Chapter 23

"Hahaha. I offer twenty per account for a reason. It's quite challenging. It's rare for a newcomer to secure even a single account, so don't stress over it too much. I have a good impression of Lee Sang-hoon. He exudes trust and confidence, which are crucial on this floor. I intend to promote Lee Sang-hoon, so just stick with me and don't worry about anything else," Chairman Wang expressed while patting Lee Sang-hoon's shoulder in a reassuring manner.

After the conversation, President Wang enjoyed the jajangmyeon and departed from the office. Lee speculated on the situation as he sat in a chair, considering the potential implications of his involvement in the business.

"It feels somewhat sketchy, getting involved in this endeavor. It involves money, legal repercussions, and the risk of imprisonment for fraud," Lee mused, sharing his concerns with Deputy Jang, who was browsing the internet on a computer beside him.

"Deputy, isn't this illegal?" Lee inquired.

"It is illegal, strictly speaking..." Deputy Jang began, pausing her online activity to address Lee's question.

"Then should we not pursue this?" Lee probed further.

"Rather than refraining from things you shouldn't do, it's more accurate to avoid actions that could lead to trouble," Deputy Jang clarified.

Perplexed by her response, Lee sought further explanation. "What do you mean by that?"

Deputy Jang stopped and redirected her attention to Lee. "Engaging in fraudulent activities or misappropriating members' funds would be illegal. In the case of discretionary trading, both the company and the personnel involved require certification," Deputy Jang explained, pointing out the legal requirements for their line of work.

Lee acknowledged this fact well, realizing that both he and the company would need the necessary certification to engage in investment advisory services.

"By the way, do we possess such certification? It doesn't seem that I have such a license, right?" Lee inquired.

Lee Sang-hoon silently acknowledged Jang's explanation. Jang acknowledged this, albeit with some reluctance.

"Chairman Wang mentioned a copy trading account. It's essentially an account that replicates our trades in a systematic manner. Members do not entrust their funds to us, but rather deposit funds into their own accounts. This practice is not illegal. The sole distinction is that they create new accounts through us, and the associated fees are slightly higher than usual," Jang elucidated, downplaying the significance of the fee increase. Although she frowned afterward, suggesting the fee increase might be of greater significance than implied.

"Right. It's a bit different. Since the fees are slightly elevated, it's not illegal. Additionally, we don't actively encourage clients to invest. We merely offer our opinions. Similarly, this is within legal boundaries," Jang further clarified.

Once she finished speaking, Deputy Jang settled back to watch television, while Lee maintained a serious expression. As he absorbed the nuances of the expert's accounts, he grew increasingly uneasy.

In scenarios involving multi-level marketing schemes, leaders could potentially face charges of fraud. However, these experts had never been convicted of fraud.

Observing Lee's demeanor, Deputy Jang let out a sigh. "I warned you. The more you learn, the darker this place appears. You should leave now. Why did Chairman Wang Chan-dol offer twenty per account? 200,000 won is the sum left after a week of earnings. It's a lucrative offer for President Wang."

"If you take 200,000 won in a week, isn't that stealing?" Lee questioned.

"I've told you. If you engage in illegal activities of that nature, President Wang won't end up behind bars. His actions remain within legal boundaries. There are numerous ways to handle members' funds without crossing clear legal lines. In the end, it's all about manipulation and exploitation," Deputy Jang explained without making eye contact with Lee.

Lee grappled with conflicting emotions. Deputy Jang's information only intensified his unease. Previously drawn to this venture by the book, he now felt an overwhelming desire to depart, in line with Deputy Jang's counsel.

"There are numerous individuals who consider themselves experts. However, if any of them engage in illegal activities, they would face immediate repercussions. Despite having numerous members, not a single one has initiated legal action against them. When investors suffer losses, they seek a target for their frustration. It's difficult to fathom how the experts evade legal consequences. They take every measure to avoid incrimination, legally extracting members' funds through indirect methods without direct fraud or theft. It's foolish to siphon funds directly. Alternatively, they might sell the aforementioned membership card, sharing the proceeds with a brokerage firm in exchange for a fee. The possibilities are endless."

