Taehyung's POV:

Taehyung sat at the defendant's table, his hands clasped tightly in front of him, as if to keep himself together. The hum of the courtroom seemed distant, drowned out by the wailing of his own mind. He had no idea how much time had passed since his arrest—everything had become a blur of interrogations, sleepless nights, and the weight of accusations.

And now, here he was, in court, feeling more like a stranger to his own life than ever before.

His eyes widened as he saw Kim Seokjin enter the courtroom. The powerful presence of his CEO caused Taehyung's neck hairs to stand on end. Seokjin, dressed immaculately in a dark blue suit, headed across the room with the confidence of someone who not only belonged but completely owned everything around him.

What is he doing here?

Taehyung's pulse rose as he saw Seokjin take his seat next to none other than Kim Namjoon, the company's trusted and most powerful attorney. He had heard about Namjoon's reputation as being smart, meticulous, and tireless with what he did. It was no surprise to see him here; Namjoon had always been Seokjin's go-to attorney in any legal situation.

But seeing them both in this courtroom, representing Kim Hana's side of the case, left Taehyung reeling.

Of course. Taehyung let out a bitter sigh under his breath. He had already known that trying to investigate anything at the company would be useless. Seokjin was not a man to let things slip through his fingers, and now, seeing him here in person only cemented that fact.

The thought of Seokjin's influence made his stomach turn. He needed not only respect but also devotion, control, and silence. No one at the company would have dared to speak up, not with Seokjin's ever-watchful eye over them.

As the judge entered and the courtroom rose to its feet, Taehyung followed the motion mechanically, his gaze still flickering toward Seokjin and Namjoon. The weight of their presence was suffocating, and for a moment, he wondered if the two of them were there to bury him further under the accusations.

When everyone had returned to their seats, Taehyung noticed Jimin looking at him, his expression calm but firm.

"You'll be fine," Jimin had said earlier, resting a hand on his shoulder as they entered the courtroom.

But now, under the dominating gaze of Kim Seokjin, that assurance felt fragile. Taehyung tightened his grip on the edge of the table, his knuckles turning white.

Why is he here?

As Namjoon stood up and introduced himself as Kim Hana's attorney, Taehyung felt the ground beneath him move. Seokjin remained sitting, his steely gaze unflinching as a quiet storm raged in his eyes.

Taehyung felt the realization like a punch in the gut.

This isn't just about protecting the company. Seokjin's playing a bigger game—and I'm caught in the middle of it.

Taehyung gulped hard, pushing himself to remain calm. He'd have to deal with whatever game was going on. Even if it meant fighting alone against forces far more powerful than himself.

Because deep down, he knew one thing: I'm not the killer. I am not the accused. I am innocent.

Those words echoed in his mind, the only prayer to which he clung as the trial unfolded around him.

The judge's gavel struck hard, drowning out the murmuring in the courtroom. Taehyung flinched slightly at the sound but straightened his posture when the judge's voice rang out.

"Kim Taehyung," the judge continued, his tone stern yet unbiased. "Please step forward to take the stand."

Taehyung's breath got in his throat, and his heart raced in his chest. He paused briefly, but Jimin leaned in and whispered softly, "Go. Remember, you are innocent. Just tell the truth."

Taehyung nodded and got to his feet, his legs feeling heavier than ever. Each step toward the witness stand felt like a mile, as the courtroom's combined attention pressed down on him.

As he settled into the stand, the bailiff approached, holding out a small, worn Bible. "Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth?"

"I do," Taehyung replied, his voice steady despite the shaking in his hands.

The judge nodded at the prosecutor. "You may begin."

The prosecutor, a sharp-looking woman with piercing eyes and a firm way, took a step forward. Her presence was authoritative, similar to Namjoon's, but with an undercurrent of deliberate force.

"Mr. Kim Taehyung," she said, her tone clear and sharp. "Let's begin with the details of the night in question. You earlier claimed that you got a call from Kim Hana. Is this correct?

"Yes," Taehyung responded, his voice less hard but firmer. "She called me around nine in the evening."

"And what did she say during that call?"

"She... she sounded panicked," Taehyung said, recalling the moment with a tightening in his chest. "She asked me to come over to her apartment immediately."

The prosecutor's brow raised slightly. "And you complied?" Without asking for further details?

"Yes," Taehyung said. "She was my manager and someone I respected. I didn't think to question her at the time—I only wanted to help."

The prosecutor simply nodded, her expression unreadable. She paced a while before beginning. "So you went to her residence. And what did you find when you arrived?"

Taehyung tightened his grip on the edge of the stand. He drew a deep breath before answering. "When I arrived, the door was unlocked. I called out for her but got no response. The electricity went out shortly after I arrived, and when I found her..." He froze, his throat tightening as the sight of Hana's lifeless body flashed in his head. "She was already dead."

