Marius' Sweet Chapter 03-09
Overview
- Stage Cost: None
- First Clear Rewards: None
Guide
- Hover to view spoiler content.
Script
Family Restaurant
Enter with Marius and meet Joseph at the negotiation venue.
This restaurant on the roadside of North Stellis seems to be doing well. However, neither of you saw any customers inside it before entering.
As you walk to the back of the restaurant, you spot an old man waiting while. He is resting his eyes and his head is tilted down.
A young man is standing beside him. From his posture, he looks to be the old man's secretary.
You: (It seems like they went ahead and cleared out the restaurant.)
You and Marius remain side-by-side as you approach the old man. Marius then greets him.
Marius: Mr. Brightwood.
Joseph Brightwood responds to Marius' gentle greeting. He doesn't throw his weight around and looks up to smile at the two of you.
Joseph Brightwood: You must be Master Marius from Pax. Well, what a talented and handsome young fellow you are. And this is...?
Joseph Brightwood slowly turns toward you.
You: Hi, I'm Mr. von Hagen's legal council.
After hearing your introduction, Joseph Brightwood raises his brows as he sizes you up. He then smiles from the edge of his lips.
Joseph Brightwood: I see... legal council... also young and established. Please, sit down!
You: ...
You glance at Marius to find that he is without reaction. He remains still and continues to look at Joseph Brightwood.
Both of you can hear the meaning hidden within Joseph Brightwood's words.
Even though it's the first time meeting, he is still able to see through your plan of covering up certain details with your cover as an attorney.
Marius: Mr. Brightwood, you flatter me. I'm guessing those who have the honor of talking business with you here are all elites in their own fields.
Marius: However, we are running on a tight schedule today. Is it possible for us to get right to the main topics at hand?
The two exchange only a few words and the air begins to fill with tension.
But you are also aware that there's nothing inappropriate with what Marius is doing.
Although Pax is far bigger than the businesses that Joseph Brightwood runs, it is Pax who needs the support of Joseph Brightwood today.
On top of that, Marius is still young, and Joseph Brightwood has seniority over him when it comes to business. If you are to win in this negotiation, your presence must be made known from the very start.
You: (But Joseph Brightwood probably won't go along with it so easily, right? After all, this isn't something he can lightly surrender ground on either.)
As expected, Joseph Brightwood doesn't plan on immediately starting the discussion.
Joseph Brightwood: Young and vigorous... That's what I like about motivated young men who take quick action like you.
He turns around and calls for his secretary.
Joseph Brightwood: Bring the menu over. Let's make our order first.
Joseph Brightwood: You know, I've negotiated quite a number of deals in this restaurant over the last decade.
Joseph Brightwood: Not only is it quiet here, but their food is top-class.
The secretary brings over the menu. Marius hands the binder to you without a single glance.
Marius: Miss [Player], please review the documents first.
You: Okay, Mr. von Hagen.
Everything is going as the two of you planned. You immediately take the binder without saying anything else.
After opening it, you discover a contract as expected.
You: ...
You: (Just as expected, Joseph Brightwood is asking for 30% in profit sharing... He's seriously planning on making a fortune off of Pax!)
Even you would have to restrain yourself from laughing after seeing a contract like this - you can't imagine what Marius would think.
You close the contract and place it on the table. You then smile at Joseph Brightwood.
You: I'm sorry, but it doesn't seem like the food here suits us.
You: We still have arrangements with other acquaintances in a moment. I'm afraid we won't be able to try the cuisine here.
Joseph Brightwood narrows his eyes.
Joseph Brightwood: Are you really in such a hurry?
Marius: Mr. Brightwood, I'm sure you know about that better than we do.
Marius: But on the contrary...
Marius presses down on the menu binder and pushes it toward Joseph Brightwood.
Marius: If this menu was reviewed personally by you, Mr. Brightwood... and we are ultimately unable to find a single dish we find fitting...
Marius: Would I be right in saying that you, Mr. Brightwood, never intended on making this meal a feast for both the host and the guest?
There are no disrespect in Marius' words as he speaks with a laughing tone. However, Joseph Brightwood is unable to overlook the coldness in his words.
Regardless of how great of an actor he is, he is unable to hide the emotions in his eyes.
It's not because he is intimidated. It's most likely because he never expected Marius, the youngest of the von Hagen family, to be someone he couldn't get a handle on.
Joseph Brightwood: If the food I've selected for the two of you isn't to your taste, why don't we slow down and set it aside for a moment?
Joseph Brightwood: Mr. von Hagen, you seem well-poised for our discussion. I assume you've gathered information from all angles.
