Chapter 129 - Provocation
Ronan was rendered speechless. That agreement truly existed. He almost forgot about it. Now that Marceline was of legal age and married, she may now inherit the Zhou Empire.
Grandpa Roland even asked their family lawyer to bring the agreement. He showed the board members and the directors the proof that this appointment was valid.
Natasha also didn't expect this turn of events. She thought her father would be the one taking over the Chairman's position. Who would have thought Marceline would become their Chairman after resigning as Director of Operations?
"Grandpa, are you sure about this? I think my cousin is not yet ready to become Chairman. She needs lots of experience before she can take this higher position," Natasha spoke up, expressing her objection regarding Marceline's appointment.
Marceline just gave her a side glance. She would let her grandfather answer Natasha. As for that concern, Marceline didn't care whether she's ready or not. All she wanted to do now was to claim what belongs to her before it would get stolen from her.
If her Uncle sacrificed her parents just to get the Zhou Empire then Marceline was ready to fight him with her all just to stop her Uncle from taking the Zhou Empire.
"Natasha, you can't question her because from her performance alone as former Director of Operations, Marceline has proven to us her capability to manage the Zhou Empire! The Zhou Empire belonged to her father and now it belongs to her. I believe that her experience is enough. This will also serve as her actual training. Sooner or later, she is meant to rule the Zhou Empire." Grandpa Roland's words had finality.
The board members, who were just listening to the members of the Zhou Family, also believed that Marceline would be a great leader that would help the Zhou Empire prosper more.
Only a few of them were still undecided whether to trust Marceline's ability or not. Those board members were the ones who had a close relationship with Ronan and Natasha. It's natural that they would prefer to choose Ronan over Marceline.
"Do you have any objections? Please raise your concern now." Grandpa Roland consulted everyone, although his decision was already final.
The directors just glanced at their CEO and Natasha, waiting for them to further object to this decision since they had no power to rebuke the Chairman's decision. But just like them, Ronan and Natasha didn't have a say on this.
Enrique, on the other hand, was always rooting for his cousin, Marceline so it was already expected that he would agree to this appointment.
"Since no one had spoken, let's all welcome my beloved granddaughter, Marceline Celeste Zhou as the new Chairman of the Zhou Empire. This is effective as of today!"
Everyone could only clap their hands and greeted Marceline with congratulatory words. Marceline just smiled at them. Those were the big announcements for today's emergency meeting.
After wrapping up things, Grandpa Roland adjourned the meeting. Ronan had a dark expression on his face when he left the conference room.
He felt like all his efforts went in vain. He had waited for this moment… the moment his father would step down from his position.Â
He thought after working so hard all these years, dedicating his whole life to the Zhou Empire, his father would acknowledge him and see all his efforts. But he was wrong. Grandpa Roland was still rooting for his favorite granddaughter to take charge of the Zhou Empire.
Ronan slammed the door shut with a loud bang upon entering his office. He swept his table clean. The shattering sound of wine glass and laptop resonated inside the office.
He couldn't accept this! He should become the Chairman, not Marceline.
'The position is mine! It should be mine, NOT hers!' Ronan punched his glass table, causing the surface to break. Then he threw everything he could grab just to vent his frustrations and anger.
His secretary didn't dare enter that room otherwise, he would be the one to receive Ronan's wrath.
A few minutes later, Ronan left his office without saying a word to his secretary. He was about to confront Cedric about what happened to their plan. What went wrong? Cedric had been ignoring his calls and messages.
He was now at a desperate time. Cedric was the only person whom he could ask for help!
Unknown to Ronan, Marceline and Kira were also on the move. She asked Kira to follow Ronan secretly. They needed to get concrete evidence that would point out that Ronan and Cedric conspired together to assassinate her parents eighteen years ago.
Ronan was the one who swapped the Ametiz Protection Stones of her parents, exchanging the real ones with counterfeits. Since Marceline's parents were not using them when she was around because of the negative effects on her, Ronan got the chance to steal the real Ametiz Protection Stone.
