"Plagg, I called you here to let you know that I support Juleka's decision." Luka told Adrien as Kagami was standing behind Luka's chair. "You were very important in her life and I'm grateful to you."
"Plus you showed to all of us that you deserved a higher position than just being an assistant." Kagami added.
Adrien smiled at them. "I appreciate your words and thank you for your trust and support."
At that moment Philip walked in. "I'm sorry to interrupt but it's urgent for me to talk to you Luka."
Adrien stood up. "Well in that case I'm going to leave -"
"No Plagg I want you to stay. What I have to tell Luka is about you." Philip replied.
"What is it that you have to tell me?" Luka asked.
"That I discovered that the great Plagg Noir came to this company with lies." Philip said, giving Adrien a stern look. "He gave us a fake resume or are you going to deny it Plagg?"
Francisco was opening Adrien's room door when Chloe and Nathaniel walked over to him. "What do you think you're doing?" They asked as Nathaniel pulled him away from the door as Chloe closed the door again.
"Sorry the door was slightly opened and curiously got the best of me." Francisco replied.
"Listen here buddy this rental home has one big rule which is the respect of the privacy and intimacy of the residents." Chloe said sternly.
"Plus I doubt the door was even open." Nathaniel added. "Did you open it? Who are you anyway?"
"No I didn't open it and I'm a friend of a resident but he's not here right now. I'll come back later, bye." Francisco left as Nathaniel and Chloe just stared at each other skeptically before locking the door again.
"There's a good explanation for this." Adrien told Luka.
"There's no explanation for you putting fake recommendations on your resume." Philip said sternly.
"I didn't work in those companies officially but I gave them some advice. Though I have shown you that I do know what I'm talking about. Juleka knew the truth but she never had the chance to talk to you about it." Adrien replied.
"Are you really going to believe him, Luka?" Philip asked, irritated.
"Yes I do believe him. He did do something wrong but his work makes up for it." Luka replied. "Though until you get the 20% ownership I will have to deduct your paycheck because of that lie."
"His personality is great too, no wonder Juleka gave him half of her ownership." Kagami added.
Adrien nodded. "I understand and thank you for understanding my error."
"Just don't forget to bring your documentation as soon as possible." Kagami stated.
"Don't worry I will make sure to bring it quickly." Adrien replied before leaving the office.
"I don't understand why you two are allowing a stranger to become an owner of the company." Philip stated. "I just can't believe it."
"It was Juleka's last wish and we're going to respect it." Luka replied.
Phillip nodded and walked away irritated.
When Adrien walked into Marinette's office he saw her holding the rose. "What a beautiful rose Marinette. where did you get it from?"
"Phillip gave it to me." Marinette replied while putting the rose down.
Adrien smiled at her but deep down he was furious. "What a generous gesture from him. He's so kind isn't he?"
Marinette nodded. "Yea he is." Marinette stood up with all her stuff. "I need to go now see you at the house."
Adrien nodded as Marinette left and he looked at the rose irritated. At that moment Lila walked in with a bright fake smile. "Plagg I was looking for you - oh what a beautiful rose did you give that to Marinette? Or will you give it to her?"
"No it was Philip who gave it to Marinette." Adrien replied. "But it is a beautiful rose isn't it?"
Lila wasn't happy to hear that. "Well now that I see it better it's not that beautiful."
Philip was about to get in his car when Lila walked over to him and she was furious. "Okay Philip, tell me what your intentions are with Marinette."
"I don't have time to deal with your jealousy right now." Philip said harshly.
"Don't think that I'm going to let her have everything I worked for," Lila said just as harshly.
"Calm down. I already told you that I was going to try to get Marinette to tell me everything she knows about Plagg." Philip replied.
Lila crossed her arms. "I don't believe you."
"Then that's your problem." Philip said before getting in his car. "You're acting like the goth each day that passes."
"Don't compare me to the goth." Lila said sternly. "But fine I'll forgive you this time. See you tonight." Lila walked away with a smirk.
Philip groaned before his phone rang and he answered. "What is Francisco?... Fine, I'll meet you at the same bar as always."
