Marius' Sweet Chapter 03-03
Overview
- Stage Cost: None
- First Clear Rewards: None
Guide
- Hover to view spoiler content.
Script
Pax Lobby
Go to the office with Marius and see how things are going.
The two of you immediately hear the chatter of two employees the moment you enter Pax Tower.
Young Female Employee: Right...? Nobody knows why they're all quitting.
Young Female Employee: Crimson wouldn't come and try to recruit them at a time like this, right? That would be ridiculous.
Young Male Employee: It's hard to say. Crimson's in it to make money, and the second-generation products are made to be light, inexpensive, and high-quality.
Young Male Employee: You can even say that once it hits the market, it'll immediately take over a big portion of the market share. Who wouldn't want a piece of that?
Young Male Employee: Besides... who's to say that Crimson isn't capable of making an even better offer?
Young Female Employee: That's true. But if the senior members really do leave, we'll probably be out of here in no time as well.
Young Female Employee: I heard that the board of directors all have really high hopes for the product. If the project was to go bankrupt, you can bet on layoffs coming our way.
Young Male Employee: *Sigh*... I better update my resume. I don't want to have to worry about my next job as I wait to collect my compensation and be laid off.
Young Male Employee: Looks like Mr. Marius is still too inexperienced. It doesn't seem like he'll be able to hold the situation together... I wonder if the board of directors will get involved.
Marius: ...
The two employees are chatting up a storm and don't notice you and Marius at all.
Marius' expression becomes more and more serious as their conversation intensifies. You plan on going over to interrupt them.
Marius: It's fine. Don't go.
You: But... It's already such a difficult situation. How could they say that you're...
Marius pulls on your sleeve and whispers in your ear.
Marius: It doesn't matter how they see me now. There will only be solid conclusions when the situation is taken care of.
Marius: Besides, isn't that why we're here?
You: ...Yeah, you're right.
Marius: Hmm? I think I just saw the Personnel Manager. Let's go talk to him.
You: Okay.
Pax Lobby
The Personnel Manager has arrived. Go inquire if there has been any progress in the investigation.
Personnel Manager: Master Marius.
Marius: What's the progress on reaching out to them for further discussion?
Personnel Manager: I'm sorry, Master Marius. We've... truly run out of ideas.
Personnel Manager: Everyone is refusing further communication. All we can do is use the company policy as an excuse to ask them to rewrite their letters of resignation.
Personnel Manager: And even then, only one employee was willing to cooperate.
Marius: What did he write on the new one?
Personnel Manager: Most of it was still the same. There's just one extra line in the reasons for resignation. He said that you should think about what happened last month.
Marius: ...Last month?
A spark of stunned realization flashes across Marius' face and quickly fades.
You: (Did he just think of something?)
You: Marius, did anything big happen at Pax last month?
Marius: If he mentioned last month, it probably has something to do with Themis Law Firm as well.
You: With us?
Marius: But I'm not sure yet...
Marius seems to notice that he's not being very clear about what he's saying, but he doesn't have definitive answers for you at the moment.
After thinking about it for a while, he turns to the Personnel Manager.
Marius: Did you send the new letter of resignation to Vincent?
Personnel Manager: Yes, I've sent it.
Marius: Okay, good work. Continue following up with the employees and try to open a line of communication.
Marius: But don't use any of the contract or agreement clauses to threaten them. If you really can't find a way to get through to them, just leave it alone for now.
Marius: When we have a plan to handle this, I'll have Vincent immediately get you caught up on it.
Personnel Manager: Okay, we'll be on standby at the office.
After seeing the Personnel Manager off, Marius coincidentally turns back toward you just as you're about to ask him a question.
Marius: I know what you want to ask, but let's return to the office first and see if Vincent's found anything new.
Marius: If things really are as I imagined, then the situation might be more... dangerous than I originally thought.
President's Office
Vincent seems to have acquired some clues. Go talk to him to get the details.
"The situation might be more... dangerous than I originally thought."
Because of what Marius just said, a sudden fear and horror occupy your mind as the elevator reaches the office floor.
You: (Last month... something to do with Themis... and it might be dangerous?)
You: (If it's something to do with Themis, then it should be the cases that Pax hired Themis to handle.)
You: (But if I recall correctly, the cases were all about copyright infringement... That couldn't be anything dangerous, right?)
You want to ask Marius about what's going on. However, when you look his way, you find that he is pressing his lips tightly together and is only concerned about leading the way for you.
