Moon Lovers: Bound by Blood and Revenge

[ Zhou Empire… ]

The next morning…

Marceline came to the office with a dark aura surrounding her. Seeing her mood, her staff were cautious not to offend her. They tried their best not to interact with her since they were afraid that once they committed a mistake they would be fired in an instant.

The other employees were surprised not to see Kira alongside her. They wondered if her gorgeous bodyguard was fired because of the rumor about them.

"I think the Witch Boss fired him to bury the scandal about them."

"Yeah, that's what I think as well."

"Hmm, I think our Boss is not serious about him. She was just playing with him, that's why he was kicked out of the company right away!"

"That's true! If she really loves him then she will fight for him despite the negative opinions of others."

"Haha… Do you think our Witch Boss is capable of loving someone? She is so cold and indifferent towards others, even to her family. No wonder Miss Natasha and our Boss are not getting along well."

"Hey! Hey! Hey! Stop talking bad about our Boss. Are you really desperate to lose your job? Why do you hate her that much? She might be cold and outside but she always stands up for us!" One of the staff under Marceline's department finally spoke up to defend her Lady Boss.

"Have you forgotten that because of her no one tries to bully any members of our Department, especially you, new recruits!" She started to scold them.

The three employees could only shut their mouths, listening to the lectures of their senior colleague.

"Just because other staff from different departments are bad-mouthing our Lady Boss, it doesn't give you the right to do the same. Don't be ungrateful! Of all the employees here, we should be the one to defend her… not talk bad behind her back!"

"I'm sorry, Ma'am!"

"This will not happen again!"

"We are wrong! Please forgive us!"

The three ladies apologized right away upon realizing their mistake. To think about it, their senior colleague had a point. Since they were newly hired, they were easily influenced by the staff from other departments who hated their Lady Boss.

Aunt Brianna who happened to hear their conversation smiled inwardly. She was glad to know that they were other employees who would stand up for Marceline.

'Too bad their Lady Boss could not hear this conversation right now.' Aunt Brianna thought to herself before proceeding to Marceline's office.

Because of the pill she gave Marceline, it sealed the super ability of her wolf that might affect her normal way of living.

When Aunt Brianna entered Marceline's office, she saw the young miss looking at the photo frame. It was her family photo during her 6th Birthday. That was her last birthday she celebrated together with her parents.

She wondered what happened last night. Marceline didn't look good. Her mood was very down today and she could feel her sadness and pain.

'Is she missing them?' Aunt Brianna pondered to herself. Sighing deeply, she walked over to her.

"Young Miss, is something troubling you today?" Aunt Brianna moved closer to her, stroking her hair. For the past eighteen years, she acted as Marceline's second mother.

Marceline glanced up with her misty eyes. For the first time, she didn't hide her vulnerable side to her.

"Aunt Bri, I… I missed my parents. I think they died for nothing…"

'They died because of someone's greed.'

Complex emotions flashed through Aunt Brianna's eyes. She felt sorry for her. "I'm sorry, Young Miss. I failed to protect them. I was not able to do anything."

Marceline shook her head. "You don't have to apologize. It's not your fault! If someone should apologize, it should be the people who were involved in the incident eighteen years ago." A hint of hatred could be heard in her voice.

Aunt Brianna just remained silent, letting Marceline speak what's in her heart. It was very seldom for her to open up with someone, including Aunt Brianna so she was grabbing this opportunity for Marceline to let it all out.

"I'm sorry for being a crybaby today, Aunt Bri. I had sworn to my parents' graves that I will seek justice for them. And I will do this for them and for myself as well."

Aunt Brianna just nodded her head, still comforting her. When she was done sharing her thoughts and feelings with Aunt Brianna, Marceline stood up to fix herself. She had something important to do today.

"I have to see my grandpa. I think this is now the right time to claim and protect what is mine," Marceline said meaningfully.

After gathering her emotions, Marceline went to see her grandfather. She talked to him for half an hour. It did not take long when Marceline left her grandfather's office, Grandpa Roland called for an emergency meeting with the management team and the board members of the Zhou Empire.

