Chapter 133 – Recruitment – Part 4

Chapter 133 – Recruitment – Part 4

Kim Cheolung stroked his chin and looked Woojin up and down, dressed in a suit.

“Wow… Hahaha! You’re already handsome, but dressing up like this really brings out your looks. It truly does!”

“Are you alright?”

Prosecutor Kim Cheolung’s hair was disheveled, and it looked like he hadn’t changed clothes in days.

Even if Lee Yohwan’s father remained silent, pressure would automatically come down from higher-ups.

However, with the media on his side because of this incident, they couldn’t simply remove Kim Cheolung from his position, as he was unpredictable.

He had truly become a maverick prosecutor.

“Well, it’s what I prepared for, isn’t it? Sit down. Please, sit down.”

Kim Cheolung sat in his seat, gripping the armrests of his chair with both hands, and continued speaking.

“But I don’t know if we should let him off with probation, especially after I made such big promises to the public.”

“Can I have another candy?”

Kim Cheolung looked at Woojin with an expression that asked why he was like this.

There were times when one should be serious, but this guy was still jumping from one topic to another, unchanged.

Kim Cheolung picked up a handful of candy from the basket and offered it to Woojin.

“Here, take this. Put them in your pocket and unwrap them one by one.”

Woojin only took one candy from Kim Cheolung’s palm and put it in his mouth.

“Young Master Lee Yohwan is someone who is heavily influenced by brain control. If we just recreate the situation and conditions, we can probably put him back in a golden room.”

“Influenced by brain control?”

Woojin slowly nodded his head.

“He’s someone who reacts to immediate emotions. That’s why he reacts easily to hormones. He treats those below him poorly, feels competitive towards those of similar standing, or develops a victim mentality. He’s someone who thoroughly bows his head to superiors.”

“Is this also like profiling?”

It’s similar. Like a mouse dropped into a maze that sniffs out food at the finish line, if we just set up the situation, I think we can catch them again. They’re someone who really loves food.

Greedy?

Yes.

Aren’t all those Shinhwa Group gentlemen like that?

I think greed and ambition are good for self-improvement. I believe the problem lies in how one achieves it.

To achieve it, some use unfair means, some work hard, and some commit crimes.

Kim Cheolung raised a finger and gestured to Woojin.

You really are a smooth talker, Woojin. I’m telling you this so you don’t misunderstand. I don’t hate the conglomerate groups. They export a lot and keep the Republic of Korea’s economy going, so how could I hate them? But there are always some among them who act out, like Lee Yohwan. I hate those kinds of people.

Sometimes, Kim Cheolung felt Woojin’s gaze was chilling.

Like being stripped bare.

Whenever he had such thoughts, he wondered how Woojin saw him.

A person so greedy they’d stop at nothing?

I know you’re a good prosecutor.

Kim Cheolung scratched his cheek.

Whenever he said something like a compliment, it always seemed soulless.

Alright then, let’s summarize. Ride the coattails of Miss Lee Hyerim, the youngest of the third-generation chaebols?

Yes. Her position will grow in the future. Division Chief Prosecutor, Deputy Chief Prosecutor, and even Prosecutor General. Lee Hyerim will be the one to lay out the carpet for you in politics.

Wow… this is an enormous plan, isn’t it? Hahaha!

Woojin in front of him was incredibly young. It was absurd and hard to grasp that someone not even in their late twenties was talking about the Prosecutor General.

But everything Woojin had said so far had come true.

After solving cases one after another, a National Assembly Member from the Ruling Party even contacted him first…

Assemblyman Hwang Mansik will contact you.

He was a National Assembly Member of the Ruling Party and had a thin connection, like a thread, with Shinhwa Group.

At that moment.

The telephone next to Kim Cheolung rang.

“Just a moment.”

Kim Cheolung brought the handset to his ear.

“Yes. Deputy Division Chief Prosecutor Kim Cheolung….”

-Well done! Hahaha! Of course, we should push for a suspended sentence! No, a suspended sentence is the obvious choice! If you were going to do this, why were you so stubborn?

“Excuse me?”

Kim Cheolung blinked and looked at Woojin.

-This person is finally becoming flexible! Yes, to become a great person, you must have a broad mind! When are you free?

“I think I’ll have time on the weekend, but….”

-Really? Then let’s meet at that place we saw last time. Make sure you clear your schedule!”

“Yes. Yes…. Goodbye.”

Kim Cheolung, who had put down the handset, crossed his arms and looked at Woojin.

