But for everyone other than Seong-ho Kim, the mood was a long way from exhilaration.

"Why are you the one asking me to settle it? I said plainly that I am giving it to Mun-jong."

"I know you are giving it to Eldest Brother. But Eldest Brother is in a cell, so what is to be done? He cannot come out, and you are hardly going to go to the detention center to talk to him about it, Father."

"So you are telling me you will stand as his spokesman?"

"Yes. Well……. Something like that."

Jeong-eun Lee let it stand that she was Mun-jong Lee's spokesman, and spoke to Tak-hyeon Lee.

"So settle the gift tax for us."

"Give me a sound reason why I should grant that request."

It was not a flat refusal, and that alone was enough for Jeong-eun Lee to count herself lucky.

A plain no meant there was no persuading him. Being told to give a reason sounded like an opening — the request could be granted, if the reason were good enough.

"To begin with, Brother has no money to settle it with. You know that. Over this business they took even the money Brother was holding separately."

"So you are telling me to give him the company and give him the money too? I am not making a donation to a charity. What is the reason I should make a gift and go that far with it?"

"That is……."

"If he cannot take it, then let it be. I can give it to somebody else and think nothing of it."

Tak-hyeon Lee spoke, and then looked at Gyeong-eun Lee.

It was an act that gave Tak-hyeon Lee's meaning away without his putting it into words.

"I do not mean he cannot take it. I mean there is no money."

"And what is the difference?"

Tak-hyeon Lee had been looking at Gyeong-eun Lee, and he drew his brows together.

"Do not make me say the same thing over and over. If you have nothing to say, leave it there."

"No. What I mean is…