Chapter 167: Human Health
It was a beautiful Saturday.
Normally, Ethan would have slept until noon on a day like this—
Especially after having been thoroughly "worked over" by Max not long ago.
But not today.
Early that morning, Eleanor had already contacted him to discuss several matters regarding the foundation.
The efficiency of a true corporate powerhouse was honestly ridiculous.
In just a few days, she had pushed the project forward to a stage that left Ethan completely astonished.
The registration paperwork was finished.
The government filing process was already underway.
Even the bank accounts had been opened.
According to Ethan's original expectations, something like this should have taken at least two months.
Yet Eleanor seemed to be founding a charitable organization more easily than he'd opened his own clinic.
After briefly updating him on the progress, Eleanor moved straight to the main topic.
"Now we need to finalize the official name."
"The name should reflect both the foundation's scope and purpose."
"I've prepared several options for you."
She handed him a sheet of paper.
The page was packed with names, and several entries had been highlighted in red.
"The ones marked in red are the options I believe are the most suitable," Eleanor explained.
"For your consideration."
Ethan glanced down.
She was right.
The highlighted names sounded considerably better than the rest.
Rayne Human Health Foundation
Rayne Global Charity Foundation
Rayne Medical Development Foundation
Rayne Life Support Foundation
He considered them for only a moment before making his choice.
"The first one."
"Rayne Human Health Foundation."
"It feels the closest to what I imagined this foundation should be."
Eleanor nodded, looking entirely unsurprised.
Then she pulled out another stack of documents.
"Good."
"Then the most important step is finished."
"This contains the official naming paperwork. Give it one final review."
Ethan opened the file.
Official Name: Rayne Human Health Foundation
English Name: Rayne Foundation for Human Health
Abbreviation: Rayne Foundation
He nodded.
He had to admit it—
Having someone competent helping him was incredibly reassuring.
Back when he was opening the clinic, he'd spent days agonizing over a single tagline for the sign outside.
Entire armies of brain cells had perished in that battle.
But then something suddenly occurred to him.
"Wait."
Ethan looked up.
"The bank account is already open?"
"How were you so sure I'd choose this name?"
"What if I'd picked one of the others?"
"Wouldn't all that work have gone to waste?"
Eleanor replied casually,
"I didn't know which one you'd choose."
"So I registered all of them and opened accounts for each one."
Ethan stared at her.
"...Isn't that a waste?"
"How is it a waste?" Eleanor clearly disagreed. "Time is money."
"Preparing several options at once doesn't cost much additional effort."
"And who says we won't use them someday?"
Fair enough.
You're the professional here.
You make the rules.
"Next," Eleanor continued, "we've reached the part that's most important to me."
She pulled out another document.
Across the cover, bold letters read:
Authorization Agreement for the Founder of the Rayne Human Health Foundation
"Since I'm establishing the foundation on your behalf, I'll need full authorization."
"My proposed structure is simple."
"You will serve as Chairman of the Board."
"I will act as the Chairman's Secretary, responsible for the initial setup and day-to-day coordination."
"Secretary?"
Ethan blinked.
"Yes."
She nodded.
"Many large foundations operate this way."
"The founder serves as chairman and stays out of daily operations."
"They provide values, direction, and ultimate accountability."
"It's actually perfect for you."
"You shouldn't waste your time on administrative work."
"In the future, the foundation will need a CEO or Executive Director."
"Someone responsible for media relations, government affairs, and institutional partnerships."
She paused.
"Someone who stands in front of the world."
"And someone better suited to shoulder risk."
"To be investigated."
"To be pressured."
"Or even sacrificed."
"..."
Ethan understood immediately.
So basically, a professional scapegoat.
Meanwhile, Eleanor continued explaining as though she were teaching standard industry practice.
"For the early stages, having only a Chairman and Secretary is entirely reasonable."
"You can publicly state that the foundation is still in its preparation phase, with operational matters delegated to the Secretary."
"Once the organization is fully established, I'll step away."
"It won't affect the foundation's long-term operations."
The structure was clear.
The logic was sound.
After thinking it over, Ethan nodded and signed both copies of the authorization agreement.
"Alright."
Eleanor carefully stored one copy and handed the other back to him.
"Chairman, if you need anything, please contact me at any time."
"From now on, I'll provide weekly progress reports regarding the foundation's development."
The transformation was almost instantaneous.
Even her tone had changed.
Ethan couldn't help looking at her twice.