"That can't be. I always leave it locked when I leave this room." Adrien told Chloe and Nathaniel after they told him what happened. He went to visit them before going to the mansion. "Who was that guy?"
"We don't know we just saw him opening the door." Chloe replied.
"Maybe it was one of Philip's spies… he's mad that Plagg got 20% of ownership." Adrien replied. "He's overdoing it with the sad widower role to get closer to Marinette."
"He really has no shame." Nathaniel stated.
"And I can't keep living in that house. My excuse of staying there can't last forever." Adrien mumbled. "I really don't want to leave, especially now….But I have no choice."
"Cheer up, you can still take care of your family even if you don't live with them." Chloe replied.
Adrien nodded. "You're right and I'm going to protect them from Philip even if it's the last thing I do."
"Hugo if you don't fix your errors right away then you'll forget to do it later and your teacher will mark you down for it." Marinette told Hugo as she was helping him do his homework at the dining room table.
"Okay mommy I'll fix them right now." Hugo replied before starting to fix his mistakes.
As Marinette was helping Hugo, Adrien walked into the house and over to them. "Hey you two, what are you doing?"
"Mommy is helping me with my homework." Hugo replied. "Do you want to help me too?"
"I would love to buddy but I need to start packing." Adrien replied.
"Packing? Where are you going?" Marinette asked.
"Back to the rental home. I'm able to go back to my room." Adrien replied. "Though thank you again for letting me stay here temporarily."
"Don't go Plagg." Hugo begged. "Stay with us. It won't be fun without you."
"That's nice of you to say Hugo but I can't overstay my welcome here. Though you're right it was fun while it lasted." Adrien replied.
"No Hugo is right, you should stay." Marinette stated. "Even though it has been for a short amount of time you became part of the family. Instead of packing to leave you should bring everything else from the rental home here so you can live here permanently."
Adrien was surprised to hear that. He didn't expect her to say that and he did want to stay but at the same time he wasn't sure if that was a good idea in the long run. "Well…"
"Please stay Plagg please." Hugo begged.
Adrien slowly nodded hoping he wasn't going to regret this later. "Alright I'll stay."
"Yay!" Hugo cheered and Marinette playfully went along with it as Adrien chuckled. "So does that mean you can help me with my homework?"
Adrien nodded, sitting on the other side of Hugo. "Sure and I'll bring the rest of my stuff from the rental home tomorrow Marinette." Marinette nodded.
Together Marinette and Adrien helped Hugo with his homework.
Philip was laying in bed looking at a picture of Marinette with a smirk. He suddenly felt someone grab his foot. When he looked at who it was he immediately jumped to his feet when he saw Juleka in front of him… More like the ghost of Juleka.
"I'm dead because of you, love." Juleka said with a giggle before disappearing.
Philip slowly laid back in bed as his heart was still beating fast. "I'm just imagining things… I have to be…" He quickly grabbed his phone and called Marinette.
"H-Hello?..." Came Marinette's sleepy voice from the other line.
"Marinette…I'm just calling you to wish you a good night." Philip said softly. "I hope I'm not too late."
"No Philip, it's fine. Thank you and I wish you a good night too." Marinette replied
"Alright, thank you again for your support these last few days." Philip stated. "Good night." He hung up and smirks, feeling much better.
The next day at work Phillip went to see Marinette at her office and they started talking. "So Hugo's room will be done this weekend?"
"Yes and I'm sure that Hugo will love it." Marinette said with a bright smile.
Philip sighs. "I envy you. You have a son and parents. You have a family even though you lost Adrien. Yes I have Luka and Kagami but they aren't a blood family. I'm all alone."
"You're not alone, you have all your friends and I know one day you'll find a woman to redo your life with." Marinette replied.
"I hope that I can find a woman just like you." Philip stated trying to hint to her what he meant.
Marinette didn't get the hint. "Like I said I'm sure you'll find a woman who will love you for you that can make you hap-"
"I like you Marinette and in the pain of losing Juleka I'm sure that she put you in my path." Philip said unable to deal with the situation anymore.
Marinette looked at him in shock. "I think that you are confused Philip. The fact that I understand you and I experienced the same thing as you must have confused you."
