By Zephyria 
“I read the article that Nathaniel Miller had stepped in personally, so I came to see me. I told her the truth about Nathaniel Miller.”
I opened my mouth, but no words came out. Did he tell her we were going to lose? Why didn’t he reassure the bereaved family? Did he perhaps exaggerate the risks and frighten her more than necessary just to get the answer we wanted?
There was much to say, but the reason the words wouldn’t form was that I already knew the answer. As if he knew the countless questions I was swallowing, the Chief Prosecutor spoke with a bitter expression.
“I couldn’t simply tell her that everything would go well. You might be able to do that, but I can’t. Yes, we might win. But isn’t it true that a plea bargain is more advantageous for the sentencing?”
“Wasn’t it just a great opportunity to persuade the lady?”
At my blatantly sarcastic remark, the Chief Prosecutor answered reluctantly.
“I won’t deny that either.”
He let out a short breath, then continued.
“A loss in a case of this magnitude isn’t just your personal failure. From my position, I have to consider the risks to the organization.”
Of everything I had heard today, this sounded the closest to the truth. As I remained silent, the Chief Prosecutor continued.
“There are times when you must follow the organization’s decision, even if it doesn’t make sense. It’s a shame, but let it go now. Instead, just make the negotiation as favorable as possible.”
“Winning the trial is hard, but making the negotiation favorable is easy. Yes, of course, how could it be otherwise?”
I tried being sarcastic once more, but the Chief Prosecutor merely stared at me in silence. That silence, more than anything, broke my will. A solid wall stood before me, one that no protest could penetrate. There was no way to maintain the trial. All that remained was to push the negotiation to the most favorable terms.
I clenched my fists, then soon relaxed them and let out a sigh. Seeing that I had given up, the Chief Prosecutor began to soothe me in a softened tone.
“I’m sorry things turned out this way. But it’s also true that I took these measures because I care for you. There are times when you must give up immediate gains for a greater reward. You’ll understand in time. Truly.”
I said nothing. The Chief Prosecutor waited for me to compose my emotions. After calming my anger to some extent, I spoke.
“What about Mrs. Smith?”
“What?”
He frowned and asked back, surprised by the sudden mention of the name. I asked again in a businesslike tone.
“Anthony Smith’s mother. Did she truly accept this?”
“Of course.”
The Chief Prosecutor nodded and added emphatically.
“It is a fact that the lady contacted me first. The fact that this route is better than losing the trial was something she asked me to confirm after receiving advice from various sources.”
As I stood there speechless from the sense of futility, the Chief Prosecutor added words of consolation.
“It’s understandable. Many bereaved families cannot endure the trial process. In fact, those who fight until the end are the minority. You know this. In the course of a trial, victims and their families inevitably get hurt.”
He let out a short, bitter sigh.
“Realizing justice is all well and good, but shouldn’t we also consider the suffering of the bereaved?”
If he went that far, there was nothing more I could do. “I understand,” I replied.
“I will prepare for the negotiation as you requested. I’ll contact them and set a date as soon as possible.”
“Wait a moment.”
Just as I finished my brief greeting and tried to stand, the Chief Prosecutor suddenly called out to me. As I stopped and looked at him, he asked an unexpected question.
“Jin, do you have time this weekend?”
“Time?”
I frowned at the sudden question, and the Chief Prosecutor soon explained in detail.
“There’s a party this weekend. It’s at a villa in the suburbs, and many influential figures from the political and business worlds will be attending. Why don’t you come along and get acquainted with them?”
It was an unthinkable proposal. He had just threatened me to give up the trial, and now, out of nowhere, a party? Was this the right flow of conversation?
“I understand why you’re bewildered.”
As I blinked in confusion, he added with a hint of embarrassment and continued.
“I’m bringing this up precisely because of the timing. You might feel terrible right now, but in time, you’ll realize this was the right choice. That will be true then, but for now, how about it to clear your head? Meeting people is good, but you’ll be satisfied even if you just treat it as a simple vacation. There’s a large pool and the scenery is beautiful. It’s a rare opportunity. You certainly won’t regret it. No, you’ll end up thanking me.”
By the time he finished, I could even sense his confidence. He seemed to value this party that much. For me, the value was still unclear. As I remained silent, the Chief Prosecutor tried even more fervently to persuade me.
“Come with me; it will truly be helpful for you. Oh, just in case, this is absolutely not a strange kind of gathering. It’s a dignified social meeting. Just a place to relax and network. Most people bring their wives or partners. The idea of doing anything improper there is absurd, isn’t it?”
I could feel the Chief Prosecutor’s sincerity. Though it didn’t resonate with me much.
“I’m not sure why I must attend such an event.”
When I tried to decline with professional phrasing, he lightly raised and lowered his hands.
“If you put it that way, that may be true. But as I said before, it’s because I want this to be helpful for your future.”
The Chief Prosecutor gave a bitter smile as he looked down at me.
“Didn’t I tell you that I care for you?”
I looked at him in silence and reluctantly answered.
“I’ll think about it.”
“Good, I’ll look forward to a positive answer.”
After giving a vague smile, I left the office. If what the Chief Prosecutor said was true, he was showing me a favor. For someone with ambition, it would be an unparalleled opportunity. Of course, I also have a desire to improve. However, I wasn’t so desperate that I would snap up bait in a situation like this. After all, the reason I was invited to such a prestigious event was that my case had been taken away.
“Prosecutor.”
When I returned to the office, the assistant prosecutor asked with curiosity.
“How did it go? What did he say?”
To the natural question, I answered as professionally as possible, stripping away all emotion.
“The trial is gone. Instead, it’s been decided to end it with a negotiation, so let’s prepare accordingly.”
“What? All of a sudden?”
She shouted in surprise, as if she had been struck by lightning. It was a natural reaction. Of course, the assistant prosecutor didn’t stop there.
“Is that all? How could such a thing happen! Prosecutor!”
At the sound of her urgently calling me, I added a beat later.
“Ah, and I’ve been invited to a party this weekend.”
“Kyaaa! Oh my goodness!”
Once again, she let out a high-pitched sound like a dolphin. Ignoring her as she seemed to want more explanation, I went inside. A moment later, there was a knock and the door opened. As I looked up from the pile of documents I was organizing, the assistant prosecutor, leaning halfway through the door, asked.
“Shall I bring you some coffee?”
“That would be great. Thank you.”
When I readily agreed, she smiled and hurried back out. Thankfully, she didn’t ask anything more. Grateful for the assistant prosecutor’s consideration, I closed my eyes and took a deep breath.
Get a grip. This is no time to be distracted by useless things.
Since my mind had been wandering, I felt a flicker of guilt. Pushing a pile of documents to one side, I rubbed my shoulder and lit a cigarette. Looking at the remaining paperwork, my heart grew heavy again.
It must be my fault for not giving Mrs. Smith enough faith.