Tak-hyeon took the water cup Do-beom handed him and quickly emptied it.

Gulp, gulp—

Having drunk down a cup of water quickly, Tak-hyeon only then, apparently calmed, wore a somewhat more at-ease expression. Then, leaning back in his chair, he looked at Seong-ho standing off to one side.

"You're certain the fire won't spread to the group?"

"Yes. I'm certain."

At the conviction-filled answer, Tak-hyeon let out a small laugh.

"You're a fellow I can never quite figure out. What on earth are you trusting in, to be so certain?"

Having let a low laugh slip, Tak-hyeon continued.

"But for now, whatever it is, there's nothing to do but hope your words are true."

Tak-hyeon let out a deep sigh for a moment.

"Putting their hands in the fund — my children, every last one of them, are out of their minds."

"It probably won't amount to much."

Do-beom offered words of consolation.

"Isn't it common for a brokerage to invest in or lend to companies? It's just a problem this time because Ilhyeon Securities supported Ilhyeon Construction… If the proper procedures were followed, it won't become a big problem. Didn't Sang-jong say he followed the procedures?"

Tak-hyeon looked up at Do-beom and let out a sigh.

"Didn't you see Jeong-eun's reaction? It's clear the procedures weren't followed. Are you really saying that not knowing?"

When Do-beom could say nothing, Tak-hyeon sighed and turned to Seong-ho.

"Even after seeing Jeong-eun and Sang-jong like that, that thinking of yours hasn't changed?"

"Yes. It won't affect the larger picture."

"Ilhyeon Securities illegally supported Ilhyeon Construction with one trillion won of Buy Korea fund money, and even so there's no effect? You're really saying that's possible?"

"I'll vouch for it."

Seong-ho laid a hand on his chest and said,

"Going forward, people won't be able to hold much interest in Ilhyeon Securities and the Buy Korea fund."

"The reason?"

"Because something big enough to keep them from paying attention to it will happen."

"An even bigger problem will happen?"

"Yes. A problem beyond comparison will soon come to light. So you needn't worry.…