American History 1988
Chapter 279 - 269: Making a Move Later_2

Chapter 279: Chapter 269: Making a Move Later_2

No one wants to put their fate in the hands of someone who can determine their life or death at any moment.

When that happens, everyone will desperately look for an alternative.

And that’s when companies like IBM and Apple will seize the opportunity, having previously missed the perfect chance to monopolize the operating system market.

It wasn’t because they lacked research and development capabilities, they simply lacked foresight.

Given another chance, do you guess what these companies would choose?

Unfortunately, Gates is a smart man; he would never make such a foolish mistake.

Operating systems are the core business of Microsoft. Throughout the decades of its growth, there have been more than one company that entered intense competition with it.

But Microsoft has never tampered with its rivals at the operating system level, because it knows that is a no-go zone.

Microsoft Money and Quicken are about application software versus application software.

Microsoft could retaliate equivalently, but such competitive means must stay within the application software itself.

Otherwise, Dean would hardly wait to jump out and declare that Byte Company will be developing a graphical operating system.

Of course, this kind of thing is just wishful thinking; although Gates is arrogant, his business acumen is unrivaled.

He wouldn’t even consider such a thing unless Microsoft wanted to be broken up into pieces.

Don’t forget, since 1991, Microsoft has been entangled in antitrust cases. Is it because they’re afraid the Federal Trade Commission won’t find enough evidence?

It’s not worth it for a mere financial software, but Gates is very displeased with the feeling of being suppressed.

What’s more annoying is that he doesn’t have a good solution for the moment, because Microsoft Money’s retaliation is nothing serious to Intuit.

Gates is the one with a headache, while Cook is the one feeling good.

The aggressive Microsoft has been causing Cook to lose sleep for a long time.

Of course, Cook knows who he relies on for being able to hold his head high, and aside from Dean, who else could think of those unpredictable tactics?

"Dean, I have a feeling that Microsoft’s price war won’t last much longer?"

"Coincidentally, I have the same thought," Dean said, and both of them laughed.

"Alright, I have other matters to attend to, let’s chat another time." Dean glanced around the surroundings; this place was very nice.

The mountain was densely wooded, lush and green, and there were even houses that predated the Revolutionary War.

Many large houses couldn’t be seen from the highway. This estate was huge, spanning nearly 100 acres.

The villa Dean and the others were looking at was at the very back of the estate. Guests would drive along a maze-like driveway after entering the main gate, sometimes even getting lost.

When they walked into the villa area, they all instinctively held their breath.

Behind a courtyard paved with pebbles stood a towering Georgian-style mansion.

"Its previous owner was once the biggest rancher here in California. Ahead is a garden with many Greek statues,"

Subi’s Mark led the way eagerly, the arrangement of the garden was very orderly, and Jennifer liked it very much.

"Opposite the garden is a sports field, with a large indoor swimming pool on one side and a sunken indoor squash court on the other.

Further back, there’s a tennis court with a transparent dome that can be inflated during winter to become an indoor court."

Although Mark had been here more than once, every time he introduced the place, his face always wore the same expression of admiration.

"By the way, this isn’t the only sports field here; we will see another one later.

But for now, let’s take a look at this house," Mark bowed and gestured for Dean and Jennifer to walk in front.

"Oh my God, Dean, I’ve never seen such a large estate; isn’t it too big?"

The more places Jennifer Connelly visited, the more she was filled with awe.

Dean had only told her they were visiting a house in San Francisco, but he hadn’t mentioned it would be such a gigantic estate.

"We’re not in the wrong place, dear. This is what I want," Dean said, looking around with satisfaction.

The rooms here were quaint and elegant, with beautiful wallpaper adorning the walls and rare Auby pine carpets underfoot.

And those classic pieces of furniture looked anything but cheap.

"Mr. Price, the only house in California worthy of you is this one," Mark was attentive and always by Dean’s side.

He had postponed all his appointments for the day just to serve Dean alone.

