The Tycoon's Odyssey

Chapter 254: 254:Deepening Worries

The atmosphere in the Prime Minister's office was thick with tension, the air felt heavy and suffocating.

Rajesh Patel sat at the head of the polished mahogany table, surrounded by his closest advisors and ministers. The flickering lights from the overhead fixtures cast uneasy shadows across their faces, highlighting the worry etched on each one.

To Rajesh's right stood Riya Sharma, his chief advisor, a woman known for her sharp intellect. But currently, under the weight of his scrutiny, she kept her eyes fixed on the papers before her, as if the documents could somehow shield her from Rajesh's growing wrath.

To his left was Anand Rao, the Minister of Defense, his expression grave. He shifted uneasily, his fingers drumming softly against the table, betraying his anxiety.

Anand was keenly aware of the implications of Evan's growing influence and the threat it posed to their already fragile standing. His thoughts raced as he calculated the possible fallout of Rajesh's next move.

At the far end of the table stood Inspector General Prakash Mehta, a burly man with a reputation for getting results. His face was flushed, beads of sweat forming on his brow as he listened to the unfolding conversation. He was often the one dispatched to handle crises, but the prospect of facing Evan's network of supporters left him distinctly uneasy.

Nearby, Minister Aisha Khan, the head of Economic Affairs, leaned slightly back in her chair, her body language defensive. She was the only woman who held a high Ministerial position in the room, and the tension made her feel even more vulnerable.

Aisha had fought hard to secure her position and understood the stakes all too well; any wrong step could unravel her entire progress in the political arena.

Rajesh finally began, his voice low and laced with frustration.

"We barely scraped by with 290 seats in the election and now holding onto our power. We need to do better than this. So, you're telling me that despite all our measures to trap cargo and trap Evan in Nicobar, he has already moved back to Utkal before we could even implement the plan?"

He leaned forward, the glint in his eyes a mixture of anger and desperation.

Riya nodded slowly, her heart pounding. "Yes, sir. We had everything in place, but his movements were unpredictable. It's as if he had anticipated our plans."

Rajesh rubbed his temples, feeling a headache forming. The Rajputs had played their cards well, pushing boundaries and manipulating the political landscape to their advantage. "And now, the tariffs and taxes on electronics, especially targeting Next Gen, have only compounded our problems. The people are restless, and we cannot afford to lose their support."

"If we increase the taxes, it needs to be applied to everyone, not just one particular firm," Aisha interjected, her voice steady but cautious.

The tension in the room escalated as the advisors exchanged glances, their unease palpable. Anand cleared his throat, attempting to break the oppressive silence. "We've heard rumors, sir. There are reports that Evan is gathering support in Utkal. His influence is growing with each moment."

Hearing this, Rajesh couldn't help but laugh aloud. "Hahahhaha."

Roy sighed, running a hand through his hair. "You know how formidable Nicobar has become. Ten massive ships patrol the island every day, keeping anyone from getting too close. The government's control isn't ironclad; they've handed the rights to that territory to a private entity. It's dangerous, Claire. No one gets in, and those who try are beaten back. Then what kept you from worrying before."

Claire stopped pacing and turned to face him, her eyes wide with concern. "But now that Evan's back, I am starting to worry. What if he's caught up in something? What if he's in danger?"

Roy stood up, moving closer to her. "I understand, love. It's been hard not to worry, especially with everything we've heard about Nicobar. But we have to trust that he knows how to navigate these challenges. He's resourceful. He's strong."

"But what if he's been attacked?" Claire's voice cracked.

"What if he's being drawn into some trap he can't escape from? After everything we have gone through, the last thing I want is to lose him again."

Roy's heart ached at her words. He placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "Listen, Claire. I promise you, by the end of this year, we will be celebrating New Year's with Evan. I've already put plans in motion to bring him home safely. I won't let anything happen to him. You know how determined I am when it comes to our family."

Claire looked into his eyes, searching for reassurance. "But how long do I have to wait? Every day feels like a lifetime. My heart can't bear this uncertainty."

"Just a few more months," Roy assured, his tone firm yet gentle. "We'll have him back before we know it. Focus on the fact that he's alive and that he has made it through so much already. He's more than capable of handling whatever he would be facing out there."

Tears welled in Claire's eyes, but she nodded, trying to find solace in Roy's words. "You're right but..."

Roy pulled her into an embrace, feeling the weight of their shared fears.

It may not look like Roy had been too stressed out recently. He had already taken steps, but it wasn't easy. What worried him more was Evan's growing presence.

With the way Evan was growing, if they just appeared on his doorstep now, what would he think?

If he were in Evan's shoes, he would have thought that they had shown up only after he had become big, and if he was poor they wouldn't have made an effort to look for him.

Where were they when he was at his lowest? What right did they have to share in his success when they hadn't been there in his struggles? Also, it wasn't easy to accept parents appearing out of nowhere.

These thoughts gnawed at him, but he dared not speak out these thoughts before Claire, lest she would break down.

As he hugged her tighter to soothe her, he wasn't sure if he was calming her—or himself.