Joseph Brightwood: Well then... why don't we both be frank?
Marius: I was hoping we could do that.
Marius leans back into the chair and looks at Joseph Brightwood with a calm gaze.
Marius: To my knowledge, a few of the factories working for you would have no problems manufacturing the Xbone II.
Marius: However, will you be able to ensure the readiness of the majority of the machine tool operators... when we start mass production?
You: (It sounds like Joseph Brightwood's core technicians have also been driven away by Troy Canes.)
You: (Looks like this is something Troy Canes has been doing for some time... No wonder Joseph Brightwood came to Marius so quickly.)
Joseph Brightwood's expression changes immediately after Marius finishes speaking. He no longer looks as calm as before. His secretary off to the side begins to speak.
Secretary: Mr. von Hagen, we wouldn't worry about them. They're just workers with slightly more experience. We can hire more of them with ease.
Secretary: However, core staff of the research team would be much harder to find in comparison.
Marius: You're right about that...
And with that, Marius stands up.
Marius: But technicians who are hired on the spot would need time to familiarize themselves with the procedure and the production itself.
Marius: Pax has a very strict manufacturing standard. We don't find it necessary to work with partners like this.
He is posturing to leave. You're certain that he has more aces up his sleeves. You stand up after him without taking another glance at the "menu" on the table.
Secretary: Mr. von Hagen...!
Marius stops.
Secretary: It may take a little time to get used to the procedure, but if the second-generation product is delayed, it may be delayed indefinitely.
Secretary: Can you and Pax really afford to wait that long?
Marius: ...
Marius turns around and looks at Joseph Brightwood with a ridiculing gaze.
Marius: Of course. We can afford to wait even longer than that.
Marius: You may not know this, but unfortunately... I'm quite experienced at catching moles.
Marius: You thought you knew what cards I was holding walking into this negotiation. However, in reality, you have no idea.
Marius takes out his phone and taps the screen a few times. He then shows the trending topics page to Joseph Brightwood and his secretary.
The first on the trending topics list is a link to the pre-registration of Pax Xbone II's product press release livestream.
And the second is the police's plan for an open investigation of the Stellis Pharmaceutical Industrial Park.
Joseph Brightwood: You've already gone that far...!?
Marius: Of course. I'm not a person who sits around and waits to die.
Being prepared even when wounded and in bed, completing his tasks even when he was struggling and in pain.
Because of all of that, Marius is well-prepared and able to apply pressure on those who look down on him.
He would not sit and wait to die. Even in a situation where he's near defeat, he would reorganize and rally to fight until the end.
Marius: We will find a way to continue development after the product's press release.
Marius: And it's all thanks to you that Troy Canes has been exposed. The police can now openly investigate instead of having to make private visits.
Secretary: Then... what is the purpose of you coming here to talk to us about a partnership?
Secretary: It's just as you said - you can take care of all of your problems. Could it be that you're here to simply mock us?
Joseph Brightwood seems to have lost all of his composure in this defeat.
But it would be beneath his dignity to act hysterical due to the total defeat.
Joseph Brightwood is obviously aware of that and frowns as he orders his secretary to back down.
You stand in front of Marius and press down on the menu as his negotiation attorney.
You: We could, but we won't refuse an offer that allows us to resolve the situation in a more efficient manner. We are also willing to give you the opportunity.
You: If you provide the information that we need to resolve the issue faster, followed by a partnership, it'll be a win for both of us.
You: So...
You open the menu and push it toward Joseph Brightwood.
You: Will you please edit the profit-sharing and sales clauses to reflect a partnership rather than extortion?
And with that, both sides have fully removed their disguises.
Now that everything is in the open, Joseph Brightwood's secretary is incapable of making any more excuses. All she's able to do now is to wait for Joseph Brightwood's final decision.
However, Joseph Brightwood simply glances at the menu with a calm eye.
Joseph Brightwood: We may have made a fool of ourselves.
Joseph Brightwood closes the menu without showing any extra emotions and hands it to his secretary off to the side. He then signals the secretary with his gaze.
The secretary nods, takes out a flash drive from her pocket, and hands it to Marius.
Joseph Brightwood: With this, your problems should be swiftly resolved.
Joseph Brightwood: As for the partnership... When the new contract is ready, I will personally make the trip over to discuss its details with you, Mr. von Hagen... and you, Miss [Player].
Marius places the flash drive in his pocket and gives Joseph Brightwood a very clear response.
Marius: Of course. I will greet anyone who genuinely wishes to do business with Pax with the utmost sincerity.
Marius then looks at you.
Marius: Let's go.
You: Yes.
