The Culprit
Kim Dong-su was the younger brother of Kim Il-sun, the president of Cheomdan Happy Industry, and held the title of Vice President. On the surface, he was the loyal right-hand man assisting his older brother, but he had always harbored a deep-seated jealousy toward the man who inherited their father’s company simply for being the eldest son. This inferiority complex ran deep. The resentment he felt toward his brother had not faded with time. Of course, as soon as his brother inherited the company, he had followed their father’s will and appointed Dong-su as Vice President, but Dong-su’s ambition had always craved the president’s chair.
Taking the company public. That was the solution Kim Dong-su had found. He was certain that if he gradually increased his stake in the publicly traded company, he would eventually gain control. However, his plan had a fatal flaw: he lacked the capital to purchase the shares. In the end, Kim Dong-su began dipping his hands into the company’s funds. It started with small amounts, but when no problems arose, he grew bolder. Naturally, he needed a puppet to test this dangerous plan, and he had a close confidant who remained in the shadows: Park Jae-hyeong.
Park Jae-hyeong, who was dim-witted but blinded by money, embezzled company funds according to his instructions and used that money to buy company stock. He also took charge of covering up evidence whenever necessary. He was so close to becoming the company’s major shareholder and ousting the president. "You stupid bastard!" Kim Dong-su spat out an oath as he gripped the steering wheel tightly.
It wasn't as if Kim Dong-su didn't know that Park Jae-hyeong habitually harassed the female employees. But he hadn't suppressed Park Jae-hyeong. After all, shouldn't he grant his right-hand man that much leeway? Most of the employees who had issues were in their forties or fifties. Since it was an age where it was difficult to find re-employment elsewhere, these matters were usually settled quietly by offering them permanent positions. But this crazy nephew of his had reported the sexual harassment case to the police.
"That idiot!" Kim Dong-su’s eyes glistened with rage. He really didn't get along with his brother. And now, even his brother’s brat. Time was of the essence. Kim Dong-su slammed his foot on the accelerator, thinking that if things went wrong, his relationship with Park Jae-hyeong—and further, their illegal activities—could be brought to light. His mind was a mess, but the answer was clear. Treat the other party like a gold digger. Push the narrative that she had a history of bad behavior. Before he knew it, the car stopped in front of the Mapo Police Station. Kim Dong-su took a deep breath and stepped out of the car with a determined expression.
As he entered, he saw exactly what he had expected: Park Jae-hyeong and the woman being investigated next to him. 'That must be her.' As soon as he received the call from Park Jae-hyeong, he had requested her resume. He had confirmed that she was a non-regular worker with no husband, a son, and a daughter. And then, he saw the guy dozing off on the waiting chair behind them. Rage surged within him. Because of whom did this mess happen, and he’s sleeping?! He strode over and slapped the guy across the face.
Smack!
"Ugh!" It wasn't just a bolt from the blue while sleeping; Kim Jeong-hyeon’s head snapped to the side from the blow, and he collapsed to the floor. Confusion filled his eyes as he woke from his slumber. "U, Uncle!"
"You bastard! Do you even know what kind of trouble you’ve caused?! What the hell are you doing! You’re a Planning Team Leader!"
At the sudden commotion, two police officers grabbed his arms. "This is a police station. You can't do that!"
"Let go of this! Do you know who I am?!" The police broke into a cold sweat as they restrained the rampaging Vice President Kim Dong-su. "Please calm down. Only then will we let you go."
Faced with the police officers' firm strength, Kim Dong-su finally raised both hands. "I get it. I said I get it! So let go of my arms. Quickly." At his words, the officers stepped back. The police station fell silent in an instant. Kim Dong-su, who had been huffing and puffing, turned his gaze from Kim Jeong-hyeon to Yoo In-sook.
"Well now, what is this nonsense! Why are you making an innocent person out to be a criminal?!"
"Th, that’s not..." Yoo In-sook said, looking at Kim Dong-su, who had just committed assault.
"I looked into it before I came here, and they say you’re an expert at this kind of thing? Seducing men who look lonely and have some money, insisting they sexually harassed you, and extorting settlement money is your specialty, right?"
