The Outsider (Outsider #1) ✔️

Chapter 135 : Noel's Insight

Noel sat quietly as he continued to look at Susco, making her a little nervous. As such, she did not mind that she did all the work while Dusk took the centre-stage. That is what she was being paid for. But it was nice to see someone noticed and appreciated it. However, she was wary of him because he was from the Sliver Family,

"In a way, you and I are similar, you know, Ms. Susco." He commented lazily.

She gave him a sharp look of disbelief. It was one thing to acknowledge that she did most of the work, but it was another to compare her to a rich spoilt Noble's son.

"No, seriously. See, I do all the work in our company, just like you do. And I am not appreciated either... I am the eldest son of the family. Everyone keeps telling me that the company will eventually come to me, so I need to work hard for it. In reality, it is my dad's and till he dies, I don't have anything." Noel explained.

"You may not be happy with doing the work, but let me assure you, I am very happy with my position." Susco retorted rather sharply, still keeping in mind that Slivers were evil, and all this was a way to get something out of her. "It does not matter to me that Dusk Hale owns it. I don't own it, never did. I never invested that money, I did not risk my money, future or reputation. I am happy with what I make and the day my work is over, I will retire."

"Will you please relax! I am not Auster. I am not sitting here to ask for favours or to bribe you. It's a lucky coincidence and I took the chance to make a friend. I think we both know that our work lives are lonely. Those of us who are the pseudo-CEO, we don't have anyone to talk to. We don't go to the fancy networking parties, we sit in our office. We have no one to discuss our problems, no one to talk to, no one to discuss whether our strategies are correct. Anytime we talk we are worried of leaking some confidential information." Noel assured her.

Seeing her nod, he continued, "I am not asking you to reciprocate, but let me explain what my life is about. It's just nice to have someone to talk to at times... I do the work. I am in office, 12 hours a day, travelling to our offices and factories, while my father, the Head of the Family, his job is to meet people and be the face. He is busy keeping in touch with other Family Heads. He does not have time for running the business. When he does a 'Deal', he comes to a vague agreement and then I have to sit with the other party and trash out the details, negotiate to keep our best interests.

"But though I work hard to run the business, it still belongs to my dad and the profit and earnings are his. I have the freedom in administration of the company. I can hire and fire people, unless it is someone of my dad's favourite and then he will reinstate him. I may run the business, but for any investment, or major decision or policy, I need his approval."

Susco kept her face blank. She did not confirm whether her own situation matched his. He noticed that her drink was over and got her another one.

"Actually, I think you are better than me, you know. You are voluntarily taking up the responsibility, treating it like a job. One day when you do not want to do it anymore, you will leave. But I cannot even do that. I can't walk off from my family business. My social life depends on it. The small salary I get is inadequate for me to live elsewhere..." he lamented.

"I find that difficult to believe. Your company is one of the biggest tech businesses in the country." Susco replied laughing.

"Yeah, and still, you stay in the Occulta Palace..." She protested that it was an exception, but he continued, "You drove here in a Hover-car. You have another of your own in Ci'gazze. I don't own one. You travel in EPAC, I am happy if I get a First-Class ticket for a commercial flight. Do you realise how lucky you are?

"If you need more money, you just have to ask Dusk Hale or the Princess Catherine and you get it... Come on, don't deny it. Without warning or preparation, you bought Cartier Fruit Masters from the Cartier Family for Dusk Hale. That's investment of over a billion in a single day, without probably flinching. When I need a new factory, I have to go and beg to the board for days... and a billion? LOL."