“Assemblyman Hwang is someone who is just about to form a relationship with Shinhwa Group. I had someone tip him off. That Prosecutor Kim Cheolung is listening to Assemblyman Hwang and trying to push for a suspended sentence.”

Kim Cheolung let out a gasp, “Ha!”

“Assemblyman Hwang will now think that Prosecutor Kim Cheolung is following his lead. And he’s a star prosecutor who has solved many cold cases and made a name for himself among the public. It’s highly likely that Assemblyman Hwang will cut off annoying tasks coming from higher-ups, whether subtly or not. He’ll try to use Prosecutor Kim Cheolung by showing generosity. I think Prosecutor Kim Cheolung can use his desire.”

“Oh, honestly.”

“More and more people will covet Prosecutor Kim Cheolung. I think Assemblyman Hwang will also try to keep such people in check and have no choice but to treat Prosecutor Kim Cheolung well. Because through this opportunity, he has deeply established himself as a righteous prosecutor among the public.”

However, he will be released with a suspended sentence.

But that anger will be directed not at Prosecutor Kim Cheolung, but at Lee Yohwan.

Kim Cheolung pushed up his glasses. Then he crossed his arms and said,

“Woojin. Let’s be honest. How many snakes are in your body?”

“I might have parasites, but no snakes.”

Kim Cheolung ran his hand through his hair.

He doesn’t even take a joke as a joke.

Kim Cheolung clapped his hands! He clapped.

Then he put on the suit that was on the hanger.

“I don’t think we’ve ever had a drink together, have we? There’s an amazing tripe restaurant. Let’s go, just the three of us with the Investigator. We can talk more there…”

Woojin shook his head.

“I have somewhere to go.”

Kim Cheolung’s eyes widened slightly.

Refusing a popular restaurant?

“Well, we can do it another time.”

Woojin stood up from his seat.

He bowed to Kim Cheolung and the Investigator, then left.

The Investigator said to Kim Cheolung,

“Things seem to be getting complicated. It’s quite straightforward.”

Kim Cheolung straightened his clothes and replied,

“Oh, it’s cold even in the office. They say morning comes even if you wring a chicken’s neck… Brother, if we keep wringing necks, won’t spring come?”

He was referring to those he would have to face in the future.

***

SH Construction.

Lee Hyerim was in Lee Yohwan’s office.

As her father wished, it was now her office too.

Lee Hyerim walked to the large window and looked at the view below.

Just then, with a knock, Managing Director Kim entered.

“You’re here?”

“Yes, Young Lady.”

He bowed, and Lee Hyerim, slowly nodding, sat in Lee Yohwan’s chair.

“The design here isn’t great. And it smells a bit.”

“I’ll have it changed immediately tomorrow. As for the design you’re thinking of…”

“Make it clean.”

“Yes.”

Managing Director Kim answered, thinking that Lee Hyerim’s atmosphere had completely changed.

Her demeanor was heavier than before, and her blunt way of speaking seemed devoid of emotion.

Indeed, Lee Hyerim was looking at her fingernails with a hand raised, appearing utterly relaxed.

She soon looked at Managing Director Kim with languid eyes.

“Report again what we discussed on the phone earlier.”

“You hold 1 million shares in Young Master Lee Yohwan’s name. In nominee accounts, you hold over 5 million shares.”

Since they were secured through shell companies and other names in nominee accounts, there was no need to report them.

As Lee Hyerim slowly nodded, Managing Director Kim spoke.

“As Young Master Lee Yohwan instructed, I will transfer 2 million shares to Young Lady tomorrow.”

Lee Hyerim leaned back deeply into her chair.

“Managing Director Kim.”

“Yes. Speak.”

“What do you think will happen when my brother gets out on a suspended sentence?”

Managing Director Kim rolled his eyes, seemingly in thought.

“Well, he will take time for self-reflection…”

“Then what do you think will happen to Managing Director Kim?”

Managing Director Kim moistened his dry lips with his tongue.

Things were not going well.

Following the Mirae Industry incident, Lee Yohwan’s drug scandal erupted one after another.

The executives were anxious.

Even with their titles, they were contract employees on salaries.

It wouldn’t be strange if they were all replaced.

Still, they were relying solely on the fact that sales increased every quarter.

“We are also doing our best. Annual sales are increasing…”

“Increased sales… But what should I do? I don’t like how the work is being done.”

“Young Lady, if you give us advice, we will…”

“I’ll give it. Advice.”

“Please tell us. After a meeting with the executives…”

Lee Hyerim interrupted him again.