The reason it was said to be last-minute was because Mark only received a call from Dean that morning.

The latter told him he wanted to buy a larger estate and asked Mark if he had any suitable recommendations.

As soon as Mark learned that the call was from Dean, he agreed without a second thought and then frantically searched his mind for the right resources.

After setting a time with each other, Mark headed straight to his boss’s office as soon as the call ended.

He only had some ordinary villas in his possession; estates of a higher caliber were something that, if anyone had, would of course be his Boss.

The final result was as he expected, his Boss had brought out one of Subi’s prized estate properties.

This was one of the wealthiest individuals in California; Subi had to provide the highest standard of hospitality.

Even because of the rushed schedule, Subi’s Boss had even lent his Rolls-Royce to Mark.

Then, two hours later, the group arrived at the estate near San Francisco’s Fort Park.

"This place is really nice," Dean stood in front of the carved window sill, gazing at the expansive lawn outside.

"I like the quiet, and when there’s nothing much to do, I can go out and swing a couple of clubs."

"That’s a marvelous idea," Mark said with an exaggerated smile on his face, "You can host grand parties here.

It will certainly become the party everyone in America wants to be invited to, wants to attend. The view here is unparalleled! The Golden Gate Bridge all to yourself!"

Well, Mark’s voice was incredibly seductive. Jennifer’s hand, which was grasping Dean’s arm, even began to tighten.

To her, an outsider, the decorations on the walls all looked like works of art.

And that exaggerated kitchen, it was larger than Jennifer Connelly’s entire home in New York.

Good heavens, was this really a kitchen? Jennifer Connelly felt it could accommodate an entire symphony orchestra.

"Good, how much do I need to pay to own it?" Dean asked, a simple question that immediately sent Mark into raptures.

"Thirty million US dollars, Subi will handle all the procedures for you, just like we’ve cooperated before."

"OK, I can’t wait to throw a party," Dean said, pulling out a pen and extending a hand to Mark.

"Uh..." Mark was slightly slow to react to his sudden gesture.

"Come on, where’s the contract?" Dean tilted his head.

"Sorry, Mr. Price, we came in such a hurry, the contract is still being prepared."

Mark was sweating profusely with anxiety; he hadn’t expected Dean to make the decision on the spot.

A thirty-million-dollar deal seemed to be as simple as buying a cup of coffee in the eyes of the other party.

"Get the paperwork done as soon as possible, I’m heading to the East Coast in a couple of days."

Dean put away his pen, wrapping his arm around Jennifer Connelly’s slim waist, ready to return to Gold Coast.

"I’ll personally bring it to you this afternoon, let’s complete the deal today."

Mark walked ahead quickly to open the door for them, and if possible, he would have knelt down to kiss Dean’s shoes.

A thirty-million-dollar deal, his commission was close to one percent.

Just crunching those numbers made Mark’s blood boil with excitement.

Once out of the villa, Jennifer Connelly seemed to not yet have recovered from the shock of its ultra-luxuriousness.

"Dean, thirty million dollars..."

"It’s a bargain," Dean nodded, "this year is a slump in real estate; next year it won’t be this price."

America was about to experience what’s called the Golden Decade. By then, there would be no worry about selling luxury houses.

Not only in San Francisco, but Dean was also planning to acquire some more properties in Los Angeles and New York.

"No, I mean, does the amount of money give you any pressure?"

Jennifer had almost lost concept of the sum; it was beyond her comprehension.

Seeing her look worried, Dean simply laughed.

"It’s just bank money, all we need to do is enjoy ourselves."

Dean would certainly not use cash on hand to buy the thirty million estates; it was all bank loans.

With his net worth, not to mention a thirty million loan, even several times that amount wouldn’t be a problem.

Dean’s visit to the house was just an incidental plan before leaving.

It was July, and he had received an invitation from Steve Case, preparing to go to Virginia to discuss AOL going public.

(The report on the Microsoft antitrust investigation, for those interested, can be checked on the Justice Department’s official website.)

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