855.

856.

857.

858.

859.

860.

861.

862.

863.

The court session was held privately since it involved a family and a major scandal as per their request. However, the public reaction, and Juwan filed a writ under the special provision, asking the honorable judge to consider Jungkook's present health condition and the mental state of the pup.

Some of the terms of the writ highlighted how this would affect the married life of the party involved and the consequences they would have to face as a family being the prominent figures in the pack. So their request to hold a confidential trial and lock the legal documents, marking it as unavailable for the public was accepted.

A few individuals demanded transparent legal proceedings. However, the court rejected their plea, stating that this was a family matter and could not be held publicly. Therefore, though there was disagreement, they couldn't do much because, as the court mentioned, this was a family matter.

Jungkook and the pup were excluded from attending the trial under special provision that protected pregnant omegas from going through any form of mental distress. The reporters waiting outside threw several questions at him but Jimin ignored them all.

The room assigned for their private hearing resembled a conference room with only the parties involved in the case attending along with their attorneys. Haneul and her manager, Oh-seong, were there with their attorney Mr. Hong. Then there was prosecutor Juwan and Jimin. Finally, Mr. Park and Mr. Jeon were here to testify as a witness.

After going back and forth for over a week, they were finally here. Haneul refused to cooperate and had to be constantly removed from the premises by force. She kept yelling and crying despite multiple warnings. Now she was here after a firm warning that the case will be decided in Jimin's favor if she did not cooperate. So far, she hadn't opened her mouth to protest.

"It's true that my client once had a relationship of a sexual nature with Ms. Lee. However, it was only casual and also consensual," Juwan said. "As you can see in page twelve of Ms. Lee's statement, it is evident that she wasn't forced but was in this with her free will though she claimed to be in love with my client. But that might be something the defendant claiming to earn sympathy or it was one sided."

"On the same page, Ms. Lee has claimed that you were both dating," Mr. Hong said. "Mr. Park, is this statement true? Were you dating my client?"

"We weren't romantically involved," Jimin said.

They had rehearsed his responses multiple times before the session.

"Mr. Park, may I ask then why you decided to use Ms. Lee as your surrogate?" Haneul's attorney, Mr. Hong asked. "You were young. What was the urgency to have a pup at that age?"

Haneul, who otherwise looked glum, smirked at the question.

"As you stated, I was young," Jimin said. "I couldn't see myself in a long-term relationship. I wasn't ready for a commitment but I had to fulfill so many expectations. In addition, there was pressure from my family's side to meet eligible omegas. So I thought having a pup through a surrogate might be a better choice at that time. Now I realize how ridiculous it was, but at that time it sounded like a better option. My family would get a heir and I'd be able to live without any familial pressure."

The attorney hummed. "It's also stated here that Mr. Jeon is the second parent to the pup. How did that happen?"

"Shortly after I received the news of conception, I met Jungkook. We were attracted to each other and began dating afterward," Jimin answered without missing a beat. "There was a connection and our wolves imprinted on each other. He was aware of the pup and accepted that part of me. Initially, we were worried that his wolf might have trouble accepting him, however, when the pup was born, he was imprinted on the pup and vice versa. So, we decided to co-parent Minjun. That's how he became the omega parent of my pup."

Imprinting was highly regarded as it was rare and delicate. Since wolves often rejected pups from another mother, such pairings were respected. They had to stay as close as possible to the truth, only twisting it a little bit to fit their agenda.

"When you say casual, do you accept that your relationship did not involve money?" Mr. Hong asked.

"Up until the point that led to Haneul becoming a surrogate, there was no money involved," Jimin replied. "I paid her full and in advance once she conceived the pup."

The attorney nodded but didn't look satisfied with the answer.

"We have attached necessary documents that prove Mr. Park's statement, including the doctor's statement and payment receipts," Juwan added. "Ms. Lee's claim about the Park family rejecting her as their daughter-in-law is false. Our country's legal system is in favor of the omegas. She could have approached the Pack Regulatory Authority or the court, if she was being subjected to such treatment. But she did not file any complaints. Also, we have proof that Ms. Lee was seeing others while she was expecting the pup." He handed a document to the judge. "This is a statement from Mr. Seo Jake, where he has accepted that he slept with the defendant on multiple occasions when she was pregnant. He also said that she expected financial aid from him and he cut ties with her because he couldn't put up with her demands."

Haneul's face looked ashen as she plucked her nails. Jimin continued to look ahead, ignoring the two individuals on the other side so he wouldn't lose his patience and do something worse. His hand was itching to reshape Oh-seong's face again. The manager looked pale and his bruises were still healing. His hands and leg were in a cast. As for Haneul, he didn't even bother to look in her direction.

"Ms. Lee had plenty of opportunities to approach any legal institution within this country and demand justice. Even if she wanted to claim that she couldn't afford the legal fee, that isn't the case. The special omega welfare act of 2001 allows the unfortunate omegas to file a lawsuit for free," Juwan continued. "So, getting the pup back was never her intention."