Jang lit a cigarette and continued. Lee Sang-hoon did the same as he felt increasingly distressed by Jang's narrative.

"On occasion, certain individuals betray the trust of their clients and abuse their financial resources. Once or twice a year, a newcomer emerges and misappropriates members' funds, encouraging direct investment and misappropriating the funds for personal use, rocking the industry. These incidents have even made the headlines," Jang recounted.

Recalling exposure to such news reports, Lee nodded in agreement. He remembered seeing numerous reports detailing individuals who had misappropriated billions of won.

"These individuals tend to be inexperienced. Suddenly presented with immense wealth, they succumb to greed and lose sight of ethical conduct. Someone like Chairman Wang never encourages such conduct; there are countless pitfalls accompanying such windfalls. It's not just President Wang; even those with a few years of experience in the industry would resist this temptation. Imagine losing billions in one swoop; not only is the entire sum not yours, but contemplating the potential consequences of imprisonment and being barred from the industry," Jang explained.

"Then are the risks outweighed by the potential billions?" Lee inquired.

"In my view, no. Amassing billions is not the be-all and end-all here. It's far wiser to earn a living through transparent and lawful means. Why invite such trouble?" Jang emphasized.

Lee silently concurred with Jang's assertion. As Jang suggested, it seemed more prudent to continue earning through legitimate avenues, rather than risking it all for immediate gains.

"Follow me."

As Lee Sang-hoon and Jang conversed, the phone began to ring. Deputy Jang gestured to Lee to answer it, but he shook his head, hesitant about taking the first call.

"Ah, Mrs. Park. I was just about to leave, but you called. Yes, President Wang mentioned it. I only have ten accounts. It's all settled," Jang responded, providing details about the ongoing conversation.

Jang seemed to comfortably negotiate deadlines during the initial call, confident yet focused. Observing her, Lee found himself fascinated by her seemingly effortless ease in dealing with such matters.

"It's just wrapped up. 10 accounts is 200 million. Time is of the essence. This initial format we're testing only accommodates a few people at present. While I'd like to extend the offering, we're unable to do so until we've completed negotiations with the brokerage firm. Yes, Mrs. Park, I'm aware of your long-standing commitment, and President Wang acknowledges your dedication." Jang explained, biting into a cigarette as she spoke, her demeanor contemplative as she faced the television screen.

"Shall we proceed as planned? I will inform President Wang specifically, and we'll open just 2 accounts. Is that agreeable to you? Once decided, I'll provide the account numbers, and you can make a quick deposit and send us a text. Yes, kindly proceed," Jang concluded, deftly handling the business at hand.

Lee watched with a sense of uncertainty, feeling compelled to question the nature of the transactions. He turned to Deputy Jang, but refrained from voicing his thoughts. Instead, Jang candidly delved into her work responsibilities and the intricacies of managing members and funds.

Later that evening, Lee and Deputy Jang closed the office and headed in their separate directions. As he lay in bed at home, Lee's mind was filled with the haunting image of the middle-aged members, their fervent longing for wealth and stability. He grappled with trepidation, questioning whether he could truly thrive in an environment steeped in such desperation.

The fear gripped him as he pondered the day's events.

***

When I arrived at work on Monday, I came to the realization that I had overlooked a crucial detail. However, I also recognized that there was another solution to this overlooked matter.

"Why didn't I consider that?" Lee Sang-hoon lamented, gently tapping his head.

It dawned on me that I couldn't access the library and read the book, an idea I had been deliberating throughout Sunday. Just as I considered the possibility of forgoing the office altogether, an alternative solution presented itself.

I had the sudden realization that I could ask my mother to borrow the book. While I regretted not doing so earlier, I felt a sense of relief as I coached my mother through the process of borrowing the book and then made my way to the office.