The Outsider (Outsider #1) ✔️

Chapter 88 : Sliver Proposal

Hearing Auster's words, Susco froze.

"Really? Now, that makes more sense for people like you. You want something from me huh? And that is the only reason you spent half the evening in my 'company'. Tell me what it is and get over with this farce." Susco replied angrily.

"Please, you are misunderstanding this. Please sit, please hear me out." Auster pleaded.

Reluctantly Susco sat down. One, he was still holding her wrist and she couldn't leave. Second, he was handsome and cute, so for her, telling him 'no' was also difficult, especially when he was pleading in that endearing voice.

Auster continued hesitantly, "You see, you were right. I do not really fit into this party. Henry is a nice boy, but he is still a college fresher whereas, I have finished my uni too. But my kid sister is here, and I came along with her, specifically to meet you. Of course, Lord Cartier is generous in his events and he wouldn't dare to insult my father by asking me to leave. They do work together on projects."

Then gathering courage, he said, "My dad asked me to meet you anyhow... Not that I mind spending time with a lovely lady like you, but in this case, he has something he has ordered me to achieve. Otherwise, he said he will force me to be my name – that is, be Auster!"

Seeing that she was not laughing at his attempt at a joke, he became more nervous. He moistened his lips and continued hurriedly, "Look, Susco, I know all about you. I did my research thoroughly. You control Dusk Hale. She does everything that you tell her to do. You are the one controlling her businesses. No one believes she is so good. I mean none of us who understand business, believe she is that good. It's you, sitting in the background managing things.

"There is no way, she would be able to achieve so much in 6 months' time alone. And if she has done so much in this little time, with your help, she will do even more in future. If I thought there was a chance, I would offer you 5 times of what she is paying you and ask you to join Sliver Estate! But I can't dare to offend Dusk Hale. Even the Emperor is nice to her."

Susco was puzzled about where the conversation was heading. She did not say anything but decided to wait for Auster to stop beating around the bush.

"But the problem is that Ba**** Luke Jones is monopolising everything. He will leverage her and reach the stratosphere while we still sit here trying to find whether the red wire of the jet engine goes with the blue or green." Auster said angrily.

"What the hell are you talking about? You are making no sense. And if you know all about me, then you know I work for Luke Jones. So be careful of what you say about him." Susco said getting annoyed. What red wires? None of what he said made sense. She was not some business genius like he tried to convey! These people learn flattery first.

"Look Susco, we all understand what Luke Jones is doing." He said in a low but urgent voice. "The Crown Prince, he is hell bent on changing the order and hierarchy. He has decided that the Nobles are useless bunch of power grabbers and he has decided to destroy us... Yes, it is true. He thinks we don't know, but everyone knows. Or maybe he knows but does not care because he has the power, and because the Emperor will let him do anything. That is why Luke Jones is in a hurry."

As Susco looked at him incredulously, he continued. "Everyone is scampering to find out about Luke. But nothing is available! (Susco immediately thought of Dusk's bot, which was searching for data on Luke). That he is actually the illegitimate son of some rich and powerful family, that much is evident. It's just that no one can find out which family he is from. People have been searching even manual records of births of 26-30 years ago. That is how desperate they all are.

"See, there is no other way he would accumulate so much money. Come on, you don't have to pretend. He gave $500 million to Dusk Hale just this week. You bought 3 large businesses in a single week with part of that money. You acquired a new project from Regis Cybera College, and a company that is in the forefront of product research! Give me a break! Dusk Hale is a software girl. She knows jack-shit about grid materials, hover-cars, product battery..."