Philip was furious that she wasn't eagerly accepting his feelings but he wasn't going to give up yet. "You're right it must be that. I'm ashamed now and I hope that you can forgive me. The last thing that I want is for there to be a misunderstanding between us."
Philip stood up and so did Marinette. "You have nothing to apologize for."
At that moment Adrien walked in yet Philip ignored him. "Well I should go back to work and sorry again."
Philip left the office and Adrien looked at Marinette. "Did I interrupt something important?"
"No Plagg you didn't we were just talking." Marinette replied before sitting back down. Adrien nodded as he sat across from her. They worked for hours about the budget change they had to do for the future trips to Lucky Charm beach. "So you took notes of everything that we have to change in the budget right?"
"Yes I did." Adrien replied.
"Alright there's something else we have to talk about. Once you get the 20% of Juleka's money you'll become an owner of the company therefore you'll stop being my assistant right?" Marinette asked.
"Well officially yes but I'll always be here to help you with whatever you need." Adrien replied with a smile. "I actually was thinking about giving you the 20%. I feel like you deserve it more than I do. You knew Juleka longer than I did and you were her best friend for years."
"That's nice of you Plagg but she picked you not me. Who knows what her reasons were but I'm sure that it was for the best." Marinette stated. "Though thank you for the offer. I have always earned things by working hard and I want to keep it that way."
"I really admire you." Adrien said with a soft smile.
Marinette smiled back. "Thanks."
During lunch Adrien went to have lunch with Chloe and Nathaniel. "So how do you plan to gain evidence since at this point you'll never get any evidence." Chloe stated.
"I have no idea since everytime I'm close to getting the evidence something happens and I don't get it in the end." Adrien replied with a sigh.
"We have to be patient since this won't be as easy as we first thought." Nathaniel stayed. "We aren't good detectives like we thought."
After lunch Luka called for a meeting with Kagami Phillip Adrien and Marinette to talk about the development of Lucky Charm beach.
"Thanks to the hard work of everyone we finished the first phase of the project." Marinette stated with a bright smile. "We are now ready to start the second phase."
"Then we should start right away if everyone agrees." Luka replied.
"I absolutely agree." Kagami stated and Adrien nodded in agreement.
"Don't forget Luka that Plagg's opinion doesn't count yet. He still needs to turn in his documents." Philip said in a stern and irritated tone.
Luka looked at Adrien. "That's right. Plagg, how's everything going along with that? It's about time we officially name you co-owner of Couffaine Group."
"Don't worry Luka, everything should be set by the end of the week." Adrien replied with a fake smile.
"Great, how about we organize an event for all the parties that will be involved in this project so they can be aware of our progress?" Luka suggested.
"That's a great idea honey." Kagami stated.
"Yes I think everyone will appreciate that." Marinette added.
"I agree I'll talk to Lila so she can organize it." Philip replied.
"Then it's settled. Thank you for your time guys, now let's go back to work." Luka stated before everyone went back to their office.
As they walked out Marinette went over to Philip. "Philip, are you okay? I sensed you were acting a little weird in the meeting."
Philip sighed with a smile. "No it's just that I'm still ashamed about what happened before. You have no idea how bad I feel. I have no idea what I was thinking. The last thing I want is to make things awkward between us since we have been friends for years."
"Don't worry about it. I already forgot about it. I know that sometimes people say things without thinking in times of desperation." Marinette replied with a smile. "Though in the end there's always a bright side to our suffering."
"If only we had kids then maybe my life without Juleka wouldn't feel so empty." Philip said with a fake frown. "Now I only have memories."
"You don't just have memories, Philip, you also have friends." Marinette replied with an encouraging smile.
Philip returned the smile. "You're right Marinette and there's no better friend than you."
Later Philip talked to Lila about the event that was mentioned in the meeting. "So prepare an event that you're used to doing for every single party of the Miraculous Ladybug project to enjoy."
"You know that my events always turn out great but I don't want to do an event honoring a dumb project made by that… Baker girl." Lila said with bitterness. "Though I'm going to make sure the event is amazing so I'm the star of the show and not her."
"It's almost time for the community of Lucky Charm beach to fall and for the money to rise. That's how it's supposed to be." Philip said with a smirk.
