章 497: cautious.
July 7.
"Incomprehensible," were the words Monica used when speaking to Billy, saying these moments were the most important in the history of cinema. The way she spoke, Monica only wished he would be with her, to take her as his lover, his woman, his wife. She wanted to be loved in the same way he longed for the peace of continuing his days as they always had, without focusing too much on events beyond Billy's control or reach.
–Honey, I see you're busy, but try not to go overboard. It's good to rest. Go for a massage, exercise, and be careful with women—use protection. – Monica murmured the last part. She knew he had a lover; it was so obvious. But that didn't matter. Over time, she had learned to deduce the details, his nervous words. He was an open book, but he spoke no more, only dedicating himself to caring for her, showering her with gifts, and seeking her company—at least most of the time.
–I can leave, but not too far, honey. However, Anne has everything arranged. I organized the documents for your trip with her. Take care, and I hope you come back as soon as possible. – Billy commented over the phone. He was somewhat eager to see her—Monica, as beautiful as ever, with her deep black eyes. Eyes that always seemed on the verge of breaking into sadness when she fell silent. Two perfect eyes to pamper. They were dark and open, a gaze made of enchantment, a secret charm marveling in its shy, feminine way of observing: the way a woman looks, with a sensitivity made for love, every lash fluttering with pure curiosity, capable of captivating anyone.
–I'm afraid we're having a great time here without you. – Monica replied. The best hotels, the finest food, a day with no schedules, and nothing but rest. Living like that wasn't bad. After much work, five days of rest were enough for Anne to function like clockwork again. But by the eighth day, she surrendered to sleeping in, taking long naps, resting as much as possible, eating in bed, and indulging in lengthy bubble baths that brought her the relaxation she needed.
–I have to hang up; I need to attend a meeting. – The man responded, stretching in the back seat of the car. He was in Seattle, where all the Microsoft magic happened. For now, he has had a long discussion with the executives about Microsoft Games. After his success with The English Patient and the potential release of Toy Story, success seemed to follow him like a shadow.
–I hope you surprise me here in Italy. If you manage to do so, I might consider that thing you once asked for. Even if you deny it, I know you want to see me completely under your control. It's a masculine impulse, seeing me undone, tied, and ready for you. – Monica teased, her Italian accent provocatively stirring a feeling of excitement in Billy.
She laughed and hung up the phone, leaving behind the thought that trying new things might not be entirely bad. But she doubted it would be as expected—things tended to lose their charm when faced directly.
Raimon took his time, carving out space to enjoy the new Star Wars sagas while strengthening his patience. Meanwhile, he played with investments and acquired properties in Billy's name, later scaling them for rental arrangements.
–So now you finally have work to do. – Rachel commented snidely to Raimon, irritated by his strutting through the halls as if he could do whatever he pleased.
–I'm the most productive in the company. Did you see my success in the video game division? I did my job flawlessly; I might as well call myself the best. I multiplied revenue, negotiated contracts, and expanded the hotel chain by two new properties. Plus, I increased production lines for trading card companies. – Raimon said, brimming with self-satisfaction.
Rachel slapped him on the back and walked on. –Big words. I stabilized those companies, reviewed the accounts, and adjusted contracts to our advantage—things others couldn't do. My skills are what stabilized the company. –
–Anne's skills. –
–You're insufferable. – Rachel shouted, storming off to her desk, completely out of patience. The company was in full swing now that Anne had left her position. Everyone was regrouping—new operators, new employees, new divisions for every enterprise. The strategy from the start was different: create a rapid chain of companies, a parent company to handle administration, and another company on top of that to manage control. That's what they had done. The next step was acquiring a legal and accounting firm, buying 39% of it, and dedicating it solely to handling their business.
It was an initiative from both Raimon and Rachel, for similar yet differing reasons. They wanted better fiscal control. The firm would organize the company's resources theoretically, while the treasury wouldn't move funds without the firm's approval and the directors' consent.
***
With Microsoft Games, things were going exceptionally well, thanks to Steve's friendship with Bill Gates. At least on paper, Apple had managed to balance its books and produce the microchips needed for gaming consoles.
–Mr. Carson, we've been expecting you. – Braim Chard, Microsoft's Vice President, greeted Billy. Alongside COO John Frotman, he would handle the finer details regarding Microsoft Games, which was a massive enterprise.
–A pleasure. – Billy replied, having read through all the contracts and identified potential loopholes beforehand. At least two were evident: issues with investment management and patent utilization. But both could be leveraged to his advantage.
–So, we're deciding the company's future in this meeting. – Billy joked, causing a faint smirk. They didn't enjoy dealing with the owner; they preferred Anne, who was more reasonable. This one was more like a guard dog.
–I suppose your accountants have already approved the financial statements and adjustments. – Braim said.
–They have. As I promised, the investment will be $300 million. – Billy replied, tapping his fingers against the glass.
–Wait, that's not what we asked for. –
–It is. You said you needed funds to address specific issues. My accountants identified the problems from multiple angles. For example, I addressed game controller development, graphic processors, connectivity systems, and technological delays all. Now, I believe the amount is $300 million, distributed accordingly. – Billy explained. Microsoft had used the funds to enhance processors, CPUs, and software cores but had neglected the rest. Billy simply amplified and financed the remainder.
–We thought you were hesitant about the patents. – Braim noted.
–We are, but this business is worth it. I'll ensure further deposits by year-end. – Billy responded, aiming to double his equity stake. After all, he only needed the contacts and machinery—the rest was about injecting capital to adjust things to his benefit.
–Let's finalize the details. – Braim suggested.
Billy didn't mind taking on debt for something as significant as dominating the video game market. Technology would propel his company to greater heights. His recent successes in movies and series were merely the icing on the cake.
To summarize: Star Wars, The Musician, and The English Patient have been his recent triumphs. Meanwhile, he anticipated the success of Toy Story 2, confident it would allow him to keep playing for another year.
...
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