Marius' Sweet Chapter 03-02
Overview
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Guide
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Script
The von Hagen Living Room
Marius already went to meet Vincent. Go see if you can be of help.
The atmosphere inside the living room of the von Hagen estate is far more tense than you expected.
Marius's brow is intensely furrowed as he holds a stack of papers which seems to be reports. Vincent is off to the side operating his tablet.
You: (They don't look very happy... Are things really that bad?)
After hearing Marius' quick mention of the core employees resigning as a group, the first thought that comes to your mind is that maybe a competitor is poaching their employees.
You: (If it really is due to unethical practices from their competitors, there has to be legal methods to temporarily slow them down.)
You: (Marius said that this is a critical time for the second generation's introduction to the market... Please let everything be okay...)
You slowly walk down the stairs as your mind continues to churn. However, as you reach the final steps, your train of thought is stopped by Marius' cold, piercing voice.
Marius: Things have already come to this. HR just planned on showing me these resignation letters and thought that would be the end of it?
Marius: Have them give me a proper answer immediately!
He tosses the stack of papers in his hand. The papers scatter all over the place, and one finds its way to your feet.
You: Huh...?
Marius: [Player]...? What are you doing here?
Hearing the sound of your gasp, Marius turns around and is surprised to see you. He gets up and walks toward you.
You: I was worried that you might be in a difficult situation. I wanted to come and see what I can do to help...
Marius: I see... Did I startle you just now? I was a little...
You: It's okay. It's a big deal for the company. It's normal for you to be tense.
You smile and kneel down with him to collect the scattered resignation letters.
Although they're supposed to be resignation letters, they look more like sheets with empty boxes. The areas that should be filled out in detail are mostly blank.
As you pick up the letters, even without paying too much attention, the short phrases catch your eye.
You: Reason for resignation... moving...? Too far from home? But this employee has worked at Pax for nearly ten years.
Marius: You noticed it too, huh?
After picking up the last letter, Marius holds your arm and helps you up. He then takes the stack of papers from you.
Marius: Many of these people are core members of Pax. They're all very capable and experienced...
Marius: However, they're all resigning simultaneously without any warning. It's a really critical time... and they gave such half-hearted reasons.
Marius: There's definitely something going on.
You: Could it be your competitors...? Maybe Crimson's trying to fight Pax for market share and decided to tempt the Pax team with extremely high salaries...?
Marius: It's a possibility. Vincent is confirming it as we speak.
Marius: But there are still countless other possibilities. We can't let our guard down... whether it be internally or externally...
There is a bitterness in his voice when he says "internally."
You: I know... Whatever the case, this will definitely go to court.
You: (I think this is... somewhat similar to what happened last time.)
Due to an information leak from the board of directors, the first-generation Xbones were facing extreme risks.
If it is also an "internal issue" this time, Marius is destined to be deeply hurt, regardless of whether the involved party is an old Pax employee or a high-level board member.
You: (In comparison, if it's an "external issue" involving a competitor playing dirty, it actually wouldn't be a big deal for him.)
You: (But if it really is a "mole"...)
You look at Marius with worry in your eyes, only to find him smiling at you after organizing the stack of papers.
Marius: Come on, let's sit on the sofa and talk.
Just as he's about to turn around, you reach out and tug on his shirt from the back.
You: Don't worry. Going to court is my specialty, just like running a company is yours.
You: We took care of the incident last time. We'll be able to resolve the problem at hand this time as well!
Marius: ...Hah.
He smiles and quickly rubs your head.
Marius: That's right. With you here, everything is going to be fine.
Marius: The situation at hand is a little complex. Make sure you don't leave me by myself halfway through, okay?
You: Don't worry, as long as the information that you provide is correct, there's no way I'll drop the ball!
After kidding around for a bit, some of his usual relaxed expression returns to Marius' face.
At the same moment, Vincent suddenly stands up.
Vincent Kim: Master Marius, HR has responded.
Vincent holds out the tablet and Marius quickly takes hold of it. He drags you to the sofa and the two of you look at it side-by-side.
The tablet shows the HR department's communication history. You glance over the records and can't help but frown.
You: The resigning employees all declare that they wish to resign even if it means a full surrender of all compensation and company shares they hold.
You: They've also refused... any further communication?
Vincent Kim: Yes, the employees who resigned today are all on paid leave. They're also being half-hearted with HR.