"You'll see that our plan will work out." Lila said while playing with his tie. "How about we have an early celebration for that?"
"I like the sound of that." Philip replied before kissing her.
After a long time they broke the kiss. "Philip, we should get married."
Phillip immediately groaned in frustration. "Lila, don't be ridiculous. Juleka hasn't even rotted in her grave yet."
"That's going to take a long time." Lila replied. "So like we planned, let's get married."
"It's not time to make our relationship public not yet." Philip said sternly. "We need time to pass so it's not suspicious. Be patient Lila."
That night Marinette checked Hugo's scores from his homework of the week prior. "Your teacher gave you very good scores."
"That's because I tried my best." Hugo said with a bright smile.
Marinette smiled, hugging him. "I'm so proud of you."
"Do you think daddy would've been proud of me too?" Hugo asked as he soon broke the hug and had hopeful eyes.
Marinette nodded. "Yes I have no doubt that he would be very proud of you."
"Who would be proud of who?" Adrien asked as he walked over to them.
"Mommy says daddy would be proud of me for my good grades." Hugo says while showering Adrien his scores.
Adrien smiled at him. "I agree with your mom he would absolutely be proud of you. Though you know what? I'm also proud of you."
Hugo returned the smile. "Thanks Plagg."
The next day Adrien found Marinette at the office in tears. "Marinette, are you okay?" He asked as he sat across from her at her desk.
Marinette wiped her tears. "Yes I was just thinking about Adrien…. The last time I saw him was during the father son soccer event at Hugo's school…. It was the same day he died in that accident."
Adrien put a hand over hers. "Don't be sad. I understand how you feel but you should focus on the happy times not on the sad times."
Marinette nodded with a gentle smile. "I do but sometimes the sad memories come to my mind too."
"Well when that happens remember that out there are your friends willing to cheer you up and in here too." Adrien replied with a smile.
"Thank you Plagg you always know how to cheer me up." Marinette said as she stood up and walked around her desk to hug him.
Adrien hugged back. "You're welcome. You know we have been working really hard today and it's already lunchtime. How about I take you out for lunch today?"
Marinette broke the hug. "That sounds great."
Soon they were at Marinette's favorite restaurant. "I can't believe that you brought me here since it's my favorite restaurant but… It also holds a lot of memories."
"Well if it bothers you we can go eat somewhere else." Adrien said gently.
"No, it's fine. It's true that this place has a lot of memories with Adrien and I but they are all happy memories and like you said I should focus on the good times not the bad. This place is perfect for that." Marinette said with a bright smile.
They turned off their cellphones and talked about everything and anything as they ate. "My project is going great, and Hugo's room is basically finished."
"Well it seems that your life is going great right now." Adrien said with a smile.
"Yes but sometimes I feel lonely." Marinette replied. "When that happens I can't stop thinking about Adrien."
"I'm sure that he's missing you too." Adrien stated as the gult hurted him inside.
"Maybe… Thank you for your friendship Plagg." Marinette replied and Adrien nodded, feeling worse for lying to her.
"She turned off her phone." Philip said frustrated as he dropped his phone on his desk.
"I think Marinette became your obsession." Francisco told him while sitting across from him.
"She drives me crazy and she can finally be mine now that the goth is out of the way." Philip replied with a smirk.
When Marinette and Adrien returned to the office Phillip immediately went over to them. "Marinette, I was looking for you."
"Oh Plagg took me out to lunch and we turned our phones off." Marinette replied. "What did you need?"
"I was hoping that we could finalize the details of the event for every party involved in the Miraculous Ladybug project." Philip replied with a smile.
"Yes of course but first I should turn on my phone again before I forget again." Marinette stated before taking out her phone from her purse and turning it on again.
Adrien nodded as he took his Plagg Noir phone out and turned it on too. "Right."
Philip wasn't happy that Plagg and Marinette seemed to be very close and he had to do something about it. "Well I also have a surprise for you Marinette. Is it okay if I take you home right now?"
Marinette nodded with a smile. "Sure."
Adrien had a bad feeling about Phillip's 'surprise'. "Don't forget Marinette that we were going to start the second phase of the project."
