EPISODE 86 – Where Justice Meets Power
As they returned to HQ, Minjae and Micha were met with congratulations from Kevin and Guen. The tension was palpable, but the excitement of their successful mission lingered in the air. Kevin clapped his hands together, a broad smile on his face.
"Alright, guys, you all did well. Now it's time for rest. Let's head home," Kevin announced, his voice filled with relief.
The team began to disperse, each member heading their separate ways. Dohee, however, had one final task to complete. With the evidence in hand, she made her way to the police station to ensure Mr. Kwan's arrest.
After a long day, everyone finally headed home. As Micha settled into her own apartment, she picked up her phone and dialed Dohee's number. The call was answered on the first ring.
"Hey, Dohee unnie! Everything is good? Did you handle them in the police station? Where are you now, unnie?" Micha asked, her voice filled with concern.
Dohee's warm laughter echoed through the line. "Yes, I gave them the evidence and explained all the crimes with proof. The police arrested Mr. Kwan. Now I'm heading home. I'm so sorry I didn't come to HQ, but I had a sudden case and its first trial is tomorrow. I was in a hurry and had to prepare all the evidence too."
Micha's voice was filled with understanding. "Oh, so good luck, unnie! Good night, have a safe journey!"
Dohee's response was laced with gratitude. "Yah, thank you. Good night, bye."
With that, the call ended, and Micha slipped into bed, a sense of satisfaction washing over her.
---
Next morning...
The courtroom is filled with tension. The judge sits at the front, a stern expression on his face. Dohee, a determined and passionate lawyer, stands at her table, papers scattered in front of her. Opposite her is Mr. Kim, a slick and confident lawyer representing the minister's son. Nayeon, a young girl in her late teens, sits nervously beside Dohee, her eyes filled with hope and fear.
"Court is now in session," the judge said, looking over his glasses. "We will hear the case of Nayeon vs. the defendant, Mr. Lee. Ms. Dohee, you may begin your argument."
Dohee rose, her voice steady. "Thank you, Your Honor. Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, today we are here to seek justice for Nayeon, a brave young woman who has faced unimaginable trauma. She was assaulted by the son of a powerful political figure, and we cannot allow wealth and influence to overshadow the truth."
"Your Honor, I object," Mr. Kim said with a smirk. "Ms. Dohee is attempting to sway the jury with emotional appeals rather than facts. The evidence clearly shows that there is no basis for these allegations."
Dohee turned to the jury. "With all due respect, Mr. Kim, the evidence has been manipulated. We have witnesses who can attest to Nayeon's character and the events that transpired that night. This is not just about evidence; it's about a young girl's life being shattered."
"And yet, Ms. Dohee," Mr. Kim leaned forward, "the so-called witnesses you mention have no credibility. They are friends of the victim, biased and unreliable. The defense has presented a solid case backed by facts."
"Facts? Or fabricated stories?" Dohee countered firmly. "The defense has used its resources to silence the truth. Nayeon deserves to be heard, and her story deserves to be validated."
Nayeon shifted in her seat, her eyes glistening with tears.
"Your Honor, I urge you to remind Ms. Dohee that this is a court of law, not a stage for theatrics," Mr. Kim said, leaning forward. "The evidence is clear, and the defendant is innocent until proven guilty."
Dohee's voice rose slightly. "Innocent? How can we call him innocent when he has the means to erase the truth? Nayeon has shown incredible courage by coming forward, and we owe it to her to pursue this case with integrity."
"Order in the court!" the judge interjected. "Ms. Dohee, please stick to the facts of the case."
Dohee nodded, taking a deep breath. "Of course, Your Honor. The facts are that Nayeon was assaulted, and the evidence that should support her claim has been tampered with. We have a second trial date, and I will ensure that we uncover the truth."
"Good luck with that, Ms. Dohee," Mr. Kim said with a smirk. "The truth is often buried deep, especially when powerful people are involved."
Dohee looked directly at Nayeon. "But we will dig until we find it. Nayeon, I promise you, we will not give up."
Nayeon nodded, her resolve strengthening.
"I will grant a second trial date," the judge said, looking at both lawyers. "However, I expect both parties to present their cases with integrity. Court is adjourned."
The gavel bangs, and the tension in the room lingers as Dohee and Nayeon exchange determined glances.
The courthouse hallway was a stark, unforgiving corridor of cold marble and indifferent silence. The trial was over, the gavel had fallen, and Dohee, despite her best efforts, had lost the first round. She stood outside the courtroom, her head bowed in defeat, listening to the sobs of her client. The victim, a young girl named Nayeon, and her family were inconsolable.
"Please, ma'am," Nayeon's father pleaded, his voice thick with tears. "Please, you're our only hope. That man... he ruined my daughter's life. Please, help us get justice."
Dohee's heart ached with a deep, consuming guilt. "Don't worry, uncle, aunty, and Nayeon," she said, her voice soft but firm. She knelt down and looked Nayeon in the eyes. "I will do whatever it takes to get justice. I promise you, I will send that monster to jail. Don't cry. I am like your elder sister, and I will protect you at any cost."
Just then, a man walked past them, his suit impeccable and his face a mask of condescending power. It was the political minister, the father of the man who had ruined Nayeon's life. He stopped and faced Dohee, a sneer on his lips.
"Hello, Dohee, my dear," he said, his voice dripping with faux charm. "You are so beautiful and talented, why are you making such a fuss? Just give up. Don't get yourself into trouble. This type of poor people are everywhere, just like helpless ants. Why are you even trying to help them? They can't even pay you enough money."
Dohee stood tall, her eyes blazing with a righteous fury. "I don't work for money," she replied, her voice as hard as the marble beneath her feet. "I am a lawyer, and my job is to give justice to victims and send criminals to jail. I have enough money, sir. Money is not my priority."
She turned and walked away, her back straight and her resolve unbroken, but the minister's words had left a bitter taste in her mouth. She got into her car and sat in the quiet, sterile confines of the vehicle, the weight of her defeat pressing down on her. She took a sip of water, her mind racing. She needed help. She needed a way to fight back against the minister's power and influence.
I need someone with a different kind of power, she thought to herself. Someone with connections in places I can't reach. Her thoughts immediately turned to Minjae. She knew his family had political connections, and he had a dangerous charm that could open doors she couldn't. She picked up her phone and called him, but the call went straight to voicemail.
Frustrated, she called Alex.
He answered on the second ring.
"Hey, Dohee," he said, his voice warm and loving. "What's up?"
"Hey, Alex," she replied, her voice soft. "Where are you?"
"I'm at the office," he said. "Just about to go into a meeting. What is it?"
"Oh," she said, a wave of disappointment washing over her. "You're busy, then. I'll talk to you later."
"No, no, it's okay," he insisted. "I have a few minutes. Is something wrong? You sound upset."
"No," she lied, forcing a light tone. "I just wanted to hear your voice. I'll talk to you later, okay? Love you."
"Love you too," he said, and the call ended.
She sat there for a moment, her mind racing. She knew she had to talk to Minjae, but she couldn't reach him. She tried calling him again, but he still didn't pick up.
A sudden knock on her window startled her. She turned and saw a girl with a round, innocent face, wearing baggy jeans, an oversized t-shirt, and big, round glasses. It was Micha, looking cute and completely unlike the fierce fighter she had been the night before.