The Tycoon's Odyssey

Aurora's virtual interface flickered to life, displaying a series of islands on the expansive holographic screen. Evan leaned back in his chair, his expression cold and unyielding as he watched Aurora present the options.

Aurora began [I've identified several potential islands for your consideration.]

The first image appeared—Verdant Isle.

-  Location:  Central Pacific Ocean

-  Area:  150 square kilometers

Aurora then started showing and reading a gist, [Verdant Isle is a remote tropical island with dense rainforest and minimal development. Its rugged terrain provides natural isolation.]

Evan's eyes narrowed slightly. He gave a curt nod, showing no other reaction. The display shifted to Solaris Atoll.

-  Location:  South Indran Ocean

-  Area:  200 square kilometers

Aurora, [Solaris Atoll consists of a series of sandy islands surrounding a lagoon, protected by a coral reef. It's well-secured by natural barriers.]

Evan's gaze remained steady, a hint of approval flickering in his eyes before the screen changed to Aether Haven.

-  Location:  North Atlantic Ocean

-  Area:  180 square kilometers

Aurora, [Aether Haven features rocky cliffs and secluded beaches. It's largely uninhabited with minimal infrastructure.]

Evan's lips curved into a faint, approving smirk while his fingers drummed lightly on the armrest. The image then switched to Zenith Cay.

-  Location:  Caribbean Sea

-  Area:  120 square kilometers

Aurora, [Zenith Cay offers white-sand beaches and dense mangroves, with sparse population and natural seclusion."

Evan's expression remained neutral, though his eyes were focused intently. Finally, the screen showed Seraphis Isle.

-  Location:  South Pacific Ocean

-  Area:  140 square kilometers

Aurora, [Seraphis Isle has volcanic terrain with geothermal springs and is surrounded by deep waters. It's challenging for casual access.]

Evan's eyes sharpened as he leaned forward, his fingers tapping rhythmically on the desk before Aurora presented Nicobar Isle, formerly the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

-  Location:  Bay of Bengal

-  Area:  Andaman 6408 square kilometers

Nicobar 1841 square kilometers

Evan's gaze intensified as he scanned the details of Andaman. He rubbed his chin thoughtfully, his expression inscrutable.

"Zenith Cat and Solaris Atoll are the most promising. Also, I need detailed reports on those two," Evan muttered.

As for acquiring private islands in other places, these were the best choices for now, But in the case of Indra, he could try to negotiate with the government to get these islands.

Aurora responded promptly, [Understood. I will compile the necessary information and update you shortly.]

As Aurora resumed her search, Evan remained seated, his posture rigid and arms crossed.

"Also, send an email to those government officials about my interest in buying the Andaman Islands."

[Roger that.]

While falling into deep thought, Evan's eyes suddenly drifted over the world map hung on the wall. At that moment he couldn't help but take his eyes from a particular spot.

A region of no man's land...

The Devil's Triangle…

_____

It hadn't been even a few days before a messenger came forward to greet Evan.

This time, however, things were different. Unlike the usual men in black suits and glasses, having rigid tones, this one seemed to have a powerful aura of authority.

[Name: Vishal Rajput

Skills: Advanced academics, Professional Programming, Intermediate Sports, Intermediate Fighting, Advanced Administration, Advanced Leadership.

Impression: 23]

The man's identity was no surprise for Evan. This guy had been quite popular and managed to crack IAS on his first attempt at a remarkably young age.

News of his success had been widely broadcast back then.

He was just a few years older than Evan, but his charisma and the charm emanating from him were unmistakably those of a high-class noble.

But this was precisely what made Evan wary of him.

The Rajput...

Finally, they appeared.

Vishal stepped in with a confident stride, his tailored suit and polished demeanor exuding an air of nobility. Evan greeted him with a nod, his curiosity piqued by the unexpected visit.

"Hello, I am Vishal Rajput, and I will be overseeing this meeting."

"Mr. Rajput," Evan began, "It's a pleasure to meet such a charismatic individual."

Vishal offered a polite smile. "Mr. Evan, the pleasure is mine. I'm here on behalf of my organization. We've reviewed your software, and I must say, we are genuinely impressed."

Evan raised an eyebrow in surprise. "Impressed? That's not a compliment I hear often. What can I do for you?"

Vishal took a seat opposite Evan, his expression serious yet approachable. "We are interested in acquiring the full version of your software. Moreover, we're prepared to agree to your terms regarding tax relief and cessation of surveillance. We believe it's a fair deal."

Evan blinked, caught off guard by the unexpected acceptance of his demands. "I must admit, I didn't anticipate such swift compliance. What made you change?"

Vishal leaned forward slightly, his gaze steady. "We value innovation and integrity. Your software has significant potential, and we recognize the importance of honoring your conditions. It's in our best interest to maintain a cooperative relationship."

Vishal then smiled and raised a query. "That's all well and good, but I'm curious about something else. How did you go from a part-time worker to where you are now? Your grades weren't particularly outstanding last year. How did you advance so quickly?"

A brief, enigmatic smile crossed Evans's lips.

If someone had asked this before, Evan would have taken this lightly and would have said that he started taking things seriously after getting into an accident with Suri's fans and maybe his brain worked faster after he fell. But now…

"I see you've done your homework. Indeed it's true that my academic record wasn't extraordinary. However, true competence isn't solely reflected in grades. I've been fortunate to work with exceptional mentors and engage in diverse experiences that shaped my skills. Moreover, you might not know this,  but my grades have been suppressed by certain individuals."

He wasn't lying in this matter— some teachers eager to please Noah had always scrutinized him unfairly.

"That's bad…" Vishal nodded, intrigued. "So, you're suggesting that it's a matter of real-world experience rather than just academic achievements?"

Evan inclined his head.

"Precisely. The ability to adapt, learn, and innovate often surpasses academic credentials. My journey has been unconventional, but it has provided me with valuable insights and opportunities."

Vishal considered Evan's words, then leaned back in his chair. "I suppose that's one way to look at it. Well, if you're ready to proceed with the deal, we can finalize the terms."

Evan opened the documents before reading the terms carefully. Unlike before, the document had favorable agreements—there were also a lot of islands. He would be getting three islands to be exact.

It was more than enough and after a rough overview, he finally agreed.

With the agreement signed, Vishal stood up, extending his hand. "Absolutely. I'm confident that this will be a beneficial arrangement for both parties."

Evan shook hands with him before passing the pen drive containing the full software. The previous had only been a demo.

As Vishal prepared to leave, he offered one last remark. "Remember, Mr. Evan, achieving something once or twice, it's a miracle. But only if you can produce consistent results in the long run can you be considered a key figure."

Evan watched him depart with an inexplicable gaze, wondering, 'Just how significant a role did you play in the big picture?'