<h4>Chapter 49: New Cold War</h4>


    Feeling all eyes on her, Eleanor calmly spoke, "Actually, I was nning to acquire the Chen Group’s IT firm even before I returned to the Kingdom. Sinceing back, I’ve sessfully acquired every targetedpany... except Chen’s."


    She paused, folding her hands on the table before continuing.


    "I held off attacking them because of their financial strength. Their primary business involves importing broadcasting equipment for mediapanies, which gives them strong ties with major media outlets. If I attacked them directly like I did with others, they’d retaliate through their media influence. So instead, I focused on weakening their financial stability by targeting the strongerpanies in their group."


    She looked at everyone around the table and continued, "I also discovered that they n to begin manufacturingwork equipment locally... equipment they previously imported from China. Anticipating that move, I acquired more than ten percent shares in an Indianpany that produces simr equipment. I n to import those products here as a substitute for Chen’s local production."


    Eleanor paused, then added, "My team also contacted the Nigerian government to establish a factory there, producing the samework devices and other rted tech. Our target markets are the US, UK, and EU. I’ve been building this strategy from the ground up... without even knowing that the Leroux n was backing the Chens. Now that I do, I’ll need to adjust everything ordingly."


    Fiona leaned forward, her tone probing. "What was your end goal with the Chen Group?"


    Eleanor gave a small smile. "They’ve developed a new Element Management System, an EMS, that manages the health, performance, configuration, and fault handling ofwork elements. Mypany needs that EMS toplete our AI integration project. Although, to outsiders, it looks like I’ve been targeting them out of pure corporate greed. Only a handful of my core team members know the true reason behind our pursuit."


    Dr. Tristan Raynor frowned slightly. "Can’t you get that kind of system from another provider?"


    Eleanor shook her head. "My team is currently negotiating with Huawei and HFCL. Both can provide functional alternatives, but Chen IT’s EMS has a unique structure that will enhance my AI’s performance exponentially. The problem is, Chen IT doesn’t realize the value of their own tech. Since simr products from well-knownpanies flood the market, their version has been overlooked. My n was to destabilize their financial and media foothold, then offer them a buyout at a premium price before they even realize what they’re giving away."


    She paused and looked across the table.


    "But now that the Leroux n is in the equation, I need to be more careful. They’ll fight back harder than I expected."


    Fiona didn’t look surprised. "What’s your next move?"


    Eleanor took a breath andid it out. "Many U.S. tech giants rely on Chinese manufacturing for their hardware...ptops, smartphones, servers, routers, everything. With rising tariffs, production costs will go up, andpanies will be desperately looking to diversify. Vietnam, India, and Mexico will be their top choices for relocation. My team is already active in India, partnering with HFCL. But I n to go further now. I’ll acquire smallpanies in India that produce hardwareponents and semiconductors and grow them rapidly to meet U.S. demands. If we execute this well, we can profit enormously from this trade war."


    She leaned back slightly. "Also, I’m nning to invest more in our cybersecurity division. Political tensions always increase cyberattacks, especially state-sponsored ones. With the rise in threats, demand for defensive systems will rise. But so will operating costs. I should propose a new subscription model to make our services more scble and profitable."


    Fiona nodded, clearly impressed. "Good. Also, a lot of Chinese engineers in the U.S. who haven’t secured green cards will face job insecurity in this cold war. Offer them positions in the Kingdom, India, and Nigeria. Give them generous packages. When this economic war heats up, they’ll jump at the opportunity."


    "I’ll act on it immediately," Eleanor replied.


    Fiona then turned her attention to Isaac Raynor. "Sanctions on Russian energy will cause Europe to scramble for alternatives... either renewables or imports from the Middle East. Isaac, prepare to capitalize on the sudden spike in demand from EU markets. The window will be short... maybe two or three months... before others ramp up production and prices normalize."


    Isaac simply nodded with a confident smile. "Understood."


    The meeting continued for another thirty minutes. Each member detailed their ns, strategies, and projections. The Raynor n was united in a single goal... to emerge from the looming trade war not just intact, but stronger and wealthier than ever.


    When the meeting concluded, Fiona and Adrian headed downstairs to y with little Freya in the garden. Eleanor remained in the council room, focused on coordinating immediate implementation with her executive team.


    After everyone left, Eleanor called Teresa and instructed her to implement all the decisions she had previously made in the meeting. Although Teresa groaned unhappily, Eleanor knew she would do the job perfectly in the end.


    Just as she was about to hang up, Teresa added, "One quick update. Among the four vis in your neighborhood, three owners have agreed to sell at fair prices. We can finalize paperwork by tomorrow. They’ve requested a week to move out. But the fourth vi owner refuses. It belonged to histe father, and he says it’s thest memory he has left of him."


    "Offer him a higher price," Eleanor said immediately.


    "I already did. I even offered him current central London market rates. He didn’t budge."


    "Try once more," Eleanor said firmly. "Offer him more. If he still refuses, let him know that we now own all the other vis in the vicinity. We’ll soon enclose the area and have guards patrolling 24/7. Kindly exin all the disruptions that might follow. If he still doesn’t agree, call me. I’ll handle it personally."


    "Alright," Teresa sighed.


    "One more thing," Eleanor continued. "Get ready to move into the vi beside mine. Have you asked Maya and Lily yet?"


    "Yes. Maya’s fine with living there. Lily wants to stay with her family outside."


    "That’s fine. If you want to bring in other team members, choose whomever you trust. I won’t rmend anyone."


    She paused again. "Reserve two vis for the nc family. Call Juliette nc and let her pick a room first. I haven’t decided what to do with the remaining one. Leave it empty for now."


    After the call ended, Eleanor finally left the meeting room and descended the stairs. She discovered that Fiona had taken Freya outside to y in the woods. With nothing urgent to tend to, she joined Adrian and Selene for a casual conversation in the drawing room.


    Their talk shifted from family matters to political forecasts and financial strategies, when suddenly Eleanor’s phone vibrated. It was a call from the U.S. satellite division.


    She answered immediately.


    "Madam," the voice on the other end said excitedly. "The first batch of our satellite fleet is ready forunch. We can proceed within thirty minutes of your order. Would you like to attend in person?"


    Eleanor smiled. "Congrattions. No need to wait for me. This is your sess. Launch as soon as you’re ready. Have you double-checked all critical systems?"


    "Yes. We’ve confirmed everything. Laser interlinks for intra-satellite data transmission, AI-powered dynamic signal direction, self-healing nanomaterials, ion thrusters for maneuvering, and sr AI-petals for maximum charging. Everything is in working order. If theunch goes smoothly, it’ll be a major sess."


    "Excellent," Eleanor said, a breath of relief escaping her lips. "Contact the FCC and FAA to receiveunch clearance. Set up a video feed. I’ll watch theunch from here."


    After ending the call, she turned to Adrian and Selene, who were now looking at her expectantly.


    She smiled softly and said, "Uncle, Aunt... our first satellite willunch in half an hour. Let’s go to the movie room and watch it together."