The Outsider (Outsider #1) ✔️

Chapter 70 : Business Owner Catherine

Drabert looked at both Dusk and Catharine and then Daniel in confusion. Catherine's face was almost red (she somehow, seemed scared and angry at the same time). Dusk was also very upset about something. And Daniel seemed irritated, probably baby-sitting the two of them. Drabert decided to play the mediator.

"Is there a problem, Dusk? Do you believe the project is not viable?" He asked.

"No, Your Highness." She replied, "The project is perfect for us. I can already see the places where we need to change. True, it will take some time to improve the product, but otherwise its good. We should be looking at Military Delivery and consumer market, and in both of that, the combination of the 3 projects gives amazing synergy."

She hesitated. She did not want to create a problem for Luke, and she had a feeling that Drabert would support his sister, Rosemary over her. She wondered what she should say. The Prince would not be interested in the Internal affairs of her companies.

"So, what is the problem? Did Catherine behave badly? I can take care of that." Drabert said, looking darkly at his cousin. She was the least disciplined among the older Royal Children and it was possible she would have behaved arrogantly. Catherine immediately gulped in fear of what would happen to her in case Dusk said something bad.

"No, Your Highness. It is just that some information I got now was sudden... And decisions were taken without me being aware of them. But I realise now that my behaviour was out of line. I must apologise to our Host also, for my behaviour." Dusk replied.

Drabert was impressed with Dusk's restraint and reply. He was sure neither he himself not Catherine would have given such a reply. He replied, "Thank you. Please understand, my cousin is very much interested in following the lead you and Rosemary have set. We want you to be her mentor. I request you to forgive her behaviour. She has rarely been opposed."

Seeing Catherine looking at her with big sorrowful puppy eyes, Dusk smiled a little uncertainly and replied she did not have any bad feeling for Catherine who was like her younger sister. Catherine immediately beamed and rushed to hug her tightly.

The Principal returned to the room and immediately greeted the Prince. "I am so sorry, Your Highness, we were not informed of your arrival in advance. Please forgive us for not being there to welcome you." The Principal said worriedly.

"The Crown Prince has made it very clear that all unnecessary ceremonies are to be dispensed. Your duty here is not to welcome officials." Drabert said, somewhat coldly.

He then sat next to Catherine and addressed the Principal, "I would like to know why you have not filed Patents for the research you have been doing. I have been briefed by Mr. Warren here when I was on my way."

"Your Highness, Mr. Warren is the first to tell us that it was something we should have done. We always focused on research only to give our students a chance to work on real life projects. We did not consider the resultant 'innovation' to be of importance. You see, we never saw any benefit and no reason to hold back knowledge from the public."

"How many other things that you have made which can be Patented?"

"We have no idea, Your Highness." The principal replied embarrassed.

"Hmm... You see, while your goal is to help you students, you are still doing some important work. Why should a third party or a company even from outside of our country benefit from your work without the College getting anything in return. You are one of the best colleges in the country for Research. But have you considered how much more you could achieve if you had revenue from the products that you have created?"

The Principal nodded. They had received a lot of money from the government for the HRT. That money was used for improvement of the research facilities of the College.