Chapter 200 Overseeing business, Looming Conflict and Danger.
After eating with his family, Noah took an Uber to the teahouse to grab his car since he left there.
Arriving at the teahouse, Noah paid the driver and got into his car.
"..."
The driver saw Noah enter the black g-wagon as he waited for his next order.
'This guy was that rich?' He thought, before shaking his head as a new order arrived on his screen.
"Well, not my business." He muttered before accepting the order and driving off.
Entering the car, Noah started the engine and decided to go around and check on all his business.
His first stop was An's Gourmet since it was the closest to him from the teahouse.
...
Arriving at An's Gourmet, Noah parked a little away from the entrance.
Pushing open the glass door, several staff members turned to greet him immediately, a mix of respect and recognition in their eyes.
"Good morning, Sir," one of the front-of-house workers greeted him.
"Morning," Noah replied with a nod, his gaze scanning the space. He noticed the floors were clean, and the presentation of the restaurant was immaculate.
He walked further inside, making his way to the manager's office.
Knock-Knock
"Come in," a familiar voice called out.
Noah pushed the door open, and the old manager looked up from the documents he was reviewing. As soon as he recognized Noah, his eyes widened, and he rose from his seat.
"Boss! You should've told me you were coming. I would've prepared a proper welcome."
Noah waved his hand dismissively. "No need for all that. I'm just here to see how business is going."
The manager quickly gestured for him to sit. "Business has been excellent, sir. We've not only met but exceeded our short-term goals."
"Tell me more," Noah said, leaning back in his chair. "How's the tea partnership with the teahouse performing?"
The manager's face lit up as he explained, "It's been a massive success. The tea you've provided has become the most ordered drink on our menu. The unique blend has attracted a lot of new customers, and many of our regulars are praising it as well. It's bringing in substantial additional revenue."
Noah nodded, a faint smile playing on his lips. "That's good to hear. And the marketing strategy? Is it bringing the right kind of traffic?"
"Absolutely," the manager said. "Your idea to collaborate with influencers and food critics has worked wonders. Foot traffic has increased by thirty per cent over the past month, and we've seen a significant uptick in positive reviews online. We're steadily working toward our long-term goals."
Noah gestured for the manager to continue, and the man promptly printed out several performance sheets. Handing them over, he said, "Here are the latest reports. You'll see for yourself how much progress we've made."
After finishing his review of the documents, Noah placed the papers neatly on the desk and glanced at the manager.
"You're doing well, but there's always room for refinement," Noah began, leaning back slightly in his chair.
"The numbers look solid, especially with the tea partnership. However, I noticed something in the feedback forms."
"Some customers are mentioning delays during peak hours. What's the bottleneck?"
The old manager adjusted his glasses, his expression shifting to one of contemplation. "It's mainly in the kitchen during the lunch rush. The sheer volume of orders, especially for the new tea menu, can cause minor delays."
Noah nodded thoughtfully. "Then it's time to optimize."
"Introduce a streamlined prep system. Allocate a specific section of the kitchen exclusively for tea and light orders. That should free up the rest of the kitchen staff to handle the more complex dishes without interruption."
"That's a good idea, boss. I'll arrange for the kitchen staff to meet tomorrow morning to implement it."
"Good," Noah replied, his tone firm. "Also, I noticed you've been focusing on the main dishes for promotions, and neglecting the appetizers and desserts."
The manager nodded.
"Don't do that, neglecting the appetizers and desserts is a big mistake. They're profitable add-ons, also some people just like to eat appetizers and desserts. Not promoting them will make the restaurant lose traffic."
"We need to appease the largest amount of potential customers."
The manager's eyes lit up. "Ah, I see. Perhaps we could introduce a pairing option? Like offering a discounted dessert with specific main courses?"
"Exactly," Noah said with a faint smile. "Focus on bundling items that customers already enjoy. And don't forget the visuals—make sure the menus and advertisements highlight those combos with top-tier photography."
The manager jotted down notes quickly, nodding as he spoke. "Understood, boss. We'll get started on this immediately."