Marceline and Kira were now working together to get those proofs so that Grandpa Roland could see the evidence. With those, Ronan could no longer deny his involvement in that incident eighteen years ago.
Kira was now tailing Ronan. He was not surprised when his car stopped in front of Triple W headquarters.
"So you are going to see your accomplice. Don't tell me you will scheme against Marceline. I will not let you do that." Kira was observing Ronan from a distance.
Meanwhile, Ronan just entered the building hurriedly. The guards stopped him. His face could no longer be painted as he was wearing an ugly expression.
Kira smiled as he overheard the conversation at the entrance. He used his super sense of hearing to eavesdrop and spy on Ronan.
He found out that the guards didn't allow him to see Cedric Morgan today. The Alpha still refused to see him.
"Hmm, I think Cedric Morgan is also throwing a tantrum right now," Kira said, smirking playfully. He could hear some crashing sound from Cedric's office. He was also not in a good mood today because of what happened last night. He and his men were utterly defeated by Kira and Marceline.
Unlike Ronan and Cedric, only Kira had a bright day today. He already had a plan today. He continued listening to Ronan and the guards who looked like they were arguing now.
"Our CEO is not accepting visitors today. Please forgive us CEO Zhou but we can't let you pass. Vice President Vladimir gave us a strict order." The guard was firm with their words. They were not afraid of Ronan who came from a family of gatekeepers. He was just a mere human. For them, he was still inferior to werewolves like them.
"Tell him I am here. This is urgent. I need to see him, NOW!" Ronan kept insisting on meeting Cedric.
The guards had to call Vladimir who was in charge of Triple W's operation today. They heard that Cedric was not feeling well. But he was in his office right now.
"I'm sorry, Mr. Zhou. Please come back tomorrow. Our CEO is not in the mood to entertain a visitor today. You know his temper," the guard already warned Ronan.
"What's wrong with him?!! He can't send me away like this! I said it's urgent! Let me see him!" Ronan already raised his voice. The guards were already losing their patience towards him.
"Cedric doesn't want to see anyone today. But if you wish to see him throwing a fit today then come with me. But don't blame us if ever you get hurt after meeting him." Vladimir's voice was heard. He went to the lobby as soon as he heard that Ronan Zhou was making a scene at the entrance of the building.
When Ronan heard that warning from Vladimir himself, he calmed down a little bit. Of course, he didn't wish to see Cedric in his wild state. Vladimir's warning gave him a fright. He knew what a werewolf could do when they were enraged and furious.
"Since he can't see me, allow me to talk to you. This is an urgent matter." Ronan knew that aside from Cedric's Beta, Vladimir possessed a great influence among the members of Triple W. He was like the second-highest commander of those warriors.
"I need to pacify my angry Alpha. Just come back tomorrow. We will discuss your concern." Vladimir also refused to listen to Ronan.
Left with no choice, Ronan had to leave the Triple W headquarters. But at this moment, Kira didn't follow him. He stayed behind as he had another agenda for going there today. He also came to meet Cedric and confront him.
"Alright! The game is about to start." Kira's eyes gleamed with excitement as he showed himself in front of Triple W's entrance door.
Vladimir frowned as soon as he recognized Kira.
'He is the vampire who caused lots of problems lately. Why is he here?' Vladimir wondered to himself.
'A vampire was walking in broad daylight, coming to the den of wolves and witches?! What kind of foolish bravery was this? Does he have a death wish?'
Vladimir signaled the nearby guards to be alert as they watched Kira slowly approaching the entrance door. He stopped one step away from the glass door. He couldn't proceed further because of the new and strengthened anti-vampire spell cast by the witches around the Triple W's building.
He was staring at Vladimir with a provocative smile on his handsome face. The frown on Vladimir's forehead deepened further upon seeing that smile.
'What is he up to?'
"I'm here to see your Alpha.. Can I come in?" Kira said, smiling mischievously at him.