“As you saw in the video, the defendant Se-ah planned and committed the crime against Ms. Eun Ji-yeon, causing grievous bodily harm to Ms. Kang Ji-hyun, who was with her, resulting in a dislocated fracture for six weeks. If Ms. Kang Ji-hyun had not acted promptly, the situation could have led to a fatal accident. Furthermore, she demonstrated cunning by committing this crime and planning to escape, arranging a room for her mother in the province.”
Every word from the prosecution felt like a stab, and Se-ah closed her eyes tightly.
‘I’m not the one. I’m not. It was just a moment of anger!’
“The defendant, despite clear evidence, denies the crime and shows no signs of remorse. Therefore, the prosecution requests a 15-year prison sentence for the defendant Jung Se-ah on charges of attempted premeditated murder.”
“This is outrageous!”
At the prosecution’s request, Se-ah, who had risen from her seat, shouted, her face turning pale.
Then her lawyer, who was beside her, guided Se-ah back to her seat.
“Do you, the defense, have any final statements?”
“Honorable judge, I agree with many points from the prosecution’s argument. It is true that Ms. Jung Se-ah planned to find and visit Ms. Eun Ji-yeon. However, as mentioned by the prosecution, she did not plan a premeditated murder but visited to have a conversation with Ms. Eun Ji-yeon. Unfortunately, due to the hormonal imbalance caused by her pregnancy, she momentarily lost control of her emotions and made a regrettable choice. Therefore, I would like to emphasize that it was an unplanned incident, not a planned one.”
“This is ridiculous! What else is considered planned if not this?”
Someone from the gallery spoke loudly, causing further unrest.
“Please be quiet.”
The judge sternly addressed the spectators.
Se-ah felt like all of this was unreal.
‘Is this… Is this a dream? Am I sentenced to prison? Because of a momentary mistake? Because of Eun Ji-yeon?’
“We will now announce the verdict for case number 20XX123XX.”
As the judge began to read the verdict, the spectators fell silent instantly.
“The defendant, Jung Se-ah, is judged to have planned various actions, such as hiring someone to find the victim’s whereabouts, planning an escape after the crime, and arranging a house, all for the purpose of crime. Additionally, she denies the crime, shows no signs of remorse, and no agreement has been reached with the victim. However, it is acknowledged that she made a wrong judgment due to the fluctuating emotions caused by her current pregnancy. Therefore, this court sentences the defendant Jung Se-ah to seven years in prison.”
The initial murmur from the spectators turned into jeers.
“Even to the eyes of anyone, it’s attempted premeditated murder, and she gets seven years? What kind of law is this!”
Se-ah couldn’t believe it.
That she would spend seven years in prison because of a momentary mistake.
“Lawyer, seven years. This is wrong. It’s not right. I made a minor mistake, and they’re throwing me in here. Quickly… Quickly say that something went wrong. We need to appeal.”
Se-ah’s grasping hand on her lawyer’s arm became more intense as she slowly shook her head.
This was unbelievable.
‘Prison, me in prison!’
Trembling hands reached out, grabbing her lawyer’s arm forcefully.
The lawyer looked at her for a moment and then gently removed her grabbed arm.
“Ms. Jung Se-ah, these days, it’s common to receive harsher sentences in the appellate court. Especially in a situation like yours where there is overwhelming evidence. If you want to appeal, prepare with another lawyer. I thought you would get at least ten years today, but seven years is not bad. Anything more would be unrealistic.”
Se-ah stared blankly at the lawyer, shaking her head slowly.
“Please write with a kind heart, and I hope you can change during your time inside. I had no choice but to take on Ms. Jung Se-ah’s defense, but you shouldn’t live so badly. If you live with a good heart inside, there might be a chance for parole, so keep that in mind.”
With these words, the lawyer turned away from her and headed towards the exit of the courtroom.
Despair filled Se-ah as she bowed her head, looking down at the floor.
Unbeknownst to her, tears streamed down her face, falling to the floor one by one.
After a moment, as people waiting on the side grabbed Se-ah’s arms, she suddenly snapped to attention, shouting as if possessed.
“This is wrong. It’s wrong! I can’t go. I can’t go!”
Se-ah, pouring out tears, tried to resist by sitting down, but the strength of those holding her arms made it difficult to resist.
Almost being dragged away, she disappeared from the courtroom.
Ji-yeon, who had been watching the trial from a corner of the courtroom, slowly stood up.