"As a co-owner of the company I can give Marinette the rest of the day off." Philip said in a slight irritated tone.
"Maybe but work is work." Adrien replied.
"Plagg when you become a co-owner of the company you can make orders but for now you are only Marinette's assistant so I make the orders." Philip said, irritated.
"That's true but when I do-" Adrien gave him a death glare.
"I'll go to your office when I'm ready to leave." Philip replied and Marinette nodded.
Marinette was confused when Philip parked in front of Hugo's school. "Philip, what are we doing here? I thought you said you would take me home for a surprise."
"I did but I never said that the surprise was at your house." Philip replied. "I called your parents at the bakery and asked them to wait for us here with Hugo. I want your whole family to hear the surprise."
Marinette saw her parents walking over to the car with Hugo so she got out and Hugo hugged her happily. "Mommy!"
Marinette smiled as she picked him up. "Hey there sweetheart."
Phillip also got out of the car and walked over to the family. "I gathered all of you together because I wanted to let you know that I plan to pay Hugo's education from today to the day Hugo graduates from college. This is my way of thanking Marinette for all her support with my loss and I wanted to pay her back in a similar way since she experienced the same thing as me."
The whole family looked at him in shock. "Wow this really is a shock." Marinette said, still in disbelief. "I would never have imagined such a generous offer. I'm grateful but I can't accept it."
Philip looked at her with a confused smile. "Why can't you Marinette? I'm doing this with the best intention."
"We know that Philip and the whole family is grateful for that offer but it's not your responsibility to pay for Hugo's education." Tom explained.
"Also I'm already paying for his education." A familiar voice said and when everyone looked they saw Gabriel and Emilie walking over to them.
"Gabriel Emilie, what are you doing here?" Marinette asked, surprised to see them.
"Sabine told me about this gathering over the phone and so here we are." Emilie said with a smile while hugging both Marinette and Hugo.
"Philip, what you offered is something almost no one does but since my son passed away I have been taking care of my grandson's education." Gabriel told him with more details. "And I don't plan to stop."
Philip nodded with a fake smile. "I understand I had no idea that you were taking care of that Mr. Agreste but I should have known."
Marinette put Hugo down and he went to hug Philip. "Thank you uncle Philip for that great offer."
Philip hugged back with his usual fake smile. "Of course buddy."
From afar Adrien heard and saw everything and he wasn't happy. "I'm not going to let you steal them from me Philip. Even if it's the last thing I do."
"How about we go to the bakery and enjoy some treats." Sabine suggested.
"That's so kind of you Sabine I think that's a great idea." Emilie replied.
Everyone else agreed and they headed there in Phillip's car or in the Agreste car. In the drive there Phillip was thinking of another way to win Marinette over and a plan to make sure Plagg gets out of the way.
Adrien went to visit Nathaniel and Chloe to talk to them. "Phillip doesn't let Marinette alone even for one moment. Juleka hasn't even been dead for a month and he's already trying to replace her."
"I understand how you feel Adrien but you need to calm down." Chloe stated. "Though poor Juleka, I doubt he ever loved her."
"If he ever did love her then he moved on fast." Adrien said sarcastically. "Those are the moments that I hate Plagg since I can't get near her to protect her from him as her husband. I can't warn her or even kiss her."
"You knew how things were going to be since the beginning." Nathaniel stated while giving him a folder.
"I know but either way I'm going to make sure he doesn't get his way." Adrien replied as he took the folder and opened it. "What's this?"
"It's Plagg's documents he needs to be given the 20% of the money and co-ownership that Juleka left him." Nathaniel stated.
"You do realize that these are fake documents and illegal right?" Adrien asked.
"Yes that's why it's your choice if you accept what Juleka left you or not." Nathaniel replied.
"Think carefully about it." Chloe added.
The next day Adrien was walking out of the elevator of the second floor of CG when Philip walked over to him. "Plagg, can we talk for a moment?"
"Sure and good morning to you too." Adrien said with sarcasm in the end.
"Let's get straight to the point. You are a single young poor man that is living under the roof of his boss because of pity. Therefore, how much money do you want to give up the 20% Juleka gave you?" Philip asked with a smirk.
