The Inspector Is Getting Promoted! [EN]: Chapter 136

A Person Who Sees One Step Ahead (2)

“Okay, I understand.”

Yoon Seol-ha nodded and hung up the phone.

‘Wolhyang, huh….’

The name lingered in Yoon Seol-ha’s mind.

She was instrumental in Choi Seo-jun’s promotion to head, following Kang Hyeon-soo’s downfall.

While she couldn’t know all the details, Yoon Seol-ha knew Wolhyang was the woman who had provided the emerald necklace, which exposed the chief prosecutors’ corruption.

Unsurprisingly, Wolhyang couldn’t remain at Paju Yojeong [a high-end entertainment establishment] after the scandal broke.

Yoon Seol-ha immediately made a call.

-Oh, Dr. Yoon.

“Ah, yes. Senior, are you busy?”

-No, tell me.

“Are there any particularly urgent or important cases currently assigned to Deputy Head Lee Doo-hyung?”

-Not really. Is there anything I can help you with?

The person on the phone was Park Cheol-woong, an investigator working under Deputy Head Lee Doo-hyung.

While Yoon Seol-ha was carrying out Choi Seo-jun’s orders in Busan, Park Cheol-woong was handling the investigation in Seoul.

“Yes. It’s a case that came down from the chief….”

-Then, of course, I have to do it.

At the mention of ‘chief,’ Investigator Park Cheol-woong responded without hesitation.

-The deputy chief also told me to drop everything and assist you if you need anything, Dr. Yoon.

“Thank you. I need you to investigate a few things related to Paju Yojeong.”

-Paju Yojeong?

“Yes. The chief took special investigation prosecutors there a few times, so Deputy Head Lee Doo-hyung will know the exact location.”

-Okay. What’s next?

“Please find a woman named Wolhyang there.”

-Is she an employee?

“Yes. She was definitely there until three years ago, but she probably isn’t there now.”

-Is that a pseudonym?

“Yes. It’s been a while since she left Paju Yojeong, so few people likely know her by that name. Still, please investigate any information you can find related to her.”

-Okay. When do you need this by?

“As soon as possible. Her real name is Lee Ha-yeon, so please get a picture from the police first.”

-Okay, I’ll check it out and contact you this evening.

“Thank you.”

-By the way, any progress in Busan?

“A few minor things, but nothing significant yet.”

-Keep at it. The other prosecutors in the special investigation department are working hard to uncover the truth, so you’ll be able to wrap things up soon.”

“Of course. Then, please take care.”

-Take care.

Yoon Seol-ha hung up and got into her car.

Starting the engine, she glanced at her phone, where articles about the incident were constantly being uploaded.

Fortunately, although Chief Choi Seo-jun was detained, public opinion was more favorable than during her fight against Viper Kang Joong-sik.

HS Entertainment, Han Ji-yoo’s agency, aware of the confirmed marriage, was managing the media coverage.

Fortunately, Yoon Seol-ha didn’t have to worry about the media, making the situation somewhat easier.

All that remained was to execute Choi Seo-jun’s orders promptly.

Since Yoon Seol-ha had come down to Busan herself, she didn’t want to disappoint him.

‘First, I have to clear the false accusation before I can even think about taking revenge on that mad dog.’

***

“Ah, not much?”

-Yeah. That’s how this industry is. People often leave without a trace, and there’s a high turnover rate. Only two or three of the women who work as players [entertainers] at Paju Yojeong remember Wolhyang, and they haven’t heard from her.

Yoon Seol-ha had anticipated this.

The entertainment industry rarely fosters close relationships where people exchange contacts, and many move around frequently, often staying less than a year.

-I’m sorry I couldn’t be of more help, Dr. Yoon. But this is what I found in just one day. I’ll continue to investigate and let you know as soon as I find anything. I’ve already sent you a picture. Would you like to check it out?

“Yes.”

Yoon Seol-ha took out her phone, still wearing her earphones, and looked at Lee Ha-yeon’s picture.

Thick makeup and large, dark eyes, typical of someone in the entertainment industry. A naturally pretty face with little sign of plastic surgery.

It was easy to see why she was a top performer even at Paju Yojeong, which catered to high-profile politicians.

-And starting tomorrow, I’m going to investigate those who have quit….

As Investigator Park Cheol-woong spoke, a woman’s face caught Yoon Seol-ha’s eye.

‘Huh?’

She quickly got up and picked up her phone, comparing the picture from Investigator Park Cheol-woong with the woman she saw in the distance.

At that moment, Yoon Seol-ha’s eyes lit up.

‘Found her!’

She clenched her fist and said to Investigator Park Cheol-woong.

“No, Senior. I don’t think you need to investigate.”

-Really?

“Yes. Instead, please arrange for the chief and me to speak directly on the phone during the lawyer’s interview tomorrow.”

-In the interview room?

“Yes. Can you do that?”

-It’s not difficult. Is that all?

“Yes. I’ll let you know if there’s anything else.”

-Okay, take care.

“You too, Senior.”

Hanging up, Yoon Seol-ha leaned forward over the steering wheel.

It was definitely Wolhyang.

Her real name is Lee Ha-yeon.

She was walking into a business called ‘Fantasia’ with heavy makeup and high heels.

Yoon Seol-ha’s smile deepened.

‘As expected of Chief Choi Seo-jun.’

She didn’t know how he had figured it out, but she was amazed that he had managed to uncover everything and instruct her, even while in custody.

She was grateful he wasn’t her enemy.

According to Chief Choi Seo-jun, Lee Ha-yeon would be cooperative.

All that was left was to wait.

Yoon Seol-ha would make her move when Lee Ha-yeon finished work and headed home.

