While Evan was talking with Suri, Maria finally caught up with Sam and tagged him with a playful smack on the arm. Her triumphant laughter echoed down the beach as Sam stumbled, trying to catch his breath amidst the hilarity.
The group continued to bask in the sun, enjoying the warmth and companionship that made even the heaviest of burdens feel light, if only for a moment. The worries of the outside world seemed to drift away, replaced by the carefree happiness of their sunlit paradise.
__________
Nearby, Evan's father, Roy, was gleefully playing with technology.
His laughter floated back to the group, a carefree sound that matched the idyllic setting.
Yet, Roy's laughter trailed off as he looked around, his brow furrowing with growing bewilderment.
His gaze swept across the stretch of the beach where an array of high-tech gadgets lay scattered among the sand and sunbathers like artifacts from a sci-fi film.
Sleek, solar-powered chargers and holographic screens displayed updates from around the world, and advanced surveillance drones hovered discreetly overhead. The beach scene was unexpectedly dotted with tech that felt like it belonged in a futuristic lab rather than a tropical paradise.
Evan, having finished massaging Suri, strolled over to accompany his father.
Finally, Roy turned to Evan, shaking his head in disbelief. "Evan," he said, his voice tinged with a mix of awe and confusion, "how on earth did you manage to pull all this off? And who are all these people?"
Evan chuckled, his gaze sharp yet warm. "Most of this," he said, gesturing to the holographic interfaces and drones, "is thanks to Aurora's oversight. She has been instrumental in handling coordination and innovation for almost everything you see around." He nodded to a group of people gathered nearby, dressed in a blend of traditional clothing and tech-enhanced utility gear, clearly the locals. "As for them, they are members of the local tribes. They were hesitant at first, but I earned their trust and taught them how to use our technology."
Roy's eyes widened in admiration. "You tamed and trained locals to manage this kind of high-tech equipment? That's... impressive, to say the least."
Evan nodded. "Their resilience and adaptability to learn are remarkable. In exchange, we've offered them resources, tools, and the chance to experience things they had never imagined before."
He pointed to a virtual reality setup nearby. "That," he said, his tone filled with pride, "is one of our most ambitious projects yet—a virtual world that mirrors reality but allows for almost limitless possibilities. I'll take you to see it soon."
_____
After finding a quiet corner, Evan settled and activated the video conference on his wrist device. The screen flickered for a moment before Alexander Sterling's face filled the frame, tension and frustration evident. His voice burst out, his tone sharp and demanding.
"Evan! What the hell is going on in Indra? Why are they shutting you down? What crime did you commit this time?" Alexander's voice carried both disbelief and anger, his eyes narrowing as he stared down the camera.
Evan gave a bitter smile, his expression one of quiet defiance. "It's nothing but a farce, Alexander. They want a piece of my technology. I said no, and this is their answer. They've unleashed their dogs, hoping to crush me into compliance."
Alexander rubbed his temples, visibly agitated. "Damn it, Evan! This is too much. Macrosoft is taking a hit here. Our smartphone sales are nosediving, and all that momentum we've built up is slipping away."
He paused, giving Evan a hard look before leaning forward, his tone more insistent. "You need to act, or this is only going to get worse. How about coming to USL? I can speak with the president, pull some strings, maybe make arrangements to keep you protected."
Evan shook his head, his tone appreciative but firm. "I appreciate it, Alexander, but it wouldn't change much. Different country, same game. USL, Indra...both would ask for the same thing. They'd want me to hand over my technology as payment for their 'protection.'"
Alexander sighed heavily, clearly at a loss of words. "So, what are you planning to do? Lay low and wait to strike back or will you negotiate?" he pressed, frustration edging his voice.
"I don't plan to do any of that," Evan shrugged, his tone casual.
Alexander's patience frayed. "Then what! Do you plan to get slaughtered?"
"Who said anything about getting slaughtered?" Evan replied, his eyes glinting with a subtle, controlled confidence. "I'm just waiting."
"Waiting for what?" Alexander asked, exasperation mixing with curiosity.
Evan leaned back slightly, a faint, calculated smile playing on his lips. "Waiting for them to make a move. And when they do..." He let the words hang, his smile widening just slightly, enough to hint that he was far from being cornered—not even close.
Alexander studied him in silence for a moment, the tension easing slightly as he seemed to realize that Evan was anything but cornered. The intensity in Evan's eyes told him enough: whatever was coming, Evan was ready for it, and perhaps far more prepared than any of his adversaries dared to imagine him to be.