Tak-hyeon Lee drummed his fingers on the desk as he spoke.

"So you're telling me Gi-myeong Lee's son moved to a Japanese semiconductor company, NIC?"

"Yes."

Chief Secretary Do-beom Hwang began laying before Chairman Tak-hyeon Lee the report that had come up from Ilhyeon Electronics' Management Support Division.

"Principal Researcher Jeong-u Lee, who left the company three months ago, is reported to have started at NIC exactly one week later."

"Wasn't that man a semiconductor researcher?"

"Correct. A man who finished his master's and doctorate in America and joined Ilhyeon Electronics as a semiconductor principal researcher two years ago."

"Then how could he leave and change jobs within a week? He wasn't in some other track — he was in research, wasn't he? As I recall, there's a rule in research that a move to a competitor requires a three-year gap. Am I mistaken about that?"

Tak-hyeon Lee asked, his brow creased.

Do-beom Hwang wore a helpless expression at the question and answered.

"As you say, in the research track the transfer rules are set tightly, and we continue to track and observe whether someone moves into the related industry. But…"

"But what? Are you telling me this one simply slipped through?"

"No. Not slipped through… His status is reported to have been special enough that no separate check was made."

"What kind of dog-crap talk is that?"

Crack.

Tak-hyeon Lee shouted and flung the document lying in front of him.

As it flew, the papers inside came loose and scattered through the air.

Do-beom Hwang lowered his head and hurriedly explained what had come up from Ilhyeon Electronics' Management Support.

"Since Jeong-u Lee's father is with Ilhyeon Electronics and holds the special status of president, it's reported the matter was simply trusted and let pass."

"So what kind of bare-boned nonsense is that? If it's going to be handled however anyone pleases, what's the point of having a standard? Trusted and let pass because the father is a president? Who is the man responsible for this right now? Pyeong-chil Guk?"

"…Yes. That's correct."

"Has this bastard set his mind…