The palm of his hand isn't as warm as it usually is. You can somewhat feel the subtle wavering of his heart.
Vincent Kim: Master Marius.
Vincent is already waiting inside the office with the tablet in his hands. It looks like he's made some new discoveries.
Marius: How is it? Did you find something new?
Vincent Kim: Yes. Concerning the incident last month that was mentioned in the resignation letter, the various departments and I shared what information we had.
Vincent Kim: Currently, nothing special has been found in any of the departments except the legal department.
Vincent swipes his finger across the tablet and a few indictments appear on the screen.
You: This is...!?
Marius: Just as I thought...
It seems Marius was expecting what he saw. He hands the tablet to you.
The content being shown on the tablet is the companies that Pax sued for the manufacturing of counterfeit versions of Xbone I.
Another attorney at Themis handled this case. You weren't involved and only know very few details about it.
However, thinking back on Marius' reaction when he heard what the Personnel Manager said earlier, he must've thought of this right away.
Marius: If it's them... I can now completely understand why the employees are in such a hurry to resign.
You: Why?
Marius: Because... they can no longer guarantee their own safety.
You: Eh!?
Things are developing beyond what you've imagined. It takes you a minute to put the pieces together.
Marius bites down on his teeth and gives Vincent his directions.
Marius: In a moment, I need you to tell HR to arrange for the employees to return to the office for resignation processing.
Vincent Kim: Master Marius!? But...
You: But what about the second-generation product?
Marius: It's fine, just do what I'm asking you to do.
Marius: The biggest problem right now is that we are in a completely passive position when it comes to establishing communication. All we can do is accept what they tell us.
Marius: The only way we can have the ball in our court and establish communication is by having them return to the office.
Marius: If possible, I would much rather speak to them myself.
Vincent does not seem to understand Marius' idea but still leaves the office after a brief hesitation.
The office door slowly closes. Marius walks to the front of his office desk without saying a word.
He doesn't sit in the chair. Instead, he rests along the edge of the table and crosses his arms in thought.
You: ...
Things are moving too fast. Marius hasn't shared the critical pieces of information with you, nor does he seem like he wants to at the moment.
However, as you see his folded arms, drooped head, and furrowed brows, you are reminded of the chill in his palm from earlier.
He's not purposely trying to keep it from you. He's probably trying to think things over as well. Maybe there's something else that's bothering him.
Although you're feeling very eager to get to the bottom of it all, before you do that...
You slowly walk in front of Marius. You place your hands on the table on either side of him. He is now enveloped in your arms.
Marius: You...
You: Marius, are you scared?
Marius: No, why would I...
He subconsciously denies your question with the smile and gentle tone that you're so used to hearing.
However, you gaze upward into his eyes with a serious look on your face. He swallows his words and puts away the smile.
With just a few seconds of silence, you can see so clearly through him that even the dust in the air seems to have become obvious to you...
He gently holds you in his arms in silence as his warm breath falls onto your neck.
Marius: I'm just a little worried that... I got you involved in this so carelessly this time.
His tone may sound level, but his rapid heartbeat betrays him since the two of you are so close to one another.
You take a moment to calm down and wrap your arms around him. You pose a question as you share the warmth of your body with him.
You: Does it have to do with the lawsuit that Themis took care of?
You: Regarding the counterfeit companies?
Marius: Yes. I actually heard some rumors while the cases were ongoing.
Marius: The organizations in North Stellis Pharmaceutical Industrial Park aren't people you should carelessly mess with. Many of the people who have taken over that place are thugs with an appetite for money.
Marius: After the lawsuit, many of the manufacturers' legal representatives who were arrested had prior convictions.
Marius: However, all I was concerned about at the time was getting rid of the forces involved... I wasn't able to make sure I had taken care of all of them.
Marius: If those thugs really did return for revenge, then you could say... I was the one that put my own employees in harm's way.
You: ...
You're not sure of what to say. However, you finally understand what he meant by "danger."
From an objective point of view, if Marius really did confront those people with a headstrong attitude and brought harm to his employees, it is understandable why he would be blaming himself now.
You: But you did the right thing when faced with the counterfeiting companies.
You: There was no way for you to know how far they would take it. So you wouldn't have been able to determine when and where to stop in the first place.
You: You were just trying to protect your own rights within legal bounds. You can't blame yourself for their retaliation. This isn't the proper attitude for standing up for yourself.
Marius: That's not what I'm talking about.
Marius unexpectedly pushes you away a bit and gently lifts your face with both hands.
