The courtroom buzzed with whispers and flashing cameras as the civil hearing against Madam Seo began. Hena sat calmly beside Damian, dressed in an elegant beige suit, her long hair tied in a neat ponytail. Her expression was composed, but her hands were clenched tightly under the table.
Damian leaned in. "Whatever happens today, I'm proud of you."
She gave a small smile. "This is just the beginning."
Across the room, Madam Seo entered with her legal team, dressed in a striking black suit with a pearl brooch pinned to her collar. She still had her signature air of elegance, but her posture was stiff—her confidence forced.
Jun-ho arrived late, walking in with a folder of evidence in hand. He nodded at Hena, then approached the judge's assistant with the new documents. His expression was stoic, but underneath was quiet fury.
The hearing began with both parties presenting their cases. Madam Seo's lawyers argued that Hena had no legal standing—that she was never formally recognized as an heir and that she was trying to destroy the family reputation out of jealousy.
Then Jun-ho took the stand.
"I am Madam Seo's son," he said, looking directly at her, "but I'm also the half-brother of both Seo Hara and Seo Hena. These," he held up the documents, "are proof of the deception carried out to erase one of my sisters."
He recounted the secret storage room, the birth certificates, and the notarized will of their father that clearly listed both girls as equal heirs.
Madam Seo's expression didn't flicker, but her fingers tapped rapidly against the chair's arm.
"She's lying!" her lawyer objected. "None of this proves ownership!"
The judge quieted the court and motioned for Hena's lawyer to proceed. Hena rose from her seat.
"I don't want to destroy anyone," she said, facing the court. "I just want my name back. My identity. The life that was taken from me without my consent."
She looked at Madam Seo. "You could've told the truth. But you chose to bury it and replace me. That ends today."
The hearing was adjourned temporarily while the court verified the documents. Hena and Damian stepped out into the hallway.
"She didn't even flinch," Hena said quietly.
"She's good at wearing masks," Damian replied. "But we cracked it today."
Just then, Min-ah approached them in a hurry. "There's something you need to know. Hara's been planning something."
Hena's eyebrows rose. "I thought she left Madam Seo's side?"
"She did," Min-ah said. "But she's not sitting this out. She's staying in a private villa near Incheon and working with Jae-woon. She's preparing a press conference to accuse you of manipulating the court and faking documents."
Damian scoffed. "Typical."
"I'll handle it," Hena said firmly. "Let her play her game. She's the one running out of moves."
---
At the villa, Hara paced the living room, her phone in one hand, a wine glass in the other. Jae-woon sat on the couch, watching her silently.
"They're using Jun-ho against me," she muttered. "My own brother."
"You said you were done with Madam Seo," he reminded her gently.
"I am," Hara said coldly. "But that doesn't mean I'll let Hena take everything. I'm not going to sit back while she plays the innocent victim."
"She's not playing," Min-ah said, entering the room. "She is the victim."
Hara glared. "Why are you defending her now?"
Min-ah crossed her arms. "Because I'm tired of watching you self-destruct. Hena hasn't attacked you once. All she wants is her name and a life of her own."
"She stole everything!" Hara snapped. "She stole Damian. She stole my future. And now even Jun-ho—"
Jae-woon stood. "You pushed Jun-ho away. Just like you pushed me away. You think everyone's against you, but maybe you're the problem."
"Get out," Hara said through gritted teeth.
But Jae-woon didn't move. "You said you'd fight like a woman. So stop acting like a child."
Min-ah sighed and stepped between them. "Stop, both of you."
There was silence for a moment before Hara finally sat down, rubbing her temples. "Fine. I'll let Hena win her courtroom war. But the media… the people? That's my battlefield."
Meanwhile, Damian met his mother, Victoria Langford, at a luxury café in Gangnam. She sipped her espresso and regarded him with cool disapproval.
"You're really serious about this girl," she said.
"Her name is Hena. And yes, I am."
Victoria raised a perfectly arched brow. "You've only known her a few months. You were once engaged to her sister."
"That was a mistake," Damian replied. "One I've corrected."
"She's not even American," Victoria added. "Do you really think your father's board will approve this? We're preparing to move operations back to the States."
"I don't care if they approve. I'll build something new if I have to."
Victoria studied him for a long moment. "You're as stubborn as your grandfather."
"Then I learned from the best."
She sighed and placed her cup down. "Fine. I'll meet her. But I'm not promising anything."
---
That evening, Damian invited Hena to dinner at a rooftop restaurant overlooking Seoul's skyline. The soft jazz music and candlelight added warmth to the night air.
He poured her a glass of wine and held her hand. "How does it feel… winning the first round?"
Hena exhaled. "Like breathing after being underwater too long."
"And the next step?"
"We fight back—corporate, legal, and public."
Damian smiled. "Then let's do it together."
They clinked glasses as the city lights shimmered beneath them.