After quickly completing her university life in the U.S., Hyeonji entered a law school in Korea. She studied hard and became a lawyer. She didn’t become a lawyer out of a desire for revenge against Yang Hee-wook, but when it came time to get a job, her heart naturally inclined towards the law firm where Hee-wook worked.

After joining the law firm Yulgyu, it took about six months to learn that Hee-wook was in a relationship. He didn’t show any signs, and Hyeonji didn’t care deeply. Although she briefly worried if he would abandon his current partner after impregnating her, Hyeonji, being a selfish person, didn’t pay much attention. She just gradually approached Hee-wook and took some time to investigate whether there was any corruption in the cases he handled.
Then, she heard news about Yang Hee-wook’s mother, Kim Mal-hee, undergoing liver surgery. After inquiring, it seemed like a liver transplant, but it was suspicious that Hee-wook kept referring to it as liver cancer surgery. So, after relentlessly pressing Hee-wook, Hyeonji went to the hospital where Kim Mal-hee was admitted and learned that she had undergone a liver transplant. Somehow, she had a dreadful premonition and asked a nurse entering Kim Mal-hee’s ward.

“Maybe the prospective daughter-in-law gave it to her.”

How can one express the frustration and shock of that moment?

Hyeonji regretted her indifference for the first time at that moment. If only she had known a month earlier, she could have saved that woman. She could have told her how cunning and malicious Yang Hee-wook and his family were.

Reflecting on the past, Hyeonji met So-eun belatedly.

So-eun, who rushed to the bar Omo-te-san-do Hills at Hyeonji’s invitation, was still a fragile, innocent woman who had been deceived by Hee-wook but still loved him. So-eun appeared pitiful and heart-wrenchingly lamentable. She missed her friend who had left the world, leaving her behind. Actually, Hyeonji wanted to embrace So-eun and cry.

At that time, Hyeonji confirmed Hee-wook’s attitude toward So-eun and vowed to separate the two as soon as possible. She purposely created conflicts and made Hee-wook drive So-eun out. Still, she was nervous. She was worried that So-eun, who still loved Hee-wook despite being deceived, might have bad intentions.

However, something interesting happened after So-eun left Omo-te-san-do Hills. A tall man entered the bar and took a seat at the counter. He was noticeably handsome, almost like a celebrity. The man didn’t order a drink, just quietly watched his place, then left. Only Hyeonji, quick-witted and sharp, noticed.

After the man left, Hyeonji pretended to go to the restroom and quietly followed him. In front of the convenience store, she saw the man talking to So-eun for a long time. It turned out that the two knew each other.

Seeing the man unable to leave So-eun’s side, there was a strange sense of relief.

Even if she broke up with Hee-wook, that woman could overcome it.

Hyeonji was relieved and could now separate Hee-wook and So-eun.

A few days later, that man visited the law firm Yulgyu and requested global headhunting for himself and Hee-wook. After receiving the business card, Hyeonji realized that he was Kim Tae-jun, a mid-level executive in So-eun’s company. Somehow, it seemed like this man knew the intention behind his visit. As Hyeonji, she had no choice but to welcome him with open arms.

Tae-jun’s office.

So-eun hesitated and stumbled while speaking.

“But, um, lawyer, are you planning to marry Yang Hee-wook…?”
“Who said that? Why would I marry a guy who’s not even worth garbage? Do I seem like that kind of person?”

As if saying it’s absurd, as if telling her not to talk nonsense, Hyeonji was furious.

So-eun still couldn’t understand what Hyeonji was saying.

Did Hee-wook and I fight and break up? Is that why Hee-wook came looking for me?

Lost in her thoughts, So-eun couldn’t find words to respond.

Perhaps realizing that her voice was too loud, Hyeonji’s voice lowered slightly.

“I only have one wrong to you. That’s why my heart doesn’t feel good, as if I’m still indebted.”

“…….”

“The day we first met at the bar, I insisted on drinking. I was genuinely sorry then. So, the next day, I brought good supplements and medicine. I took care of it myself. Hee-wook was too busy taking care of his own affairs at that time.”

But, what?

Did he really take care of me since the day we first met at Omo-te-san-do Hills?

“There’s only one thing I want to advise Ms. So-eun.”

Now her head was tingling. Hyeonji’s voice resonated near her heart, thumping like a drum.

“Trash? You can meet. In life, you might end up in the gutter. Of course, you might even abuse yourself. But still, think about surviving. That’s much more valuable. Just don’t give up on yourself. Got it?”

Perhaps because she was a lawyer, her eloquence was frightening.

I’ve never tried to give up on anything. Listening to Hyeonji’s words, So-eun felt more determined to live hard without giving up on anything.

“I hope things go well for you. I hope you become happy as if it’s granted. My soul is already broken, but I hope you preserve that kindness to the end.”

“…….”

“There is someone pure who shouldn’t be tainted by the world’s filth. Like a fairy who only drinks dew, like a fairy tale that should be beautiful in itself.”

As time passed, So-eun couldn’t understand more.

Certainly, this woman is my ex-boyfriend’s ex-girlfriend and my enemy, but why does everything she says, supporting me, feel so sincere and true?

Why did that terrifying and oppressive expression seem sad and desperate?

“I hope Ms. Han So-eun continues to live so innocently, foolishly falling in love, knowing nothing, not getting stained by the world’s dirt, not getting her hands bloody, just living like that. Because there is undoubtedly someone who will be saved by that innocent appearance.”

“…….”

“There are people like this in the world. People who are so kind in the world, so when someone realizes that, they have to receive comfort.”

I really came here to fight with this woman.

It was an enormous compliment that continued like a flowing river. So-eun felt as if she had been beaten with a bat labeled ‘praise.’