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Chapter: 13
For a moment, Wookyung’s face lost all traces of a smile.
“Did you happen to hide something that would make it inconvenient for me to meet you?”
The woman was startled and shook her head.
“No, it’s not that… it’s just that… my father has long since stopped working… and Director Oh has always been kind to our family.”
Her father had been a driver under Oh Hyeju for twenty years.
He worked tirelessly, day and night, with absolute diligence. After his wife was diagnosed with leukemia, the whole family worked hard to cover her medical expenses.
Yet the once-diligent driver was suddenly fired one day.
He was unfairly branded with the accusation of harassing a staff member in the main building’s kitchen—an allegation almost impossible to believe.
“But Inspector, you keep questioning me as if someone kind did something wrong, and that makes it difficult for me.”
“Someone kind?”
“….”
“I understand. Director Oh Hyeju may have dismissed your father, but he’s been paying for your mother’s treatment, hospitalization, and even the experimental drugs.”
Wookyung sank deep into the sofa and crossed his legs.
“So, because of that, Director Oh holds the lifeline of your mother in his hands.”
“What? What do you mean…!”
“Do you really think your father committed harassment?”
The sudden shift in topic made the woman blush and look away.
“You’re saying that someone who never entered the main building after work for twenty years suddenly committed harassment the one late night he went inside?”
Watching her trembling eyes, Wookyung continued.
“You’re giving medicine and care to someone who’s done all the hard work for you. Oh Hyeju really is a ‘kind’ person, isn’t he?”
The woman was at a loss for words, fiddling nervously with her teacup. The atmosphere of being interrogated clearly unsettled her.
“Think carefully. Why does someone ‘kind’ control your mother’s treatment?”
“….”
Wookyung pressed the point, deliberately cornering her.
For someone hiding something, a strong stimulus is often more effective than persuasion.
It was clear there had been a secret arrangement between the driver and Oh Hyeju.
And Oh Hyeju, just in case, had likely used her wife’s treatment as leverage.
All Wookyung could do was provoke them to realize Oh Hyeju’s cruelty for themselves and break free.
Since someone’s treatment was at stake, he had to tread carefully.
“I have a four-character idiom I rely on in situations like this.”
It was time to ease the previously tense atmosphere.
Leaning slightly forward as if about to share something important, Wookyung closed the distance.
“Strike first, win first.”
“Huh?”
The woman let out a short, incredulous laugh. Wookyung returned her gaze with a relaxed smile.
Anyone watching might think this was a warm, friendly conversation between a man and a woman.
“Inspector, is that really something you’d say?”
“I’d strike first. Think long-term and make a judgment. If you truly care for your mother, you’ll know what to do.”
“…It’s really time for me to go. Stop calling. I came out just to say this.”
The woman, resolved, grabbed her bag.
“But perhaps…”
Wookyung’s deep voice stopped her as she rose.
“Could you ask your father just one thing for me?”
Turning back with a blank expression, Wookyung exuded an imposing presence even while seated.
“Tell me everything you know about the relationship between Oh Hyeju and a woman named Jeong Eunjae.”
“Why should I help you, Inspector?”
“It’s not about me. It’s about helping your father. If a crime is overlooked, you’d also be punished as an accomplice.”
Seeing her flustered, Wookyung stood.
“If you need my help, come to the Central Prosecutor’s Office. Time is short, so hurry.”
He strode past her, leaving the lounge before her.
Afterward, Wookyung closed his eyes, lost in thought.
Even in that difficult moment with the driver’s daughter, he couldn’t stop thinking about Jeong Eunjae.
The blade aimed at Oh Hyeju might harm her—if she got involved with Oh Hyeju in any way, if she had helped, received help, or had a weakness exploited…
His brow furrowed, assuming the worst-case scenario.
If someone committed a crime, they should be punished, and he would just file charges. There was no reason for personal feelings to interfere.
Even if the person in question was Jeong Eunjae, there would be no exception.
But he didn’t want to feel that same filthy sense of loss and debt he had felt when he had locked Professor Yoon behind bars.
That was why Jeong Eunjae kept nagging at him—because he was protecting himself, not her.
It was also why he couldn’t approve her organizational transfer. He had to monitor her closely, seeing where she stood with Oh Hyeju.
…So today’s foolish talk about vanilla-scented first kisses should never happen again.
Wookyung picked up a whiskey bottle and strode toward his desk.
Clunk.
The heavy glass hit the trash can. He had a promise to himself—one to fulfill as soon as possible.
The next day. Detective Department weekly meeting.
“And the next case is about Do Seungjun, head of the N faction.”
With only the junior prosecutors present and no deputy chief, the meeting had a bright atmosphere.
The main purpose was to decide who would handle the cases transferred to the district prosecutor’s office.
“Do Seungjun? That gangster?”
Laughter broke out at someone’s blunt comment.
“That guy started a restaurant and pretended to reform. What’s he up to now?”
“Following the trend, apparently. This time, it’s a scam involving cryptocurrency investments. Seems he’s suspected as the mastermind.”
“Uh, ahem.”
It was a tricky case, dealing with both economic and criminal offenses.
“Let’s see… whose turn is it this time? Ah, Section Chief 1, it’s your group.”
“Ugh, they always give us the annoying ones.”
“What are you talking about? We take turns in the most fair order possible.”
Everyone giggled, but the section chief’s face was pale.
“Hey, Prosecutor Baek. You know the drill. It’s your turn—do the work.”
“Yes, sir.”
Wookyung calmly responded, unaffected by the atmosphere. To him, it was just another case. Difficult or troublesome, he wouldn’t refuse.
Then suddenly:
“Chief, can I take the Do Seungjun case? I’m confident I can handle it!”
Prosecutor Ahn Jinhyeok raised his hand with bold confidence, earning impressed murmurs from everyone.
“Hey, is this an auction house?”
The section chief scolded him while checking Wookyung’s reaction.
Though the junior was far beneath him, he didn’t want to upset the heir.
“Why don’t we just auction it off? Whoever thinks they can handle it better takes it.”
Ahn Jinhyeok pitched himself confidently. He had just looked up the N faction’s crypto scam and wanted to take on a high-profile, socially impactful case.
“Prosecutor Baek is busy with the rental fraud and Dongcheon-dong murder cases, so I can take it.”
Overstepping, but Wookyung’s gaze narrowed.
“Ahn, if you’re so interested in me, why don’t you just quit being a prosecutor and become my secretary?”
“What? Hah, with that tone. Even if you relieve me of work, you complain?”
Jinhyeok openly expressed his annoyance.
“Enough! Just work together. Got it?”
The section chief offered a compromise, shaking his head.
For a moment, Wookyung and Jinhyeok’s eyes locked midair.
Jinhyeok, with a groveling smile, tried to please Wookyung’s cold, impassive demeanor.
“Alright, Prosecutor Baek. Since it’s come to this, let’s do it together.”
“….”
“I’ll handle it well, okay?”
Wookyung paused briefly, then nodded.
“Fine, do as you will.”
Having another pair of hands would make things easier. Surprisingly easily, Wookyung agreed. Jinhyeok was puzzled, then immediately expressed thanks.
Before the crazy guy changed his mind.
“We’ll do it perfectly.”
The unlucky fellow. Hiding his true feelings, Ahn Jinhyeok said cheerfully,
“Yeah, thanks so much, Prosecutor Baek!”
But then…
“Investigator Jeong Eunjae, we’re practically neighbors now. Let’s do this case well.”
Wookyung hadn’t anticipated this result.
“….”
He glared coldly at Ahn Jinhyeok, who had moved into his office—taking the seat next to Eunjae, no less.
