Kangcho law firm conference room

Gathered together at the law firm that was representing Han & Lily, the legal team representing Doctor Ahn Eun-ah, an attorney Jung Yoon-gi a practicing pro bono lawyer for the past 15 years on high profile cases, he also lectures at a local college part-time in Incheon.

To the middle were the Lee couple, Kwak Mina, and Lee Kaycee, and their attorney, Shim Jae-hyun works on small cases and has a high winning rate. 

At the far right of the conference room sat Han Jiho, his parents, a female friend of the family Shin Soo-ah, and the senior partner of Kangcho- Attorney Choi Ji-ahn.

Everyone in the room exchanged greetings as they politely bowed to each other and could not conceal the edginess that encased each one present. Choi Ji-ah cleared her throat, 40 something woman oozed with sophistication. Her experienced eyes took in the faces and body language of the other participants as she said, “I am Attorney Choi Ji-ahn of Kangcho. I will be representing Mr. Han Jiho of Han & Lily. The purpose of our gathering is to settle out-of-court lawsuits can take up to 30 years or more to settle if it goes through the judge and jury. My client, Mr. Han Jiho, is known for being a philanthropist and has fought for many causes; here are some of the many charitable works he partners with.”

Choi Ji-ahn switched the projector on and showed slides that listed the various organizations and charities that Han Jiho had supported from the time he was in high school till date. Her melodious charismatic tone captured the attention of all who sat in the room.

One of the images showed a teenage boy in glasses wearing a uniform from an elite academy; he was at a blood donation stand; Mina recognized the teenager as the boy who had come to her rescue when she was turned away by a staff member who worked for the blood donation center because she was having her period.

“It is you...I never knew we would meet again. I wanted to thank you for helping me that day.” 

As the thought crossed her mind, Mina felt conflicted. She felt thankful that Han Jiho was the kind boy she briefly met in high school, but at the same time, he was partly responsible for her friends' situation.

“Mr. Han Jiho is pro-life, and he is willing to share responsibility for the upbringing of Miss. Lee's child by providing financial help; and attending antenatal clinic visits and classes with Miss. Lee Kaycee. He takes his noblesse duty seriously is why he would do everything possible to ensure that Miss. Lee Kaycee is well taken care of. The parents of my client support his decision. If you do not want to keep the child or have gotten rid of it, my client will compensate for damages or financial burden amassed.”

Shin Soo-ah wrapped an arm around those Han Jiho; the gesture marked her territory and overwhelming support for the man she adored from when they were in middle school. Shin Soo-ah was an attractive woman. She knew being beautiful was not enough to win a man’s heart, “Brother Jiho, no matter how long it takes. I’ll stay by your side until you see me,” she silently vowed.

Choi Ji-ahn took her seat after making her final statement, “This deal is too good to pass only an idiot will not take what the Han family has to offer. Although this would help the image of Han&Lily and Han Jiho, the public would look on them more favorably.”

Attorney Jung Yoon-gi got up next to defend his client, who had her head lowered all through the time Choi Ji-ahn spoke; Doctor Ahn Eun-ah had lost some weight her eyes looked puffy with shadows underneath.

“My license is all I have; I cannot endure the loss of my license. I have done my best as a doctor. Why did this have to happen to me,” Ahn Eun-ah silently screamed within herself as she questioned the unfairness of her situation.

“Doctor Ahn Eun-ah is a client of mine that just graduated from medical school two years ago and working as a locum doctor at Dahee Clinic together with a part-time nurse that was a staff at that clinic. To my knowledge, locum doctors do not have authorization to access electronic records at the sites they work because they are there temporarily. Doctor Ahn Eun-ah relied on a nurse Kwon Ga-eul to provide accurate information because of the nurse’s negligence; my client is facing medical malpractice. The system that claims to protect patients has failed to protect Miss. Lee Kaycee from negligence, and medical malpractice. If Doctor Ahn Eun-ah had been offered access to personal health information, she would have easily verified and prevented such a tragedy. My client is a victim; she has not finished paying off her student loans, and she is facing a lawsuit due to a negligent nurse and a broken system. Doctor Ahn Eun-ah is deeply sorry for the harm she had inadvertently caused to Miss. Lee Kaycee; Doctor Ahn Eun-ah willingly wants to settle out of court.”

As soon as Attorney Jung Yoon-gi finished, Ahn Eun-ah got up from her seat and gave a long deep bow, her hair rolling over to cover the tears that ran down her face. Ahn Eun-ah is overwhelmed by the jumble of nameless emotions within her; she remains silent as she awaits her fate.