Due to the trauma of the accident, Kang Ji-hyun chose not to attend, so Ji-yeon came alone.
Ji-yeon’s family decided to offer her specialized care programs at Onyu Pharmaceuticals to help her healing.
Seven years, the sentence was as expected.
No, I don’t know what is fair.
She could only hope that Se-ah would positively change during that time.
“It’s over now, Ms. Kang Hyun.”
Ji-yeon called Hyun as she left the courtroom.
Although Hyun said she would come with her, Ji-yeon didn’t want that.
I should have gone with you, Ms. Ji-yeon.
“No, I think it’s better that I came alone. It’s not something to feel good about.”
Did Se-ah receive a fair punishment?
“I don’t really understand the law either. I want to believe that the judge gave her a fair punishment. She sentenced her to a time where she could be sufficiently rehabilitated… that’s my hope.”
It’s probably true. I hope so too. Now, where are you going, Ms. Ji-yeon?
“Well… I don’t know. I think everyone who deserves punishment has received it, but my heart feels strangely empty.”
You shouldn’t feel guilty. Those people committed wrongs, and they received the punishment they deserved. Don’t feel unnecessary guilt, Ms. Ji-yeon.
She knew.
Cha Seung-jo, Cha Min-woo, and now Jung Se-ah.
All of them received the punishment they deserved for the things they did outside the bounds of the law.
But as she thought about the process in which she had been involved, there was a bitter and frustrating feeling that filled her chest.
Even though the connection was now severed, the years spent together or getting to know these people, and the thought of them being imprisoned for several years somehow brought an indescribable discomfort.
Today, Ms. Ji-yeon, you shouldn’t be alone. Go home now. I’ll finish work and go to your place right away.
“Mr. Kang Hyun, really? But you’re quite busy, aren’t you?”
Ji-yeon couldn’t bring herself to reject Hyun’s proposal.
Of course, it’s okay. That’s why I usually work all night. I even worked until 4 a.m. yesterday. I’ve diligently prepared for this, so you can leave a few hours early today, Ms. Eunto-kki. So, wait for me at home without moving a muscle!
“Alright, Mr. Kang Hyun. I’ll wait.”
Ji-yeon was relieved by Hyun’s warm words.
Today, she didn’t want to be alone.
The Male lead Always Seduces Her with His Beauty (Matriarchy)
Xin Jiao Zhou is the leader of the world’s premier sect. She has just experienced betrayal from all sides, was poisoned in an assassination attempt, and faced death squad attacks while the poison was taking effect. After finally clearing out the scum from her sect, she was drugged again while trying to detoxify.
After waking up from a night of unconsciousness, she gained a “beautiful and kind-hearted” husband.
Xin Jiao Zhou: “???”
He fell ill.
She came to see him, bringing breakfast.
As she put down the breakfast and was about to leave, his hand slipped while holding the spoon. “Clank!”
She turned around upon hearing the noise.
He looked up at her, his eyebrows drooping: “My hand… has no strength.”
“Shall I… feed you?” she asked tentatively.
He opened his mouth cheerfully: “Ah—”
Thinking she was drowning, he jumped in without hesitation to save her, but nearly drowned himself. In the end, it was she who swam over to rescue him, giving him air underwater.
After emerging from the water, his ear tips turned red. He lightly brushed his cheek, tucking his sideburns behind his ear, revealing delicate, pink-tinged ear tips. He lowered his gaze, too embarrassed to look at her.
Xin Jiao Zhou: He’s truly beautiful, kind-hearted, and adorable.
A certain someone when disciplining subordinates behind the scenes: “If they don’t obey, just kill them.”
What’s that? She might already have someone she cares about in her heart? A certain someone: Find out who it is, kill them, and then there won’t be anyone.
What? She met a man by the riverside? What? That man even hurt her? A certain someone: Whichever hand hurt her, chop off his entire arm.
Love at first sight without realizing it, gradually falling in love, slowly getting closer…
Family and national grudges, schemes and desires, good and evil, crime and punishment, she and he face the future together, seeking justice with passion!
A naturally dark female lead who could accidentally destroy the world but is actually an honest person VS a weak, pitiful, and helpless but skilled fighter, beautiful white-cut black male lead
My heart is not of stone, how steadfast is your love? — Tao Yuanming “Imitating the Ancients (No. 3)”
— Reading Guide —
Cold female lead & dramatic black lotus with hidden yandere traits male lead
