Broken Summer: A Novel by J.M. Lee

Author:J.M. Lee [Lee, J.M.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Amazon Crossing
Published: 2022-09-01T04:00:00+00:00

Hanjo

The application for an injunction to prevent publication was futile. Your Lies About Me was put on display in the fiction section of large bookstores. Sales began to increase after it was mentioned under “new publications” in several media outlets. Flustered, Hanjo shouted into his cell phone.

“The . . . the book is all over the bookstores! Do you know what the ad says? I was nineteen then. And he was forty. It’s obviously hinting at statutory rape. You said you’d do everything you could. You told me that you would mobilize the media, submit a list of contents, file a lawsuit, so what have you done?”

Suin understood Hanjo’s impatience, full as he was of a sense of betrayal. He took a deep breath and spoke soothingly. “Calm down and listen to me. As I told you, we could have sent the publisher a writ indicating that we would take legal action if they pushed ahead with publication, or we could have applied for an injunction to block publication.”

“But why didn’t you do anything?”

“It’s not that I did nothing—I kept my eye on the trends. Only think. Do you think they’d give up publishing because of a mere two-page writ? They would simply stimulate readers’ curiosity with noise marketing while they were waiting. An injunction is never granted by the courts unless there is a direct, explicit, and serious reason. Korea is a democratic republic where freedom of expression and freedom of publication are alive and well, right?”

“Then you deceived me the day I met you, while I trusted you?”

Hanjo sounded like someone suffering from rheumatism, whose nerves were on edge because of the pain. An unfamiliar feeling of sorrow pierced Suin’s breast like a needle. He began to whistle quietly.

“I didn’t deceive you; I reassured you. Look, the situation is not as bad as you think. No damage has occurred yet. Literally, a novel is just fiction; not many readers believe it’s a true story. But if damage emerges, we’ll fight. If we’re lucky, there’ll be no damage.”

Hanjo was forced to accept that his brother knew the law better and that there was a particular language used in court. Whether the client was the victim or the perpetrator, it was Suin’s job to come up with a strategy capable of winning the case. If it was a fight that could not be won, the focus should be on minimizing the damage.

“Would you be speaking so calmly if you were the one involved? What should we do now? Should we wait patiently until rumors start to spread and the reporters rush in, sensing a scandal? Or what . . . ? What?” Hanjo struggled to find the right words.

Suin put an end to the conversation. “I’m busy right now. There are clients waiting in the interview room, so let’s meet and talk. After work today, or tomorrow, or the day after tomorrow . . . I’ll come to your house after work. I’ll be there around eight thirty.”

Suin hung up. He wasn’t someone who waited for the other person to hang up first.

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