Adrien looked at him in disbelief. "What did you just ask me?"
"With the money I give you you'll be able to live the rest of your life as a rich man and you won't have to work again." Philip replied. "That way you don't have to worry about getting your documents."
Adrien laughed. "First of all I'm not staying at Marinette's house because she feels pity for me. I was actually going to leave the house and go back to my rental room when it was ready but Hugo and Marinette told me to stay so I stayed and I'm not as poor as you think. Second of all - "
"Good morning." Mike Ninling said as he walked out of the elevator.
"Good morning Mike." Philip replied while shaking his hand.
"Good morning Mr. Ninling." Adrien said as he shook his hand too.
"Mike, I didn't expect to see you here. Why did you come?" Philip asked.
"Well because Plagg called me." Mike replied. "Do you have the documents that we need?"
"Yes, here they are." Adrien handed the folder to Mike.
Mike opened the folder and looked through them. "Well then everything seems to be set. You'll have everything Mrs. Juleka Gain left for you and the future co-ownership of Couffaine Group."
Adrien smirked at Philip as Philip was holding a fake smile trying to hide his anger.
Later a meeting was held with everyone in the community present as Adrien signed the last remaining papers to get the 20% Juleka left him.
"Now that Mr. Plagg Noir has signed everything he's a co-owner of 20% of Couffaine Group." Mike stated and everyone clapped for him.
"Welcome Plagg to the group of owners." Luka said, shaking Adrien's hand.
Adrien smiled. "Thank you."
"Well now I need to go to my office to file the paperwork." Mike said as he stood up.
"I'll walk with you." Luka said as he stood up and left the meeting room with Mike.
Alya stood up and walked over to Adrien. "Congratulations Plagg you deserve it."
Kagami nodded. "You really do."
"Thank you and I promise to not fail you." Adrien replied with a bright smile.
"You don't have to tell us that. We know that you won't." Kagami stated and everyone nodded.
Lila walked over to him with a smile. "Plagg, don't forget that I'm not just an efficient employee but a great friend too."
"Welcome to the group." Philip said with fake happiness.
Adrien nodded. "Thanks."
"Congratulations Plagg and remember we'll help you with anything you need." Edward stated.
"Yes, just name it." Nino added.
"Thanks guys, I'll keep that in mind." Adrien replied.
Soon there was a meeting with just the owners of the company. "So as a new owner of the company I would like to see all the financial reports of the recent years." Adrien stated.
"What's the point of that Plagg? You need to look forward, not backwards." Philip said, trying to hide his frustration.
"Well I want to be caught up with everything so I'm not left in the dark." Adrien stated.
"Plagg has a point." Luka stated. "Philip give him everything that he needs to be caught up."
Philip sighs. "If you say so, I still find it unnecessary. You'll have everything you need by the end of the week, Plagg."
Adrien nodded. "Thank you."
Philip was getting the reports ready trying to hold a calm attitude when Rose came into the office. "Philip, there's someone here wanting to talk to you."
"I'm busy, I can't talk with anyone." Philip replied.
At that moment Stella walked in. "Not even with me?"
Philip looked at her surprised as she sat across from him. "Rose you can go now." Rose nodded before leaving the office. "What are you doing here Stella? No one can see you here, especially with me."
"I came because I need your help." Stella replied. "I was fired from the company I was working at and now I don't have a job."
"I don't have any more money to give you." Philip said sternly.
Stella laughed. "I'm not here to blackmail you or bribe you. I came because I want you to give me a job here in the Couffaine Group."
"Now that Plagg is a co-owner of the company I'll need a new assistant and I already know who it will be." Marinette told Alya as they were talking in her office.
"Already? When did you have interviews?" Alya asked, confused.
"I didn't but remember that a while ago Felix came looking for a job here? Well at the time there were no open spots but now there is and if he's honest about clearing Adrien's name then we can do it together." Marinette replied. "Plus he did mention that he wanted to talk to me about something personal so it's perfect."
Alya nodded. "You're right, let's just hope that there's no drama between him and Kagami and Luka in the near future."