"That’s ridiculous!" Yoo In-sook’s face turned beet red. She swore she had never done such a thing. With her children’s father watching over them from the sky, what kind of nonsense was this! But Kim Dong-su’s mouth showed no signs of stopping.
"Our Manager Park Jae-hyeong is such a sincere and clean person. He almost ended up with a false charge because of someone like you!"
"I, I was really sexually harassed." Yoo In-sook was now on the verge of tears. She had never imagined that something like this would happen to her. Things that only belonged on TV had become reality. 'I should have listened to my son...' Regret washed over her. If she had listened when her son told her to quit, this wouldn't have happened. But it was useless to regret it now. Yoo In-sook squeezed her eyes shut. She was ashamed to even let her son know about this. As a mother, and as the wife of the children’s father who was watching from above, it felt like her pride was crumbling. But if she just sat there blankly, she would be branded a gold digger, so she requested help. From the young female employee who had introduced herself as an agent from the Hunter Management Department, Yoon Hye-won. She couldn't bring herself to call her son about something like this.
That was when Kim Dong-su’s heavy voice was heard. "Now, let’s stop this." Yoo In-sook raised her head to look at Kim Dong-su. His gaze was a mix of threats and appeasement. "You’ve done enough, haven't you? I happen to know that the permanent employment review is coming up soon." Kim Dong-su smirked. "Let’s wrap this up nicely. Yeah? That would be better for you, too. Otherwise, keep in mind that we could file a countersuit for false accusation."
Just as Yoo In-sook was swallowing hard at the threat that wasn't quite a threat, a voice rang out. "Greetings! We are from the Ohsung Group Legal Team."
At the sudden voice, all eyes turned to the entrance. Like a scene from a movie, men in suits entered the police station in perfect order. It was common for ordinary people to feel intimidated when entering a police station even if they were innocent, but these people were different. They exuded the strong aura of predators entering a place where herbivores resided.
"Yes? Where did you say you were from?" The youngest officer, sitting closest to the entrance, blinked and asked back. Wait, why is Ohsung Group here? And in such numbers?
"I am Kang Hyun-soo, the Legal Team Leader of Ohsung Group. I am here regarding the case of Ms. Yoo In-sook."
The air was instantly filled with tension. And it was Kim Dong-su who broke the silence. He opened his mouth, somewhat dazed. "W, wait, Ms. Yoo In-sook?" He had never imagined they had come because of something related to him. He had assumed they were here for some other matter.
Legal Team Leader Kang Hyun-soo glanced at Yoo In-sook for a moment before looking at Kim Dong-su. "We are here because of the sexual harassment case at Cheomdan Happy Industry."
"...What? Ah, no, because of that? No, why..." Cheomdan Happy Industry was one of the many subcontractors of Ohsung Group. The group headquarters' legal team moving directly for the business of such a subcontractor? It was absurd.
"As the legal representatives for the victim, Ms. Yoo In-sook, we will thoroughly investigate this case and hold those responsible accountable."
"...What are you talking about? Why would the group represent that woman?"
That was when it happened. "That woman? Do you have any idea who that person is before you speak!"
Kim Dong-su turned his gaze to where the aged voice came from, and he couldn't help but let his jaw drop. Because walking in was Baek Gi-seong, the head of Ohsung Group, whom one could only see on TV. "Ah, no, Chairman Baek Gi-seong?"
Stammering words leaked from Kim Dong-su’s mouth. Park Jae-hyeong froze in place. He realized that something had gone terribly wrong. Meanwhile, Yoo In-sook’s eyes were filled with questions and confusion. 'Why would such a large corporation help me? What did I..., wait, is it because of my Yu-shin?' That was the only possibility. Otherwise, the headquarters wouldn't step up for a contract worker, not even a permanent one.
Kim Jeong-hyeon, who had been watching quietly from behind, saw his eyes change. 'I was right to report it.' Even until his uncle appeared, he had doubted if his choice was wrong, but the moment Ohsung Group appeared, he was certain. There really was something about this woman.
Just then, Chairman Baek Gi-seong approached and stood in front of Vice President Kim Dong-su. "Do you have any idea what kind of thing you’ve done?"
No, she’s just a regular non-permanent employee. Why on earth? They still couldn't understand the situation. "This person is none other than Cheon..."
CRASH!
