My Line (Completed Main Story) - Chapter 32

“Your Honor, although the investigation is still ongoing—and I say this cautiously—various puzzling questions have arisen during the course of this investigation.”

Joo Hyuk wasn’t trying to side with Yoon Nan Seul. He simply wanted to preserve the prosecution’s dignity. He pressed on with the only argument he could make.

“It seems possible that the investigation’s scope may need to be expanded comprehensively, yet the defendant Na Song Gang has consistently invoked his right to remain silent, seemingly intent on obstructing any broadened inquiry.”

Song Kang nearly turned his head toward Prosecutor Choi Ju Hyuk. Ever since Joo Hyuk began speaking, Ha In had been busy—furiously taking notes while simultaneously reviewing the defense arguments prepared by Ra In.

“Furthermore, the most recent summons ended in disarray, causing significant setbacks to the investigation. This situation reasonably raises suspicion that something is being concealed, and thus there also appears to be a risk of evidence tampering. Please consider this point carefully.”

The very concern Ra In had feared had now surfaced within Prosecutor Choi Ju Hyuk’s arguments. Since they now faced the heavy burden of overturning the unfavorable evidence submitted by Taesung, Ha In’s pressure to navigate carefully in all directions inevitably grew.

“Counsel for the defense, do you wish to present arguments? If there are no further comments, we’ll conclude here.”

Whether moved by Joo Hyuk’s argument or simply because too much time had already passed, the judge’s intent to wrap things up left both Song Kang and Ha In feeling somewhat uneasy.

“I will present arguments. Investigative authorities may detain a suspect only if the investigation reveals particularly grave circumstances, sufficient evidence exists to reasonably suspect guilt, there is significant risk of evidence tampering, or a likelihood of flight.”

“Who here doesn’t already know that?”

Nan Seul interrupted Ha In’s opening statement—not with the usual aggressive tone of someone furious at being cut off mid-sentence.

“But the defendant meets none of these conditions. The investigation hasn’t concluded, so we can’t yet assess the severity of the alleged offense. Given that he maintains his innocence, it would be improper to disregard the presumption of innocence and assume outright that he is guilty and that his offense is grave.”

Joo Hyuk listened calmly to Ha In’s defense. Though the prosecution should have been anxious, he’d already accepted that this arrest warrant request was unlikely to succeed.

“If he intended to destroy evidence, he wouldn’t have submitted so much documentation to the prosecution—material that doesn’t distinguish between favorable or unfavorable content. Moreover, the defendant is currently in no position to flee even if he wanted to.”

Nan Seul lifted one corner of her mouth in a faint, mocking smile and looked at Ha In as if he were ridiculous. She also showed a distracted air, idly twirling her pen without focusing.

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