"Oh please they're adults now not teenagers I doubt any drama will happen. Plus Luka and Felix became friends when they cleared everything up and Kagami stayed as Felix's friend too." Marinette replied.
"You do have a point so what are you waiting to call him right now." Alya stated.
"You're crazy. I can't give you a job here." Philip exclaimed in a whisper.
"Why not? I worked here before through an agency. Now I'll just be working only for this company." Stella replied. "Don't say it's because of Marinette. She knows I'm one of Adrien's exs and there was no problem between us before. I know how to work professionally."
"It's not because of Marinette. You might slip up and reveal something of our plan and cause suspicion though the company." Philip stated. "Plus I'm the financial vice president. I don't hire models or actors. That's the job of the directors or of Marinette who is the head vice president."
"Don't lie Philip. I know that your wife died and that you became a co-owner of the company. So will you hire me." Stella said with a smirk.
"It's not that easy there's more co-owners." Philip replied with a straight face.
"Let me be clear with you. If you don't want me to spill out anything then give me a job." Stella stated before leaving the office.
"Just what I needed." Phillip mumbled irritatedly.
As Stella was about to walk in the elevator Adrien walked over to her, surprised to see her there. "Miss. Stella, what are you doing here?"
"Just roaming around. Were you able to find Mr. Roland Rople?" Stella asked.
"Yes and everything was settled." Adrien replied. "Did you come by an agency company?"
"No, I don't work for an agency anymore." Stella stated. "Though maybe you can help me, I came here looking for a job."
"I see well I just became a new co-owner of the company so I'm sure that I can find you a spot to work here as a model." Adrien replied with a smile.
"Thank you, I appreciate it." Stella said, returning the smile before heading in the elevator.
"The preparations for the event are almost finished. There are just small details that need to be done." Lila was telling Philip as they were in his office.
"Very well Lila." Philip stated not really paying attention to her.
"Now to a very important topic. I was thinking about the conversation we had before about waiting at a prudent time to get married so we don't create suspicion among the people. I agree with you, however I need a guarantee that it is going to happen." Lila replied.
"What kind of guarantee are we talking about?" Philip asked, leaning on his desk with his fingers linked together. "Isn't my word enough?"
Lila laughed. "Guess what it's not. The wind blows words away and I deserve something better. Like a ruby, emerald, or a diamond."
"Lila, I don't swim in a pool of money." Philip stated.
"The goth left you a lot of money." Lila replied.
"I'm sure that Juleka wanted you to take over her office." Luka told Adrien as they were in Juleka's office which was now going to be his as the secretaries were packing Juleka's stuff into boxes.
"The idea saddens me but it's also an honor for me as Juleka was like a sister to me." Adrien replied as he put his stuff on the desk.
"You need a secretary, Plagg. It can be any of the current secretaries or you can hire a new one it's up to you. Now if you excuse me I have a lot of work waiting for me." Luka stated before leaving the office.
"Everything is set, Plagg. Do you need anything else?" Mylene asked as she was carrying two of the boxes.
"No though, let me help you out." Adrien said as he took one of the boxes from her. "This is headed to the parking lot right so Luka can take it home?"
"Yes but you're one of the owners now you don't have to help me out." Mylene stated.
"I want to. Alix you used to be Juleka's secretary too, right?" Adrien asked.
"Yes but I don't mind if you prefer someone else." Alix replied.
"No, I think it's best to leave everyone at their current spots." Adrien stated before leaving the office with them.
"Plagg and I did a report of the funding that will be needed for filming in Lucky Charm beach so you can check it." Marinette told Philip as they were working in her office.
Philip took the report. "I'll look at it as soon as I can. By the way I decided to remodel my house like you did since I can't deal with the memories that house brings me about Juleka."
"I understand that it must be hard for you but keep in mind that Adrien and I decided to remodel our house. I didn't remodel it because of his death." Marinette replied.
"I know it's just something that I wanted to do." Philip stated. "It won't make me forget about Juleka but it's necessary to do. I want you to help me with the design since I know how good you are at that."
Marinette smiled. "It would be my pleasure."
That evening Marinette walked into Adrien's office carrying all of her stuff. "Hey Plagg, are you ready to go?"
