Chaeyeon gasped as she was awoken with almost no person in sight. Almost.

“!” A small voice was heard as cluttering of medical equipment fell on the floor.

“Hiichan?” Chaeyeon saw the blonde nurse picking up the equipment. 

“Boss, don’t give me a heart attack.” Hitomi huffed as she placed the supplies on the cart and got to her side. “Your gasps worried us a lot because we thought you had difficulty in breathing.”

Chaeyeon mumbled her apologies as Hitomi did the usual routines. Chaeyeon’s vital signs are to be checked three times a day and that she must be washed two times a day in accordance to Chaewon and Sakura’s instructions. As Hitomi finished her checking, she got a pail of water and a towel. Chaeyeon was distracted as a familiar face was on TV.

“Hiichan, isn’t that Yul?!” Chaeyeon asked as she pointed at the TV.

“Well…the thing is…” Hitomi scratched her head. “The hearing for your case is today.”

“B-But how could they start it now?! I need to be a witness – ouch!!” Chaeyeon groaned after trying to get up.

“Boss, you’re in no condition to testify. Big Boss has made negotiations to substitute for you as a witness.” Hitomi spoke. “General and Chairwoman, together with your parents, have taken things under control…and I was tasked to watch over you.”

“But I need to be there, Hiichan. They need my statement.” Chaeyeon huffed and tried sitting up. “Please let me out.”

“Boss~! I can’t do that!!” Hitomi became panicked as Chaeyeon tried to resist. “Your family will kill me! Big Boss will kill me if I let you off!!”

“Not if I kill them first…” Chaeyeon huffed. “You can come with me. Tell Nako to come with you so she can help you! Do anything as long as I can get there and testify, please!”

“Boss!” Hitomi snapped and Chaeyeon froze. “As much as I want you to serve justice to this situation, I can’t risk your health! You shouldn’t worry now, Boss. Everyone has done their part to settle the matter.”

“But Kkura…you…everyone…” Chaeyeon sniffled. “You have done so much for me.”

“Because we care for you, Boss. Big Boss will do anything for you and we’ll be here to help her fulfill that.” Hitomi added. “Please…you need to rest…”

Chaeyeon was at loss as she was getting weak again. Hitomi laid her down gently and as a precautionary measure, she quickened the dextrose’s flow so Chaeyeon will remain unconscious throughout the trial.

Hitomi felt sorry for her boss but she was also doing it for a greater good. For now, she stayed by Chaeyeon’s side and increased the TV’s volume to watch the whole trial.

+++

The media wouldn’t have involved in the whole thing. However, the trial involved huge names in various fields. The Lee, Miyawaki, Kim, Kang, and Yabuki families were mostly huge in the business world while another Kim was in the highest position in the country’s police agency. A trial about their children was small and trivial but people would never avert their eyes against people with big names. What a joke about social status…

Nonetheless, this was a real deal for those big figures. One side wanted to give justice while another wanted to get this over with. This was a real deal than needs to be settled.

Outside the courtroom, two figures were waiting. Sakura was by one side, fixing her collar and hair, and on the other side was Chanjo, scratching his bandages and muttering on how tight they were.

“My cousins did a great job treating you like that.” Sakura mumbled. “You deserve those tight bandages.”

“You’re doing a pretty job too, being a substitute for something you didn’t do.” Chanjo scoffed. “Your wife must be a coward to face this herself.”

Sakura smirked but her fists clenched. If Chaeyeon wasn’t in her mind right know, Chanjo would’ve dead thanks to her punches and kicks.

“It’s a thing I do for love. But I guess you wouldn’t know anything about that. I mean…your father just slapped your face as he arrived at the hospital.” Sakura chuckled. “But as he said, let’s settle this in court.”

Before they had to get inside, the media surrounded them and flooded many questions. Chanjo answered them while Sakura didn’t do anything.

Why did these s have to be here?

“My client is innocent!” Chanjo’s lawyer spat.

“Says the retarded one.” The family’s lawyer came. “I apologize for this dilemma, Mrs. Miyawaki. Oppa is trying to keep the rest of the media outside the courthouse and will catch up soon.”

