The Wolf of Los Angeles.

After Professor Howard's detailed explanation, based on satellite images and star charts, Randall was completely dumbfounded.

In the command hall, whispers filled the air, and he looked around to see people gathered together talking everywhere.

Without a doubt, Randall knew that these people were discussing Venus and Jupiter.

What a shame!

Randall wished he could lower his head and bury his face in his crotch.

But he couldn't do that, because when he stood there, he represented not just himself, but the whole of India.

India is the one who's shameful!
Randall, unable to accept the fact that this had happened and still trying to salvage the situation, quickly said to Howard and Durant, "Professor, Supervisor, could you please issue a gag order to keep this from spreading?"

If this matter can be contained within the command center, India will not lose face on the world stage.

Since the satellite entered orbit, people have been coming and going in the command center, and now it is bustling with activity, with a constant stream of voices and discussions.

Howard looked helpless and said, "I'm sorry, I don't have that authority, and even if I did, I couldn't do it."

He pointed to the lobby: "With so many staff members, and at your request, we've also invited some North American media reporters today. We can reach out to them on Twitter, but we can't block them from outlets like Fox News, CNN, The Wall Street Journal, and The New York Times."

Randall turned his gaze to the media area, where some reporters were interviewing people from SpaceX, and many people were frequently glancing in his direction.

These reporters clearly had inside information.

Durant said, "Since launching its first Falcon rocket, SpaceX has always operated in an open manner. Media reporters can come in and film in this control room as long as they apply. It is this open management that has made SpaceX the world's number one civilian space company, with an estimated value of nearly $100 billion."

His expression turned extremely serious: "The space exploration project is about to be launched. If we disrupt these processes, the negative impact will be immeasurable."

Randall thought to himself, "If I had known this would be the outcome, I wouldn't have invited the American media reporters."

But who could have imagined that India's most elite army, air defense, and air force units would all make such a huge mistake at the same time, mistaking Venus and Jupiter for high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft?

Furthermore, several experts from the Ministry of Defence and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) who were dispatched to the border region also made the same assessment.

Suddenly, Randall felt a chill run down his spine. Could something serious have happened to India?

The entire Western world is saying that India's technological development is rapid and that it is the strongest country in Asia.

As a result, Indians also believe that they are incredibly strong, second only to the United States and Russia in the world.

I am invincible under the US and Russia; a one-for-one trade between the US and Russia.

Randall had thought the same thing before, but the stark contrast at this moment gave him a sense of disillusionment.

Is India's strength just a facade?
If this is true, India's development will face serious problems.

This thought briefly crossed Randall's mind, but quickly vanished.

Indians' inexplicable self-confidence has once again taken over their minds.

Randall believed it was an accident.

“Actually, we were wrong at first too.” Sure enough, Professor Howard, an authority in the United States, confirmed his idea: “Based on the information you provided, we also believed that it might be some kind of aircraft, ignoring the special environmental conditions of the plateau region.”

Randall breathed a sigh of relief. If even America's top experts made a mistake, it was normal for India to get it wrong.

Howard added, "After you go back, you can find astronomy experts to go to the border area and verify it using astronomical telescopes."

"We will." Randall was frustrated. How could he explain to the country how he had spent $1.6 million and gotten such a result?
Accompanied by Durant, he slowly walked out.

The subsequent expenses are impossible to pay. Of the special funds allocated by New Delhi, apart from the $1.6 million portion, a large sum can be taken out and divided among the various parties. It is estimated that there will be no major problems.

Ultimately, it was the Ministry of Defense that made a fool of itself, not Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).

To exit the command center, you need to pass through the media area.

Randall was still lost in thought when the reporters swarmed around him.

The CNN reporter didn't mince words and asked directly, "How did India identify Venus and Jupiter as high-altitude spacecraft?"

Randall didn't want to answer, because it wouldn't be appropriate to say anything.

Not to be outdone, a reporter from The New York Times asked, "Is India playing a joke on the whole world?"

Randall's face turned ashen, and he walked out of the command center without a word.

