The Inspector Is Getting Promoted! [EN]: Chapter 122

A Prosecutor’s Success – 122

Reversal (2)

As soon as I hung up with Shin Yong-ho, Han Ji-yoo approached and asked,

“Is what’s on the news real?”

I hesitated for a moment.

Should I tell her the whole truth, or would it be better for her to keep believing what she knows?

However, considering Shin Yong-ho’s words, it seemed better not to reveal the truth to Han Ji-yoo.

“Yeah, that’s how it turned out.”

“That’s a relief.”

She sighed in relief, patting her chest.

“I’m so glad.”

It’s said that there should be no secrets between lovers and spouses, but there was no point in digging this up, so I decided to keep it hidden.

A sort of white lie, if you will.

Han Ji-yoo’s perception of Shin Yong-ho might worsen, but that’s better than her thinking poorly of me.

As expected, Han Ji-yoo didn’t badmouth or complain about Shin Yong-ho.

It was my choice, so she respected it and was simply happy that my problem was resolved.

That’s why my conviction about Han Ji-yoo deepened even further.

My head was filled with the thought of getting rid of that viper and proposing right away.

“Thank you for believing in me.”

“I’m on your side even if you’re a bad person.”

Han Ji-yoo gave me a warmer smile than ever before.

A warm smile that seemed to melt away the cold wave.

Looking outside, the blizzard had vanished without a trace, and only pure white snow covered the world.

***

The next day, I took the first flight back to Seoul.

So much had happened overnight that it still felt awkward.

Shin Yong-ho entered the Office of the Inspector General to be investigated, and public opinion completely reversed, allowing Han Ji-yoo to resume her movie schedule.

I returned to the Prosecutor’s Office after nearly a week.

How I missed this office!

I usually found it so tedious, but once I couldn’t come, I wanted to be here so badly.

As soon as I arrived at the office, the faces I had been waiting for came to see me one by one.

Starting with Deputy Chief Prosecutor Lee Doo-hyung, followed by Prosecutor Jang Ha-young and Deputy Chief Prosecutor Kwon Hyung-gi.

Prosecutor Hong Seok-jang, whom I was meeting for the first time, also came with Prosecutor Jung Hyun-woo.

Prosecutor Hong Seok-jang was none other than the person Prosecutor Jung Hyun-woo had recruited from the Busan District Prosecutors’ Office.

He was someone Prosecutor Jung Hyun-woo couldn’t find fault with when he was in the Busan District Prosecutors’ Office, and he even stole data from the Viper to confirm what cards he was holding, proving both his ability and loyalty.

There was no room for doubt.

“Prosecutor Hong is at the Western District Prosecutors’ Office, right?”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

He added with a smile,

“You can speak comfortably.”

“No, I’m more comfortable using honorifics with those older than me.”

Like Prosecutor Jung Hyun-woo, he was born in 1988, making him one year older than me.

The fact that he treated me so respectfully was quite appealing.

“Then, take good care of your health and call me anytime you need anything.”

“I understand.”

Just as Prosecutor Hong Seok-jang was about to bow and leave,

I called him again.

“Prosecutor Hong.”

“Yes, Chief.”

Turning back to me, I smiled and said,

“If the case is resolved well, let’s meet here.”

“Pardon?”

To help him understand what I meant, I added,

“Let’s meet at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office.”

“Ah.”

Only then did he realize and his eyes widened.

“Thank you!”

“Wouldn’t Gangnam be more fun than the Western District Prosecutors’ Office in Sinchon?”

“Of course.”

Prosecutor Hong Seok-jang replied with sparkling eyes.

“I’m already looking forward to the day I can work with you, Prosecutor.”

“Be careful on your way back.”

“Yes!”

He answered energetically and left the office.

After that, several other people came to see me.

People who had turned their backs on me when I hit rock bottom were now trying to get back in line.

But I couldn’t look at them warmly.

I had lost my honor when I hit rock bottom, but I had gained ‘my real people’.

Of course, thanks to Shin Yong-ho, I had also recovered the reputation I had lost.

Although the case wasn’t over yet, it was a given that my image and reputation would rise even higher than before once it was settled.

I didn’t openly show my dislike to those who had turned away from me.

I planned to tease them and drag my feet when they regretfully asked for favors, and then refuse them.

They would only realize their mistakes if they were given a taste of their own medicine when they really needed help.

After dealing with people for a long time, the morning quickly passed.

As I stood up to have lunch, there was another knock on the door.

Jo Ah-ra glanced at the clock and said,

“It’s lunchtime already…”

“Ah-ra, go ahead and eat first.”

“Yes. Don’t skip your meal, Chief.”

“Of course.”

She bowed and opened the door, and as if she had been waiting, Yoon Seol-ha came into the office with a bright smile.

“I thought you would call me yesterday.”

I had definitely intended to call.

But just as I was about to call her, Shin Yong-ho called, and after talking to him, a sweet atmosphere formed with Han Ji-yoo, so I ended up forgetting to call.

Explaining this whole situation would seem like a lame excuse, so I instead joked,

“Haha, I wanted to talk in person rather than over the phone.”