“Tell them that someone unknown touched 3.5 million shares out of the 5 million shares my brother holds under a borrowed name.”

Managing Director Kim’s eyes widened as if they would tear.

“Huh? What are you talking about?”

“I will take them.”

Managing Director Kim, with wide eyes, couldn’t say a word.

On the other hand, Lee Hyerim, who had Woojin’s words imprinted in her mind, spoke and acted with confidence.

‘Give them doubt, and create the situation.’

Lee Yohwan’s attention was focused on Lee Siyoung, and she showed that factually.

“Young Lady, if Young Master Lee Yohwan ever finds out about this…”

Lee Hyerim smiled.

To Managing Director Kim, her smile seemed as cold as frost.

“Why are you worrying about that, Managing Director Kim? You should worry about yourself. Just do as I say. Otherwise, I’ll roll up the dust on you, Managing Director Kim, like a snowball effect and send you to the Prosecution. I promise. If there’s nothing, we’ll create something. You know well, don’t you? That’s the kind of people we are, the bloodline of Shinhwa Group. Conversely, if you take my hand, I’ll guarantee your term.”

Managing Director Kim squeezed his eyes shut until wrinkles formed.

It seemed he was thoroughly ensnared.

Then, Lee Hyerim’s voice flowed into his ears again.

“Choose. Will you walk the path to hell, or adapt to a new era? I’ll give you enough time, so think slowly. I’ll give you one minute.”

“Young Master Lee Yohwan won’t leave me alone. He’ll say I didn’t manage it properly…”

Lee Hyerim slightly raised her hand.

“Don’t worry about that.”

***

Woojin was standing at a street stall, like a food truck, picking up and eating fish cakes.

“Wow.”

The fish cake broth was red, and perhaps because it was made with crab stock, it was refreshing and spicy.

The fish cakes even had a chewy texture.

Meanwhile, Woojin’s gaze kept darting towards the sweet pancakes.

“I’m overeating…”

Woojin, who had been muttering with a serious expression, as if fighting with himself, soon made a decision like a judge.

“Just one sweet pancake, please.”

“Understood~!”

Besides Woojin, several other people were buying and eating sweet pancakes, and a little girl also ordered one, swallowing her saliva.

Watching the child, he suddenly thought of Bomi.

Even at this hour, she would be moving her tiny hands, checking the global market conditions.

Woojin, who had taken a bite of the sweet pancake, shook his head.

“Wow… This is a masterpiece.”

The owner wore a satisfied expression.

“Is that so? Hahaha! I’m glad it suited your taste.”

Enjoying the sweet pancake, Woojin slightly raised his head and looked at the faintly visible building in the distance.

It was the SH Construction building.

Woojin was waiting for Lee Hyerim.

Just then, the little girl, who had received her packaged sweet pancake, bowed her head to the owner.

“Thank you.”

“Enjoy your meal~”

“Yes!”

Seeing the child walk away excitedly, Woojin’s lips unconsciously curved into a slight smile.

No, he suddenly started eating the remaining sweet pancake faster.

Woojin casually tossed the paper cup into the trash can and started following the child who was heading towards the crosswalk.

And when the light turned green, the child started walking again. No.

“Oh dear! Hey, could you push this wheelchair for me? I’ve pushed it so much my hands are losing strength.”

At the words of the Thug, who appeared to be in his mid-40s and in a wheelchair, the child replied with bright, clear eyes.

“Yes!”

“Oh, how kind of you! Could you please push me just to that alley across the street?”

“Of course! Hehe.”

The child, with a plastic bag hanging from their wrist, grabbed the handles of the wheelchair.

At that moment, Woojin’s hand covered the child’s right hand.

Woojin, with a faint smile, whispered into the child’s ear.

“Adults don’t ask children for help. Go home quickly. I’ll push him instead.”

“Oh, okay…”

The child crossed the crosswalk, and Woojin, holding the wheelchair with both hands, looked at the dark alley the man had mentioned and spoke.

“How far would you like me to take you?”

“Ah… Thank you. Just to the opposite side, please.”

Woojin started pushing the wheelchair as he walked.

Crime is not restricted by environment or space, with an annual average of 297 murders, 482 attempted murders, 782 robberies, 5,310 rapes, and 1,362 cases of intrusion.

After they had crossed the crosswalk, the man said,

“That’s enough now. Thank you.”

“I’ll take you to the alley.”

“It’s fin…”

Clunk! Clunk! Clunk!

Woojin began pushing the wheelchair more forcefully, on the Righteous Path that made it sway from side to side.