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.
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.