A murmur echoed throughout the courtroom but was quickly silenced by the judge's gavel.

The prosecutor's expression sharpened somewhat. "You found her dead. Nevertheless, you remained there alone until the authorities arrived. Is this correct?

"Yes," Taehyung said, his voice barely audible.

"Why?" the prosecutor pressed, her tone sharpening. "Why not leave or get help right away? Why stay with the body?"

Taehyung looked down as he struggled to find the words. "I... I was in shock," he said. "I wasn't sure what to do. I couldn't just leave her there like that."

The prosecutor's eyes narrowed, and Taehyung felt the weight of her attention. He knew it was only the beginning, but he clung to his line like a lifeline.

I am not the killer. I am innocent.

Even as he clung to his belief, the prosecutor stepped closer, her voice firming but becoming sharper.

"Mr. Kim," she said slowly, as if carefully choosing her words, "you were found alone at the scene, covered in blood, with no witnesses to back up the story you told. Can you understand why that might seem suspicious?"

Taehyung gulped hard, his throat drying as he nodded. "I understand," he stated calmly. "But I did not do it. I swear I did not kill her."

The courtroom was silent, except for the faint scratching of pens on notepads by the press and observers.

The prosecutor's lips formed a slight, almost predatory smile. "Then who did?" she said, her tone challenging. "If you didn't kill Kim Hana, Mr. Kim, then who did?"

Taehyung froze, the question suspended in the air like a noose. He opened his mouth, but no words came.

He didn't know. He didn't have an answer.

Jimin stood and said, "I object, Your Honor," in a firm and commanding voice. The judge raised an eyebrow as he looked at him. "On what grounds, Attorney Park?" Jimin squared his shoulders and straightened his tie.

"My client is under undue pressure to disclose facts he does not have because the question is speculative. Finding the true perpetrator is the responsibility of law enforcement and the prosecution, not my client. Mr. Kim is not here to solve the crime; he is here to defend his innocence." The prosecutor's little smirk wavered for a second before she composed herself as a murmur echoed through the courtroom.

The judge nodded, his expression neutral. "Sustained. Prosecutor, please refrain from asking questions that require the defendant to speculate." Jimin didn't miss a beat, his voice firm as he continued.

"Furthermore, Your Honor, because my client had been found at the crime scene, he was arrested solely on suspicion. He is not directly linked to the murderous crime by any hard evidence. Being there doesn't include guilt." A second, louder murmur echoed across the courtroom. The prosecutor's lips tightened as she shifted her stance, and the tension in the room became evident.

Author's POV

Jimin's keen eyes darted to Jisoo and Taeko, who were sitting and watching the trail.

Both officers' eyes were wide, their surprise clear.

Jisoo leaned closer to Taeko and whispered under his breath, "Did you see that? He just—he just threw it right back at us. Blunt as a brick wall."

Taeko's reaction matched Jisoo's astonishment. She'd seen Jimin's sharp wit in smaller situations, but seeing him wield it as a weapon in court was something different entirely. Despite his inexperience, he made himself with a commanding presence that threw even the most experienced prosecutor off guard.

Jimin's attention was unshakeable. He returned his gaze to the judge, his look serene but unwavering. Every word he spoke seemed carefully picked, each remark meant to strengthen Taehyung's defense.

Maybe he's better at this than I gave him credit for, Taeko thought, though a flicker of unease lingered in her chest.

This case was becoming increasingly complicated by the minute, and Jimin's ability to navigate its treacherous waters, while impressive, only highlighted the tangled web they were all caught in.

Jimin took a step forward, his voice audible in the quiet courtroom. "Your Honor," he started, his tone calm but determined, "if I may, I'd like to question the officers who arrested my client."

The judge stared at him attentively for a time before nodding. "You may proceed, Mr. Park."

Jimin turned to face Taeko and Jisoo, his eyes sharp and focused. "Officer Jin, Officer Park," he addressed them, his voice polite but with a distinct undertone of challenge, "can you talk us over exactly what happened that led to my client's arrest?"

Taeko shifted in her seat, feeling the courtroom's gaze on her. She exchanged a short glance with Jisoo, who straightened in his chair, apparently irritated by Jimin's gaze.

Damn, he just made us look like fools, Jisoo thought, the irritation clear in the slight twitch of his jaw.

"Well," Taeko began, her voice steady but tinged with a hint of defensiveness, "I arrived at the scene after receiving a report from Officer Park while I was on patrol. He had reached the apartment before me." She paused for a breath before continuing, "When I entered, I saw Mr. Kim sitting beside the victim's dead body."

Jimin tilted his head slightly, his face calm but attentive. "I see. And what was Mr. Kim doing when you spotted him?

