WAK 09

Chapter 9

Before meeting a new client, **Han-a** lifted the corners of her mouth into a sales smile and pushed open the thick glass door.

“Hello.”

When **Han-a** entered with a big smile, a woman in her early 40s sitting in the meeting room stood up. She was quite beautiful and elegant, but her eyes were full of bitterness and pain.

“Hello, Lawyer.”

“I’m **Kang Han-a**.”

“I’m **Jung Sora**.”

After introducing themselves, they sat facing each other.

**Sora** slid the documents she had brought toward **Han-a**.

> “These are proof that my husband cheated.”

**Han-a** raised and lowered her eyebrows, smiling as if she understood.

> “You want a quick resolution, don’t you?”

> “I want to get as much alimony as possible. That way, I can raise my kids without them lacking anything.”

“You should.”

**Han-a** examined the documents **Sora** handed over with sharp eyes. Using her pen, she quickly marked items that could be used as evidence in court.

> “He played around with many women.”

After checking everything, **Han-a** neatly organized the papers into a clear folder.

> “My husband is very attached to the kids.”

> “He might claim parental and custody rights.”

> “I can’t watch my children grow up under a careless father.”

> “Don’t worry. The fault is with your spouse.”

At **Han-a**’s words, **Sora** smiled bitterly for the first time.

> “I heard you’re the best in this field.”

> “I’ve never disappointed a client.”

**Han-a** looked confident.

> “I’ll trust you too. Make sure to take everything from that man.”

Even though **Sora**’s elegant face spoke crudely, **Han-a** was not surprised. People who decide to divorce rarely come to a lawyer’s office with good intentions.

—

Time passed quickly as she worked, and soon it was almost lunchtime. **Han-a** stretched her arms above her head and checked the time.

> “Why is my sister so late?”

She muttered to herself, and just then, **Joo-a** called, as if reading her mind.

“Hello?”

[**I’m on the first floor.**]

**Han-a** put down her pen and stood up.

> “I’ll come down right away.”

She left the office and hurried to the elevator. Just as she pressed the button to go down, the elevator doors opened automatically.

Unconsciously, **Han-a** looked up and was startled to see **Jung Han** standing there.

He looked very neat, just like last night.

> “See you again.”

**Han-a**, snapping out of her surprise, glanced around to make sure no coworkers were nearby, then grabbed his arm and pushed him toward the emergency stairs next to the elevator.

> “Uh… Vice President…”

**Choi**, **Jung Han**’s secretary, who was left alone, reached out in shock.

Bang!

The emergency door closed, leaving just the two of them on the stairs. She lowered her voice and asked urgently,

> “Why are you here?”

**Jung Han** looked at her hand holding his arm.

> “Did you come to see me? You should have called first so I wouldn’t be caught off guard…”

Brrring. Brrring.

She stopped talking as her phone vibrated in **Jung Han**’s suit pocket.

**Jung Han** looked at **Han-a**’s face and then at his arm. She finally let go of his arm.

“Hello?”

It was **Choi**, **Jung Han**’s secretary.

[**Vice President, I just met with Director Yoon.**]

Director Yoon was the head lawyer at **Law Firm Jeonghae**, **Yoon Jung-ho**.

> “Wait a moment. I’ll be out soon after the meeting.”

[**Understood.**]

**Choi** didn’t ask more.

Silence followed after the call.

> “So… you didn’t come to see me?”

> “No.”

**Han-a** felt embarrassment rise from her chest to the top of her head. She regretted pushing him into the emergency stairs without thinking.

> “Kang Han-a.”

> “Yes…?”

> “Even though we spent a night together…”

The words made her blush immediately.

> “Spent a night? What are you talking about?”

It wasn’t exactly wrong, but also not exactly right. Memories of waking up partially undressed flashed through her mind.

> “Did we… last night…”

She pointed back and forth between them with her fingers, then, pale-faced, covered her mouth.

**Jung Han** studied her, smirked, and shook his head.

> “You’re not imagining something weird, are you?”

> “…Right?”

He frowned seriously.

> “I’m not the kind of person who acts without reason. You can trust me on that.”

> “What?”

She frowned, not understanding what he meant.

> “I don’t show up without calling.”

**Han-a** bit her lip and stepped back, embarrassed.

> “Still, since you’re here, I want to see you after the meeting for a bit.”

She swallowed hard.

> “I have something to tell you.”

Her mind raced. Did they really… no! She was wearing underwear.

**Jung Han** glanced at his watch.

> “I’ll call you in about an hour.”

> “…Okay.”

He left through the emergency door, leaving **Han-a** alone, kicking the floor in frustration.

> “Because of that photo… Kang Han-a is really going crazy!”

She wanted to undo the mistakes from last night, but that was impossible.

Ding-dong.

Her phone rang. Remembering **Joo-a**, she went down the stairs to the first floor. After changing into the clothes her sister gave her, she bought a sandwich for lunch and returned to the office.

Even though it was her first meal of the day, she barely ate the sandwich. Her mind kept thinking about **Jung Han**.

Since **Daehan Financial Group** had never worked with **Law Firm Jeonghae**, his visit was puzzling.

Her curiosity was answered by a message from a senior lawyer.

> “Big case.

> Daehan Financial Group is signing a legal advisory contract with our law firm.”

This meant all legal advice and lawsuits involving **Daehan Financial Group** would now go through **Law Firm Jeonghae**.

**Han-a** frowned, wondering why they were changing their long-time law firm.

Just then, **Jung Han** called. Though she had been waiting, she jumped slightly.

“Hello?”

[**Kang Han-a, should we meet now?**]

> “Where are you?”

[**Nearby hotel.**]

> “A hotel again?”

[**For lunch. It’s not lunch time yet, right?**]

> “Ah… lunch…”

He paused, then asked with a slightly teasing voice.

[**What are you thinking?**]

> “I’m not thinking anything.”

She played innocent. A low chuckle came from the phone.