The Vampire King's Destined Queen

v- Faint Hope

Chapter Five

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A week and two days flew by in a speed of light.

Marionette with clasped hands, while chewing on her lower lip, entered the conference room in a dignified manner. With her back arched straight, her chin lifted with confidence and a beam displayed on her face to show a pleasing appearance. She's in her corporate attire, a black blouse paired with a pencil skirt and a simple 3-inch stiletto worn on her feet.

The room was wrapped in an overbearing atmosphere. It's as if the atmosphere inside we're adding oil to her lightheadedness, lighting it. She feels hazy and she knew it was probably because of not having proper rest; as well as because of the stress piling up on her plate. This past week, she had to stay up most of the nights perfecting her presentation.

She tried being optimistic about the plan she came up with but with how they were belittling her with their gaze right now, she's losing the heart to believe in herself.

If the saints could hear her, please, shower her with confidence to take on and withstand this one-hour hell of a place.

Gulping a big chunk of her moist saliva, Marionette directly went on the center podium to start her presentation which she prepared. With this, hopefully, will convince the stockholders to keep their support on the Enterprise and to also get their affirmation of her succeeding it. It's about time she takes over the operation. She's already finished college and is twenty-three years old.

"Thank you for your patience, may I start the presentation please."

The young lady started to communicate what she had envisioned for the company to emerge and reach the top once again.

Ever since that night five years ago, the tragedy that befell the Valentine Household that killed her parents and nearly ended her, and their Enterprise a while back, no one was willing to aid and cooperate with her. She was actually thankful for the ones listening and took notice of her.

Almost half an hour has passed since she commenced her presentation, yet all the board of directors suddenly had their phone rang. She put up a business smile, while feeling a cold shiver shudder through her spine, in her heart, wondering what might happen now.

Marionette has a hunch that this day will not be much better than yesterday or days before.

Like a signal, all business person simultaneously picked up their phone and as the large hand of the clock pass the two. If you count the little marks from twelve, it shows that it has already been ten minutes since they started conversing with someone on their phone but she cannot even say anything because she was the one asking for a favor. She might not be pleased, with how they are outright showing that they are disrespecting her, yet she knew in her heart, even if she tries speaking up things will surely turn against her. Anything she does, or say will be used as a weapon to stab her.

She fidgeted with her fingers as her heart is beating an immeasurable count inside her chest

There it goes again...

...the feeling that she felt earlier began to creepingly crawl up to her. Even so, she needed to be brave, stand by and hold her fears back.

Bang!

She was startled when one of the businessmen threw his mobile phone to the ground; a loud cracking sound was heard echoing inside the entire hall.

The man appeared in front of her in a flash; grabbed her in her jaw, squeezing her as if he's a mad man.

Marionette hissed in pain and her eyes hid panic under her lashes. Quickly cracking her mind into finding out what happened which triggered and made the other person violently react this way.

"You btch! You think we're so easy for you to be able to fool us?!" His eyes were filled with betrayal, and anger while almost shouting in her face. But the lady did not have a single idea on what was he accusing her of.

"Mr. Bertham, calm your anger. We need to let her explain, for the sake of the deceased Mr. and Mrs. Valentine and the Valentine Household." Surprisingly, despite of the former's rage about what he heard, one was composed and reasonable.

It was Mr. Levian, a close family friend of the Valentine ménage. However, it may seem he was collected, but a surge of displeasure also spread throughout him.

"Ms. Valentine, if you may." Mr. Bertham let her go at the demand of Mr. Levian, as he glowered at Marionette suspiciously.

Sensing the heavy atmosphere inside the meeting room, West Hunderfield, the deceased Guerrero Valentine's old friend and right-hand man rushed to Marionette's side, shielding her from all the look of disdain and anger the board of directors were throwing at the pitiful young lady.

After five years, Marionette is now an adult, she turned to be a beautiful lady. Her delicate looks were poured with a fierce aura, the soft ocean blue eyes were the same kitten-like shape. However, they now carried a tired feeling every time someone looks at them. She turned mature and beautiful, but her worn out state were made visible in everyone's sight.

