Seeing the questioning and confused expressions of the Raynor elders, Eleanor calmly explained, "I still have to launch 120 satellites in the coming months. This was only the first. And I haven’t even finished building the full infrastructure to control them. My AI system is still incomplete. There’s so much more to do. If you want to throw a party, please wait a few months. Once the entire satellite network is live, we’ll be able to provide internet access around the globe and seamlessly connect countries under a single network. That’s when we can celebrate and let the world see what the Raynor Clan has achieved."
Fiona nodded thoughtfully. "Oh! So you mean after the entire project is complete. That’s fine with me. But you mentioned something earlier about providing security services to NATO nations. You never told me about this plan to provide global internet."
Eleanor smiled slightly. "That’s because the internet coverage is part of the first implementation phase. Initially, we’ll launch 120 satellites to cover the globe, allowing anyone, no matter where they are... on the ocean, deep in the forest, or in remote villages, to access our network. Most corporations focus on providing services based on country-specific licensing, which limits them. We’re aiming bigger. It might sound mad or even reckless from a business standpoint, but we have a larger goal. Imagine the power NATO could hold if their command centers could be connected to any country’s surveillance network... with that country’s permission, of course.
"I’m not selling this technology to individual governments. I’m aiming directly at NATO. I’ve already selected a location in Norfolk, Virginia, close to NATO’s Allied Command Transformation base. If all goes according to plan, I can establish our NATO command center there within a month."
Fiona raised an eyebrow. "And the global internet service is your bargaining chip?"
Eleanor nodded. "Exactly. On the surface, we’ll present ourselves as an internet service provider. That’s the public image. But behind the scenes, we’ll gradually integrate security systems, satellite surveillance, encrypted communications, and other ethernet services. Once we’re in place, if a country permits it, we’ll link their surveillance data to NATO’s central command. That level of real-time global awareness will be unmatched."
Fiona tilted her head. "You said 120 satellites. But I recall granting you permission to launch 150. That approval wasn’t easy to get, especially across 72 NATO-supported countries and various international zones."
Eleanor nodded. "I only need 120 to establish full coverage of the Earth. The remaining 30 satellites are reserved for additional functionality... such as redundancy, upgrades, and experimental features. I haven’t finalized their use yet."
Fiona tapped her chin thoughtfully. "I assumed this would take longer. But you launched your first satellite two years after starting your space company. How do you plan to launch the remaining 119 in just a few months?"
Eleanor grinned. "Grandma, you don’t know the full extent of my operations. In the name of research, I purchased materials from NASA, Roscosmos, ESA, JAXA, CNSA, and ISRO... everything from outdated components to surplus modules. Nobody suspected a thing. I used those parts to build over 100 satellites after careful recycling and repurposing.
"Our teams also bought tons of components from formal suppliers and the black market. All 120 satellites were constructed simultaneously in multiple underground facilities. And because we voluntarily granted inspection rights to NATO for our main production site, they never felt the need to visit. Not even once."
Fiona blinked, then laughed, "That’s... brilliant. Now I understand why you’ve been so confident. Alright, we’ll hold off on the celebration. But when your network is up and running, you better let me throw the biggest party in Raynor history."
Eleanor smiled warmly. "Thank you, Grandma. I won’t let you down."
After wrapping up their discussion on the project and a few other current issues, Eleanor left the Raynor Estate with Freya.
Eleanor’s convoy came to a halt in front of Hope Specialized Hospital, a towering structure of glass and steel nestled in the heart of the city. The hospital gleamed under the moonlight, its pristine facade reflecting the sky. Inside, its immaculate white halls exuded a calm and some sense of eternal peace.
Eleanor entered the building with Freya by her side. They stepped into a silent elevator, the doors closing with a soft hiss. The scent of antiseptic was thick in the air, making Freya wrinkle her nose in discomfort. Thɪs chapter is updatᴇd by novel-fire.net
As they exited onto the general ward floor, the echo of Eleanor’s heels rang out across the polished tiles. Freya clung to her mother’s hand, her wide green eyes flitting nervously between the white walls and overhead lights. It was her first time in a hospital.
They moved swiftly down the corridor toward Ward 12B, the room where Isabella Thomas had chosen to stay after declining a VIP suite offered by her butler. As they approached the door, they heard raised voices from the ward.
"You’re lucky we even let you in," snapped a nurse in a sour tone. "This is a general ward. You’ll get what you pay for. If you want special treatment, go to a VIP cabin."
"I’m just asking for a vegetarian meal," Isabella Thomas replied weakly. "I wrote it on my admission form. If you just call the food service, they’ll change it."
The nurse’s badge read Clara Vane. She crossed her arms and glared. "Who do you think you are? You’re getting treatment from top doctors for a minimal fee, and instead of being grateful, you’re complaining about soup?"
Eleanor stepped into the room just in time to hear the end of the exchange. Her eyes quickly found Isabella, who looked pale and frail in the hospital bed. Despite her condition, she wore a determined expression.
"I didn’t complain," Isabella tried again, "I only asked for a vegetarian meal..."
Eleanor’s voice was calm but firm as she addressed the nurse. "Patients have the right to request meals in accordance with their dietary restrictions. As a nurse, it’s your duty to communicate with the appropriate department and ensure those needs are met. Instead, you’re insulting and intimidating your patient."
A murmur of agreement came from other patients nearby.
"This nurse is always ," one woman whispered. "She scolded me yesterday for calling her."
Another patient added, "She doesn’t like being asked for help."
Clara turned to Eleanor, her face reddening with fury. "And you? Who do you think you are? Barging into a hospital ward like you own the place!"
"I came to see her," Eleanor said calmly. "She’s my aunt."
Clara’s tone became even sharper. "This is not visiting hour! Get out and come back tomorrow at visiting hours!"
Freya tightened her grip on Eleanor’s arm. It was the first time she had seen someone speak so rudely to her mother, and she didn’t know how to react.
Eleanor saw the confusion in her daughter’s eyes and made a decision. It was time to teach her how to handle conflict without losing composure. She smiled inwardly and thought, "I should use this opportunity to show Freya how snobbish people can be."
So, she kept her tone measured and professional.
"Miss Vane," she said, "if word of your behavior reaches the public, the reputation of this hospital, which is known as the most reputable private hospital in the region... will be at risk."
Clara’s mouth twisted as if to retort, but before she could speak, a calm voice rang out from the doorway.
"This sister is absolutely right. We do have a reputation to uphold here."
All heads turned. A tall, slender girl stood in the doorway, dressed in a doctor’s white coat and wearing thick-framed glasses. She looked young, but her presence was impressive.
Clara narrowed her eyes. "And who are you now?"
The girl stepped forward. "My name is Dr. Annabelle Gresham. I’m the night-duty doctor for this ward. I witnessed your conduct, Nurse Vane, and I will be reporting it to my superiors."
Clara’s face flushed red with outrage. Without missing a beat, she pulled out her phone and dialed quickly.
"Darling," she said sweetly, "save me. The night-duty doctor has ganged up with some ungrateful patients and is bullying me..."