The Tycoon's Odyssey

Chapter 363 363:Judgement[II]

Justice Meera Sharma, an elderly woman with sharp eyes and a commanding presence, banged her gavel, prompting the murmurs to instantly cease.

"The court has reviewed all the evidence presented over the past few weeks," she began, her voice cutting through the silence. "The corruption, embezzlement, and abuse of power committed by these individuals have not only betrayed the public's trust but have caused irreparable harm to countless lives."

She paused, her penetrating gaze sweeping across the accused. Her expression was stern. "Amit Rathore, as the former Minister of Infrastructure, you were entrusted with the development of this nation. Instead, you siphoned billions into your personal accounts, leaving cities in disrepair and countless citizens homeless. Your greed has ruined families, and your actions have contributed to the collapse of vital projects. Do you have anything to say in your defense?"

Amit Rathore hesitated, his lips trembling. He shot a look at the crowd, then at the judge. His voice cracked as he said, "I—I was misled. I didn't act alone! There were others—"

"Silence!" Justice Sharma's voice cut through his plea like a blade. "Your attempts to shift blame only reinforce your cowardice. The evidence clearly shows that you were the mastermind behind many of these schemes. Your excuses hold no weight in this court."

Turning her stern gaze to the other ministers, the judge continued. "The rest of you are no less guilty. From education to healthcare, every department you managed became a cesspool of corruption and negligence. Your crimes have left this nation reeling, and the people demand justice."

The murmurs in the courtroom grew louder as she prepared to deliver her verdict.

"Amit Rathore," she declared firmly, "you are sentenced to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole. Furthermore, all the assets acquired by you during your tenure will be confiscated and redirected toward rebuilding the infrastructure you destroyed."

The room erupted in gasps and whispers while Amit Rathore's face lost all of its color. "Life imprisonment?" he stammered. "This is unjust! I was framed!"

But no matter how much he pleaded, the gavel slammed down. "Order in the court!"

Justice Sharma pressed on, addressing the rest of the accused. "As for the remaining accused, each of you is sentenced to 25 years of rigorous imprisonment. Your personal wealth will be seized and allocated to public welfare projects. Your positions and privileges are permanently revoked."

Amit felt the world around him collapse as the weight of the sentence bore down on him...25 years of imprisonment.

Would he even be alive after a few years?

That bastard Evan would surely not let this go.

"So now what?" she asked, her curiosity evident despite her measured tone.

Evan's gaze shifted to her, sharp and calculating. "Now," he said, his voice steady, "it's time for a full-scale rectification."

His words caused Suri to raise an eyebrow. "Meaning?"

Evan leaned forward, his fingers intertwining as he rested his elbows on his knees. "Eliminating the problem isn't enough. The systems they corrupted, the networks they built, the culture of complacency and greed—it all needs to be dismantled. Root and stem."

The corner of Suri's lips curled into a faint smirk. "So, you plan to rebuild Indra from the ground up?"

"Not just rebuild," Evan replied, his voice turning colder. "Restructure. Reform. Reforge. This nation has been stuck in the same cycle of weak leaders, outdated systems, and blind traditions for too long. It's time for Indra to become what it was meant to be—a force to be reckoned with."

Suri leaned forward, her piercing gaze locking with his. "And who's going to lead this 'rectification'? You?"

Evan smirked, a glimmer of arrogance lighting his otherwise composed demeanor. "Who else is capable?"

Suri let out a soft chuckle but didn't dispute his claim. She turned her attention back to the screen, where reporters were now covering the aftermath of the verdict in detail. "You do realize this isn't going to sit well with the remaining elites. They'll see you as a bigger threat now."

Evan's smirk faded, replaced by an icy resolve. "Let them. I've never been the one to play nice with those who think they can challenge me."

For a moment, a heavy silence fell between them, the weight of their unspoken plans settling heavily in the room.

Finally, Suri broke the silence, her tone softer yet laced with a hint of amusement. "You know, you could at least pretend to be human every once in a while. It might make people a little less afraid of you."

Evan glanced at her, his smirk returning faintly. "Fear is far more effective than trust, don't you agree?"

Suri rolled her eyes but couldn't suppress a small smile. "Just don't let that arrogance blind you, Evan. Rectification or not, this is just the beginning."

Evan rose to his feet, his expression as unyielding as ever. "Good. Beginnings are where I thrive."