"Sophistry? What is it that's needling you so badly?"

Chung-do Lee put the question to Gi-myeong Lee and the other presidents in a voice as composed as his unruffled face.

"I honestly can't understand what all of you are so worried about."

Chung-do Lee spread both hands and said:

"The contract does say a three-year gap is required before moving to a competitor after leaving Ilhyeon Electronics — but we all know perfectly well that's mostly for show. There have been cases before now of people leaving and moving straight into a new job. And, the other way round, cases of people leaving a competitor and moving to us."

Chung-do Lee looked around at the presidents for a moment, as if to ask whether that wasn't so, and went on.

"So is it really so extraordinary that Jeong-u left Ilhyeon Electronics for Japan's NIC?"

"Brother."

"Now, now. Little brother."

Chung-do Lee turned his body toward Gi-myeong Lee and walked slowly toward him as he spoke.

"Don't call it a technology leak. Nothing has actually leaked yet."

"You're telling me that when a whole team crosses over together, there won't be a technology leak?"

"There was no place for him at Ilhyeon Electronics, so he left to find a way to survive — is that so grave a wrong? And what if there is some leak of technology? It's technology Ilhyeon Electronics said it would discard anyway — is that really such a wrongdoing?"

By now Chung-do Lee had reached Gi-myeong Lee and laid a hand on his shoulder.

"If nothing has happened yet, then nothing has happened. Isn't that so?"

"Brother."

"You worry too much, little brother. Don't worry. Just trust your son, trust me, and wait calmly."

Having settled Gi-myeong Lee, Chung-do Lee turned to the other presidents in the room and said:

"What is a man to do when the company no longer needs him? Should he simply wait quietly, knowing he'll be thrown out? I don't believe Researcher Jeong-u Lee's choice was wrong. How long is a man to stay loyal to one company? All of you…