“No fret, Chowon. They want a show? I’ll give them a show.” Sakura huffed.

Eunbi, Hyewon, and Nako caught up to Sakura and were also bombarded by  the media. Their bodyguards made precautionary measures to keep them away but like Sakura, they were savage enough to give them a show.

“Mrs. Kang, if your family doesn’t win this trial, your whole tycoon could face up penalties. What will be the plan of recourse?”

“The plan of recourse will be a proper verdict for our family. We’ll make sure to put the accountable in their respective penalties and serve justice to my cousin-in-law.”

“Ms. Kwon, as the alleged heir of the Lee Company and the sister of the said victim, do you think this fiasco will have the chance of ruining its reputation?”

“That’s not in our vocabulary and I hope you don’t try me or anyone in my family on that topic. Right now, Chairman Lee is listening.”

The reporters gulped and deleted that part of the interview. Hyewon chuckled of her wife’s feistiness and they went inside the court room together.

“And here we have the star on the plaintiff’s side, Mrs. Miyawaki Sakura together with her cute secretary, Ms. Yabuki Nako.” The media got to the CEO’s attention.

“Aish – cool it with the flashes.” Sakura hissed as she covered Nako’s eyes. “It’s irritating and you’re giving my secretary signs of seizure.”

 “Mrs. Miyawaki, how does it feel to be in this courtroom because of what happened to your wife?”

“Like sandpaper on my taste buds. God…” Sakura squinted at the interviewer. “…you got some gunk on the edge of your eyes.”

“What? I want to see!” Nako spat.

“No, you don’t.” Sakura whispered.

“Lastly, our alleged perpetrator.” They got closer to Chanjo. “Although as the son of the famous General Kim Chanyoung, it’s hard to believe anyone could accuse him of anything. Mr. Kim…” She spoke. “…some people are sided, calling you innocent but mostly a crook. Your thoughts?”

“They can say whatever they say but at the end of the day, I’m innocent.”

Sakura was triggered that Nako and Chowon had to stop her. Nako reminded Sakura about Chaeyeon and had to calm down. She needed to focus on this trial to give justice to Chaeyeon.

Her Chaeyeon…

The media was sent away as the trial was starting. Sakura and Chanjo walked inside and sat on their sides as Eunbi, Nako, and Hyewon were sitting in the row behind her. Sakura was with Yuri, Wonyoung, Yujin, and Yena as they offered to testify for Chaeyeon. Chaewon and Minju were with their families, sitting with Eunbi, Nako, and Hyewon. Chanjo had his parents behind him and his own set of witnesses.

Sakura was going to represent Chaeyeon as the main witness. She is suing Chanjo for being a reckless driver, for attempted murder, and for a being stupid . Chanjo is countersuing Sakura for the accusations against him and for the damages of his car.

“Order! All rise for the Honorable Judge Bae.”

They all stood up as Bae Yoonjung got to the stand and sat. Everyone sat down as Sakura asked Chowon. “Where’s Seungwoo-san?”

“He’s in the prosecution stand, Mrs. Miyawaki. But he’ll make sure to ask questions that will give verdicts in our favor.”

“And Judge Bae?”

“She’s a force to be reckoned with. Oppa said she never negotiates with anyone and settles matters in her own hands.”

“Does that mean she’s a good judge?” Yujin asked. 

“We’ll never know.”

“Order!” Judge Bae bangs the gavel and everyone was silent. “We’re here to decide the dispute between Kim Chanjo and Lee Chaeyeon. The defendant, Kim, claims that Lee and her family have accused him of hitting Lee with his car. Lee is in the hospital so Mrs. Miyawaki Sakura will stand as a the plaintiff for Lee. First, let’s call the plaintiff.”

“Yes.” Sakura stood up and pointed at Chanjo. “This man was a reckless driver and hit my wife while she drove. She wore proper gear and followed traffic rules yet this person claims that it was my wife’s fault. He almost killed my wife! He should be guilty for his actions!”

“Very well. How do you plead?”