It was not a secret. Rather, it hit the breaking news worldwide that the wealthiest Valentine famiglia has met their demise. Mrs. Marina and Mr. Guerrero Valentine were caught in an accident. Leaving Marionette behind, alone with herself, to face other people's slander.

"I think it's better to not show yourself here for a while, Marionette. I will take care of the matters here for the time being, so take a rest at home and," Mr. West, the assistant of Marionette's father, took out his wallet and suddenly handed her some bills. "Eat some healthy food heartily. You're growing thin and pale each day."

"But--" Marionette was about to refuse. Yet Mr. West was more persistent, shoving the bills in her hand and tugging her to make her way out.

"If you want the people's trust and gain back your family's company, take care of yourself first."

She was left no choice, because he was right. She's a walking mess. Her appearance was unsightly and she haven't been eating correctly.

However, she had just stepped out of the room when she heard their belittling remarks.

"Ha! Did you hear her 'plan'? Does she think it was a concrete and feasible idea? Her inexperience is showing even to her attitude, her response, and how she talks."

"You're right, Mr. Bertham. Do they expect us to trust a novice, without any knowledge or experience in handling, even a company that is in the state of ruins? How imprudent!"

"Tsk, tsk, people always dreamt about pursuing the impossible, but in reality, at the end of the day, they would only pass on their responsibilities and sufferings to those around them."

Marionette let the door slam behind her back, leaving the vicinity with heavy footsteps.

She had been facing years of nonstop suffering and humiliation from the sudden scandals and bankruptcy that hit the Valentine Enterprise.

And despite all the backlash, she was still doing her best to win over the minds of the raging board members and shareholders. She has sent each and one of them a letter of apology with a simple gift, begged for forgiveness of something she did not do and was not able to cease with the intention of putting all of her pride aside for the sake of gaining their sympathy. Yet it was to no avail, as their heart were stoned by the so-called betrayal that she did. Look at what happened today.

If this continues, she may lose her right to the Valentine Enterprise.

By the time the sun peeked from beneath the horizon, Marionette was still thinking of the destruction that has fallen upon their company and the huge responsibility that was passed on her shoulders.

The most beautiful woman in the world, now getting thinner, stood up quietly and walked towards nowhere.

Ever since the bank stated their bankruptcy, she had already been plummeted down together with the Household. Their house, cars, properties and the mighty Valentine Enterprise, were all gone. Everything came crashing down and even eating had become a luxury to her now.

She smiled bitterly as she heard her stomach growl in hunger. Her parents, even already dead, were still making her life more difficult than it already is.

"Jeez, don't dwell on it Marionette. Nana Rasha and butler Cain are waiting at home."

She informed them that she will be home by lunch and will eat together with them.

Marionette then remembered the bills Mr. West gave her. However, she doesn't feel the need to spend it for her food. It would be a waste.

The young lady was listlessly walking on the street. Hailing a cab will even cost her a fortune, so she chose to walk, even if she's getting dizzy and her heart heavy from losing everything. Before, she was not thankful for the things she possessed. Because earning her family's approval was all she had in mind; yet now that she doesn't have a single thing from what she used to have. It made her realize how blessed she was, how fortunate the life she was living, as a wealthy family's only daughter.

At the present though, the sole heir to the Valentine Enterprise is now but a poor stray cat in the middle of the road.

She's walking the street through the scorching heat of the afternoon, stomach growling in hunger and mind hazy because of piled up worries.

Due to days of starvation and experiencing grave stress, Marionette who was clueless she was fatigued, suddenly sees blurred lines in her vision. As the fuzzy feeling in her head eventually strikes and caused her to lose her consciousness. She passed out, while looking directly into a pair of dark orbs of someone striding towards her.

All that remained in her memory before closing her eyes was someone catching her, falling in a brusque, safe arms. A familiar scent tugging on her nose and a light of hope crossing her worn out mind and heavy heart. Before she fell into the cold ground…

A whisper of hope she uttered, before totally blacking out, resonated in someone's ears. As the unknown person muttered some incoherent words in the air before everything went black.