Marius: I'm just afraid that they'll hurt my important employees... or even hurt you.
You: Me?
Marius: Yes. In order to get back at me, they even found out who my core employees are.
Marius: I'm just worried that... they'll look into the attorneys working at Themis and find the person who means the most to me.
Marius: If they're capable of going through my employees to throw punches at me, what if they get to you as well...?
You: Yeah, but... if that does happen, you'll be there to protect me, right?
Your sudden smile disrupts Marius' worries.
Marius: Of course...
You: Then it'll be fine.
You hold both of Marius' hands and look firmly into his eyes.
You: Regardless of what happened to everyone, what you need to do now is to give everything you've got to protect both me and your employees.
You: I will also do everything I can to protect you...
You: If we work together, all we have to do is find out the truth and settle it, then everything else will take care of itself, right?
As you speak, you stand on your tip-toes and gently bump your forehead with Marius'.
Marius: ...
Marius: *Sigh*...
A smile finally reappears on Marius' face, with some resignation, though.
However, if you are able to successfully convey your trust and confidence in him, you're certain it will support and help him focus at this moment.
Marius: Actually, after the incident with Kenny, I can't stop feeling like there's a heavy weight on my shoulders.
Marius: Those employees are extremely important to me. Not only have they created value for Pax, but they've watched Pax grow...
Marius: They've watched how Pax has developed under me.
Marius: So, I'd rather those people direct their aggression at me. I'm the one responsible, and I'm the one they should go after. I don't want my employees to get involved.
Marius: But... You do have a point.
He leans over and gently kisses your forehead.
The tense and frustrating atmosphere that once filled the office is now gone. The air is now warmer, like the smile on his face.
Marius: If I make my move now and quickly resolve the issue, my employees will be free from harm, and you will be safe.
Marius: I'll have to get a move on. After all, no one's ever beaten me on my turf before.
You: Right? So we should hurry up...
Marius' phone vibrates and interrupts you. He looks down and discovers that it's a message from Vincent.
Marius: The employees are here. Let's go talk to them.
You: Okay.
The two of you are on the move again. Marius seems to have rediscovered the confidence in his stride.
This is the cheerful, carefree spirit that you've always been crazy about.
Pax Product Experience
Some of the employees have arrived at the office. Talk to them and try to find clues about why they quit.
You: Hello.
Former Employee A: Hi, can I help you... Huh?! Mr. Marius?
Although this employee is ready to resign, he still immediately stands up to greet Marius.
Marius: It's okay. I'm just here to ask... why you're resigning.
Former Employee A: Why I'm resigning?
The employee pauses. It seems he didn't expect the CEO of Pax to personally come and ask him about his reason for resigning.
Former Employee A: I'm quitting because... I'm inheriting the family business...
You: Inheriting the family business?
Former Employee A: Yeah, my family owns a dessert factory. I have to return to take over once my father retires.
Former Employee A: Hahaha, although I really wish I could continue chasing my dreams here, but I can't just toss away the family business...
You: Erm... Are there any other reasons? Is everything else fine in your life, for example...?
Former Employee A: Things are going pretty well. Oh, my car tire has been having a lot of trouble lately. I've had to visit the garage several times a week.
Former Employee A: Nothing else seems to be out of the ordinary.
You and Marius exchange looks at one another. Neither of you feels like there's anything suspicious about the employee's tone or expression.
Marius: All right, I wish you the best of luck in your endeavors. I hope there will be an opportunity for us to work together again.
Former Employee A: That would be spectacular, Mr. Marius!
You: Hi... erm...
Former Employee B: You guys have to give me an explanation!
You approach to greet the employee but are startled by his loud voice and take half a step back. Marius quickly extends his hand and places it on your shoulder.
Marius: He looks to be on the phone. We'll come back to him when he's finished.
You: You're right.
Just as you and Marius come to an agreement and are about to leave, the man's voice elevates again.
Former Employee B: Every day I go home after work, there's always graffiti on my door.
Former Employee B: First, it's my car, then the door to my home. I'm seriously considering quitting and moving to a different city...
Former Employee B: On top of that, you guys can't even manage to provide any surveillance tapes? You guys charge a ton for property management fees. How do you even sleep at night?
You: Graffiti...?
You look up at Marius with a surprised look on your face. You can see that he has also picked up the same bits of information as you have. Marius stops and turns around.
Former Employee B: Doesn't matter now. I've already called the police. You guys can't do anything right.
