The Outsider (Outsider #1) ✔️

Chapter 139 : Another Acquisition

On 1st day a week after the merger of Dusk Hale Holdings with Luke Jones AJP, Scarlet walked into Dusk's cabin in the evening.

Dusk had not seen her the whole week as she was busy all day with whatever secretive assignment the Crown Prince had given her. She had a taken up a full floor of Tech Morning Star Building with a battalion of staff. Dusk had never seen an office being made ready and staffed so rapidly. All was done in one afternoon and night.

Dusk had asked Arora to help her with admin needs. And she kept Dusk informed of what was happening. The security cover of the building had been tripled, with Military Guards adding to Imperial Security and Ci'gazze Militia. Entry into Scarlet's floor was restricted. Even Building Maintenance was not allowed there. Dusk also had no idea where Scarlet was staying, but it was not in Apartment 285. She only came for breakfast and to take fresh clothes, with Rusks trailing her as always.

Dusk in any case, was not bothered any more. Luke was in Ci'gazze every night. She had no idea where he went in the day, but he was back to pick her up from Tech Morning Star for dinner. Catherine and Rosemary generally took Dawn with them, leaving Dusk and Luke alone most of the evenings. Rosemary was not willing to let the teens have any freedom, least them gorge on something like ice-candies again. She would drop them back at Uni-Viva after dinner. On some nights, they managed to convince her to let them stay at 'Grant Residence'.

For some reason, that evening, Rusks was outside and did not follow Scarlet into the cabin.

"Day after is the hearing of Cartier Manor Investigation. The Judge has asked the victims to be present. If you do not want to go, then you need to inform the IAG so he can tell the Chief Judge. I am given approval to be present as I am a future Governor and have special status." Scarlet said.

Dusk thought for a few seconds and then nodded. "Ok, I will attend."

"Then, let us go to Regis tomorrow. But I want you to accompany me to another meeting on the way."

Dusk's eyes narrowed. She and Susco were going mad trying to integrate the newly acquired businesses to Dusk Hale Holdings. Every day, CEOs, Board Members and Key Managers of these companies were lining up on the 25th floor to meet Susco and explain what they have been doing, nature of business, structures, financial needs, support expected and synergies with Dusk Hale Holding subsidiaries. Dusk joined a few of them when she did not have lectures. It was exhausting.

"What is that meeting about?" she asked warily.

"It is an important business deal that I need done, Julien has approved of it. But it's my idea, not his idea. Since everything is now DHH (That is what Arora had called the company once and the name stuck), you need to come with me."

"Look, we cannot acquire any more. We are already overstretched."

"What rubbish. DHH has a consolidated cash holding of more than $3 Billion in all its subsidiaries. This is apart from lines of credit. You have another $5 billion and I have about $7 Billion more if you need."

Dusk sighed. "It's not money, Scarlet. Its time and focus. You know BHRVC has been running their vehicles on existing chips they buy from the market? They did not even bother to talk to anyone to develop custom chips for them. This is what happens when senior management does not have time to vet what each company is doing."

Scarlet looked guilty. Both BHRVC and the aircraft businesses were hers before she gave one to Catherine. So actually, it was her fault. She had been too busy with acquiring and with analytics to bother with possible innovations that were missed. She thought Julien would have made sure the management was capable before she took it over.