As you turn to exit the restaurant, you catch another glance of the expression on Joseph Brightwood's face.
He doesn't look angry or unwilling as you were expecting. Instead, there is only a peaceful expression and admiration.
You: (This is probably the real reason why Troy Canes is going to lose to Pax and Joseph Brightwood...)
Coffee Shop
The negotiation has ended. Deliver the results and evidence to Darius Morgan.
Darius Morgan and a few police officers have been waiting in a cafe nearby.
However, they've actually been listening in on the entire conversation thanks to the wire that Marius was wearing. They quickly walk over to receive the two of you with smiles on their faces.
Darius Morgan: Well done. That was great.
Marius: I'm glad to be of help. The rest is up to you guys.
Marius: This should be the complete version of the ledger. If you need anything else, don't hesitate to call me anytime.
Marius removes the flash drive and the wire and hands it to Darius Morgan.
Still recovering from his wound, tending to this series of events has exhausted too much of Marius' energy.
After a short chat, the two of you part ways with Darius Morgan and head home.
North Stellis Street
Marius: *Yawn*
Marius yawns deeply the moment the two of you step outside.
You: You must be really tired. Let's go back and get a good night's sleep.
Marius: Yeah, I'm exhausted.
Seeing the fatigue on his face, you can't help but feel an ache in your heart as you grab hold of his arm.
You: Good thing it's all finally been taken care of. You can now focus on resting. You can't push yourself and work as hard as you did in the past, okay?
Marius: Okay, I'll do whatever you say. You're in charge.
He grips the hand that you have wrapped around his arm and speaks with the intimate tone you're so familiar with.
However, he remains silent as the two of you continue walking. He looks to have something on his mind.
You: (I think he looks a little depressed. Is there something else on his mind?)
After walking for another block, he almost trips over a small gravel step on the side of the road.
After frantically holding him and preventing him from falling, you can't help but raise a question.
You: Marius, is something bothering you?
Marius: No...
You: Your mind's been somewhere else the entire way. You have to tell me if there's something you can't wrap your head around or if you're having any trouble.
Marius: ...
He finally smiles helplessly after a brief pause.
Marius: I just can't hide anything from you, can I?
Marius: Actually... I still can't get over it. I believed I was right and had thought it through when I told you.
He seems to want to scratch his head, but he drops his arm as his fingers find the bandages instead.
Marius: But in reality, I seriously don't want someone like Joseph Brightwood to be anywhere near Pax, let alone Xbone.
Marius: Even though I sounded quite righteous when I said it before, once the dust has settled, I still feel...
Marius: I feel like the scale of "justice" inside me swayed gently... It's small, but it's a terrible feeling.
You: ...
...You knew it.
Marius' sense of justice will always be the part of him that attracts you the most.
He has what most ordinary people lack, but he's never proud. He sits where most will never reach, but he never discriminates.
On the contrary, he has always been thoughtful of others, and has always safeguarded the innocence of everything he treasures.
You found it extremely hard to accept that Pax would be working with those factories after hearing about it. So it would be impossible for Marius not to have strong emotions regarding the matter.
You: But... Marius... you and I are different.
You hold his hand the way he held yours when he comforted you. You press your palms against his and interlock your fingers, allowing for your warmth to pass on to one another.
You: I'm an attorney. Fairness and justice are something I must protect and hold to the same value as life.
You: I'm an attorney that works on individual cases and you're the CEO of Pax. In comparison, you have to manage a much wider range of things and be the wings and support for many more people.
You: You must have your own methods and a degree of shrewdness to be able to remove potential risks while protecting your employees and family.
You: This is just a simple partnership with Joseph Brightwood. Your goal isn't to help him earn money in unethical ways, right?
You: That's all that you're doing. It shouldn't have an influence on your sense of justice.
Marius: ...You're right.
Marius stops and quickly lowers his head. Before you can react, he has already kissed you gently on the lips.
You: We're... We're still outside!
Marius: It's just a small celebration.
Marius: It's a celebration that everything's finally over, a celebration for Troy Canes going to prison, a celebration that we made it out in one piece, and...
He looks down and presses his forehead against yours.
Marius: It's a celebration for me having you, and no one can take you away from me.
You: ...
As the two of you near the parking lot, the fear in your memories takes over once again.
However, this time around, you quickly rid yourself of it.
You: We should hurry home if we want to celebrate!
You: Hmm, can I make a request for something to eat? I want something good.
Marius: Of course. That's not a problem at all. I'll have Payton make arrangements.
Marius: You rarely ever ask for anything. It'd be more embarrassing than my guitar performance last time if I'm unable to fulfill your wishes.