Before Chairman Baek Gi-seong could finish his sentence, the police station door was smashed as if it had been shattered. All eyes turned toward it at once. It was Cheon Yu-shin, his face flushed red, his eyes burning with rage. "Which son of a bitch is it!?"
As he shouted, the inside of the police station froze instantly.
"Whoa..."
"It, it’s Cheon Yu-shin."
"Daebak."
Among them, a man in handcuffs shouted. "Hey. Take a picture!"
"You crazy bastard! Take a picture of what, you idiot. Don't you know you're under investigation?"
Detective, criminal, everyone alike opened their mouths at the appearance of Cheon Yu-shin. But Cheon Yu-shin paid them no mind and walked straight to where his mother was. "Mom, is it true? Which bastard is it? Who did that to my mom!"
Magi began to slowly seep into his voice. It was the Magi he released unconsciously when he reached extreme anger. Consequently, his mother, who was closest, began to be affected first. Just as she was trembling and on the verge of panic, Park Hae-soo, who had entered with him, hurriedly grabbed Cheon Yu-shin. "Please calm down! Mr. Cheon Yu-shin!"
"Ah!" Cheon Yu-shin hurriedly grabbed his mother’s wrist and poured energy into her. Following Yu-shin’s will, he calmed the inside of Yoo In-sook, who was startled and thrashing. Only then did Yoo In-sook begin to stabilize. "Ah, my son... I, I’m sorry." Yoo In-sook began to shed tears. Her son was now a famous person. She was afraid he might suffer harm because of her.
Just then, Yoon Hye-won, who had followed, grabbed Yoo In-sook’s arm and helped her up. "Detective, the victim is having a hard time. Can she go home?"
"Ah. Um..." A detective who had been writing the report hesitated. People claiming to be the legal representatives of the victim he was investigating had appeared. And their identity was the legal team of Ohsung Group, the largest conglomerate in the country. To make matters worse, the head of the group had personally descended. On top of that, the person who appeared as the victim’s son was... 'Ch, Cheon Yu-shin. What kind of nonsense is this...' The family relationship appeared on the monitor. Son, Cheon Yu-shin. He had just thought it was someone with the same name. Isn't one of the most successful hunters in Korea Cheon Yu-shin? Who would believe it if they said the mother of such a person worked in manufacturing, and as a contract worker at that? But sending the victim who was under investigation home like this was also a bit...
The detective’s gaze turned backward. Specifically, to where the team leader was. The team leader was already gesturing. To send them home quickly.
"Ah, w, well, yes. If the victim is having a hard time, an investigation or whatever... can be done later. It seems you can come whenever it is convenient for you."
"Thank you." Yoon Hye-won said, expressing her gratitude, and glared at Kim Dong-su and Park Jae-hyeong with contempt. Then, she supported Yoo In-sook and said to Cheon Yu-shin. "Yu-shin, I’ll take your mother home first. She needs to calm down."
"...Thank you." Thinking about it, it didn't seem right to show his mother the scene that was about to unfold. After watching his mother walk out the door until the very end, a man’s aged voice reached Yu-shin’s ears. "Calm down, we will take care of everything."
Turning his gaze, he saw the appearance of an elderly gentleman. "I am Chairman Baek Gi-seong, the head of Ohsung Group." Park Hae-soo explained in a whisper. That’s the thief who takes 300 million won after eating one lunch, right? But.
"Why are you taking care of it?"
Right now, Cheon Yu-shin was forcibly holding back his anger. If he had his way, he would want to kill everyone here. But this place was not the Abyss. If he acted according to his personality. He might soon make the whole world his enemy. He shouldn't do that. If he didn't want to make this place like the Abyss.
"A subcontractor is also a member of our group, and your mother is our employee. If there is a problem with an employee, it is the group’s role to intervene."
Legal Team Leader Kang Hyun-soo, who had been watching the situation quietly, stepped forward. "Please don't worry. Our legal team will provide full support. We will prove Ms. Yoo In-sook’s innocence."
"Ah, I am innocent..." Park Jae-hyeong opened his mouth, but he couldn't finish his sentence. Because of the pain that felt like his whole body was being pierced by awls.
"It’s you. You son of a bitch." Cheon Yu-shin’s eyes turned black as if they were exploding.