Watching Seong-ho in silence with a smile, Tak-hyeon looked over at Do-beom Hwang and said, "That's the kind of thing I wanted to hear from a son."

Do-beom, standing quietly behind him, smiled gently and said, "Isn't Representative Kim as good as a son too?"

"Ha ha ha. That's right. A son-in-law is a son too."

Tak-hyeon let out a pleased laugh and put a question to Seong-ho.

"But tell me. Even if we refuse, there's a strong chance the government will pressure us regardless. How do you plan to handle that?"

Seong-ho, knowing exactly what Tak-hyeon was worried about, answered in a calm voice.

"As you say, Chairman, there's a strong chance the government will move on this. Now that Chairman U-ha Kim of Sunwoo has come around, they'll see it as an opportunity and try to find some resolution. And if the Blue House applies pressure, we'll have to act whether we want to or not."

"That's right. President Dae-sang Kim certainly won't sit still. If things keep going this way, we're headed for a second IMF—there's no way he'll just watch. Do you have something in mind?"

"Yes. I do."

At Seong-ho's answer, Tak-hyeon's eyes went round.

"Ha ha ha. You have something in mind already?"

Tak-hyeon straightened up in his seat.

"Well then, what is it, quickly—no. No, wait. It won't be as fun if I hear it now."

Tak-hyeon's mouth twitched, as if some good idea had occurred to him.

"The baseball season's over now, so you're free these days?"

"There's still time before next season's preparations begin, so yes, I have some room."

"Good."

Tak-hyeon gestured to Do-beom.

"I'm handing over full authority on this Sunwoo Group matter to Representative Kim, so handle things with that in mind. Anyone who comes looking for me, pass them all to Representative Kim."

"You mean everyone, sir?"

The reason Do-beom was startled was that "everyone" included even President Dae-sang Kim.

"Yes. Pass all of it over."

"Understood."

Do-beom said he understood, then glanced at Seong-ho. He'd expected Seong-ho to protest—to say he couldn't possibly take on all…