Not knowing what Seong-ho was actually thinking, Mun-jong sent him an imploring look and spoke.

"There's nothing I can give you right now. But if you help me, I can promise you this much—you'll end up sitting closest to me of anyone."

Seong-ho, wearing the look of a man deep in thought, barely held back the laugh threatening to burst out at Mun-jong's words.

I'll end up sitting closest to you? And then what will you have me do, once I'm there?

In the life before, too, Seong-ho had been right beside Mun-jong. And in that very spot, he'd served as the man's cleaner, handling every dirty piece of business that came up. Seong-ho knew perfectly well that how close a seat was meant nothing at all.

Holding back his laughter, Seong-ho shook his head.

"What seat could be closer than family? This alone is more than enough for me."

"Does that mean you'll take Sang-jong's side?"

"Brother."

Seong-ho looked at Mun-jong's tense face and spoke.

"Family doesn't join hands and let go, does it?"

"That bastard isn't family!"

Mun-jong shot up from his seat and shouted.

"How could someone who calls himself family do such a thing! How could he try to use his own brother's weakness against him! He's not family. And neither is Third, who went along with him."

"Brother."

Seong-ho rose from his seat and soothed Mun-jong.

"First, let's calm down and talk this through. What on earth happened today?"

Hearing Seong-ho's words, Mun-jong realized he'd let himself get too worked up. Recalling the reason he'd come here, he calmed himself and slowly began to explain.

"He was the one who first proposed brother-to-brother succession to me, and the moment he heard about Seon-myeong, he had a change of heart. There's no doubt he's decided to push me out and take the Ilhyeon Group for himself."

Mun-jong clenched his fists until they trembled and went on.

"How could brothers do such a thing to each other. If one has a flaw, the proper thing is to cover for him—and instead he goes and airs his own…