Paint It Black - Jeongcheol

chapter 7

Hansol had been grinding away as a defense lawyer at one of Seoul's top law firms for the past two years. He'd spent some time in America recently, working on a few cases there, but now he was back , diving headfirst into his latest high-profile case.

He turned on the camera and took his seat.

"I'm going to run through some questions that the opposing counsel might ask, just so you're prepared," Hansol said, his tone professional yet reassuring. He straightened his suit jacket and gave the girl across from him a polite, encouraging smile.

The girl slouched in her seat, twirling a strand of her hair around her finger. "Okay," she replied with a nasal drawl, making Hansol wince at her lack of enthusiasm.

"Ms. Lee," he started, "you're a student at Yonsei University, correct?"

"Duh" She gave him a dramatic eye roll. "I mean, yes."

Hansol's eyebrows furrowed slightly, but he maintained his composure. "You stated that you were at the Halloween party all night. However, we have witness statements placing you near the clock tower around 1 AM. Can you explain that?"

The girl's lips curved into a sly, almost mocking grin "Maybe I was trying to get lucky with some ghosts," she said with a suggestive wink and an exaggerated gesture that was clearly inappropriate.

He sighed and turned off the camera, "I get it; you're nervous and trying to use humor to deflect. It's okay to feel that way," he said, closing the case file in front of him.

He leaned forward, his tone softening. "When I was younger, I used to get nervous, too—especially around new people or when speaking in front of crowds. I'd try to find out more about them, their favourite colours, their pets..." He trailed off, revealing a hint of vulnerability.

The girl's smirk faded slightly, and she seemed to relax a bit.

"Let's shift gears," he suggested gently. "Where do you see yourself in five years?"

She started to answer, "I see myself–"

He cut her off abruptly. "I see you in prison, rotting away," he said, his smile returning but more cunning.

The girl's eyes widened in shock. "What—"

"This isn't a game to me," he said firmly, his voice dropping to a more serious tone. "If you're going to treat it that way, then listen up. I'm here to win, and I'm taking this seriously."

He leaned closer, his expression hardening. "Here's the reality check: your attitude won't cut it. If you're not serious, don't be surprised if I decide to withdraw from your case. I'm focused on results, not on drama."

"I'm sorry," she murmured.

"Here's what you need to do," Hansol said, his tone leaving no room for debate.

If there's one thing everyone knows about Hansol, it's that he's determined to win. His sharp focus and no-nonsense approach were not just professional traits—they were part of who he was.

After hours of intense preparation, Hansol finally stepped out of his office. The sun had set. As soon as he emerged, a swarm of reporters ran up to him, cameras flashing and voices shouting questions.

"Mr. Choi, any comments on the latest developments in the case?"

"Do you think your client stands a chance?"

"How do you respond to the allegations against Ms. Lee?"

Hansol raised a hand, signaling for silence. The reporters quieted down, eager for his statement.