Chapter 814: The Arrest of Chairman Choi

A crowd of reporters waited outside the Central District Prosecutors’ Office, eager to capture his image.

The moment the vehicle carrying Choi Woo-sik stopped at the entrance, reporters swarmed it.

Bodyguards formed a human barricade, blocking the reporters’ approach.

Once the chaos subsided and the scene was under control, Choi Woo-sik stepped out of the car.

Investigators from the Central District Prosecutors’ Office began pushing the reporters beyond the photo line.

“Hey! Are you pushing reporters now?! What do you think you’re doing?!”

“Hey, take pictures! Get as many shots as you can!!”

Reporters vehemently protested as they were pushed back by the investigators, but the investigators remained silent and continued to push them away.

Eventually, the reporters were forced beyond the photo line by the investigators from the Central District Prosecutors’ Office and the bodyguards accompanying Choi Woo-sik.

But they were not about to give up. They shouted towards Choi Woo-sik from a distance.

“Chairman Choi Woo-sik, do you admit to the embezzlement charges?”

“Chairman Choi Woo-sik, what are your thoughts on the allegations that the Prosecutors’ Office is conducting a lenient investigation?”

“Chairman, please tell us how you feel!”

Choi Woo-sik kept his mouth shut, his face stiff as he walked past the photo line and into the Central District Prosecutors’ Office.

“Welcome, Chairman Choi Woo-sik.”

Oh Hyeon-woo greeted him at the entrance.

“Oh Prosecutor. Long time no see.”

Stepping inside, Choi Woo-sik’s stiff expression vanished as if it were a lie. A broad smile appeared as he reached out his hand towards Oh Hyeon-woo.

Oh Hyeon-woo glanced at the hand for a moment then turned away, saying.

“Chairman, your schedule is a bit packed today. Today will be the final summons. Your full cooperation would be greatly appreciated.”

Choi Woo-sik awkwardly withdrew his hand and chuckled softly.

“It’s a relief that today is the last one. Ask me anything. I have come fully prepared.”

However, Oh Hyeon-woo’s and Choi Woo-sik’s ideas of ‘the last’ were different.

Oh Hyeon-woo planned to arrest him by the end of the day, while Choi Woo-sik thought he would finally be done with the tedious summons.

“Legal Team Leader.”

“Yes, Chairman.”

“You’ve cleared all my appointments for today, right?”

“Yes, I have.”

“Once today’s questioning is over, take care of the people who have been working hard for me.”

Choi Woo-sik gave instructions to the Legal Team Leader as if he wanted everyone to hear, without even trying to lower his voice.

Taking care of the prosecutors? Oh Hyeon-woo let out a silent laugh as they waited for the elevator.

‘This is the Prosecutors’ Office, not KS Group Headquarters. This is so annoying.’

Oh Hyeon-woo skillfully concealed his feelings behind a mask of professionalism.

When the elevator doors opened, he stepped inside with Choi Woo-sik.

“Oh Prosecutor, you mentioned you were university classmates with CEO Kim Mu-hyeok, didn’t you?”

At the mention of Kim Mu-hyeok’s name, Oh Hyeon-woo, who had been silently staring ahead, turned his head.

“Why are you suddenly asking about that?”

“Well, I just can’t figure out CEO Kim Mu-hyeok’s personality. What was he like back in university?”

“Hmm…”

Oh Hyeon-woo thought back to Kim Mu-hyeok during their university days.

But, was what he knew truly all there was to Kim Mu-hyeok? Surely not.

He was certain that he himself hadn’t grasped everything about Kim Mu-hyeok.

If anyone knew him completely, it would likely be Myeong-su and Hyeon-seong, who had known him since they were young.

“Well, he is a friend who believes in an eye for an eye.”

“An eye for an eye?”

“Yes. Whether it’s because he’s a businessman or if he has always been like this, he returns kindness with kindness and malice with malice. That’s the kind of friend CEO Kim Mu-hyeok is.”

“Hmm… I see. Thank you.”

As they talked, the elevator reached the floor with the interrogation rooms.

Oh Hyeon-woo, who had led the way to the interrogation room, went outside for a moment.

Shortly after, the Chief Prosecutor of the Central District personally visited the interrogation room.

Choi Woo-sik did not dare to act arrogantly in front of the Chief Prosecutor, a likely candidate for the next Prosecutor General, and quickly rose from his seat.

“Chief Prosecutor of the Central District. It’s been a while.”

“It is not good when we see each other frequently. I have given instructions to ensure you have no discomfort today, so do not worry too much.”

“Thank you for your concern. I will pay my respects later.”

“Alright. I would have liked to have a cup of tea, but I have a lunch appointment with the Prosecutor General, so I must be going. I hope you have a comfortable investigation and return home safely.”

