AUTHOR'S POV

Mr. Lim sat at his desk, reviewing the latest legal documents when his assistant burst into the room with urgent news.

"Mr. Lim, Mrs. Lee has requested that Jongsuk's death sentence be pardoned," the assistant said, her voice filled with concern.

Mr. Lim's face hardened at the mention of Mrs. Lee's request. "Absolutely not. Jongsuk deserves to pay for his crimes," he replied firmly.

"But Mrs. Lee is insistent. She believes he deserves a second chance," the assistant insisted.

Mr. Lim leaned back in his chair, his mind racing with possibilities. After a moment of contemplation, he spoke with a sinister tone, "Find the lawyer who took up Jongsuk's case. Offer them whatever they want to drop the case. I won't let this happen."

The assistant hesitated, clearly uncomfortable with the sinister turn the situation was taking. "But sir, isn't that... unethical?"

Mr. Lim raised an eyebrow. "Ethics have no place in this world, my dear assistant. We have a reputation to uphold, and we cannot afford any loose ends."

The assistant bit their lip, contemplating the implications of Mr. Lim's orders. "What if the lawyer refuses the offer?"

A sly smile crept onto Mr. Lim's face. "Then we have other means to ensure that Jongsuk's fate remains unchanged. Let's just say that Mrs. Lee will not be an obstacle for much longer."

The assistant shuddered at the coldness in Mr. Lim's tone. "I understand, sir. I'll make the necessary arrangements."

As the assistant hurried out of the room, Mr. Lim's eyes gleamed with ruthless determination

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Y/N

I was engrossed in the pile of legal papers scattered on my desk when the sound of the door creaking open disrupted my concentration. I looked up to see a man I didn't recognize stepping into the room. His sharp gaze scanned the surroundings before settling on me.

I cleared my throat, breaking the silence. "Can I help you?" I inquired, trying to mask the surprise in my voice. The man didn't respond immediately; instead, he took a few steps closer to my desk, his expression inscrutable.

"I'm here to ask you to withdraw from the Jongsuk case," the man stated bluntly, his eyes fixed on mine. His request caught me off guard, and I raised an eyebrow in response. 

"And who might you be?" I probed, trying to gauge his intentions. The man straightened his posture, a hint of defiance flashing in his eyes.

He let out a wry chuckle before replying, "Let's just say I have a vested interest in the outcome of this case." The mysterious aura that surrounded him made me suspicious of his intentions. "I'm willing to pay any amount you ask for," he added, as if that would change my mind.

I stood up from my chair, feeling a surge of indignation at his proposition. "What you're asking me to do is unethical and immoral," I retorted firmly, my tone leaving no room for negotiation. "I'm not the kind of person who bends to such cheap tactics."

He seemed taken aback by my response, his facade cracking for a moment. "But think about the repercussions if you don't comply," he insisted, desperation creeping into his voice. I shook my head, unwilling to compromise my principles for any amount of money.

The man's expression hardened, his demeanor now more assertive. "You don't seem to understand the gravity of the situation. Consider my offer carefully. It would be wise not to make enemies out of those who hold considerable power."

I took a step closer, meeting his gaze with unwavering resolve. "I am not afraid of threats, no matter how powerful the source. Justice and righteousness are not for sale, and I will not be bought. Now, I suggest you leave before I take further action."

With a final glare, the man turned on his heel and exited the cabin. As I watched him go, a sense of foreboding washed over me. His visit had confirmed my suspicions that the Jongsuk case was far more complex and sinister than it appeared on the surface. There were dark forces at play, and I knew I would have to tread carefully if I wanted to uncover the truth behind the tangled web of deceit and lies that surrounded it.

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TAEHYUNG

I was making my way back home after a long day at the station, my mind filled with thoughts of paperwork and pending cases. All I could think about was a hot shower and a quiet evening at home, far from the noise of the precinct.

As I turned the corner, lost in thought, I bumped into someone. It wasn't a hard collision, but it was enough to jar me out of my tired daze.

I stumbled back a step, blinking in surprise as my gaze met the person I had run into. Of all the people to bump into, of course, it had to be her. Y/n.

She stood there, hands on her hips, eyes wide in shock, but the expression that quickly replaced it was pure annoyance. She wasn't a stranger — far from it. I knew her from the times we'd crossed paths around the station, though not by choice. She was always around when there was something that needed stirring up, always eager to throw a wrench into the gears of whatever system I was trying to keep running smoothly. Her fiery nature, paired with a sharp tongue, had made us... less than friends.

"Officer Kim," she said, her voice carrying an undertone of both surprise and irritation.

 I wiped a hand across my face, feeling the fatigue settle deeper. "Watch where you're going," I said, before I could stop myself. My words were short, more cutting than I intended, but the exhaustion in my body was beginning to manifest in my tone.

Her eyes widened, her eyebrows shooting up in disbelief. Her mouth twisted into a scowl as she took a step closer, clearly not appreciating my response.

"Excuse me? Rude much, Officer?" she shot back, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

I could already feel the tension between us rising, and I sighed inwardly. Great. This was exactly what I didn't need after a twelve-hour shift. A confrontation with Y/n, of all people. I opened my mouth to apologize — or at least explain — but she beat me to it.

"No, seriously," she continued, her hands now firmly planted on her hips. "You've been walking around like you own the place for the past year, haven't you? Acting all high and mighty in that uniform of yours." Her tone was biting, sharp like a whip. "You really think you can talk to me like that?"

I could feel my patience thinning. I was tired, I was cranky, and I didn't want to deal with her right now. But I wasn't the type to let someone walk all over me either, especially when they were clearly looking for a fight.

I couldn't help but scoff at her reaction. "You bumped into me and didn't even apologize. Typical."

Y/n shook her head, a smug smile playing on her lips. "I don't apologize to people who act like they own the streets."

I raised an eyebrow, not backing down. "Maybe if you paid more attention to your surroundings, you wouldn't be walking into people."

Y/n crossed her arms, a smug smile playing on her lips. "Well, maybe if you weren't so busy being the self-proclaimed guardian of the law, you'd watch where you're going too."

I narrowed my eyes, not willing to let her have the upper hand. "At least I have a job that serves a purpose other than defending criminals."

Before Y/n could retort, my phone rang. I shot her a pointed look and turned away to take the call. As I listened to the voice on the other end, Y/n's gaze bore into the back of my head, a silent challenge lingering between us.

After finishing the call, I turned back to Y/n, who folded her arms across her chest. "Always on duty, I see," she remarked, her tone dripping with sarcasm.

I matched her stare with a steely gaze. "Unlike some people, I take my job seriously."

Y/n rolled her eyes. "Oh, please. You're just a glorified babysitter in a uniform."

I couldn't help but chuckle at her audacity. "And you're just a smooth-talking lawyer who's willing to defend anyone for the right price."

She smirked. "Touché, Officer Kim. At least we can agree on something."

"I've got to go," I said, brushing past her. "Don't cause any trouble while I'm away."

Y/n grinned mischievously. "No promises, Officer. Have a good night."

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