As soon as he got off work, Ju-hyuk headed straight to Line’s house. Her phone number had changed at some point, and he couldn’t get in touch with her, worrying him all day long.
Standing in front of Line’s house, he pressed the doorbell. He knew the code, but he thought it impolite to enter without permission.
After pressing the doorbell about three times without any response, Ju-hyuk quickly punched in the code, feeling a rush of anxiety.
When he yanked the door open, a completely drained Line stood there. Her pale face with bloodshot eyes looked like she could collapse with just a push. The only thing seemingly keeping her upright was sheer bitterness.
“Jin Line! Why didn’t you respond? Is everything alright?”
She had been about to open the door, but Ju-hyuk had beaten her to it. With so many injustices piling up, she felt this was just one more thing to endure.
He grabbed her slender shoulders with both hands, carefully checking if she was hurt anywhere. She looked even thinner than usual, and it pained him to see her so frail.
Her body moved limply to his touch, as if she could lose consciousness at any moment. However, she couldn’t afford to collapse yet, with so many unresolved issues lingering.
Ju-hyuk frowned deeply at the pervasive smell of alcohol in the house.
“Have you been drinking all day?”
Looking into the living room, the sight of beer cans strewn all over the floor gave away the answer.
“I can’t even get drunk. I just want to sleep it off… but…”
Line slid away from his grasp and flopped onto the sofa. Ju-hyuk followed, beginning to clean up the cans.
“Just leave them…”
Line sighed and curled up on the sofa, her eyes intensely focused on her thoughts.
Ju-hyuk sighed heavily, unable to find any words of comfort. He knew how empty and hollow she must feel inside.
“Rest for a while. You’re hurt, and it’s okay to take some time off.”
It was both advice and a gentle reminder, acknowledging her pain.
Ju-hyuk sat down beside her, opened a can of beer, and took a big gulp. The beer, long forgotten, had lost all its chill.
As Line reached for a can, Ju-hyuk grabbed her hand.
“Stop drinking. You’re just consuming alcohol without any effect.”
Line knew it too. Despite drinking all day, she felt nothing, not even the usual numbing effect of alcohol.
“You should cry out, let it all out! Are you going to be okay like this? I wish I knew what to do to help you…”
Ju-hyuk sounded desperate and concerned.
“I’m thinking right now.”
The situation felt like a trap she had walked into, and Line was frustrated with herself for being so powerless. Biting her lower lip in self-reproach, she was furious but knew there was nothing she could do.
Ju-hyuk knew better than anyone that Line’s dismissal was unfair. He was worried about her trying to get back into the prosecution by any means necessary.
Even if she doesn’t continue as a prosecutor, Line is certainly capable of living well. But having been dismissed in such a manner, she would never give up.
Of course, the big law firms and senior prosecutors will have their influence spread wide.
In time, when things calm down, she might receive lucrative offers, or she could open her own law firm once enough time has passed.
But Ju-hyuk couldn’t bring himself to suggest she become a lawyer right away. He knew how much Line cherished her role as a prosecutor.
“I have to be reinstated.”
It was the expected response.
“If that’s what you want, then that’s what you should do.”
Ju-hyuk thought calmly about the process Line would have to go through.
Challenging a massive organization like the prosecution for wrongful dismissal was no easy task. More than that, there was no telling how much she would be hurt in the process.
“If I represent you…”
“I’ll handle it myself. I don’t want you to feel any responsibility or burden for my situation.”
For Ju-hyuk, currently a prosecutor, to represent Line was unthinkable. Knowing Line’s capability to prepare for her reinstatement lawsuit, Ju-hyuk quickly thought of alternatives.
“I’ll look for a trustworthy lawyer.”
Ju-hyuk pondered for a moment and then thought of Haein. He had wanted to meet Line, and as a lawyer, he might offer some useful advice.
“Line, you know Cha Haein, right?”
“The lawyer from Taesung Legal Affairs Office? Why bring her up?”
“He used to be close to me. A junior.”
Line looked up at Ju-hyuk, waiting to hear more before responding.
“Haein wants to meet you. Seems like she has something important to say. Maybe you could get some advice for your lawsuit.”
“I’ll represent myself.”
She was serious about defending herself.
Ju-hyuk knew she wasn’t just making empty promises.
“Come on, Line. Just meet her once. Even if Haein can’t represent you…”
“No.”
Line cut him off before he could finish.
Ju-hyuk wasn’t surprised by her firm refusal.
“It’s not about begging you. Haein might have something important to tell you.”
“Doesn’t she know I’ve been dismissed? If it’s about the case, tell her to go to Yoon Nansul. They’ll probably listen there.”
Male lead reborn without memories — but he still falls for her.
The person he finds displeasing in this life turns out to be his cherished wife-master in previous life…
Xie Zhi and Fang Xianxing who had known each other for less than three days through a blind date sat in the same car in front of the civil affairs bureau. They had a disagreement and failed to get married.
Xie Zhi immediately took out his phone, slid through his contacts, and randomly selected the next marriage candidate.
The woman snatched his phone and hung up. Looking at his phone wallpaper, she awkwardly changed the subject: “An ancient painting, eh? It looks pretty good, it’s just that the person in the painting looks a bit like me.”
When he heard this, he sarcastically mocked her for being so delusional, completely unaware that, the person in front of him was the reincarnation of Wen Ru, the famous prime minister of Yuan Shun whom he most admired…
The female CEO who doesn’t want to get married with a divorce agreement in hand × The male archaeological researcher who will only get married if he’s sure he can get divorced
