The gripping episode 5 of "The Auditors" commences with Shin Cha-il's receipt of a menacing missive, prompting him to halt cafeteria operations amidst a flurry of protests, notably orchestrated by Vice President Hwang. News surfaces that laborers have fallen ill, hospitalized, yet with a pivotal corporate event looming, the President tasks Cha-il with an internal inquiry into the matter.
As the audit team convenes, the dire consequences for the company's reputation loom large. They unanimously decide to shutter all cafeterias and embark on a meticulous investigation, scrutinizing both the cafeteria staff and all parties involved. Han-soo and Seo-jin infiltrate the scene of the incident, while Cha-il delves into the contracting department's heart, uncovering that cafeteria management had been outsourced to an agency whose contract had expired, leaving the director notably disengaged from the auditing endeavor.
In a parallel narrative, Han-soo and Seo-jin engage the canteen manager, who appears blameless yet shares a telltale glance with Director Yang upon the arrival of Dae-woong, the VP, to gather insights. Dae-woong's overt kindness towards Seo-jin piques Han-soo's curiosity, though he remains perplexed. Over a meal, they affirm the food's quality, quelling suspicions about that aspect. However, President Se-woong's suspicions deepen upon learning of his elder brother's impending recovery, a development that feels eerily timely.
The plot thickens further when it is revealed that the canteen's owner is none other than Director Yang's kinsman, who had pulled strings to secure the JU canteen contract. Now, fearing collateral damage, he implores Dae-woong for assistance, casting a shadow of intrigue over the entire scenario.
Han-soo uncovers a surprising link between Director Yang and the proprietress of the canteen, propelling the investigation forward. Cha-il promptly conducts interviews, first with the head of the contractor's team and then with Director Yang himself, who reluctantly acknowledges his connection to the owner. In a decisive move, he confiscates their phones, only to have the audit team sift through the call logs, uncovering no overt signs of misconduct.
Armed with renewed determination, Cha-il, Han-soo, and Seo-jin descend upon the contracting director's office, meticulously gathering every document in sight. As they later delve into their findings, Han-soo and Seo-jin postulate that the culprit might be a disgruntled bidder, defeated by the corruption that pervades the bidding process. Their hunch leads them to a victim, who sheds light on the rampant bribery within the subcontracting agency, revealing how she and countless others were duped out of substantial sums.
Armed with this damning information, they apprise Shin Cha-il, casting an even darker shadow over the contracting director. The following day, Cha-il confronts the director about his ties to the agency's owner, but the director steadfastly denies any involvement in corruption. The meeting takes a turn when Cha-il is summoned to the president's office, accompanied by Vice President Dae-woong. With Director Yang and the contracting director submitting their resignations, the president laments the erosion of employee trust, prompting Cha-il to make a company-wide apology on behalf of the audit department.
Meanwhile, Seo-jin's phone rings, revealing an unexpected caller: her uncle, Dae-woong. His voice carries a sense of urgency as he declares his unorthodox approach and the company as his domain for strategic maneuvering. He proposes a truce between them, a gesture that Seo-jin grudgingly accepts.
Elsewhere, Han-soo's mind races with possibilities. The blackmailer's intimate knowledge of the new audit manager and the direct delivery of the letter to the audit department suggest a mole within their ranks. This revelation adds yet another layer of complexity to the already tangled web of deceit and corruption.
