SDMT 13

Chapter 13

For a moment, the smile disappeared from Woogyung’s face.

“Did you happen to hide something that would be troublesome if I met you?”

The woman, startled, 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.”

The woman’s father had been a chauffeur working under Oh Hye-ju for twenty years.

He worked diligently day and night. After his wife was diagnosed with leukemia, the whole family worked hard to cover her medical bills.

But one day, the faithful chauffeur was suddenly fired.

He was accused of harassing a staff member in the main building’s kitchen—a charge that was hard to believe.

“But the problem is, prosecutor, you keep digging as if someone kind did a crime. It’s uncomfortable.”

“Someone kind, you say?”

“….”

“I understand. Director Oh Hye-ju may have fired your father, but he’s covered all your mother’s treatment and hospitalization costs, as well as experimental drug fees.”

Woogyung sank deep into the sofa and crossed his legs.

“So, thanks to that, the lifeline of your mother is in Director Oh’s hands.”

“What? What do you mean…!”

“Do you really think your father committed harassment?”

At the sudden change of topic, the woman blushed and looked away.

“The man who never entered the main building after work for twenty years, supposedly committed harassment on the one night he entered late?”

Seeing the woman’s trembling eyes, Woogyung continued.

“He gave you illness and medicine to the one who handled all the dirty work under him. Oh Hye-ju is indeed a person worthy of gratitude.”

The woman, seemingly at a loss for words, fiddled nervously with her teacup. She looked visibly flustered under the prosecutor’s interrogation-like atmosphere.

“Think carefully. Why is someone ‘worthy of gratitude’ controlling your mother’s treatment?”

“….”

Woogyung deliberately pressed her into a corner, making his point clear.

For someone hiding something, a strong stimulus is often more effective than persuasion.

There was undoubtedly some private arrangement between the chauffeur and Oh Hye-ju.

And Oh Hye-ju would have held the treatment of his wife as leverage, just in case.

But all he could do was stimulate them to recognize Oh Hye-ju’s cruelty themselves and break free.

Since a sick person’s treatment was at stake, caution was necessary.

“I have a four-character idiom I rely on in such cases.”

It was time to ease the tension he had tightened.

Leaning slightly closer as if about to share something important, Woogyung spoke.

“Strike first, win first.”

“Eh?”

The woman let out a laugh of disbelief. Woogyung responded with a relaxed smile.

Anyone watching might think they were having a very cozy, friendly conversation.

“What, a prosecutor using a phrase like that?”

“I would strike first. I assess the situation in the long term. If you truly care for your mother’s safety, you’ll know what needs to be done.”

“…I really need to get going. Stop contacting me. I came out today just to say that.”

The woman, seemingly resolute, packed her bag.

“But perhaps…”

As she stood, his deep voice stopped her.

“Could you ask your father just one thing for me?”

Turning back with an impassive expression, Woogyung exuded a pressure that seemed to dominate the woman even while seated.

“Tell me everything you know about the relationship between Oh Hye-ju and a woman named Jeong Eun-jae.”

“Why should I help you, prosecutor?”

“It’s not for me, it’s for helping your father. If a crime is overlooked, you could be punished as an accomplice.”

Woogyung rose, seeing the woman’s flustered expression.

“If you need my help, come to the Central District Prosecutor’s Office. Time is short, so hurry.”

Then he strode out of the lounge ahead of her.

“….”

After recalling the events, Woogyung closed his eyes, deep in thought.

Even at the moment he had struggled to meet the chauffeur’s daughter, he couldn’t suppress thoughts of Jeong Eun-jae.

He worried that directing his blade at Oh Hye-ju might hurt her.

If she had even the slightest negative connection to Oh Hye-ju—helped, received, or had a weakness exploited—then…

He furrowed his brow, imagining the worst-case scenario.

If someone committed a crime, they should be punished according to law. Private emotions had no place.

Even if the person was Jeong Eun-jae, there was no exception.

He just didn’t want to feel again the dirty loss and guilt he had felt when putting Professor Yoon behind bars himself.

That’s why Eun-jae irritated him. It wasn’t about her, it was to protect himself.

He couldn’t approve of her transfer within the organization for the same reason. He had to monitor her closely to see what her relationship with Oh Hye-ju was.

…So, foolish things like daydreaming about the vanilla scent of a first kiss, as today, must never happen again.

Woogyung rose, carrying a bottle of whiskey, and walked steadily.

Thud.

He heard the heavy glass bottle crash into the trash can, then returned to his desk, keeping his unspoken promise to have it removed as soon as possible.

The next day. Weekly meeting of the Criminal Division.

“And the next case is Do Seung-jun of the N gang.”

The meeting, with only working prosecutors and no deputy chief, was bright in mood.

Its main purpose was to assign cases sent to the district prosecutor’s office.

“Do Seung-jun? That thug?”

Someone’s blunt comment drew laughter from everyone.

“He said he turned over a new leaf and opened a restaurant, now what’s this?”

“He’s apparently suspected as the ringleader of a trendy cryptocurrency scam. The case is tricky because it involves both economic and criminal aspects.”

“Let’s see, whose turn is it? Ah, Chief 1, it’s your department.”

“Ugh, why do the annoying cases always go to us?”

“It’s the most fair rotation, going around like a Go-Stop game,” someone laughed.

The first chief’s face was gloomy.

“Baek, you know the drill. It’s your turn, so handle it.”

“Yes, sir.”

Woogyung responded calmly, unaffected by the lively atmosphere. To him, it was just another case; difficult or troublesome, he wouldn’t refuse.

But then—

“Chief, can’t I take the Do Seung-jun case? I’m confident I can handle it!”

Suddenly, Prosecutor Ahn Jin-hyuk raised his hand. Everyone admired his confidence.

“Hey, is this an auction?”

The chief scolded while subtly checking Woogyung’s reaction. He didn’t want to irritate the heir.

“Why not auction it off? Let the person most confident take it.”

Ahn Jin-hyuk spoke assertively, appealing to everyone. He had just looked up the N gang cryptocurrency scam on his phone.

The scam involved victims from housewives to students, making it a major social issue. He wanted this case for the fame it could bring.

“Baek is busy with the rental fraud and the Dongcheon-dong murder case. I can handle this one.”

Woogyung’s eyes narrowed at the overconfidence.

“Ahn, if you care so much about me, why don’t you quit being a prosecutor and just be my secretary?”

“What? Hah, even if you relieve me of work, you’re ridiculous.”

Jin-hyuk openly showed his irritation.

“Enough. Stop fighting! Just do it together, okay?”

The chief offered a practical solution.

In that moment, Woogyung and Jin-hyuk’s gazes locked midair.

Jin-hyuk forced a servile smile, trying to appease Woogyung’s rigid, emotionless presence.

“Alright, Baek. Since it’s come to this, let’s work together.”

“….”

“I’ll do well, okay?”

Woogyung paused, then nodded.

“Fine then.”

Having an extra pair of hands would make things easier.

Jin-hyuk was surprised at the quick acceptance but immediately thanked him. Before the lunatic could change his mind.

“We’ll do it perfectly.”

The smug Ahn Jin-hyuk cheerfully said, hiding his true feelings.

“Yeah, really, thanks! Baek.”

But…

“Investigator Jeong Eun-jae, we’re like neighbors now. Let’s do this case well.”

Woogyung had not expected it to go this far.

“….”

He glared coldly at Ahn Jin-hyuk, who had moved his desk into Woogyung’s office.

And worse, had taken the seat next to Eun-jae.