That evening, news about India exploded in popularity on television news and online media.

"Outrageous! The Indian military mistook Venus and Jupiter for high-altitude unmanned reconnaissance aircraft and sought help from the United States."

"An epic farce has been born in human military history once again. India accused its neighbor of sending drones to conduct continuous nighttime reconnaissance, but after verification by the US, it was found that they were actually Venus and Jupiter."

"Shocking! The Indians actually bombarded Venus and Jupiter with anti-aircraft guns, attempting to shoot down the planets. The truth is..."

"The New Delhi authorities are so stupid that they are crying out in disbelief at their own army and air force, which are in a daze and are mistaking Venus and Jupiter for foreign reconnaissance aircraft."

This news was widely shared by mainstream media around the world, not just in North America.

Indians truly made a name for themselves on the world stage.

Randall flew out of Texas and back to Los Angeles, where he arranged to meet Henderson.

The survey satellite has been launched into orbit. Its position is excellent, and its survey capabilities are outstanding, making it exactly the kind of product India urgently needs.

The two sides met at the Beverly Business Club, where Randall made a direct request: "Your satellite technology is amazing. The Survey 9 satellite helped India solve a major problem. Can we discuss a long-term lease?"

“We are strategic partners, so there’s no problem with negotiations.” Henderson’s attitude was very clear: “Regarding this business cooperation, you have only paid half of the deposit. When will the other half be paid?”

Indians are known for their deceptive business practices; they often rip off customers by taking out a deposit and are all about cheating and swindling.

The Indians don't have a final payment system. Besides, if the final payment is made, how will these dispatched personnel, who are out on assignments, get their share of the money back if it involves their superiors?

Randall used his usual tactic, stalling the issue: "I've already applied to the domestic authorities. Fund transfers take time, so please be patient. The remaining payment will arrive soon."

Henderson had received clear instructions from Hawke that the satellite would not be leased to the Indians. He said, "The suppliers under Surrey Satellite, SpaceX, and their suppliers are all waiting for this money. They are working overtime to survey the No. 9 satellite, and each company has promised high bonuses to the R&D and manufacturing teams."

Randall hadn't even considered paying the $1.6 million, saying, "Please give us some time. We will pay as soon as we have the funds."

His skin was thicker than the Himalayas: "The Survey-9 satellite has already been launched. If it is not fully utilized, it would be a waste of resources. We can pay the full rental fee."

Henderson smiled and said, "Isn't your company facing a cash crunch? If you can raise the funds, please prioritize paying the remaining balance. Many employees at West Coast Technology and its downstream manufacturers are waiting for this bonus."

Randall's already dark complexion turned even darker in an instant, which was completely different from what he had expected.

In recent years, Indians have begun to import goods and technologies from around the world. When have they ever paid the final payment?

Henderson's words put Randall in a vicious cycle.

To rent Surveying No. 9, you must pay a rental fee, even a deposit, but some people have the money but don't pay the balance...

Randall continued to advocate for it, saying, "India urgently needs such high-resolution survey satellites, as it is related to India's national security."

Henderson raised his hand to stop him from continuing: "The West Coast and India are strategic partners, so we broke the original Starlink plan and changed the orbit of the planned Survey 9, launching it ahead of schedule. We paid a huge price for this. You didn't say that when we were negotiating the contract. The contract we signed also stated that you would pay the balance immediately upon the release of the survey results."

Randall argued, "The actual results were far from what was expected; it was Venus and Jupiter."

Henderson looked at him quietly and said nothing more.

Even the Indians were at a loss for words at this moment.

Randall could only say, "We will raise the remaining funds as soon as possible. Please postpone Survey No. 9 for a while."

Henderson smiled and said, "Sure."

Randall took his leave, but he didn't give up. He went straight to the Four Seasons Hotel in Beverly Hills and found Abhishek, who was living a carefree life in Los Angeles, hoping that Abhishek would intervene.

Abhishek also saw the news and said, "The military is so unreliable that they can mistake Venus and Jupiter for high-altitude aircraft. India has never been so embarrassed in public opinion."

