Chapter 3 Ethan Targets Grace

Two hours later.

The trial resumed in a tense atmosphere as the judge prepared to announce the verdict against the murder suspect, Ethan Christopher. In the packed courtroom, breaths were held, and all eyes were fixed on the judge, who held the fate of the accused in his hands.

"Ethan Christopher," the judge declared in a firm voice, "is sentenced to life imprisonment for committing sexual assault and murder. Additionally, the nightclub where the crime took place will be shut down and seized by the state." The words echoed throughout the room, spreading a heavy silence.

Ethan stood abruptly, his face flushed with anger. "I refuse to accept your verdict!" he shouted, his eyes burning with fury as he glared at the judge.

However, the judge remained unmoved. "The evidence and witnesses are irrefutable," he responded firmly. "Whether you accept it or not, you have no right to challenge this ruling!"

Despite successfully prosecuting and convicting the suspect, Prosecutor Shin couldn't shake the feeling that something was missing. She glanced at Ethan, who was seething with rage, before shifting her gaze to Raymond Scott, who sat in the corner with a smug smile.

"Good job, Prosecutor Shin," Raymond muttered in a low yet meaningful tone before leaving the courtroom, sending an unsettling feeling through Grace.

Among the spectators, two men wearing dark sunglasses sat with tense expressions. Though their eyes were hidden, their rigid postures made it clear that the judge's ruling was not what they had hoped for.

Disappointment was evident on one of the men's faces-his jaw clenched, and his fists trembled. Swiftly, his hand moved inside his jacket, but his motion was halted by a firm yet subtle touch from his companion.

"Don't be reckless! If you harm someone, you'll only create trouble for our boss," his friend whispered urgently, his sharp eyes scanning the surroundings to ensure they weren't being watched.

"But the Boss is innocent. I want to kill the real culprit," the man growled, his voice hoarse with anger. His gaze was locked onto Raymond, who was seated in the front.

As Ethan was being escorted away by security, his fury reached its peak. "Grace Anderson Shin, you are unworthy of being a prosecutor!" he bellowed, his eyes ablaze with terrifying intensity.

Grace swallowed hard, her heart pounding. Despite the confidence she projected in court, a nagging sense of guilt haunted her. Deep inside, she whispered, Forgive me. I will set you free! The resolve within her grew stronger, even though she knew her actions could lead to severe consequences. She couldn't explain why she felt guilty about the judge's decision.

---

Grace Anderson Shin, 27 years old, had a mixed heritage-her mother was of Chinese descent, and her father was French. After enduring a grueling trial, she returned to her office. As soon as she opened the door, she was greeted by her colleagues, who had been waiting with triumphant smiles on their faces. The room buzzed with an air of victory, yet deep inside, Grace felt otherwise.

Billy, one of her most outspoken colleagues, approached her immediately. "Grace, congratulations! You finally took down that gangster boss," he said enthusiastically.

Frank, who was usually more reserved, chimed in. "Grace, the most feared and ruthless mafia boss has finally been brought to justice. This is a major victory!"

Grace didn't respond with the expected smile. Instead, her face was pale, and her brown eyes glistened with something unspoken. "Ethan Christopher was defeated by an unjust system," she said quietly but clearly enough for everyone to hear.

Billy and Frank exchanged confused glances. "Grace, what do you mean?" Billy asked, breaking the sudden silence in the room.

Grace took a deep breath before answering, as if summoning the strength to utter the painful truth. "Raymond Scott is the real mastermind, and I fabricated false evidence to frame Ethan Christopher," she finally admitted, her voice laced with regret and sorrow.

---

Emil, one of Ethan's most trusted men, met with his boss.

He sat anxiously in front of Ethan Christopher in a dimly lit room, illuminated only by the glow of a desk lamp. Outside, the sound of heavy rain echoed faintly, adding to the tension in the air.

"Boss, the law has always been unfair," Emil said, his voice slightly trembling but filled with determination. "We won't stay silent. After we kill Raymond Scott, we'll break you out of prison."

Ethan didn't respond immediately. He simply stared at Emil with piercing eyes, making the man even more uneasy. "Emil, what I want is justice. Killing him would be easy. But the truth will never come to light if we take shortcuts."

"There's one thing you must do-kidnap that prosecutor. I want to know how much that corrupt official paid her to frame me. I'm certain all the evidence against me was fake."

"Should we kill her?" Emil asked in a lower voice.

Ethan smirked-a smile that was anything but reassuring. "No! Just torture her. I want her to clear my name. If she dares to resist, don't hesitate to be more ruthless."

---

Grace had just arrived at her apartment, exhaustion weighing down on her after a long day. She unlocked the door and stepped into the dark room. Her fingers quickly reached for the light switch, but when she flipped it, no light appeared.

The room remained shrouded in oppressive darkness. "The bulb is new. Why isn't it working?" Grace muttered, her brows furrowing in suspicion. She froze mid-step, sensing something was off. The darkness felt heavier than usual, as if it was concealing something dangerous.

Her instincts as a prosecutor-one who had dealt with countless criminals-immediately kicked in, making her hyper-aware. Without hesitation, she reached for the wooden baton she always carried for self-defense.

Her steps were slow but steady as she moved through her eerily silent living room. "If you're already here, why are you still hiding?" she called out, her voice firm yet cautious.

As if in response to her challenge, figures began emerging from the shadows. They moved with calculated precision, closing in on Grace. The faint glow from outside illuminated their presence. There were about twelve of them, and they did not look like they were here for a friendly visit.

"Prosecutor Shin," one of them spoke-the leader of the group, his tone cold. He was Emil, Ethan's right-hand man, standing beside his companion, Ekin.

"Come with us willingly, or we'll take you by force."

Grace's sharp eyes scanned the men surrounding her. Despite being outnumbered, there was not a hint of fear in her gaze. "Ethan Christopher sent you to kill me," she stated firmly. "You underestimate me too much!"

On this dark night, Grace faced twelve formidable gang members, each armed with deadly weapons. Would she be able to fight them off?