Chapter Six

The atmosphere outside the courthouse was heavy, thick with anticipation. Hye-Jin adjusted her bag strap over her shoulder, her icy-blue eyes scanning the crowd with quiet precision.

Sung Jin-Hun was beside her, radiating a forced confidence that only sharpened her simmering disdain. The defendant, Kim Hyun-Jo, lagged slightly behind, flanked by his legal team, his face tight with stress.

Hye-Jin's attention was drawn to Ji-Soo and the plaintiff, Seo Joo-Ra as they emerged from the mob of onlookers.

Ji-Soo's sharp eyes glinted with satisfaction, and the subtle smirk playing on her lips was as much of a challenge as it was a victory lap. Seo Joo-Ra stood confidently beside her, the crisp lines of her tailored suit reflecting the poise and strength she exuded.

The space between the two groups was electric as their gazes met — Hye-Jin's calm resolve, Ji-Soo's predatory confidence, and Sung Jin-Hun's barely concealed frustration. Neither woman spoke, but the unspoken tension hung in the air, thick and unyielding.

Ji-Soo's lips finally curved into a razor-sharp smile. »See you inside,« she said simply, her voice dripping with an assuredness that made Sung Jin-Hun's jaw tighten. Without waiting for a response, she turned on her heel and led Seo Joo-Ra into the building.

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The trial proceeded with cold efficiency.

Ji-Soo's arguments honed to perfection landed blow after blow against Kim Hyun-Jo's defense. Hye-Jin presented her case diligently, but the mounting weight of the evidence against Kim Hyun-Jo — and Ji-Soo's masterful handling of it — created an undeniable momentum.

The tension in the room was palpable as the judge delivered the verdict.

Kim Hyun-Jo, sentenced to life in prison without parole.

The silence that followed was deafening, broken only by the scraping of chairs and murmurs as the court adjourned.

Kim Joon-Ho, who had been silent during the proceedings, erupted into fury as the sentence was read, his voice booming through the courtroom. »You'll pay for this, Cho Hye-Jin! I'll get you and you won't see another day, you cunning, dirty lying bitch!« he roared, pointing a trembling finger, struggling to get over the border, trying to reach her.

It took several security guards to restrain him, dragging him out as his curses echoed through the halls.

But Hye-Jin's expression remained impassive, though her clenched fists betrayed the tension coursing through her.

As the courtroom emptied and the chaos of the verdict settled, Hye-Jin stepped into the empty hallway. The weight of the case lingered heavily on her shoulders, but the adrenaline coursing through her veins kept her focused. She glanced around cautiously, her instincts sharper than ever after Kim Joon-Ho's violent outburst.

Sung Jin-Hun wasn't far behind, his face a thundercloud of frustration and humiliation. He approached Ji-Soo with a sharpness in his stride, his voice low but cutting as he spoke. »I hope you enjoyed your brief victory, Ji-Soo. Don't think this is over.«

Ji-Soo raised an eyebrow, her smile unwavering. »Oh, I wouldn't dream of it,« she replied smoothly, her tone a mix of mockery and finality. The exchange left Sung Jin-Hun seething, and he cast a scornful glance toward Hye-Jin as she exited the building moments later.

Hye-Jin barely acknowledged him, her focus already elsewhere. The events of the trial were only the beginning — she could feel the storm brewing on the horizon, a storm that threatened to shake the very foundations of her life and the powers that governed the city.

The crowd outside had only grown thicker, the buzz of reporters and onlookers filling the air. Ji-Soo and Seo Joo-Ra emerged first, their expressions calm but triumphant. Ji-Soo's eyes scanned the crowd briefly before she exchanged a few quick words with Seo Joo-Ra, who nodded and made her way toward a waiting car.

Hye-Jin's siblings, Sang-Hung and Ha-Jin, were waiting for her outside, their presence a welcome shield against the intensity of the day. Sang-Hung, ever protective, placed a firm hand on her shoulder. Oblivious to the play that had just unfolded inside, the not-so-silent threat that hung in the air. »You okay?« he asked, his voice low and steady.

»I will be once I'm finally back home,« Hye-Jin replied, her icy-blue eyes scanning the crowd. She caught a glimpse of Ji-Soo and Seo Joo-Ra in the distance, their expressions unreadable. Ji-Soo's sharp, dirty yellow eyes locked briefly with Hye-Jin's, the faintest smirk tugging at her lips before she turned away with her plaintiff.

Nearby, Sung Jin-Hun stood stiffly, his fists clenched at his sides as he exchanged heated words with Ji-Soo. His frustration was palpable, his ego bruised beyond repair.

The sight made Hye-Jin's stomach churn; she knew this wouldn't end there.

As they walked toward the already waiting car, her phone buzzed with a new message.

Ji-Soo.

"Well played. But don't get too comfortable just yet—we've only scratched the surface."

Hye-Jin tucked her phone away, her mind already whirring with the implications of Ji-Soo's cryptic message. The trial might have ended, but the battle was far from over. The words sent a chill down Hye-Jin's spine. But before her mind could wander further, Ha-Jin nudged her gently. »Come on. Let's get away from here.«

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Back at her apartment, Hye-Jin poured herself a cup of tea, the warmth soothing her frayed nerves. She replayed the events of the day in her mind — the tension in the courtroom, Joon-Ho's threats, Sung Jin-Hun's anger, and Ji-Soo's cryptic message.

It all felt like the beginning of something far bigger than just the trial.

A faint sound — a knock at the door — interrupted the silence of the room.

Hye-Jin froze, her hand instinctively reaching for the pepper spray on her counter. She approached the door cautiously, peering through the peephole.

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Gyeong-Ja stood on the other side, her brown eyes fixated on her door, seeming darker under the hallway light.

Hye-Jin's breath caught as she unlocked the door, her instincts telling her to stay on guard even though this was her best friend standing in front of her door. "Gyeong-Ja, what are you doing here?,« Hye-Jin was genuinely surprised, »I thought you wanted to be long gone, I've already imagined you at the beach in Italy, sipping cocktails surrounded by handsome and well-built men.", but her voice remained steady despite the unease bubbling in her chest.

»I need to talk to you,« Gyeong-Ja replied, her tone calm but intense. »It's important.«