"What?" Eleanor smiled.
"My secretary speaks to me like this all the time."
"Was the imitation bad?"
"I wouldn't know."
Ethan shook his head.
"I've never had a secretary."
"Still..."
He hesitated.
"It feels a little strange."
"Let's just keep things the way they were."
"There's no need to emphasize titles and roles."
A secretary was just a position.
Not a role-playing exercise.
If you're going to imitate someone, why not go all the way and learn from Monica Lewinsky?
"Fine."
Eleanor immediately returned to her normal speaking voice.
"Then I'll focus on resolving the compliance and regulatory issues between foundation funding and clinic-related medical services as quickly as possible."
After a moment of thought, Ethan pulled out a check he had deliberately brought with him.
"This is a donation I received earlier."
"See if there's a way to process it."
Eleanor looked surprised.
"You already have donors?"
She lowered her eyes to read the name.
"Bobby Axelrod?"
Her brow furrowed slightly before recognition flashed across her face.
"The financial wunderkind who supposedly made a fortune off the aftermath of 9/11?"
She paused.
"You remember the examples I gave earlier about... less-than-ideal situations?"
"Yes."
Ethan nodded.
"I remember."
"But there's got to be a solution, right?"
"This amount of money means almost nothing to him."
"But it could help a lot of people."
Eleanor studied him for a moment.
Then she smiled.
"You're right."
"If I can't solve a problem like this, then what exactly is the point of having me around?"
"No, no."
Ethan waved his hands immediately.
"That's not what I meant."
"If it's truly inappropriate, then forget it."
"I just thought it might be worth trying."
"I understand."
Eleanor nodded.
"Don't worry."
Then she suddenly looked at him with curiosity.
"You know..."
"I've realized something."
"You're genuinely passionate about charity."
"Not in the performative way people usually are."
"Does it have something to do with your ability?"
"Do your powers become stronger the more charitable work you do?"
"...?"
For the first time, Ethan actually considered the question.
Even he didn't know the answer.
Was it his choices that made the Holy Light respond more readily?
Or was it the existence of the Holy Light that made those choices easier to make?
"I... don't think so."
Even he sounded uncertain.
"Maybe not."
Eleanor shrugged.
"But as long as we say it does..."
"Then it does."
She leaned slightly forward.
"Let's suppose there's a situation that goes completely against your personal wishes."
"For example, you're forced to save someone you truly dislike."
"But in return, doing so would allow you to save many more people."
"What would you choose?"
Ethan thought seriously before answering.
"First, I don't refuse treatment."
"Unless the person is an openly declared enemy."
"Second..."
"If compromising part of my principles would genuinely allow more people to survive..."
"I'd be willing to make reasonable concessions."
"But I won't become the kind of saint who has no boundaries."
"No limits."
"No bottom line."
Eleanor nodded.
"I understand."
At that point, the conversation had naturally reached its conclusion.
Ethan stood to leave.
Then he suddenly remembered something and paused.
"Oh, right."
Eleanor looked up.
Ethan's tone was casual, but sincere.
"Eleanor."
She visibly froze.
It was the first time he hadn't called her Miss Harrington.
No title.
No status.
Just her name.
"As for the foundation..."
Ethan continued.
"Don't work yourself too hard."
"And don't rush."
"We've got plenty of time."
"Take it one step at a time."
Eleanor looked at him, surprise flickering briefly across her eyes.
Not because of what he said.
But because almost nobody ever told her that she didn't need to move faster.
She quickly regained her composure and nodded politely.
"I know."
After a brief pause, she added,
"Thank you for your concern."
Ethan smiled.
He didn't say anything else.
With a casual wave, he turned and walked away.
Eleanor remained seated, watching his figure disappear through the doorway.
In the past, the response she usually received would have been:
"Excellent work."
A phrase that told her she was moving in the right direction.
Today, however, she had been told something entirely different.
Don't push yourself so hard.
It's okay to slow down.
On the surface, it sounded almost as though he didn't value everything she'd accomplished over the past few days.
Yet somehow...
The effect was stronger.
More direct.
It reassured her far more than praise ever could.
"What an unreliable boss."
Eleanor lowered her head and continued organizing the documents, unable to stop herself from muttering the complaint.
Yet for some reason, the tight knot that had been sitting in her chest gradually loosened.
A strange warmth quietly filled her thoughts.
Only after a long while, once that unfamiliar feeling finally settled, was she able to fully immerse herself in work once more.
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