The Tycoon's Odyssey

"Remember to observe him well. Study his style, the way he is speaking and how he approaches," his grandfather had advised in a low, commanding tone.

"Warn him of the trouble he would be facing if he keeps on that rough attitude. Since he has been cooperative until now, he better do the same until the very end."
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"But what if he refuses?" Vishal had asked during his briefing, his eyes narrowing.

The old man's expression had hardened, and Pratap had smirked. "Then it's time to crush him. Destroy the ant."

The weight of these words lingered in Vishal's thoughts as he arrived at the grand hotel where he was to meet Evan.

Approaching the entrance, his guards were immediately on high alert, scrambling to secure his safety, while Evan's guards appeared at the doorway, their gestures calm but firm, signaling for Vishal to follow.

As they led him through the sleek, well-furnished corridors, Vishal sized up Evan's team with growing unease.

These were not the ordinary guards he remembered from their last meeting; each of these individuals looked combat-ready, their movements precise and each motion fluid, their eyes scanning each corner.

The air of professionalism was intimidating, and a brief flicker of weariness couldn't help but cross in Vishal's gaze.

Moments later, he found himself standing before a set of double doors. As they opened, he stepped into a spacious room, tastefully adorned with elegant furniture. At the far end, a single imposing figure was seated like a monarch on a throne.

Vishal's confident stride faltered as his gaze landed on Evan.

The man seemed to have completely transformed and beyond any recognition, he was no longer the weary figure Vishal recalled from his memories, but rather had a striking, almost otherworldly presence, and his blue eyes glinting with a peculiar intensity.

His dark attire was sharp, his posture exuded cold authority, and his blue eyes gleamed with an unsettling intensity. He was seated like a sovereign on his throne, looking every bit like a domineering CEO. It was as if he had shed his old self and emerged anew—a beautiful, devilish sovereign.

Vishal blinked, trying to dispel his disorientation, wondering if he was dreaming.

'What is this godly-looking man doing here?'

"What the hell is going on?" Vishal thought, his mind racing.

Evan caught the look of bafflement on Vishal's face, and a low chuckle escaped his lips. "Surprised?" he greeted smoothly, his voice carrying a subtle menace beneath its warmth, almost mocking.

"Of course I am. Did you get plastic surgery?" Vishal asked earnestly, drawing a twitch of irritation from Evan's brows.

"I don't indulge in such foolishness," Evan said coolly. "Do you think plastic surgery can even achieve this?" He then shot a glare.

Vishal regained his composure, meeting Evan's sharp gaze before he bluntly asked, "Then why do you look so different? I remember you didn't have blue eyes the last time I saw you."

Evan's gaze narrowed, but his smile didn't waver. "I was just malnourished, crushed down under the weight of depression and worries. But now that's all behind me. Now I'm fit and fine."

He leaned forward slightly, a glimmer in his blue eyes. "As for these eyes, I used to hide them. They've brought me more than enough trouble."

"Trouble?" Vishal asked, intrigued.

"Yes, trouble. Bullies and people who wanted to take me down just for existing. But now that I've found my family—and my mother, from whom I inherited these eyes—I don't need to hide them anymore, do I?" Evan's smile was gentle, yet there was something almost menacing beneath the surface.

Vishal was aware of recent developments—particularly Evan's ties to the powerful Mahajan family.

It was a connection that had complicated matters significantly. The government and the Rajput faction had been preparing to act against Evan for months, but they had been forced to tread carefully upon learning about his Mahajan lineage.

They'd been watching him closely, keeping tabs through online monitoring, believing they had the upper hand. Little did they know that it was merely Evan's choice to reveal what he wanted them to see, leaving out the details he wished to keep hidden. Completely blocking their access might have raised too much suspicion, so he had allowed them a glimpse of a carefully curated facade.

After some casual conversation, both probing and testing each other, Vishal finally decided to cut the chase and shift to the purpose of his visit.

"Evan," he began, his tone formal, "you know why I'm here, don't you?"

Evan shrugged with a lighthearted laugh. "Of course not. I'm not an omniscient being, am I?"

Vishal raised an eyebrow, unfazed by Evan's feigned innocence. "We want the suit. The suit you used to save Suri. And we want an exclusive deal that you won't sell it to anyone else. In fact, we would prefer you don't use it at all. But knowing that this would be unlikely, we ask that you hand over the technology  behind it, along with any other advanced tech you've developed."

Evan leaned back, a smirk tugging at his lips. "And why would I do that?"

"For the country and its people," Vishal replied firmly.

Evan's face darkened. For a moment, he was silent, then he burst into laughter, the sound echoing around the room. He leaned forward, his sharp gaze locking onto Vishal like a predator sizing up his prey. "Are you trying to take the moral high ground?"

"Why would I? I am just stating the truth. Your suit would be a great help to the country." Vishal answered firmly.

Evan's laughter cut off abruptly, and in the next moment, his hand came down hard on the table, making Vishal flinch. "What kind of nonsense is this? Since when did the Rajputs care about the country's welfare?" Evan's voice was a low snarl. "You don't want this technology for the country. You want it for yourselves, don't you?"

Vishal's expression shifted, but he didn't back down. He understood Evan's strategy of shedding all pretense and confronting them head-on. It was bold and unexpected, but in a way, it also simplified things as it saved Vishal the hassle of tiptoeing around their intentions.

'This is also good,' Vishal thought, his mind settling.

'We'll settle this head-on.'