They only had thirty minutes to prepare. They were required to be at the conference hall by that time. The higher-ups including Ronan who was the CEO of the company were wondering what this emergency meeting was all about.

Even the employees were notified that there would be a big announcement after the emergency meeting of the management team and the board members.

"Whoa! What's happening? Why do I feel like we will receive a shocking piece of news today!" One employee said as he watched the higher-ups and the board members were rushing to the conference hall.

Everyone did their best to arrive on time. The Chairman called the board members personally. He said that today's emergency meeting was of high importance!

Natasha and Ronan entered the conference room together. Feeling puzzled, Natasha asked her father directly.

"Dad, what is this all about? Why did grandpa suddenly call an emergency meeting? Do you have any idea about his big announcement today?"

Ronan shrugged his shoulders and said, "Just like you, I am not informed about the idea of today's meeting. Your grandpa just told me to attend and inform all the directors as there would be an important announcement."

Natasha frowned as she remembered something. "Dad, I saw Marceline coming out of Grandpa's office a while ago. Do you think she knows something? Grandpa called an emergency meeting right after Marceline left his office!"

Ronan was taken aback when he heard that. He didn't know what his niece was trying to do. He wondered if Marceline really had something to do with this emergency meeting.

"Let's not jump to conclusions. Come and hear what your Grandpa will tell us." Ronan guided his daughter to her seat. The father and daughter sat next to each other.

The other board members also arrived. They sat down on their respective chairs. When everyone was present, Grandpa Roland entered the conference room together with Marceline.

Ronan's expression darkened when he saw the two. For some unknown reason, he felt like Marceline was the one who requested this emergency meeting.

Ronan was still looking daggers at Marceline and Grandpa Roland when suddenly Marceline's sharp gaze met his eyes.  The two stared at each other for a moment, not hiding the displeasure they felt towards each other. But Ronan was the first one who looked away as Marceline's aura was very intimidating.

After settling down, Grandpa Roland started the meeting by acknowledging everyone and welcoming them. He also thanked them for being there on time. Furthermore, he apologized for the short notice of this meeting.

He couldn't refuse his granddaughter's request. They had a serious discussion a while ago inside his office. That discussion led to this emergency meeting.

So as they speak, Ronan's assumption was right. This meeting was initiated because of Marceline. The Big announcement had something to do with her.

Grandpa Roland confirmed it when he passed the floor to Marceline, allowing her to speak to everyone. All eyes were now on her. Enrique, Natasha, and Ronan were curious about her announcement.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, thank you for coming here. I have an announcement to make. As you all know, a rumor is going around lately in this workplace about my very personal life… I want you to know that whatever I do with my love life has nothing to do with you so don't make a fuss about it."

The directors who spread this gossip because of Natasha's instigation couldn't look straight into Marceline's eyes. They just lowered their heads, feeling guilty.

Marceline just ignored them as she continued her speech. "With that, I, Marceline Celeste Zhou, now retiring as the Director of Operations."

Everyone gasped when they heard those words from her. No one had expected that she would resign just because of a mere rumor. Did it mean she was confirming it? The rumor was true!

Meanwhile, Enrique was unhappy with her decision so he objected right away.

"Grandpa! I mean Chairman… How could you allow her to resign?"

Grandpa Roland just gave his grandson a warning look, motioning him to sit back and let Marceline finish her words.

On the other hand, Natasha and Ronan exchanged meaningful glances with one another. They were rejoicing with Marceline's decision.

'Wow, it seems like she is crazy in love with her bodyguard. This is advantageous for us. Cedric failed but at least, she voluntarily chose to leave the company just because of that mere bodyguard!' Cedric concealed his overflowing joy.

But that joy was just short-lived as Marceline said another shocking news to them.

"As approved by the Chairman, I would like to introduce the new Director of Operations. Please come in."

After saying those words, Kira, wearing his black corporate suit, entered the conference hall with confidence.

"This is Kira Alaric… the new Director of Operations… my husband…"

Everyone: "..."