The Tycoon's Odyssey

The following morning, chaos enveloped the area surrounding Evan's once-grand home.

A massive crowd had gathered, their whispers and murmurs mixed with the clamor of reporters scrambling to capture the latest details.

The area was filled with the sounds of camera shutters clicking and microphones were being thrust toward anyone who might offer information.

The luxury community had been invaded by onlookers, all staring at the piles of debris.

Evan's home, now a blackened skeleton of twisted metal and charred wood, was cordoned off by yellow police tape. Officers patrolled the perimeter, ensuring that no one ventured too close to the hazardous site. A few had been stationed to manage the growing crowd and keep the situation under control.

Soon, a team of police investigators arrived. Their faces were grim as they started pushing the crowd back and began their work, examining the scene meticulously, surveying the damage and collecting any left evidence.

Nearby, a few other officers worked to recover the burnt and sunken bodies found amidst the rubble, their faces hidden behind masks and protective gear.

Amidst the flurry of activity, Officer Mridul, the officer in charge of the case, approached the scene. His expression was a mask of professionalism as he reviewed the initial reports and findings.

A senior reporter, eager to make sense of the chaos, approached Mridul. "Officer Mridul, can you give us any information about what happened here? Why did the explosion occur, and who was the target?"

Mridul took a deep breath and began to speak. "We suspect the explosion was the result of a coordinated bombing. It appears the plan was to target Mr. Evan, though the exact motives still remain unclear."

Another reporter quickly followed up. "Do we have any leads on who might be responsible for this? Was there a specific reason for the attack?"

Mridul's expression remained serious. "At this point, we suspect that the attack was likely carried out by individuals with a personal vendetta against Mr. Evan. The intensity of the explosion and the precision of the timing suggest that the perpetrators were highly determined and well-prepared. There might have been a significant feud or deep-seated grudge between them and Mr. Evan."

A third reporter pressed further, "Has there been any indication of how they might have gained access to the property? Was it an inside job or an external attack?"

Mridul glanced at the burned remains of the house. "The evidence suggests that the attackers had detailed knowledge of the property's layout and security systems. We are currently investigating all possible angles, including whether there was any insider involvement or if the attack was purely external. But it's too early to say for certain."

Another voice from the crowd called out, "Have you identified the victims who were inside the house?"

Mridul nodded solemnly. "We are in the process of identifying the bodies recovered from the scene. The extent of the fire has caused significant damage, so the identification process is challenging and may take some time. However, if our initial guess is correct, some of the victims could be a few of Mr Evan's bodyguards, possibly including him."

The reporters continued to bombard Mridul with questions, trying to piece together the fragments of information. He answered as many questions as he could while the scene remained a tumult of activity, with the investigation in full swing and the public eagerly awaiting further details.

Before departing, Mridul concluded, "We will keep the public informed as soon as we have more concrete information. For now, our priority is to uncover the full extent of what has happened and bring those responsible to justice."

With that, the reporters reluctantly backed off, allowing the investigators to continue their work. The charred remains of the house stood in stark contrast to the untouched houses on either side.

_____

As the day progressed, the scene at the ruined house remained a focus of frantic activity.

Suddenly, a piercing cry cut through the noise—a sharp, anguished wail that drew the attention of everyone present.

Two women, Celina and Maria, rushed onto the scene, their faces pale and eyes wide with shock.

With tears streaming down her cheeks, Celina clung to Maria's arm as they approached the perimeter. Maria, usually stern, wore an expression that was softened by an unmistakable look of horror. The reporters and officers turned their heads as the two women, both prominent figures in their own right, made their dramatic entrance.

Maria, who was known for her role as the CEO of Brew Heaven, took in the sight of the devastation with a visibly shaken demeanor. "Oh my God," she said, her voice trembling. "What has happened here?"

Celina, her hand covering her mouth, managed to choke out, " I can't believe this. It's… it's awful… Who did this to him?"

The police, noticing their distress and suspecting the fact that both women appeared to be putting on a show, approached them cautiously.

Officer Mridul, keeping his tone neutral but inquisitive, asked, "Ladies, do you have any connection to Mr. Evan? Are you aware of any issues he might have had that could have led to this?"

Maria, her eyes narrowing, snapped back, "I'm the CEO of Brew Heaven. Do you think I need to stage something like this to draw attention? I'm here because I care."

Celina, still sobbing, added, "We just heard the news and came as soon as we could. We had no idea of the extent the damage had been."

Mridul gave them a measured nod, not entirely convinced but noting their high-profile status. "We appreciate your concern. For now, we are focusing on the investigation. If you have any information or need assistance, please let us know."

Maria shot back, "Yes, we will cooperate but before that, you need to look for suspicion. Previously, a government agent killed one of the bodyguards and now this. I think the government agents are involved in this."

The moment Mridul heard this, his face turned pale.

_____

Meanwhile, in a bustling campaign office, Amit Sharma was deeply engrossed in the preparation for an upcoming election rally. The room was filled with volunteers and staffers working on the rally's last-minute details.

Amit Sharma, scanning the paper, was making final adjustments to his speech when his assistant rushed in with an urgent expression on his face.

"Sir, you need to hear this," the assistant said, handing Amit Sharma a phone with breaking news flashing on the screen.

Sharma's eyes widened as he read the headline.

"Evan's House Bombed, Multiple Casualties Reported."

The news sent a jolt of shock through him. His face turned pale as the weight of the situation sank in.

"Evan? He is dead?" Sharma muttered to himself, his mind racing. He had been aware of Evan's influence and the tension surrounding him but had never anticipated such a drastic turn of events.

"Did our agents attack?"Amit Sharma asked, still a bit stunned.

"No, Sir. As far as I know, no one from our side. And as for Evan, we don't have track of his movements. Either he is dead or he is hiding somewhere."

Amit's expression darkened, and his mind went into a deep thought. "Now, who targeted him… Did he finally snap out and attack?"

Taking a deep breath, he tried to steady himself before ordering, "I remember he went on holiday. Check if he returned, and if he has, he is dead for real."