The Tycoon's Odyssey

[Sorry, I made a mistake previously. I released 189 first instead of 188 so I apologize for my mistake.I have edited it.]

In the middle of Macrosoft's sleek corporate office, CEO Alexander Sterling sat behind his imposing mahogany desk, his fingers intertwined, resting pensively beneath his chin as he gazed at the expansive cityscape visible through the floor-to-ceiling windows.

After a moment of contemplation, his secretary, Helen Morris, entered the office, looking quite professional yet slightly anxious.

"Mr. Sterling," she began, her voice steady but laced with a hint of nervousness, "Mr. Evan has requested that we handle our meeting via video call instead of face-to-face."

Sterling's eyebrows shot up in surprise, his previously somber expression now clouded with concern.

"We can't do that," he firmly denied.

"Doesn't he know that discussing significant business over calls is vulnerable to espionage?"

Helen replied, "Mr. Evan assured us that he will be securing the lines. He promised that there won't be any trouble."

Sterling's frown deepened, his gaze momentarily drifting to the sleek digital clock on his desk. After a moment of hesitation, he gave a reluctant nod. "Very well. Arrange the call," he instructed, his tone resolute but tinged with unease.

Helen promptly left to make arrangements for the video conference. A few moments later, the call was initiated. Evan's image appeared on the screen.

He sat in a high-backed chair with an air of regality and grace. His mature demeanor was underscored by his perfectly tailored suit and the precise way he folded his legs. Though young, Evan's cold, solemn expression seemed to exude an aura of both authority and calculated detachment. As he regarded the screen, there was an undeniable sense of control and composure that marked his presence.

A smile appeared on Evan's face as he spoke, "Mr. Alexander, it's nice to meet you."

"So, how did you remember me?" he asked his tone a mix of curiosity and guardedness.

Sterling's eyebrows furrowed slightly in surprise.

Despite his youth, Evan carried the aura of someone far more experienced, mature person.

Evan leaned back slightly, his expression a mixture of curiosity and surprise. His eyes, sharp and focused, studies Alexander with subtle amusement.

Alexander, skeptical yet intrigued, leaned forward, his hands resting on the desk before him. "Me... Evan... Well, I am shocked to say that your appearance surprises me. Nowadays, where most young people waste their lives in bars, pubs, and chasing girls. Talking business with us is a big thing, isn't it?"

Evan's lips curled into a slight, knowing smile as he raised an eyebrow. He let out a soft chuckle, clearly amused by the remark. "Thanks for your kind praises."

"Now, shall we get to the main point?" Evan said, his fingers intertwined and resting on his lap, his gaze turning hawk-like as he fixed his eyes on Alexander, signaling his readiness to dive into the business at hand.

Alexander hesitated for a moment, his gaze shifting to the side as if contemplating his next words. "Before we begin..." he paused, searching for the right words. "Are you sure about continuing this through video conference?"

Evan's eyes gleamed with determination as he nodded firmly. "Absolutely!"

Alexander's expression shifted to one of contemplation, his eyebrows knitting together as he nodded slowly. "Hmmn! In that case, let me tell you the facts. It's about the headgear."

"The sales are going down."

Evan's brows furrowed in confusion, and a deep frown formed on his face.

His eyes darted momentarily to the side, where Aurora's screen displayed a simple [Yes], confirming the data.

Though his expression remained composed, the subtle roll of his eyes betrayed his impatience for clarity as this matter really carried weight.

"Why are the sales dropping?"

Alexander Sterling leaned forward, his fingers drumming thoughtfully on the table, his sharp, analytical eyes locking with Evan's with a determined glint.

"The issue with the VR headgear is that it's simply too advanced for the current market. Sometimes, being ahead of the curve can sometimes work against you. We've managed to fulfil certain fantasies with this tech, but the problem is that there's no content yet that truly leverages its potential."

Evan's brow furrowed and his focus sharpened.

"So, what's the problem with the headgear?" he asked.

Alexander continued, "Right now, it offers a premium VR experience and even allows comatose patients to wake up and communicate. While this was impressive at first, the novelty has worn off. Initial sales were strong, but are now declining. We need something that will highlight the headgear's superiority and entice people to buy it."

Evan's lips tightened into a thin line, his eyes reflecting his deep contemplation. "So, what can I do about this?"

A small, knowing smile curved Alexander's lips. "You can do many things, but for now, what we need is a game, a real-world RPG that brings to life the fantasy this headgear promises."

Evan raised an eyebrow, his voice laced with skepticism. "How are you sure I can deliver this?"

Alexander's smile widened, and he leaned back with calm confidence. "I am very much sure. My team analyzed your two games, and your RPG is already quite close to being adaptable for VR. Mr. Evan, I'm not asking if you can do it, I'm asking if you will."

Evan tapped his knee thoughtfully, his expression intense as he processed the situation. The room fell into a brief silence, broken only by the soft hum of the video conference equipment.

Finally, Evan looked up, his gaze piercing. "Has Pears made any moves trying to get this?"

Alexander nodded decisively. "Yes, they have."

Evan's eyes narrowed slightly as he considered the implications. "I've already fired eight people for attempting to espionage on this project. I'm certain Daxia is interested as well, but instead of targeting me directly, they might be focusing their efforts on Indra to steal this technology."

Alexander's nod was slow and deliberate, acknowledging the severity of the situation. The two men shared a moment of silent understanding, the stakes of their conversation becoming increasingly apparent and both knew it.

Evan's eyes narrowed with suspicion, and he leaned forward, "What's the benefit for us? You certainly aren't asking us to make it for free."

Alexander's expression remained composed, though his eyes flickered with a hint of discomfort. "The game will be developed by your company, and the copyright will belong to you. The money it earns will be yours. We won't claim any of it."

Evan chuckled softly, shaking his head with a bemused look. "Are you saying that you won't profit from this? Whom are you kidding?"

"You can't just ask something from me without offering anything in return."

Alexander's face stiffened and he sighed.

He knew that it won't be easy to get this without losing something, however, this further solidified his confidence in the young lad. From his tone, it was clear that the young man could surely pull it off or maybe he might have already done it.

Rubbing his forehead in frustration, Alexander asked, "What do you want?"

Evan's lips curled into a nearly malevolent smile as he leaned back, clearly relishing the shift in power. "Now we are getting somewhere."