Taeko paused for a moment before recalling the situation in vivid detail. "He sat on the floor with his hands trembling. He looked... shocked. Almost frozen."

Jimin gave a cautious nod, his attention briefly diverting to the jury before reverting to Taeko. "Did he attempt to flee or resist your presence in any way?"

"No," Taeko said firmly. "He didn't resist. He didn't move until we reached him."

Jimin's lips pressed into a faint line, as if processing what she said. "Let me clarify, Officer Jin. You found my client at the site, visibly shocked but otherwise cooperative. Is this correct?"

"Yes," Taeko confirmed, her tone tense with unease.

Jimin's gaze sharpened. "And apart from the blood that was on him, did you or Officer Park find any evidence—physical or otherwise—that specifically connected my client to the act of murder?"

Taeko paused, glancing momentarily at Jisoo, whose jaw had quite tightened. She shook her head lightly. "No," she explained quietly.

A murmur echoed throughout the courtroom, with faint whispers of speculation rising before the judge's gavel restored order.

Jimin paused for a bit before turning his focus to Jisoo. "Officer Park, as the first officer on the scene, would you agree with Officer Jin's assessment of Mr. Kim's behavior?"

Jisoo gritted his teeth before answering, his voice harsh. "Yes, I'd agree. He didn't protest, and he seemed... shocked."

Jimin nodded, his expression neutral but deliberate. "Thank you, Officers. That will be all for now."

Turning back to the judge, Jimin spoke with quiet confidence. "Your Honor, I believe it is clear that my client was arrested based solely on circumstantial evidence. His presence at the scene does not suggest his guilt, and there is no direct evidence tying him to the crime. I request that the court take this into consideration as we proceed."

The prosecutor even went so far as to admit that there was no physical evidence connecting Taehyung to the crime. She turned her sharp gaze toward the two officers sitting in the witness area. Her piercing glare spoke louder than words, a silent accusation that seemed to scream, Do scream! Do you have any experience?

Taeko felt the weight of that glare, and her cheeks warmed slightly as she sat taller in her chair. Jisoo's jaw clenched beside her, and his annoyance was obvious in the way he changed his posture, leaning forward as if ready to defend their actions.

But at that point, everyone seemed to forget about the other looming presence in the room: Kim Namjoon, the ruthless attorney for creative solutions.

The quiet tension was shattered as Namjoon stood from his chair, his movements deliberate and confident. His tall figure commanded attention, and all eyes turned to him as he strode toward the prosecutor's table.

"I would like to address the court," Namjoon began, his voice calm yet firm, his words carrying the weight of authority.

Even the prosecutor paused, momentarily thrown by his unexpected intervention. A ripple of curiosity spread through the courtroom as Namjoon's measured steps brought him to the center of attention.

"As the victim's legal representative," he continued, "it is my responsibility to ensure that every avenue is pursued to bring clarity to this matter." He gestured slightly, as if encompassing the entire room. "While the defendant's innocence or guilt is yet to be determined, we must not overlook the need for justice on behalf of the victim, Kim Hana."

The words settled heavily in the room, and the prosecutor tilted her head, studying him cautiously.

Namjoon turned his sharp gaze toward Taeko and Jisoo, his expression unreadable but his tone cutting through the silence. "Officers Jin and Park, as the first responders to the scene, your testimony is critical to uncovering the truth. However, I must ask—did either of you collect any evidence or documentation regarding the events leading up to this tragic incident? Anything that could provide context to the relationship between my client and the accused?"

Taeko blinked, confused by the question. "We—" she paused, her mind rushing to form a meaningful statement.

Namjoon's voice softened slightly, but his gaze remained unrelenting. "If there is nothing substantial, officers, then I must question whether this investigation has been approached with the diligence that a case of this magnitude demands."

The implication hung in the air, sharp and unavoidable.

Jisoo tightened his fists at his sides, and his face turned slightly scarlet. "We conducted the investigation to the best of our abilities given the circumstances," he replied with a strained voice.

Namjoon's lips formed a slight, almost imperceptible smile. "I believe that is the case, Officer Park. However, the court and I both expect diligence and objectivity. Anything less risks compromising the pursuit of justice."

The tension in the room reached a palpable peak as Namjoon returned to his seat, his poise unshaken.

Taeko exhaled shakily, her hands gripping the edge of her seat. The prosecutor's earlier glare was nothing compared to the weight of Namjoon's questions.

After a few more arguments, when The courtroom was tense as the judge's gavel struck once, drawing everyone's attention. His words echoed clearly throughout the room.

"Based on the information presented today, it is clear that this investigation requires more diligence and clarity," the judge declared, casting his eyes across the courtroom. "To this end, the court grants complete authorization to the police to take all necessary steps to uncover the truth. Furthermore, the primary suspect, Kim Taehyung, will be under police surveillance but will not be arrested at this time."

