Bab 44: Problem at Work
After the excitement from all the marriage discussions died down, CEO Alex and Boss Gaia got to the real reason for their visit to Solis and Noir.
The collaboration project they were supposed to work on had run into an issue with land acquisition. Even though Nerium and Rosea had already signed the required agreements with the government and the land had been allocated to them on paper, it turned out that there was an entire colony of illegal immigrants who had recently taken residence on the previously empty land, and all the human rights and environmental activists were up in arms against both Nerium and Rosea.
Solis frowned. "Environmentalists?" he asked. "But we are constructing a green complex with zero environmental damage. Haven't we made the environmental impact assessment report public?"
CEO Alex sighed. "I'm afraid that they're being instigated by someone," he murmured. "Several people are unhappy that I chose to collaborate with Rosea instead of other companies, and they want to create hurdles in the project."
"And if we hire another firm for conducting another environmental impact assessment, the construction will be delayed by months," Boss Gaia said. "Plus there's the issue with the immigrants. It is highly suspicious that thousands of immigrants suddenly appeared on this previously barren land in a matter of days."
Noir tapped his chin thoughtfully. He and Solis had gone to inspect the land two weeks ago, and it had been empty. It could only be a well-planned conspiracy if thousands of immigrants suddenly settled there in less than two weeks! There must be a big, powerful player in the shadows.
"Do you have any idea who is behind this?" he asked CEO Alex.
CEO Alex and Boss Gaia exchanged a look. CEO Alex looked rather embarrassed. "It's probably my cousin," he murmured. "He's the second in command at Nerium, and if I go down, he will inherit the mantle."
"And so he probably wants to sabotage this project," Boss Gaia said. "His stance is that Alex lost his business sense when he chose to date an unsuitable woman like me."
CEO Alex grit his teeth angrily. "You're not unsuitable, Gaia," he said hotly. "I was fortunate enough to find the perfect woman for me, and now…I'm sorry. I haven't controlled my cousin properly."
"Don't blame yourself, darling," Boss Gaia said softly. "I know it's not your fault. And we are from very different segments of the society, after all. It is natural that your relatives don't approve of me."
CEO Alex shook his head vigorously. "They have no right to judge you, my dear. And although you have tried to keep it from me, I already know you're cleaning up Dragon's Breath and legitimising everything in a hurry to support me, Gaia," he said quietly. "I wouldn't even dare to ask you to do even half of that, let alone so much, just for my sake…but you are already doing it and even without telling me. I can't express how grateful I am to the heavens for sending me a woman like you!" He took her hand and brought it to his lips.
Solis and Noir didn't have the heart to interrupt their romantic interlude.
After a while, though, Solis finally asked, "What is the government's stance on the immigrants?"
CEO Alex sighed again. "They are adopting a policy of 'your land, your problem' – and we have to deal with the human rights activists as well," he murmured.
"Where did the immigrants come from? And if they are illegally here, isn't it the government's responsibility to deal with it?" Noir asked with a deep frown.
Boss Gaia sighed. "Young Noir, you're still a little too innocent," she murmured. "If the government was willing to do everything it was supposed to, would we be in this situation at all? We wouldn't even have entities like Chaos Demon and Dragon's Breath."
"Most of the immigrants are from the neighbouring desert country of Barrena," CEO Alex said. "It is a perennial problem for our government because Barrena is a poor country with a high population and low supply of food, essentials and even employment opportunities. Living conditions are really terrible and most of the resources are accessible only to a few privileged ones, while most of the citizens are perpetually suffering and fighting off starvation and disease. So immigrants from Barrena are always entering our country as well as other more prosperous countries."
Noir tapped his chin thoughtfully. "These immigrants…is it possible for us to issue work permits to them and hire them as unskilled labourers for the construction?" he asked. "We can have our own trained personnel supervising them and training them, and we will ensure that their living costs are taken care of. If they are escaping from poverty, wouldn't the chance of employment and a stable life be lucrative for them?"
"And if they cause trouble, their work permits can be revoked immediately and they will be deported back to Barrena," Solis added. "Of course, if that's agreeable to you, CEO Alex. After all, we were going to hire Nerium's usual labour force for this project."
CEO Alex smiled wryly. "To be honest, Boss Solis, I'd be very grateful if we keep our use of Nerium resources to a minimum for this project. Internally, I will take up the matter that our company is being sabotaged from within – and as for this project, I will hand over 30% of Nerium's share to you right now. Since you are taking care of this troublesome thing for us, it is only fair that you gain some benefit out of it, and it will also give me some leverage against my cousin's stupidity when I show the board how much Nerium had to lose because of his whim," he said.
Solis didn't argue. "I'll also need Boss Gaia's help with this. We'll mobilise both Chaos Demon and Dragon's Breath to manage the immigrants – and that will give you a better standing for your arguments at Nerium as well," he said.
CEO Alex was immediately filled with fighting spirit.
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