Noah stood, adjusting his jacket as he prepared to leave. "One last thing," he said, his voice dropping. "Keep an eye on staff morale. You've done an excellent job maintaining standards, but it's important they feel appreciated, especially with the added workload from our growth.
"Arrange a small staff appreciation event. It doesn't have to be extravagant, just enough to show them we value their effort."
The manager straightened, his admiration for Noah evident in his expression. "I'll make it happen."
"Thank you for the guidance, boss."
With a slight nod, Noah extended his hand and activated his advanced skill, memory glance, and the manager shook it firmly. "Keep up the good work," Noah said as he turned to leave.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om
'He isn't playing around with the reports,' He thought, as he entered his car heading towards Walls4Us.
As Noah drove toward Walls4Us, he turned on the radio. The static briefly crackled before the solemn voice of a news reporter filled the car.
"Good morning. Our top story continues to be the escalating tensions between Country R and Country U. Over the past month, the conflict has intensified, with Country R advancing further into Country U's territory. The situation has taken a dangerous turn as both nations continue to posture aggressively, with nuclear arsenals looming over the crisis."
Noah's hands tightened on the steering wheel, his brows furrowing.
The reporter continued, the tone heavy with concern. "The United Kingdom, along with the European Union, has pledged its support for Country U on humanitarian grounds. The Prime Minister issued a stark warning yesterday, stating that any use of weapons of mass destruction will result in immediate and decisive action from the UK and its allies."
A brief pause followed.
"In response, Country R's president has issued a chilling statement, threatening severe retaliation if the UK or EU intervenes further. Analysts warn that the standoff could escalate into a global conflict—some even fear the possibility of World War III."
"This is no longer a distant problem," the reporter said gravely. "The potential for a nuclear exchange places the entire world on edge. Citizens are urged to stay informed and prepare for any developments. While no direct threats have been made against the UK yet, experts advise caution."
Noah turned the volume down, his thoughts racing.
"This isn't just politics anymore," he muttered. "It's survival."
He took a deep breath, trying to clear his head. His plans for dominance in business were slow.
'I was planning to take this a little slower to ensure everything goes smoothly, but it seems like I need to increase my pace.' He thought.
He needed more—more influence, more control, and more protection for his family.
Amelia's dad and granddad came to mind. Both men wielded significant influence in the government. Amelia's father, a high-ranking official, and her grandfather, a retired military general with deep connections, could serve as the entry points Noah needed.
"If I can align myself with them deeper, I can secure a foothold in the political world," Noah thought.
The car slowed as he approached the Walls4Us headquarters.
"I need to accelerate everything," he murmured, his tone resolute. "Time is no longer a luxury."
Noah entered the Walls4Us building, his presence commanding attention as the receptionist nodded respectfully. Without pausing, he headed straight to the CEO's office.
Arriving at John's door, Noah knocked once and entered. The CEO looked up from his desk, immediately standing to greet him.
"Mr. Thompson, good to see you," John said with a genuine smile, gesturing for Noah to sit.
Noah nodded and took a seat. "I'm here to review the latest reports. Let's keep this brief."
John handed over a neat stack of documents. Noah flipped through them, his eyes scanning the numbers and notes. As always, the reports were thorough, reflecting the company's steady growth under John's leadership.
After a few minutes, Noah set the papers down and looked at John. "The numbers are solid, but there's room for improvement in client retention. Focus on long-term contracts instead of short-term gains. Build trust with our partners—that's where the future lies."
John nodded, scribbling notes as Noah spoke. "Understood, sir. I'll have the team implement this strategy immediately."
Noah leaned back slightly, his expression unreadable. "Good. Now, one more thing." He casually reached out and placed a hand on John's shoulder, activating his Memory Glance skill.
Images flickered through Noah's mind—John's meetings, discussions, and decisions. There was no trace of betrayal, no sign of disloyalty. Just a man who was fully dedicated to the company and its growth.
Satisfied, Noah released his grip, a faint smile on his lips. "You're doing well, John. Keep it up."
"Thank you, Mr. Thompson. I won't let you down," John said, his voice earnest.
Noah nodded, stood up, and straightened his jacket. "I trust you won't."
With that, Noah left the office, his mind already turning to his next move.