As the judge spoke, there was a wave of murmuring across the courtroom. "The next trial session is scheduled for one month from today, during which the court expects substantive progress in the investigation."

The gavel struck again, referring to the conclusion of the day's sessions. "Court is adjourned."

Taeko breathed quietly, her thoughts swirling with frustration and rush. As she stood to gather her notes, a voice cut through the background noise.

"I think now you may investigate our employees, Officer Jin."

She turned swiftly, her gaze falling on Kim Seokjin. The CEO stood with the same icy, indifferent look he had since they first met. His midnight-brown eyes bore no warmth, no hint of the strain or frustration she anticipated seeing after such a long day in court.

Taeko narrowed her eyes, the question burning in her mind yet unspoken: Why? Why would Kim Seokjin, who had so adamantly refused to let her and Jisoo question his staff, suddenly be here with his most trusted attorney, Kim Namjoon, as Kim Hana's lawyer? Why would he make such an abrupt shift in his stance?

His presence on the court felt calculated and deliberate, as if every move he made was part of a larger game.

"Why the sudden change of heart, Mr. Kim?" She asked hesitantly, her voice tinged with suspicion.

Seokjin tilted his head slightly, a small smirk creeping on his lips but never reaching his cold gaze. "Because, Officer Jin, I believe transparency is necessary now—for the sake of the company's reputation."

Her eyebrows furrowed. "That's a different tune from what you said before."

Seokjin's stare intensified, but his tone remained calm. "Circumstances change, Officer. Priorities shift."

Taeko felt a tinge of anxious creep up her spine. His words were cautious, and his demeanor was unclear. She wasn't sure if this was a genuine concession or if he was trying to add a layer of manipulation.

"I trust you'll handle this investigation with the professionalism expected of someone in your position," he said, his voice carrying a subtle but distinct edge.

Before she could respond, Seokjin turned on his heel, his presence as commanding in his departure as it had been throughout the day. Namjoon followed close behind, his expression equally stoic.

"Let's see how far they can go," Seokjin mumbled underneath his breath with a smirk playing on his lips.

Taeko's POV

I stood frozen for a moment, my mind racing with questions I couldn't yet answer. What is that CEO up to? His every action seemed calculated, deliberate, as though he were moving pieces on a chessboard only he could see. Whatever his intentions, one thing was clear: I needed to proceed with caution.

As I watched Seokjin and Namjoon leave, my stomach churned.

Jisoo let out a short whistle to break the silence. "That guy gives me the creeps," he said quietly, shaking his head. "But at least now we've got access to the company."

"Yeah," I said absently, my gaze drawn to the door through which Seokjin had departed. But, at what cost? I wondered.

I returned to the room and focused my attention on the attorney with Coca-Cola hair; of course, it's Jimin. He stood there with a sheepish smile on his face, feeling far too relaxed for someone who had just put us on trial in front of the entire court.

Damn, that smile! I thought, battling the urge to roll my eyes. If his face hadn't been so annoyingly baby-like, I might have considered punching him. But hitting a lawyer, particularly this one, would just worsen the situation.

Instead, I looked past him at Taehyung, who was standing silently to Jimin's right. His eyes were fixated on the doorway, his expression uncertain.

Maybe he's as shocked as I am, I thought, remembering how his shoulders had tensed when Seokjin entered the courtroom. When I told Taehyung that his CEO had refused to let us question his colleagues, the loss of hope in his eyes was visible.

He must have been even more shaken to see Seokjin show up with his lawyer to supposedly support transparency.

Nonetheless, I was forced to accept that at least one thing had gone in his favor. Taehyung was no longer in custody and could focus on proving his innocence.

Wait, my inner voice warned me. You shouldn't be relieved for him. He is still a suspect, even if he is no longer in a cell.

I tightened my teeth and forced myself to look away from his face. Taehyung's innocence or guilt remained irrelevant until founded. My job was to figure out the truth, no matter how tangled my emotions became.

"Officer Jin," Jimin said in a smooth voice that jolted me out of my reverie.

I turned to face him, and his smirk returned, as if he sensed my annoyance. "What now?" I asked, my tone rougher than meant.

Jimin tilted his head slightly, his smile getting bigger. "You're welcome, by the way."

"For what?"

"For reminding the court that my client's arrest was baseless," he continued, his voice dripping with exaggerated generosity. "You made my job a little easier today."

Jisoo grumbled beside me, clearly frustrated with Jimin's antics. "You're lucky you have a pretty face, or—"

"Or what?" Jimin interjected, his eyes bright with amusement. "You'd do what, Officer Park? Give me a strong warning?"

I rubbed my temples along with a groan. This is going to be a long month.