The Outsider (Outsider #1) ✔️

Chapter 147 : Admission to Uni-Viva

Dawn's return trip to Ci'gazze was vastly different from her trip to Regis. She was experiencing the life of the rich for the first time. For her earlier, even a chance to see a flight was a dream, flying across 2,000 km was out of the question.

Firstly, they were in the VIP Terminal (for that matter, Dusk had never been to the any other terminals at Regis). The VIP Terminal was equipped with new aerobridges capable of connecting to EPACs, which were much smaller and lower than commercial flights. They walked directly to the plane. The bags were already taken aboard.

Initially, Dawn thought commercial flights were better because they were bigger. But when she entered the EPIC, she was shocked. The entire plane was meant for 10 people to travel... She knew Dusk travelled in style, but this level of luxury was unbelievable!

In the next half hour, Pictorial was flooded with images of interiors of Dusk Hale's EPAC... Pictures and Videos of never-before-seen details. The images were picked up by lifestyle channels like Royal Chasers and Young Achievers which dedicated quiet a lot of airtime on it. It did result in a sudden increase of demand for EPACs as Nobles and the Super Rich started calling up the sales head of Arco-Bravadia asking when they can get one.

Thanks to Dawn, Arco-Bravadia ended up with a year's orders in the next 2 days. The images were tagged and forwarded abroad also, resulting in international clamour for 'Dusk Hale EPACs'.

The seats of the EPAC were far better than the First Class in commercial flights. Only thing Dawn found lacking was that there were no attendants offering her food and drinks. There was an auto-bot and she felt it was not the same.

Dawn and Catherine sat on one side, chattering away to glory about every topic while Dusk sat on the other side, marvelling at the energy that the teens carried. At least, she felt, Catherine did not seem depressed anymore. She wondered if Catherine was depressed only in Regis... and whether it was connected to her mother.

They landed back in Ci'gazze an hour and quarter later. The car was waiting for them and Dusk drove straight to Tech Morning Star building. They had lunch together with Susco, Rosemary and Scarlet.

"You are now ok, Catherine?" Scarlet asked. Rosemary and Susco were already briefed by Lady Crystala about what happened.

"Yes, I am fine. I do not know why I got affected by something that I already knew. And I mean, it changes nothing right? I have Dusk and Dawn... I do not need anyone else anyway!" Catherine replied with an overtly defiant attitude that raised a new set of flags for Susco.

As they had their meals, they talked about what was happening in various companies.

"You girls went and bought another 21 businesses? It was bad enough trying to manage the ones we have! From now on, all of you will not leave this building without my permission! Those Rojes companies have almost 150,000 people working? Are you people mad?" Susco complained.

"What? Scarlet said we were saving 10,000 jobs!" Dusk turned and glared at Scarlet.

"Listen, they have 25,000 people in the 5 main factories. The rest will not have more than 10,000. I didn't have a clear picture earlier. But it's a massive business. Turnover of the group is over $50 billion. You do not expect the will have less employees? But Susco it's not 150,000..." Scarlet said quickly.

"You fooled me?" Dusk asked flatly.

"No, no. I just had wrong information. Nothing more." Scarlet defended herself. Then she tried to appease Susco. "Hey! I have some people you can hire. This 18-year-old kid from Rojes family, he has done Business Administration and he will be here by end of the week. Another 6 of his cousins are applying too. All have studied in good universities. But for heaven's sake, don't keep them together. I will send you some more details about them..."