The Chief Prosecutor finished speaking, then glanced at the Legal Team Leader, who was his junior.

The Legal Team Leader, who had caught his gaze, bowed deeply.

“Hello, Senior.”

“Tsk. A man who could have achieved great things if he had grown well in the Prosecutors’ Office, but all he cared about was money…”

However, the Chief Prosecutor did not acknowledge the Legal Team Leader’s greeting.

Instead, he looked down at the bowing man with a scornful gaze and left the interrogation room.

“It seems that you have a bad relationship with the Chief Prosecutor of the Central District.”

“Ah, no, it’s not like that. We had drinks together a few days ago.”

“Really? But the reaction was not very…”

A small unease began to sprout in Choi Woo-sik’s heart.

It was because of the Central District Chief Prosecutor, who did not try to hide his contempt for the Legal Team Leader, even with Choi Woo-sik right in front of him.

At that moment, the door opened and Oh Hyeon-woo entered. Following him were prosecutors who placed several heavy boxes on the floor before leaving.

“Well, let’s begin.”

Oh Hyeon-woo looked at the boxes once and then checked his watch again.

“First, we will quickly review the case until lunchtime.”

Oh Hyeon-woo smiled warmly, and Choi Woo-sik, who had briefly felt uneasy, let go of his anxiety and cooperated with the investigation.

Most of the charges had already been sufficiently explained, and the Prosecutors’ Office had also promised to take those points into consideration.

Time passed quickly and it was soon past the lunchtime that Oh Hyeon-woo had mentioned.

“It’s already this late. What would you like for lunch? Should I order something like Galbitang?”

“No, thank you. I arranged to have bento boxes delivered from outside.”

“Understood. Then please enjoy your lunch and continue cooperating well this afternoon.”

After Oh Hyeon-woo left, the secretaries who had been waiting outside spread the bento boxes on the table.

The meal was extravagant, with even sushi from an upscale restaurant, which would not have been expected in an interrogation room.

Choi Woo-sik picked up a piece of sushi with chopsticks and asked the Legal Team Leader.

“What is the schedule for the afternoon?”

“As agreed, once the entire investigation is over, you will be able to go out for dinner.”

“Really? Then tell them to book a restaurant in advance. So I can go straight home after eating.”

“Are you referring to the little mistress?”

“Do you think I would eat with that bitch? Damn it! You are ruining my appetite with such nonsense!”

Choi Woo-sik raised his voice, and the Legal Team Leader quickly lowered his head and apologized.

“Tsk. How is that woman moving?”

“There haven’t been any unusual movements.”

“Are you sure you’re monitoring her properly? The fact she’s quiet is more suspicious. And have you found that old man?”

The Legal Team Leader answered cautiously, watching as Choi Woo-sik stuffed his mouth with sushi.

“Well… We have confirmed that he reached Incheon Airport, but he did not leave the country. It’s like he disappeared into thin air, we have no idea where he went after that.”

“Really? That is making me feel uneasy.”

“And…”

The Legal Team Leader glanced at the magic mirror before moving closer to Choi Woo-sik and whispering.

“All of the real estate under Chairman Jo’s name has been transferred to Dream High Korea…”

“What? What are you saying!”

Choi Woo-sik interrupted the Legal Team Leader, shouting while snapping the wooden chopsticks in his hand.

The Legal Team Leader sighed as his efforts to keep the information from leaking were rendered useless, and then continued.

“All the real estate under Chairman Jo’s name has been transferred to Dream High Korea just now.”

“You crazy bastard! What have you done!”

Choi Woo-sik jumped out of his seat and slapped the Legal Team Leader across the face.

“Ch-Chairman.”

“You said that you were the only one I could trust? That was such an important thing!!”

“Please lower your voice. If anyone hears…”

“So what if they hear? What will they do! That means that bitch is already armed with enough firepower!!”

“That is the assumption. I apologize.”

“Contact the media right now and tell them about this…”

Just then, the door of the interrogation room opened. Oh Hyeon-woo, who was about to enter, paused for a moment as he sensed the unusual atmosphere.

“…Is something wrong?”

“Has lunchtime already ended?”

“No. I came in because I had something urgent to deliver. But… Senior, why is your face so red? Were you perhaps hit?”

“W-what are you talking about! It’s because I’m hot! I’m hot!”

“…It’s supposed to be the coldest day of winter, and you’re saying you’re hot? Are you not feeling well?”

Oh Hyeon-woo spoke in an incredulous tone, and the Legal Team Leader’s face turned even redder.

Choi Woo-sik did not make any more excuses and simply sat down in his chair.