"But here Ms. Lee has stated that the Park family cut ties with the alpha and stopped him from receiving any sort of monetary benefits from them," Mr. Hong intervened. "I filed a request to the PRA and received this." He handed a document to the judge. "Mr. Park Jimin wasn't only cut off, but he was demoted from being the next heir to the Park pack and was even removed from their family tree."

The judge carefully perused the document while Mr. Park shifted uncomfortably in his seat. Jimin slanted a glance at him and the alpha stopped moving. He let out an indignant huff with a subtle roll of his eyes.

They were still in cold war with each other. However, after his father helped him with Jungkook, he didn't constantly feel the need to growl at him. But removal of his name from the family tree was still a touchy subject for his wolf and he didn't plan to forgive him anytime soon. He would tolerate him for the sake of it, that's all.

"It's true. What are your reasons for this, Mr. Park Jihyun?" the judge asked. "Did you remove him from your family tree because you didn't want to accept Ms. Lee as your daughter-in-law?"

Mr. Park cleared his throat. "No. It's because of Jungkook."

The timeline of the events conveniently coincided with Jimin's story. His father had removed him from the family tree after a year. So Juwan suggested they could make it into something else. Fortunately, the Park family was happy to roll with it. Why wouldn't they? Their reputation was being saved after all.

"How so?" The judge adjusted his glasses, leaning forward on his elbows as he continued to glance through the document.

"The Jeon pack has been ruled by omegas for generations. The position of the head omega is higher in hierarchy than the head alpha," Mr. Park said. "When the PRA was formed, they received a special exemption. Unlike the other packs, it's the alpha who marries their omega children move into their pack. This is the norm for anyone marrying into the head omega's family. Jeon Jungkook was the first born omega and marrying him would mean Jimin has to leave our pack." He exhaled. "I was against his decision to date Jungkook because Jimin was the next heir to the Park pack. He was trained for the role since he was young and we were unwilling to accept that he has to give that all up."

The judge nodded and turned his attention to Jimin. "Is that true?"

Jimin nodded. "Yes, sir. My parents tried to talk me out of it, but when I refused to relent, they demoted me and removed me from the family tree so I could be with Jungkook. Our relationship was strained because of this and I moved to Seoul to start a new life with my mate."

Juwan smiled at Jimin with a subtle nod of his head. "If you can refer to the evidence submitted in exhibit D, it's apparent that Ms. Lee's career was falling through and she needed publicity. This was nothing but a publicity stunt that went wrong. Ms. Lee only wanted the attention this would bring to her. However, Mr. Park is currently the head alpha of the Jeon pack. He's married to Mr. Jeon and they're also expecting their second pup. This would greatly affect their reputation if the word got out and Ms. Lee appears to be aware of this situation. She tried to use it to her advantage and blackmail them for more money, but it backfired when they didn't respond to her requests to meet her. So she went to school and tried to cause a drama, in order to garner public attention."

"No, that's not true," Haneul sniffled. "They're lying. They're all lying."

The judge, however only nodded, continuing to peruse the documents they submitted. "These documents are signed six years ago and it clearly states Ms. Lee agreed to act as Mr. Park's surrogate. She also signed the hospital register, relinquishing any form of legal rights to the pup in her womb before he was even born." He sifted through the document.

"Yes, sir. That's right."

"I think it's clear that Ms. Lee was fully aware of the terms of the document before signing. Furthermore, the statements from the two witnesses clarify that the doctor in-charge has explained the legal process clearly before she signed it."

"That's right, sir."

"This case is pretty clear. Ms. Lee Haneul does not have any legal rights over the pup. So the court is rejecting her plea and dropping further claims over the pup. She also doesn't have any right to appeal. As for the abduction attempt and assault, the court shall reconvene sometime next week to discuss further," he announced.

Jimin felt a wave of relief spreading through him and slumped in his chair. It was over. The court had dismissed her claims over Minjun. Now they were going to continue the trial for the criminal charges.

And Haneul would be facing more than she could count. Apart from the charges Jimin and his parents filed, there were charges filed by the Jeon pack and the school management. On top of it, she had to deal with the narcotics. She was going to be there for a while with her manager lover.

"Jimin. Wait," Haneul cried while she was being taken outside by the police. "Don't let them do this to me. For the old time's sake, spare me. Please...I'll never bother you again."

Jimin exhaled. "You bothered me plenty. So what's left anymore?" He didn't turn around. "You dug your grave. Even if I dropped the charges, there's no saving you from the drugs. You did that to yourself. Goodbye, Haneul."

The alpha didn't look back as he exited the courtroom and began to stride toward the elevators. Haneul's chapter was finally closed. He didn't have to fear that she would be back again.

With a smile, he pulled his phone to call his beloved mate and give him the good news.