NOVEL NEXT After Resignation, I Refuse the Obsession from the Male Leads
Chapter 27
World domination seemed like too cliché a goal for a third-rate villain, so I racked my brain for something better.
But I stopped shortly after. ‘No. Let’s stop.’ Let’s not dig too deep. The only thing I want is the complete disbandment and resignation of the BM-RP Department. ‘So today, I’m absolutely leaving on time!’ I tied my hair up in a neat bun, stuck a pencil in it, and devoted myself to work with a fighting spirit. 5:30 PM. 5:45 PM. And finally, 5:58 PM. ‘Done! Time to start packing up and get ready to head ou—’ The moment I was about to get up. The door opened with perfect timing. “Miss Lowell, Mr. Finley. How have you been?” The male lead and the mastermind had returned. “Everyone, you’ve really worked hard these past few days.” The villain is smiling brightly, but why is it so…scary? “Her Excellency the Prime Minister wants to see you?” I quietly put down my bag with only two minutes left before I left work. Why do the higher-ups always… Why do they always seem to enjoy evening time like this…? * * * Marquis Luella Halifax. The Empire allows women to inherit titles, but she was the first to rise to the position of Prime Minister. Normally, she would have been in the civil service and retired at an appropriate time. ‘Whoo, what is going to happen to the Empire now?’ She was disappointed with the lazy royal family to the core and furious by the incompetent officials. [I can’t stand watching the Empire fall apart!] In the end, she stubbornly stayed in the palace and seized the position of Prime Minister. It didn’t matter if everyone pointed fingers at her as a vicious woman. [If it’s for a fairer Empire than yesterday.] It was natural that the members of the ‘Imperial faction’ disliked her, as she was from the ‘Noble faction.’ ‘Tch. If the Imperial family weren’t so messed up, I wouldn’t have ended up like this.’ The current Emperor Arfelt initially seemed like he had some potential. ‘It could have developed into a reasonably good cooperative relationship. But suddenly, for some reason, he got so scared before he shut himself up in the Palace.’ He hasn’t even shown his face at any public events in recent years! ‘Anyway, it’s strange. The Emperor, and the Emperor’s only daughter…’ But she decided not to think about such troublesome things tonight. She has to take care of those who deserve praise! “You’ve really worked hard this time, Minister Crow. And Team Leader Lupesque.” Carlyle and Edgar bowed lightly in front of me. “It’s an honor, Your Excellency.” “Sigh, now that the empire has finally found some stability, these foolish groups are starting to appear.” Luella furrowed her brow as she read the report from the BM-RP Department. Ceres group. The phrase ‘for the glorious old days’ sounded dangerously suspicious. ‘Are they trying to return to the days when the imperial family ruled perfectly?’ Are they going to wipe out the noble faction? “This is ridiculous. Use whatever means necessary to root out the mastermind.” “Yes, Your Excellency.” “By the way, the new recruits really had a tough time with this one.” Luella looked at the two new recruits standing quietly in a corner of the Prime Minister’s office. “Seamus Finley. I’ve already heard of your reputation. You’ve been great from the start.” “…Thank you.” The tone was one that clearly showed no interest in the Prime Minister’s impressions. However, since this was the typical attitude of those from the Wizard Tower, the Prime Minister didn’t mind. What she was interested in was the other side. “Let’s see, this side….” When she pretended not to remember, Carlyle took a step closer. “This is Layla Lowell, Your Excellency.” “Aha…” “She has contributed greatly to this matter.” Luella raised her eyebrows at Carlyle’s introduction. ‘Hoo, look at that guy.’ Carlyle’s tone was calm, but it was clear he wanted her to acknowledge how proud he was. Carlyle Lupesque, who had thrown away all the nobility of his title and was completely consumed by his work! “Yeah, Layla Lowell.” “It’s the first time I’ve greeted you, Your Excellency.” “Haha, you have a good spirit. You must have had a hard time since you first joined.” “That’s not true, but I will gladly accept your words.” “Hmm.” Luella quickly looked at the person opposite her. Layla Lowell, a commoner orphan. Last place in the 218th place. It was a grade that ruined any chance of success. ‘I thought she was the type to just stick around and quit eventually.’ However, this confidential report listed her abilities and achievements. ‘She investigated the kidnappers’ actions on her own, submitted over 15 reports to Lupesque… and even went to the scene herself?’ Edgar slyly erased things like ‘the ability to see the core’ from the report he submitted to the Prime Minister. Even so, the Layla Lowell in the report was still a passionate talent. Luella felt genuinely pleased that her judgment had been wrong. Who knows? In the future, will the second female prime minister be born? ‘And now, look at those eyes.’ Her eyes may be dull, but does that mean she lacks passion? No! It means she knows how to be cautious and restrain herself. She’s a newbie, but she seems to have experience! “You’re a lucky charm. There was a reason why several departments wanted to take her.” “Different departments?” Carlyle’s face twisted. He turned fierce for a moment, as if he was about to lose his junior. But Luella shrugged. “Well, it’s the magic potion research lab.” “…!” “Sir Wadsworth was very angry, saying that he had lost a talent.” …In fact, even she was surprised at how furious Theodore was. [How can such a thing be taken from me like this?] After Edgar brought Layla Lowell to the BM-RP Department, Theodore came looking for her, and he was furious. She thought he was going to destroy the Prime Minister’s office. It was the first time she had seen someone so cheerful and kind get angry. ‘He calmed down and stepped back, though.’ She raised her hand, trying to push away the memory. “Well then. Achievements should always be celebrated with meat and alcohol.” A shining diamond-coated card was summoned between two fingers. It was the corporate card directly under the Prime Minister’s authority. “Okay, spend as much as you want today. There’s no limit!” * * * Damn it… I knew this would happen. How many company dinners must someone who’s been with a company for 30 years have been through? ‘If you give me a card to spend money, I can’t help but use it!’ And so, the place the mastermind took us for our ‘first company dinner’ was… Let’s admit it. To be honest, it was a very nice place. The ceiling was entirely made of glass, revealing the night sky above, while the fountain and flowering trees inside the restaurant sparkled under the chandelier lights. The four of us were guided to a room where we could see this entire view. “Then have a good time. If you need any help, please call me anytime.” The female employee who guided us gave me an envious look. What kind of imagination do you have when you look at the members of this room? A dark-haired, red-eyed, world-class handsome senior. A charming, aristocratic smile with a beautiful, mysterious mastermind. A colleague with a decadent and languid aura. And the only woman included in the group—me… ‘Switch seats with me right now, sister.’ I’m not grateful at all to be sitting here right now. At that moment, the mastermind smiled and picked up the glass. “It might be a bit uncomfortable to gather like this… but I called you here because it’s a necessary step if we’re going to work well together in the future.” …Why does it seem like he’s secretly looking in my direction? The mastermind grinned wider and raised his glass high. “Then, cheers.” “Cheers.” “….” “Yes, cheers.” The awkward silence that flowed in this room the whole time I was raising the glass… I felt like I was going to suffocate. ‘Damn it. Hurry up and finish!’ Let’s all part ways as soon as we finish slicing the meat. With that earnest wish, I drank all the alcohol. …And then I realized I had overlooked three things. First. After becoming aware of my ‘previous life,’ I hadn’t drunk the Empire’s alcohol yet, so I didn’t know how strong it was here. Second. Right now, Layla’s liver was still in a pure state, untouched by a drop of alcohol. Third. I have a drinking problem. I would greatly appreciate your continued support by leaving a positive rating on NU so I can continue translating this novel. Thank you.
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