“I’ll let it slide since you put it so nicely.”

Yoon Seol-ha replied coyly and carefully examined my face.

Then, she wore a relieved expression.

“Why?”

“I was worried you would be angry that I did something you didn’t order.”

I understood her concern.

In fact, it would be a lie to say that I didn’t feel that way at all.

She had survived by selling out Shin Yong-ho, who was my dearest friend, in a way that I didn’t want.

Even if I desperately wanted to survive, I would feel guilty about surviving by sending my friend to prison, and I even thought it was ironic for a moment.

However, I had heard Shin Yong-ho’s thoughts over the phone and knew how much Yoon Seol-ha had suffered for this, so I felt more grateful than angry.

“I’m the one who wants to thank Seol-ha.”

“That’s a relief.”

“But next time, if something like this happens, I hope you’ll tell me in advance.”

After saying that, I added,

“Of course, there won’t be a next time.”

“I understand. Personally, I was worried that you would tell me not to do it, and the situation was urgent, so I proceeded immediately.”

“I probably would have told you not to do it if I had heard about it beforehand.”

“I’m glad I didn’t say anything.”

She smiled brightly and honestly revealed her inner thoughts.

“Actually, I thought it was right to do this even if you didn’t want me to, as long as I could save you.”

It was a slightly dangerous statement, but I was still grateful that she was so loyal to me and cared about me.

“Let’s talk slowly over a meal. I want to hear in detail how this situation came about.”

“Explaining in detail is my specialty.”

Yoon Seol-ha smiled brightly and stared intently into my eyes.

“I think I know what you want to eat.”

“What is it?”

“The cafeteria.”

I grinned and nodded.

“Bingo.”

There were only two reasons why I wanted to go to the cafeteria.

One was because I wanted to come back to the Prosecutor’s Office so badly, and the other was to show others that I was alive and well.

The thought of those who had sided with me and then betrayed me, or those who had badmouthed me knowing I had fallen, backing down on their own made me feel relieved already.

Yoon Seol-ha smiled brightly and opened the office door.

“Shall we go?”

“It’s been a while since I’ve been to the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office.”

Since there were no cafeterias in the Central District Prosecutors’ Office and the Central District Court, we had to go to the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office.

It was called a cafeteria, but it was actually farther than the nearby restaurants.

“Oh, the menu looks good today.”

“When did you check?”

“I checked on the way here.”

She smiled and led the way.

***

-As a result of the prosecution’s investigation, it was concluded that Joo-ok Group did not offer bribes from their position, but rather that Secretary Gong Hyo-ik acted alone, purely from the perspective of a secretary who hoped that Chairman Lee Cheol-yong would win the fraternal dispute.

My college classmate and Deputy Chief Prosecutor Song Hyun-sung of the Office of the Inspector General continued the press conference calmly.

-Regarding the source of the funds, the right to remain silent is being exercised, so the prosecution is conducting additional investigations…

It was a clean conclusion.

Joo-ok Group concluded that it was the sole action of Gong Hyo-ik in the secretary’s office, so he would take responsibility for all bribery and go to prison, and Shin Yong-ho would take all responsibility for the bribery charges and stand trial.

Perhaps Joo-ok Group had finished talking about giving Gong Hyo-ik an executive position or giving him a large monetary reward once the matter was settled.

It would have been cleaner for them to take responsibility from the bottom rather than dragging in Chairman Lee Cheol-yong as well.

Since the case proceeded with all the situations drawn according to Yoon Seol-ha’s scenario from the beginning, there was no room for criticism.

One regret was that Shin Yong-ho had a previous record of receiving a suspended sentence in connection with bribery while smashing the Economic Crime Investigation Division in the past, and since the period of suspension had not yet ended, it was certain that this sentence would be quite severe.

However, as he said, President Kyung Dong-soo and Minister of Justice Kim Seok-won firmly supported me.

As much as they did not spare encouragement and support when I fell into the abyss, taking care of Shin Yong-ho would not be difficult.

When Shin Yong-ho was in jail, I went to see him and gave him only one instruction.

“After the verdict, don’t appeal and just apply for a name change. Then it will be processed quickly.”

As expected, he was from this field, so he understood immediately without detailed explanation and nodded.

This application for a name change would have a very big impact on his life.

I decided not to intervene in Shin Yong-ho’s case anymore.

Even if I didn’t step in further, everything would be finished as quickly as possible and in a way that the controversy would subside, thanks to Yoon Seol-ha’s scenario.

I could entrust the cleanup to the Office of the Inspector General with confidence.

I was tired of packaging myself as a man of loyalty, and now that the media had begun to calm down to some extent, I revealed my claws again.

“Now that the case is being settled, we need to move in earnest.”

“You mean…”

I said with a serious glint in my eyes.

“We need to make snake soup.”

I gritted my teeth and said.

“Should we let a snake that bites people live?”

Yoon Seol-ha couldn’t hide her bewildered expression, surprised by my brutal attitude.

“I’m going to put it in boiling water, tear off its skin, and chop up its body.”

Viper Kang Joong-shik.

I will completely destroy him so that he cannot recover.