"Yes I am." Adrien replied as he closed his suitcase.
"Great because I want to invite you to dinner as a celebration for your promotion." Marinette said with a bright smile.
Adrien was surprised as he returned the smile. "Just the two of us?"
Marinette giggled. "No with Hugo too."
"Well I'll be honored to go to dinner with the two of you." Adrien replied.
"Great." Adrien and Marinette picked Hugo up from the company and then went to a fancy restaurant for dinner.
"So what are we celebrating?" Hugo asked, confused.
"Well Plagg was promoted to a co-owner of the company." Marinette replied.
"Cool! But that means he won't be your assistant. Who will be your new assistant mommy?" Hugo asked curiously.
"Well Felix, your uncle volunteered to work with me so now he'll be my new assistant." Marinette replied as she took a bite of her food.
"Awesome!" Hugo exclaimed and Marinette made a hush signal. "Sorry."
"Did you already talk to him about it?" Adrien asked Marinette.
"Yes earlier today and he accepted so he'll start as soon as possible." Marinette replied.
"That's great." Adrien knew that with Felix on his side it would be easier to clear his name.
Marinette nodded. "Also Plagg just know that this dinner is just the start. I'm planning a small party with our friends to celebrate. It will be soon."
Adrien chuckled. "Alright." Just then Adrien noticed that one of the waiters looked a lot like the man who acted as a witness when he was accused of the crime. "Excuse me, I'll be right back." Adrien headed to the waiter but he was already leaving the restaurant so Adrien went over to the host. "Excuse me, does that man who just left work here?"
The host nodded. "Yes he has been working here for years. Do you know him?"
"Yes we're close friends. I just didn't know he worked here. When are his shifts?" Adrien asked.
"Every evening except for Sundays." The host replied.
"Alright, thank you." Adrien headed back to the table knowing that he was one step closer to finding out the truth.
"How is it that 'Roland Rople' works as a waiter?" Chloe asked Adrien over the phone after he told her what he found out that night.
"I don't know he was supposed to work in a modeling agency, not as a waiter." Adrien said in a whisper as he was in his room at the mansion and didn't want Marinette to hear anything by accident.
"So what are you going to do?" Chloe asked.
"I'm not going to do anything." Adrien replied. "We are going tomorrow to the restaurant to see if we can find him."
Chloe laughed. "Nice way to include me in. Okay I'm in."
"I can't believe you're going to get rid of all this stuff." Francisco told Philip after knowing Philip's plan of remodeling. "Juleka's stuff is expensive."
"I don't want any traces of the goth around." Philip replied. "You can take anything you want."
"Really? Sweet!" Francisco said excitedly before grabbing stuff.
Marinette was sitting on her bed looking at her wedding ring in sadness. "I will never forget about you Adrien…. But I need to learn that you are just a memory now. If I don't then I'll never be able to move on with my life."
"The crew that we asked for the filming just confirmed." Marinette told Adrien later that day as they were working at her office.
"That's great because they were the best to work with and who will respect the community of Lucky Charm beach." Adrien replied.
Marinette smiled brightly. "The project is going just as I planned…. By the way I forgot to tell you that Philip offered to pay Hugo's school expenses until he graduated from university…. I didn't accept it though. Phillip has a great heart."
"Yea a great heart." Adrien said with a fake smile to hide his irritation. He didn't blame Marinette for thinking that it just annoyed him that Philip had everyone fooled.
Adrien went straight to Phillip's office after leaving Marinette. He knocked on the door and waited for Philip's acknowledgement before walking in. "Plagg If you are here for the reports you asked for you'll have to wait as the department of accounting is gathering them."
"I'm not here for that." Adrien replied. "I just came to congratulate you. I just found out that you offered to pay for all of Hugo's expenses.
Philip nodded. "That's right but Marinette refused to accept it…. Maybe you can help me with that. After all Juleka always wanted to help Marinette after Adrien died."
"Of course I'll help you with that. You don't have to worry from now on. I'll help Marinette with any expenses she might need in the honor of Juleka." Adrien said with a smirk before leaving the office.
"You want war? Then so be it." Philip hissed.