“This is the Central District Prosecutors’ Office interrogation room. Violence is absolutely not allowed, Chairman.”

“I don’t know what you are talking about. So, what was it you had to tell me?”

Oh Hyeon-woo smiled at Choi Woo-sik’s arrogant attitude.

“Effective immediately, the decision has been made to make an emergency arrest of Chairman Choi Woo-sik. And tonight, we will seek a detention warrant…”

“What?! What kind of nonsense are you spouting!!”

Choi Woo-sik jumped out of his seat, interrupting Oh Hyeon-woo.

“Arrest? Emergency arrest? Are you saying you are arresting me right now! Me Choi Woo-sik?”

“Yes. Based on Article 230 of the Criminal Procedure Act…”

However, Oh Hyeon-woo began to recite the Criminal Procedure Act concerning emergency arrests in a calm tone.

“Hey, Oh Prosecutor.”

The Legal Team Leader stepped forward and called out to Oh Hyeon-woo.

But Oh Hyeon-woo did not stop speaking and finished explaining all the procedures.

“What is the reason for the emergency arrest? Our Chairman has been fully cooperative with the Prosecutors’ investigation.”

“First of all, new criminal charges have been discovered against Chairman Choi Woo-sik.”

“What does that mean? New criminal charges? Even if there were such charges, our Chairman has no plan or intention to flee.”

Oh Hyeon-woo opened his mouth as he looked directly into the eyes of the Legal Team Leader, who spoke calmly.

“Due to concerns about the destruction of evidence, an emergency arrest has been decided. A search and seizure warrant has been issued, and a search and seizure of KS (Inc.) is currently underway.”

“Destruction of evidence? And what? A search and seizure? What, what are you saying?”

“The evidence for the criminal charges is already clear. It concerns a slush fund. Let’s finish your meal first. I’ll be back in 30 minutes.”

“Hey! Oh Prosecutor! Oh Prosecutor!”

The Legal Team Leader called out desperately, but Oh Hyeon-woo did not look back and left the interrogation room.

The sound of the thick interrogation room door closing was particularly loud.

* * *

“Mu-hyeok!”

Grandma opened the door and came in. As soon as she entered, she began to nag.

“When did you get home? Oh my, the smell of liquor… You must have drunk so much that you can’t even think straight.”

Grandma opened my room window. The cold winter wind swept through the room.

The cold air that crept all over my body made me quickly wrap myself in the blanket and burrow deeper.

“Hurry up and get out of bed! The sun is already high in the sky.”

“Just a little longer…”

“Have some food and then sleep more. I made bean sprout soup.”

Grandma said while opening the remaining window without giving up.

I had no choice but to get up. I threw the blanket aside and got out of bed.

“Bean sprout soup?”

“Yes. Why do you drink so much anyway?”

“It’s because I drank with my friends after a long time. Let’s hurry up and go out.”

I picked up Grandma and carried her out of the room.

“I told you I smell of alcohol! Aren’t you going to get down?”

Grandma hit my shoulder while scolding me, but it made me laugh.

When I went to the kitchen, the table was already set for a meal.

“Hurry up and eat.”

Grandma placed a spoon and chopsticks in front of me and sat down at her seat.

I quickly finished the bowl of bean sprout soup and held it out to Grandma.

“Goodness. Why do you drink when you can’t even handle it!”

Even while nagging, Grandma poured more bean sprout soup from the large pot into my bowl.

This time, I put the rice directly into the bean sprout soup.

Eating Grandma’s soup made me feel a little better.

“I’m going back to Seoul the day after tomorrow.”

“You are going back the day after tomorrow?”

“Yes. I have rested enough, so I need to start working again.”

“Okay…”

I spoke to console Grandma, who clearly seemed sad.

“I’ll come down for the Lunar New Year.”

“That’s fine, don’t bother coming. Why do you keep coming all the way down here when it’s not close?”

“Really? You really don’t want me to come?”

No matter how many times I asked, Grandma did not answer.

“You really don’t want me to come? Is that okay?”

“You little brat! Yes, don’t come! Don’t come!”

Grandma finally got angry.

I laughed loudly, and eventually, a smile appeared on Grandma’s face as well.

After finishing our meal, we washed the dishes together, then I went into my room.

“Manager Ma.”

As soon as I entered the room with Manager Ma, who was waiting, I erased the smile from my face.

“Any news?”

“I received a call from Prosecutor Oh Hyeon-woo. He said Choi Woo-sik had been arrested and a search and seizure of the KS Group has begun at the same time.”

“Good. Tell them to release the news immediately. Let’s start a public opinion campaign regarding why Chairman Choi Woo-sik was arrested.”

Finally, it was time to take down Choi Woo-sik.