***

How many hours had she spent awake?

Around 4 a.m., Lee Ha-yeon, looking tired, emerged from Fantasia with her bag.

At the same time, a black sedan arrived.

There was no taxi sign, but Lee Ha-yeon got into the back seat without hesitation.

‘Call 뛰기 [illegal private taxi]!’

A term used by those in the entertainment industry to describe illegal private taxis.

Yoon Seol-ha immediately started her car and followed the black sedan.

They drove for a while on the quiet early morning roads before arriving at an officetel [a building with small apartments] lit only by dim streetlights.

Lee Ha-yeon got out of the call 뛰기 car and entered the officetel, looking exhausted. Yoon Seol-ha parked her car nearby and followed her.

After Lee Ha-yeon got on the elevator, Yoon Seol-ha hurried and managed to board just before the doors closed.

As the elevator ascended to the 11th floor, Yoon Seol-ha spoke first.

“Hello, Lee Ha-yeon.”

Startled, Lee Ha-yeon flinched and turned toward the voice.

She saw only the number 11 lit up among the elevator buttons.

‘If they live on the same 11th floor, they’re all men….’

She swallowed hard.

“Or should I call you Wolhyang?”

At the name Wolhyang, Lee Ha-yeon, filled with fear, grabbed a self-defense electric shocker from her bag.

‘Could Kang Hyeon-soo have sent her?’

But reassuring words came from Yoon Seol-ha.

“Chief Choi Seo-jun sent me. You don’t have to be wary.”

“Ah….”

The elevator arrived on the 11th floor.

“Can we talk for a moment?”

Only after Yoon Seol-ha showed her identification as an investigator with the special investigation department did Lee Ha-yeon relax and lead her into her apartment.

The officetel was small.

Just big enough for one person to live comfortably.

Lee Ha-yeon rummaged through the refrigerator and cabinets, then smiled apologetically and asked Yoon Seol-ha.

“I don’t have any tea or drinks… Would you like some beer?”

“No, water is fine.”

She brought a glass with a few ice cubes and sat down.

After a moment of silence, Yoon Seol-ha took a sip of water and spoke.

“I’m sorry for coming so suddenly.”

“No, it’s okay. I was surprised you called me Wolhyang. I’m using the pseudonym Gahee here….”

Lee Ha-yeon said, fiddling with her glass.

“But how did you know to come? I told Prosecutor Choi Seo-jun I was doing something else….”

Yoon Seol-ha made up an excuse.

“Ah, Chief Choi Seo-jun mentioned you might be running a clothing store, but when I checked, you were at Fantasia. So I waited until closing time and followed you.”

Lee Ha-yeon sighed awkwardly.

“I did open a clothing store when I first came here. But someone like me, who has never had a proper social life, wouldn’t suddenly succeed in business.”

She spoke frankly.

“I failed in less than a year after coming to Busan. I was left with a lot of debt because I overextended myself. I don’t have any skills or a proper education, so what could I do? In the end, I went back to working in the entertainment industry.”

“Then, the reason you were wary in the elevator was because of that loan….”

“Ah, that’s partly it, but also because someone resents me for helping Prosecutor Choi Seo-jun in Seoul.”

“Is it Chief Kang Hyeon-soo?”

“Yes. It’s been three years, but I’m still cautious.”

“You’ve been through a lot.”

“No, it’s nothing. It’s common. Actually, when I look at the other women around me, so many are threatened or blackmailed because of debt.”

She added bitterly.

“On the surface, it looks pretty and fancy, but the entertainment industry is darker than the deep sea.”

Lee Ha-yeon changed the subject, as if embarrassed.

“By the way, what brings you here?”

Yoon Seol-ha immediately got to the point.

“Have you ever seen this man?”

The person in the picture she took out of her phone was Do Hyeon-seung, the suspect in the murder of Viper Kang Joong-sik.

She didn’t know the exact reason, but Chief Choi Seo-jun was convinced that Lee Ha-yeon was connected to Do Hyeon-seung.

And, as expected, the words Choi Seo-jun had predicted came from Lee Ha-yeon.

“Ah, yes. He’s been to Fantasia a few times as a guest. But what does this person have to do with the prosecutor….”

Even though it had been widely reported on TV, she seemed genuinely unaware.

Lee Ha-yeon added, embarrassed.

“Unlike when I was in Seoul, I don’t need to know everything about politics here, so I don’t watch the news very often. I’m not very informed….”

“That’s understandable.”

Yoon Seol-ha shrugged and explained the situation.

When she told her about Do Hyeon-seung and the current situation, Lee Ha-yeon couldn’t hide her surprise.

“That can’t be….”

She swallowed hard and continued.

“If there’s anything I can do to help, I’ll do anything. Just tell me.”

“Ah, before that, did you ever personally serve this suspect?”

“No. A guest who came with him designated me, so I went in.”

At that moment, Choi Seo-jun’s words flashed through Yoon Seol-ha’s mind.

‘Park Jae-pil will have gone to Fantasia a few times. Just find out the connection between Do Hyeon-seung and Senior Prosecutor Park Jae-pil. Then I can definitely turn the tables.’

A faint hope began to bloom in Yoon Seol-ha’s heart.

She immediately took out a picture of Senior Prosecutor Park Jae-pil from her phone and showed it to Lee Ha-yeon.

“Is this the guest who designated you?”

“This person….”

Lee Ha-yeon frowned, then clapped her hands and answered.

“Ah, I remember now. Yes, that’s right. He’s the guest who designated me every time. I know he’s a high-ranking official in the prosecution….”

At that moment, Yoon Seol-ha felt a thrill run through her body.

‘The game has been turned upside down!’