The Outsider (Outsider #1) ✔️

Chapter 140 : Rojes Family Trust

Scarlet looked at Dawn and Catherine. She never liked speaking to strangers or being in the forefront. She had explained everything to Catherine and planned to intervene only if the girl said something wrong. After all Catherine and Pullmair knew each other and they should be comfortable talking it out.

"What do you have to offer us? And what do you want? Then I can say what we will offer." Dusk said at last when it seemed to her that Scarlet was reluctant to talk.

Pullmair nodded. He pulled a file out and displayed it on the holovision projector on his table. The file was reversed to enable them to study. He handed the communicator to Dusk who gave it to Scarlet.

Scarlet reviewed the file quickly. It matched her information from other sources. Like the Cartier, Rojes was sinking fast. Ever since the arrest of Lord Rojes and 14 members of his family, the businesses descended into chaos. The benefit of business in a feudal society was that it was close connection on social relationship. This close connection led to trust between the Nobles enabled them to do business to the exclusion of the non-Nobles.

It resulted in a close-knit society, quicker business deals and lesser competition. But now, when one of them fell out of favour, the reverse happened. The other families did not want to deal with Rojes. They cancelled orders and contracts just as they did with Cartier. In this particular case, even those who wanted to support them didn't dare to since Imperial Security was investigating every transaction.

Only those that continued to buy from or sell to them were those who did not have an alternate buyer or seller. The family had 5 major businesses, and 16 smaller ones. The major ones were listed on Regis Multi-Stock Exchange, as was the case with many businesses of the Nobles. The stock market allowed them access to quick money from non-Nobles who wanted to be a part of economic and business boom, without giving up control and ownership in the real sense.

Rojes were larger than Cartier by far. And therefore, the problem now multiplied in the same ratio. And Pullmair did not have the ability to handle it. Even if Lord Rojes himself was here, probably the businesses would still go bankrupt.

Scarlet studied it and then looked up. "I do not think you will survive the end of the next month. So, let's not beat round the bush. What is your bottom-line? What do you want?"

Pullmier laughed. "Am I in no position to bargain. So why even ask me what I want. If you believe the family will not last till next month, I have no reason to disbelieve you. I suspect you have far better business ability than me, and you also have Dusk Hale. I have no option but to take what you will give. I have no bottom line. I need the family to survive."

"Who owns the shares of unlisted entities?" Catherine asked as Scarlet gave her a nod. The one question she had asked more than she had intended to say in the meeting.

"At the moment, it is me. But I am bound by the family contract to provide for everyone else out of the earnings."

Catherine replied, "More or less, you have 60-62% of the shares the listed companies. We will take 55% of the stake in each company at current market prices less 30%. The balance you can hold and sell them off as the prices go up. Or hold for dividends.

"Of the unlisted ones, transfer 75% ownership to us. The rest, we will convert into fully participating, non-voting shares. Profits from those companies will be distributed as normal commercial practice and you can manage your family from it. Property not owned by these companies, you can sell and keep the money." Catherine offered, obliquely looking at Scarlet for approval.

Scarlet looked at Dusk for concurrence. Dusk nodded. It would be doable. With 55% stake, they could control the listed companies. 45% public stake meant that there was enough liquidity in the shares to make them attractive for trading. Rojes would not be able to hold on to the remaining 10% because they needed money. She was sure 10-15% would be picked up by Scarlet's followers anyway.