Chapter 64
Chapter 64: First Appearance
Approaching the lunch break, the atmosphere wasn’t as relaxed as one might expect.
In the corner, several agents were still nervously tapping bronze keyboards and making phone calls—probably some enforcement officer in the field temporarily needed the branch to access the information database, and these agents were gathering and organizing information for him. A man in a black enforcement officer’s trench coat was quickly heading upstairs with sealed evidence samples and copper plates covered in inscriptions. From his urgency, it could be judged that some investigation had made progress and he was preparing to report and summarize.
A nostalgic work atmosphere.
Although they were all young, unfamiliar faces, stepping into this place brought no discomfort—on the contrary, there was even a lightness of returning to a comfort zone.
However, Charlotte’s sudden entrance immediately shattered this busy yet relatively calm atmosphere. Everyone stopped their work and looked up toward the pushed-open doors.
Platinum ribbons carefully woven into a tulip shape, pale pink silky hair cascading like flowing water, crystalline eyes sparkling like peach blossoms beneath slightly parted lids.
The girl who walked in lifting her skirt hem was like a little princess from some country, her small, lovely figure enveloped by the firelight cast from the suspended oil lamps hanging over the city streets.
She was bathed in radiance.
Just standing there could make people feel redeemed and healed, as if the only difference between her and an angel was the absence of wings.
Perhaps noticing everyone’s gaze, the girl maintained her elegant posture of lifting her skirt and curtsied with a slight bow, her long lashes translucent in the glowing light, gentle and serene.
This was “Celi’s” first appearance at the Greycloud Fortress branch.
Before this, many of those sitting at their desks didn’t actually know that a girl could be so flawlessly, so unrealistically beautiful. This angelic, wonderful figure would be forever etched in their hearts.
Until some distant future day, when the Crystal Witch Funise—prophesied to be the apocalyptic calamity—stood on the deck of a war fortress leading the world coalition in a mighty advance toward the Holy City of Vatican in the Papal States, only to suddenly discover a strange fanatical organization called the “Celi Protection Association” had emerged from the opposing side, she might remember this first appearance at this moment, this time, this place.
But that was all in the future.
Right now, Funise simply wanted to make a good first impression on everyone she was meeting for the first time—very classic workplace thinking. She didn’t think she was doing anything wrong.
“Char… Charlotte?” The first to react was a female agent closest to her. “You’re back again?”
The girl wore gold-rimmed thin glasses, with deep brown long hair slightly curled and casually draped over her shoulders. She looked about the same age as Charlotte—seventeen or eighteen—and her voice was as gentle as her appearance.
“Molly, is Branch Director Michel still here?” Charlotte strode forward, cutting straight to the point without any pleasantries. “I want to see her. Did you see her leave the branch?”
“No, no, Branch Director Michel is still upstairs. Just now Arnold came in hurriedly saying there was a murder and car accident on the street, and he said you and Mr. Roy were staying at the scene… Is it true?” The deep brown curly-haired girl named Molly also approached, asking in a low voice.
“It’s true. Where’s Arnold?” Charlotte looked around.
“He’s been going up and down, in and out several times, looking very busy. Right now he should be in the branch director’s office with Branch Director Michel. What about Mr. Roy? Is he still at the crime scene?” Molly answered, then asked.
“Those private police took over the scene, but they invited us to cooperate in the investigation. Mr. Roy is assisting them.” Charlotte patted Molly’s shoulder. “Thanks, Molly. I need to go upstairs to find Branch Director Michel. I’ll treat you to cookies later.”
“Who’s this girl?” Molly grabbed Charlotte’s sleeve, pointing at Funise who had been quietly and obediently following behind her.
“This beautiful young lady—nice to meet you. My name is Celi, and I’m a witness to a case.” Before Charlotte could answer, Funise politely curtsied slightly toward Molly and introduced herself.
“Oh, so that’s why you need to see Branch Director Michel.” Molly finally understood what was happening, beaming as she bent down and leaned closer. “Little Celi, you’re so cute and well-behaved and polite~ Tell big sister, has Charlotte been bullying you?”
“Molly! What kind of image do you have of me?” Charlotte’s face immediately flushed red.
“No, Sister Charlotte is very gentle. She’s been very good to me.” Funise shook her head.
“My God, the word ‘gentle’ can actually be associated with Charlotte…” Molly was shocked, staring wide-eyed up at Charlotte. “What spell did you cast on this child to make her willing to say such nice things about you?”
“Molly! My dear girl! Please spare me!” Charlotte stamped her foot, lightly punching Molly once, making the latter giggle.
“You’re so capable, why would you need me to spare you? Don’t you usually not care about Arnold’s feelings? When he hears your name, he acts like he’s been struck by lightning, wishing he could tear up the ground and hide inside.” Molly continued teasing Charlotte.
This made all the young agents and enforcement officers on the entire floor laugh softly, creating a much more cheerful atmosphere.
“Enough, enough, I really have business!” Charlotte pointed around at everyone. “And little Celi is really attached to me! Don’t think I didn’t see you all staring straight at little Celi just now—go ahead and be jealous!”
“Come on, don’t pay attention to these people.” She turned back to take Funise’s small hand.
Funise felt both amused and exasperated inside.
Having been a doting father for nine years, Funise had no choice but to indulge Charlotte and satisfy this girl’s inexplicable vanity, obediently letting her take her hand and continuing to follow behind her, step by step up the stairs.
However, Funise also felt somewhat relieved.
She had originally thought Charlotte’s proud nature would make it hard for her to make friends and she might be isolated later, but it seemed she had worried unnecessarily. These young people at the Greycloud Fortress branch couldn’t have been with Charlotte for more than a year, yet Charlotte had clearly already fit in well here.
Funise looked back to see Molly and several other young female agents gathered at the bottom of the stairway, looking up excitedly with faces full of excitement, like they were watching some rare cute little animal.
Seeing that Funise was also looking at them, they all smiled and waved at her. Funise had no choice but to smile sweetly and wave back at them too.
“You’re really popular, little Celi.” Charlotte, walking ahead, sounded somewhat dejected. “I told you, didn’t I? You’re so cute that everyone will like you.”
Hm? How strange… What was wrong with Charlotte?
Funise had never seen her daughter speak in such a dejected tone before, seeming quite unconfident. As a father, should she encourage her at this moment and give her some confidence?
No matter how she thought about it, it felt rather embarrassing.
Funise eventually gave up.
During the time she spent hesitating and pondering, Charlotte had already brought her to the branch director’s office door on the second floor.
And behind that door was the top boss of the Greycloud Fortress branch—a junior Funise had known when she was still Sera, the “honest person” in Cessia’s words, Michel Rossetti.