Don't you think so, dad?"

"That is true," Lee said thoughtfully. "If Hyun is acquitted, then my decision to sack him will be questioned by the public. And that is a detrimental blow to the ruling party."

So that's why he invited me! Sunye realized. SD also came to the same conclusion and suppressed a smirk. The Prime Minister wanted Hyun in jail because if the Finance Minister was released, then Lee would become a laughing stock. People will doubt him as a ruler for not looking at facts before sacking a high official. Lee wanted Hyun in prison regardless of his involvement in the crime.

Lucky me! SD thought gleefully. Lee is sending his most important official into SD's clutches.

"I will fight this case with full honesty," Sunye clearly said. "The court will decide the rest."

"Then you better put in your utmost attention to this case!" Lee laughed. "We don't want a criminal like Hyun to get away!"

Which translates to if-you-lose-you-die, Sunye thought bitterly.

"She will win," Jonghyun challenged his father. "Hyun will pay for his crimes."

"Brother, you really do have a naive view of the world," Hyeri commented. "Do all criminals get their due punishment in court?"

"No," Jonghyun said. "But we have to try until the truth is out. If we lose once, doesn't mean we'll lose the second time. And mind you, Sunye has never lost a case. She'll do fine."

Jonghyun's gaze was hard and fierce. Lee was about to open his mouth to speak but someone else spoke up instead.

"After all," SD added. "We also don't want people to further accuse Prime Minister Lee's cabinet of crime and corruption, right? Since, that will only hamper your chances of winning the next election."