Randall, looking disheveled, forced a smile and said, "I've been ripped off by the military. I never imagined they could do something so unreliable; it's practically a crime."

“I will personally discuss the satellite issue with Hawke.” Abhishek still valued India’s interests. He added, “Perfect timing. I have an appointment with Hawke this afternoon to visit the Coast Building.”

Randall's heart skipped a beat, and he said, "Can I come along?"

Abhishek glanced at him and refused outright: "You'd better not go if you haven't been notified in advance."

In his eyes, Hawke is the best partner, and the trade channels he has established with Twitter and West Coast are also important capital for development in India.

Many people wanted to seize this capital, but no one succeeded.

…………

The Tung Building in Manhattan, New York.

Holding a copy of The Wall Street Journal, Inie hurried down the corridor into her father's office and placed the newspaper on the mahogany table.

She said, "Have you seen the news about India?"

Mr. Dong glanced down at the newspaper, which featured a star map of the sky with a bolded headline next to it.

"It's ridiculous! The Indians mistook Venus and Jupiter for high-altitude spacecraft and studied them for over a month..."

Mr. Dong looked up and said, "I've seen the news and the survey video released by SpaceX. It's a very interesting thing."

Inee retorted, "Don't you think Indians are unreliable?"

"This is just a coincidence." Mr. Dong is currently working with Indians and has a good impression of them: "The fact that a few individuals or a few armies have problems doesn't prove anything."

Eni may not be the most capable, but she does have a woman's meticulous side. She said, "During the time you had me stay in Los Angeles, I often went to Twitter's Coast Building and West Coast Tech's West Coast Expo Center, and I discovered a problem."

Mr. Dong looked at his daughter, his eyes filled with disappointment: "I've discovered you have no charm?"

“Dad!” Inee called out in dissatisfaction, then quickly got back to the point, saying, “The Indian faces and accents are quite obvious, but I didn’t see a single Indian employee at the Coast Building and the West Coast Exhibition Center.”

Mr. Dong shook his head: "This doesn't prove anything. Hawke Osment has many collaborations with Indians, amounting to hundreds of billions of dollars. These are far beyond what a few Indian employees can achieve."

Ini thought about it and realized that it was true. In the face of such a large amount of trade, not to mention a few Indian employees, even a few hundred couldn't compare.

But seeing news reports about Indians using Venus and Jupiter as spacecraft made her uneasy, prompting her to ask, "Should we......"

President Dong interrupted her directly, saying, "You don't need to worry about these things. I have a complete plan. The design of World No. 1 Tower has been finalized, a contract has been signed with the construction company, the residents in the relevant area have been relocated, the foundation has been officially excavated, and everything is progressing smoothly."

Having not achieved much in business, Enni refrained from offering advice after hearing her father's words.

Mr. Dong has invested heavily in the World One Tower project, betting heavily on this international business, and it's impossible for him to stop now.

Once such a massive project starts, funds flow out in droves, and the losses would be unbearable if it were to stop.

Mr. Dong remained cautious. After his daughter left the office, he picked up the phone and dialed a number in India, asking, "There's something I need you to confirm: Is West Coast Technology's investment project to build a factory in Mumbai still progressing?"

The person on the other end immediately replied, "I visited the construction site the day before yesterday. The project has been progressing steadily, but some problems have been encountered. The design team and the construction team are having conflicts. West Coast Technology directly replaced the construction team and demanded that the design team make a more rigorous design plan, without worrying about spending more money."

Hearing this, Mr. Dong felt relieved and said, "Establish good relationships with people in the West Coast technology sector, maintain smooth communication, and keep a close eye on their activities."

"Yes!" the person on the other end replied.

After hanging up the phone, Mr. Dong left his office and went to the large conference room next door, where a life-size sand table was built, displaying a model of the World One Tower.

Once this skyscraper is completed, the Dong Group will undoubtedly achieve even greater success, perhaps even take off. (End of Chapter)