The Tycoon's Odyssey

Chapter 376 376:Global Response

Walter Thompson's Office, Federation Headquarters.

Walter Thompson leaned back in his chair, skilling through the flood of reports from various departments.

His secretary, a reserved and diligent man, stood nearby, ready to summarize the day's briefings. Walter waved his hand lazily, his sharp eyes betraying an impatience for routine.

"Skip the usual updates," he ordered, his tone edged with authority. "Get straight to Evan's matter."

The secretary nodded, quickly shuffling through his files. "Sir, he refused."

Walter raised an eyebrow as he leaned forward, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. "Refused?"

"Yes, sir. He flatly declined the Federation's proposition."

Walter let out a long, deliberate sigh before leaning back once again. His fingers tapped rhythmically against the polished wood of his desk absentmindedly. A heavy silence fell over the room as he processed the implications.

"Refused..." Walter murmured, his voice low and contemplative. After a brief pause, he exhaled sharply. "Everything has been running smoothly these past months. So, is this man trying to stir trouble intentionally, or does he simply not care about peace?"

His eyes narrowed, a storm brewing beneath his calm expression. "Does he not understand the consequences of his decisions? It won't just be him who faces the fallout—it will destabilize Indra as a whole."

The secretary remained silent, sensing the tension thickening in the air. Walter's mind raced through potential scenarios.

"If he really wants to play this game," Walter said, his voice growing colder, "then there's no point in wasting time on useless warnings. Start imposing restrictions—tariffs, sanctions, the words—one by one. Cut off their oil supply first. Then start blocking their imports. Notify our allies in advance and let them know what's coming. If they refuse to comply, inform them that they'll face resolutions against them at the next council meeting."

The secretary gave a hesitant nod and quickly left the room to carry out the orders.

The revenue generated from these collaborations had also bolstered the USL's economy, especially during a time of global instability.

"Why now?" the President muttered bitterly.

"We were in such a honeymoon period. Things were stable. This fool could've just avoided all this by simply accepting the offer."

He clenched his fists, thinking back to the naval carrier war. Though they lacked full details, the glimpses they had seen of Evan's capabilities had been enough to deter the USL from making any rash moves. The demonstration of his military and technological prowess had left an indelible mark that even the President couldn't ignore.

And yet, here they were, teetering on the brink of another cold war. The President shook his head, frustration and resignation mingling in his expression.

"If this escalates," he said grimly, "it won't just be Indra that suffers. The entire world will bleed."

His secretary stood silently, unwilling to interrupt the President's train of thought.

"We'll hold off on direct involvement for the time being," the President finally said, his tone measured. "Relay my concerns to the Federation. Let them know we're monitoring this closely. We're not diving into the chaos without weighing the consequences. For now, just impose some minor measures."

The secretary nodded and left the room, leaving the President to brood over the precarious situation.

_____

Daxian Prime Minister's Office.

The sprawling skyline of Beijing shimmered under the afternoon sun as the Daxian Prime Minister, Zhao, sat behind his ornate desk, sifting through the reports. His Secretary-General approached with a folder, a glint of urgency flickering in his expression.

"Prime Minister Zhao, these are the latest directives from the Federation," he said while placing the document on the desk.

Xiang Zhao raised an eyebrow, flipping through the pages with practiced precision. As he read, the corner of his lips curved into a faint smile—a mix of intrigue and calculated opportunity.