The Tycoon's Odyssey

Chapter 137: 137:Showing Toughness

These were just the surface-level benefits. With government support, acquiring things that would otherwise be troublesome would become easier. He wanted to avoid alarming them by making sudden acquisitions.

The fact that they had offered him a deal indicated that they understood his background well, making him an ideal candidate for their projects.

He was glad that he hadn't used any of the new gadgets until now. These devices had received significant upgrades, making them far more advanced and he planned to leverage them to secure a more favorable contract.

While he was deep in thought, the phone rang, and his expression turned serious.

Mac opened the door and welcomed the guests before preparing tea for them.

Evan observed the two formally dressed men and raised his opinion of the project.

"Welcome to my home. I'm Evan. And you are?"

"Good morning, Mr. Evan. I'm Agent Chen, and this is my partner, Agent 24."

"Huh! A Daxian…"

"No, I am from Northeast Mr. Evan," Chen clarified with a cough.

Evan scrutinized them, sensing their competence. He would be watching their every move and didn't give them time to enjoy their tea; they weren't high enough in rank to make decisions and were merely messengers and observers.

"We are aware of your deal with the Honorable Home Minister and we have been asked to discuss the details."

"Here is the proposal they sent," Chen said, handing them the documents. "Please review it and let us know your thoughts."

Evan skimmed through the documents and quickly realized they were inadequate.

For a small-scale operation, the promises might have been enticing, but with his wealth, he could easily obtain those benefits on his own. If he weren't committed to this operation, he would have dismissed it outright.

Working with someone unreasonable on a critical matter was undesirable. If someone couldn't manage their temper, it was uncertain whether they could handle the project without issues.

_____

As Evan carefully reviewed the papers, his initial enthusiasm waned, giving way to disappointment.

The documents, intended as a proposal from the government, contained promises that were far from the substantial support he had anticipated. The proposed benefits included minor tax reliefs, some bureaucratic leniency, and nominal financial incentives.

Evan's mind went into overdrive, considering the implications.

The tax relief offered was marginal, not nearly enough to justify the resources he would need to dedicate to a government collaboration.

The potential for infrastructure support, like land grants, while present, was limited to basic public services rather than significant development projects that could enhance his company's operations or future growth.

They also promised to help in patent filing and try to protect his products developed by him in future.

However, patents granted by the government of Indra hardly held little weight in the global stage.

More crucially, the proposal lacked provisions that would have made it genuinely advantageous for him.

There were no commitments for significant land acquisitions for future expansion or development. The deal did not include preferential access to government contracts or exclusive partnerships that could boost his company's profile or open new revenue streams.

It even failed to offer any major financial incentives or subsidies that could offset the risk and investment involved in large-scale projects.

All was just support…support…support…

There was nothing truthful.

Evan frowned, feeling a tinge of frustration.

He had expected some more substantial benefits that would align with his ambitions and leverage his position. The deal's superficial promises were a stark contrast to the profound support he needed to make meaningful progress.

Evan considered the broader implications. For a company like his, which thrived on technological advancements and expansive growth, partnering with the government could provide critical leverage.

He also envisioned a partnership that would facilitate access to high-value land for future tech hubs, streamline regulatory approvals for groundbreaking innovations, and offer significant subsidies to support R&D. The government could also provide a platform to influence industry standards, gain exclusive access to new markets, and secure substantial financial backing.

What he needed was support for a patent but they said it was his own job to see the end. They would just provide aid. Evan even thought that if it went well, he might ask them for the acquisition of a private island alas…

Evan's gaze lingered on the documents, his mind calculating the trade-offs. He knew that aligning with the government was a strategic move, but it had to be on terms that favored his long-term vision. With a decisive exhale, he set the papers aside.

The current offer did not meet his expectations, and to make matters worse, with an upcoming election in June, if the current ruling party lost, this contract would surely be rendered null and void.

Sighing heavily, Evan decided to step back while also demonstrating what they were getting in return. He placed the documents aside and addressed them calmly.

"I'm unsure what they're trying to achieve here, but it seems problematic. This won't suffice. How about I offer you some gifts to take to them?"

As he spoke, Mac brought forward a pendrive and placed them beside the agents.

"Have them examine the software in it and then talk with me after you have done a brief analysis."

"As per the deal, you can cancel other aspects, but instead, I want a private island in Indra to enjoy and relax. I am willing to pay for it so I hope this isn't much," Evan paused for a moment and spoke.

"I don't want anyone monitoring and snooping on my movements. I am clearly warning you—if you try to pry into my privacy, I will make sure to cut ends tailing him."

His voice was so icy that it bewildered the agent responsible for negation. Unnerved by Evan's haughty gaze, the agent wiped off the sweat on his forehead.

Agent Chen looked at others and spoke respectfully, "There is nothing in our hand Mr. Evan. We are just middlemen. We will relay everything to higher-ups and leave the decision to them."

"Hmm!" Evan nodded and stood up to give them a final greeting.