Former Employee B: Just wait. We'll deal with this once I'm settled!
The employee hangs up the phone and looks your way with an angry gaze.
Former Employee B: What're you looking at...?
He pauses as he sees Marius.
Former Employee B: Ha... Mr. Marius, it's you.
His words don't sound like a greeting. On the contrary, it sounds like he's absolutely furious.
Marius: Are you here today to process your resignation?
Former Employee B: Yeah, I can't even go home now, thanks to you. I can't make the money that I'm supposed to be making either!
Former Employee B: Is making employees take the fall the way Pax deals with things?
You: Pax would never let an employee take the fall for anything. There must be some kind of misunderstanding...
Former Employee B: Whatever, I don't care. They already left me a message. They said that I should talk to Pax and you, Mr. Marius, if I have any issues!
Former Employee B: I've done honest work all my life. I've never stepped on anyone's toes, and this is the kind of message they leave me. What are you guys trying to do here!?
You: Umm...
Not even you can put up with listening to the man's remarks anymore. Just as you're about to reply, Marius presses down on your shoulder and looks at the man with a serious gaze.
Marius: Is someone causing trouble in your life? Do you know who it is?
Former Employee B: No idea. But I'm moving away. You guys can settle on your own!
The man speaks no more and leaves.
You: How could he... say that?
Marius: Resentment grows when unfair mishaps happen in life. His getting caught up in all of this is Pax's responsibility. He's having a hard time himself.
Marius: So we really need to resolve the issue as soon as possible.
You: *Sigh*... I really hope we can find a way to solve this problem. Otherwise, Pax's reputation...
You: Hi, are you here to process your resignation today?
Former Employee C: Yeah, what do... Mr. Marius!?
Marius: Hi. If possible, can you tell me the reason for your resignation?
Former Employee C: Sorry, I... I can't tell you.
You: As a core employee working on the Xbone II product, you should know how big of an effect this series of resignations will have on the project.
You: If you've run into any trouble, Pax is more than willing to provide assistance...
Former Employee C: What'd you just say? A series of resignations? There are other people quitting as well?
Marius: Wait... do you mean that the people on your team aren't aware that everyone else is quitting?
Former Employee C: I'm not sure. I haven't had the time to talk to anyone else... Too much has happened lately... I can't even keep my own head straight.
Former Employee C: But if it's happening to everyone... Maybe we're experiencing the same difficulties... Okay, I suppose I can tell you a little bit.
Former Employee C: Two days ago, a bunch of people came knocking on my door. The moment I opened the door, they forced their way inside.
Marius: A bunch of people? Do you know them?
Former Employee C: No, they were all extremely muscular and looked like thugs. After they entered, they called for my husband and son.
Former Employee C: They wouldn't let us leave, but they didn't lay a finger on us either. All they did was play poker and make a lot of noise in the house.
Former Employee C: My husband wanted to call the police but they grabbed his phone and smashed it. They then slammed a stack of money on the table, said it was compensation, and then kept playing cards.
You: What!? That's breaking and entering as well as unauthorized deprivation of liberty!
Former Employee C: Yeah, but we didn't even have a way to call the police. All of them would surround us if we tried to make any moves.
Former Employee C: My four-year-old son was terrified and crying, but they didn't care about any of that.
Former Employee C: They stayed for the entire weekend before leaving. They then warned me to hurry up and get out of this city...
You: And... Did you call the police afterward?
Former Employee C: I did, but they were very cautious and didn't leave the police much to go on. It's really hard to determine who they were.
Former Employee C: The police told us that they'll continue the investigation, but it will require time... But I... I really can't imagine having to experience another 48 hours like that again.
Former Employee C: So... I've told you what I can. There's nothing I can do...
You: Okay... I understand. Thank you. We'll try our best to take care of it as quickly as possible.
Pax Product Experience
You've gathered some clues. Go analyze them with Marius.
You: From the looks of things... we can conclude that the employees ran into a bunch of thugs who are hostile toward Pax.
You: It doesn't look like it can be directly connected to the people from North Stellis Pharmaceutical Industrial Park just yet.
Marius: I'm almost certain that they're the ones behind this.
You: Huh!? Why's that?
You: (Did I miss out on a certain detail just now?)
Marius: Shh...
Marius suddenly signals for you to shush as he glances across the room.
Many employees have noticed you and Marius' presence. They're all whispering to one another while looking at the two of you.
Marius: We should discuss the rest after returning to the office.
Summary
Character(s)