You: But what about their resignation handoff?
You: If they resign now, the Xbone II will definitely suffer losses. Maybe if you penalize a portion of their salary...
You suddenly come to a realization as you speak.
These employees are willing to give up their Pax shares and compensation to resign. The penalized salary won't hold any weight over them.
You: What's going on here...? Why are they in such a hurry to leave?
Marius: What about Crimson? What are they up to? How is the investigation going?
Vincent Kim: Nothing's happening over at Crimson. They most likely aren't poaching our staff with inflated salaries.
Marius: I see...
Marius closes his eyes and seems to fall deep into thought.
You: But... is HR certain no one approached the employees with a high salary to try to tempt them?
You: If they were careful, it would be very hard to find out, right?
Marius: That's because practically no one has the ability to poach from Pax.
Marius leans forward with a serious look on his face and his fingers interlocked in front of his lips.
Marius: They're paid the highest salaries in the industry and hold company shares. On top of that, the Xbone II's release is basically guaranteed.
Marius: Not even Crimson would be able to name a price high enough to entice all of them to give up their benefits and resign without making waves.
Marius: But the problem is...
Marius: What if it's not due to money? What else could make them resign as a group with such determination?
Silence settles in the room.
Being a part of the workforce, you are well aware that salary and working environment are the two basic reasons for any resignation.
But no matter what it is, it's never something that every employee will stay silent about.
So what is it...?
As you think and try to figure out the reason, the tablet in Vincent's hand begins to vibrate.
Vincent Kim: Master Marius, the Xbone II marketing department just sent over an e-mail. They're asking if they should postpone the upcoming press release...?
You: Postpone!? Every second counts when you're trying to secure the market. If it's postponed, it'll be following in the same disastrous footsteps of the first generation, wouldn't it?
Vincent Kim: Yes, but the employees have already submitted their letters of resignation.
Vincent Kim: If we wish to forcefully recall them and request that they continue with the development, maybe the only way to make that happen is to sue them regarding the shares they are holding and their NDAs.
Vincent Kim: Or...
You: ...Is recalling and forcing them to hand off their work or dragging it out over a thirty-day period for the contract to automatically terminate all you can do with the current laws in effect?
After an employee submits a letter of resignation, although they do have the responsibility of handing off their work, they are still eligible to terminate legally after thirty days.
The company definitely has the right to sue based on other restrictions in their contracts, but that's something to worry about later.
Besides... If things really get to that point, it would mean that Pax is going to completely terminate its relationship with them.
Marius: We definitely can't do that. They're all very important employees to Pax.
Marius: We're not clear about the situation yet. Pax can't blindly go after them like this.
The frustration growing from the complexity of the situation is soon dispersed by what feels like a crackling thunder.
Without any hesitation, Marius stands up and looks over at Vincent.
Marius: Send an e-mail to marketing. Tell them that the press release will proceed as scheduled. Make sure the other departments work with them and make the appropriate adjustments.
Marius: Have HR wait for me in the lobby. I'll be at the office to discuss this further.
Vincent Kim: Okay, Master Marius. But the employees...
Marius: There's no use thinking and trying to figure it out here.
Marius: Whether it be someone causing trouble or if Pax really hasn't treated them properly, at the very least, we need to pinpoint the problem as quickly as we can.
Marius: Otherwise, if something like this happens again, Pax will never be able to succeed in any future projects.
Marius' words are stern and straightforward. Vincent no longer voices any disagreement and immediately stands up to head to the office.
The von Hagen Living Room
Marius seems to be a little down. Go talk to him.
Marius: We should get ready and head to Pax as well...
You're not sure if you're reading too much into it, but it seems like Marius relaxes a little after Vincent's departure. However, he balls up his fist once more.
You tenderly cover his fist with your hand and gently push your fingers into his palm, hoping to make him relax.
You: Do you think... it was an inside job?
Don Edison and Kenji are both gone. Pax is back on track and proceeding smoothly.
If someone else on the inside betrays Marius at a critical time like this...
You: The chances of it being an "exterior factor" are slim after excluding Crimson from the possible culprits, right?
Marius: I don't really know right now...
Marius: But I hope not.
You: ...
You firmly hold onto Marius' hand and do your best to put on a smile as you look at him.
You: I'll come with you to the office.
Summary