“Not guilty, Your Honor.” Sakura spoke and Chowon calms her and sat down.

“And you, Mr. Kim?”

Chanjo started with flowery words but as Chowon stated, Judge Bae was a force to be reckoned with. Sakura wanted to laugh because of his stupid attempts to tip the scales of justice but he failed.

“I plead not guilty by reason of lacking evidence.” Chanjo spoke and sat.

He didn’t stop there. He stated that Chaeyeon and their whole family had subjected false accusations about him being a reckless driver. What triggered the whole family was that he claimed that Sakura was used as an excuse so Chaeyeon cannot face trial.

“That’s not true, Your Honor. Miss Lee is still having injuries. Her health is not enough for her to face trial since she needed to rest, as per doctor’s advice.” Sakura spoke.

“Hmm…she was hit two weeks ago. Alright. Received.” Judge Bae added. “Call in the first witness.”

Yuri was feeling nervous but Chowon and Sakura signal her to calm down and say the truth. Yuri got to the stand as the defendant’s attorney got closer to start the interrogation.

Yuri relaxed. After all, they had to do this for justice and for Chaeyeon.

+++

Chaeyeon was awake again. This time, she was almost as Hitomi washed her body. Chaeyeon reacted but Hitomi calms her down. “Relax, Boss. I’m the only nurse assigned to you. Orders from the Chairwoman and the Big Boss.”

Chaeyeon sighed and mumbled her thanks. She saw the TV and reacted as Yuri was seen on screen.
“Hiichan! Turn up the volume!”

“You must behave first, Boss.” Hitomi crossed her arms.

Chaeyeon tried to beg with her eyes but Hitomi grew stern. Chaeyeon sighed and nodded. Hitomi turned up the volume and continued to wash Chaeyeon.

“What is happening, Hiichan?”

“Yuri is stating the introductory statement of your defense as a witness. Wonyoung will follow ahead and Yujin and Yena will be questioned by the prosecution.”

“What is Kkura and that doing?” Chaeyeon pointed.

“It’s a tough one, Boss. There’s not enough evidence.” Hitomi stated. “Wonyoung and Yuri found it preposterous because the crime scene was full of it yet the court isn’t convinced.”

“The system’s bull, Hiichan.” Chaeyeon huffed. “And that’s insane! I have – “ Chaeyeon tried sitting up but she screamed in pain.

“Damnit, Boss! You are in NO position to go anywhere!”

“I have to! I can be a witness! If I show these injuries and make a stand, we’ll have the verdict in our favor.” Chaeyeon added. “I just need to relieve myself from the -ing pain!”

Hitomi sighed and grabbed some tablets. She got a glass of water and placed them on a tray before helping Chaeyeon sit up.

“What are those, Hiichan?”

“Narcotics. They’ll relieve your pain.”

Chaeyeon drank them all and gulped the water down. She laid down again, adding. “Alright. Once I experience the effects, we’ll go there, Hiichan.”

Hitomi nodded and stayed by her sides. Chaeyeon felt the effects instantly but it was too much, causing her to feel unconscious.

“What the…Hi-Hiichan…” Chaeyeon mumbled. “…how m-many…tablets did you…” She felt her eyes drooping. “…give me?”

“The normal dosage is 1 to 2 tablets. I gave you 4 because you’re still injured.” Hitomi spoke. “It’s also a way to stop your agitation.”

“But Hiichan…” Chaeyeon stopped speaking as she became unconscious again.

Hitomi sighed as she tucked Chaeyeon properly. She saw on TV that the court was having a recess, making her dial a certain number.

Hiichan! Great job! How’s Chaeyeon?

“Unconscious. I did what was planned. What’s next?”

Inspector Lee and his team will come in the hospital. They got evidence from a CCTV footage across the street close to the crime scene. Wait for her to come there. 

“What about Boss?”

Chaeyeon-san can come. Make sure she’s in a wheelchair. She can only come if you and Inspector Lee’s team her.

“Alright, Nako-chan.” Hitomi spoke. “Let’s hope for a proper verdict in this.”

Hitomi hung up and got to Chaeyeon’s side to redress her.