American History 1988
Chapter 281 - 271: What Bad Intentions Could He Possibly Have?

Chapter 281: Chapter 271: What Bad Intentions Could He Possibly Have?

When Dean and Durell had just arrived at the airport in Arlington, Virginia, the headquarters of AOL also welcomed a special guest.

"Mr. Case, it’s a pleasure to meet you."

"Hello, Mr. Gates."

Steve Case and Bill Gates had completed their first meeting with each other, which seemed rather ordinary.

On the eve of AOL’s impending IPO, the CEO of Microsoft visited AOL’s headquarters.

This issue was intriguing, and Steve Case felt that unusual tension.

Had it not been for the strong recommendation of Ross Higerman, Steve Case might have declined to meet this man from Seattle.

It was also thanks to Higerman’s persuasion that Bill Gates had come to the East Coast.

The founders of the two companies had no previous acquaintance, and their first meeting did not spark any bursts of insight.

Steve Case was indifferent to the man ranked second on the Forbes list, and Gates was not particularly interested in a small AOL.

So how did the two parties come together? Of course, it was inseparable from the mediation of the middleman, Ross Higerman.

Ross Hileman was the head of Microsoft’s network services department and, as an insider, he had been paying attention to AOL for a long time.

Online content service was also a part of Microsoft’s future plans, and Ross Hileman was responsible for this sector.

He believed that if Microsoft could collaborate with AOL, it would greatly accelerate their deployment in the field of internet services.

Now that AOL had begun its IPO plans, Hileman knew he could not delay any longer.

Thus, he made a call to Steve Case, whom he had once been classmates with.

Because of this connection, and Hileman’s persuasion, Steve Case agreed to meet with Gates.

He was aware of the latter’s reputation, but felt some apprehension.

Especially since Dean had personally experienced those events, and they had chatted about them together.

After much exposure, it was natural for Steve Case to have a less than favorable impression of Gates.

And Gates? He was only 37, still young, his sharpness not yet mellowed.

Looking down on AOL, he always placed himself above and looked down upon them.

Therefore, their first meeting was fraught with a delicate atmosphere.

There was no regret of meeting late, nor any pleasant exchange, but rather... awkwardness or prejudice?

Ross Hileman noticed this and quickly tried to smooth things over.

"Congratulations, Steve, AOL is doing extremely well."

"Thank you," said Steve Case, shifting his gaze away from Gates.

"As I mentioned earlier..." Hileman gesticulated with his hands, "Microsoft hopes to collaborate with AOL on online content."

"Of course, I’m happy to. So..." Steve Case started to lay out his terms, "Can Microsoft integrate AOL’s client on the Windows desktop?"

Over 90% of home computers had Windows installed, and integrating the AOL client onto the system desktop would undoubtedly bring massive traffic to AOL. When people wanted to go online, they would certainly open AOL’s client first.

This was the terrifying platform effect of the Windows operating system. Anyone could imagine what would happen once AOL became pre-installed software.

Users would let down their guard without hesitation, thinking it was official Microsoft software, and choose it first when needed.

Steve Case understood this, "As long as AOL can become one of the pre-installed software, we can pay a certain fee."

Ross Hileman looked troubled; this wasn’t the kind of collaboration he meant. Instead...

"If AOL becomes a part of Microsoft, then I wouldn’t mind doing as you request," said Gates with his characteristic sharpness, cutting to the chase.

"What?" Steve Case, caught off-guard, was stunned by Gates’s demand.

"Listen, Case!" Gates didn’t want to waste any more time.

"I can buy 20% of your shares, all of them, or I could enter this industry and run you into the ground!"

Steve Case looked at Ross Hileman, then back at Bill Gates, and then began to laugh.

"AOL is not for sale! And it would certainly not be to a Seattle buccaneer," he said fearlessly.

Swipe! Gates stood up abruptly and then left Steve Case’s office without looking back.

The middleman, Ross Hileman, wanted to say something but ultimately followed Gates out of the office without a word.

Steve Case scoffed as he watched their retreating figures. Dean was right; the buccaneers from Seattle never understood what respect meant.

Their idea of collaboration was not mutual benefit but simply to swallow up AOL.

Oh~God, didn’t they realize AOL was about to go public?

The arrogance of Microsoft left a deep impression on Steve Case.

They were greedy, they looked down on everyone, they would barge into your home, and then try to take your most valuable assets without your consent.

Microsoft’s omnipresence was extending its tentacles into every corner of the internet industry.

"Ross, once you get back, write up a business plan immediately. Microsoft will drive AOL out of the online content field!"

Gates had made up his mind; he was going to defeat that ungrateful guy.

No one could question Microsoft’s decisions, nor could anyone stop its progress.

"Bill, I’ve already prepared the business plan. I will submit it to your desk tomorrow."

The prospect of potentially losing a friendship did not deter Ross Hileman, for he had gained something as well.

Online content service was always Ross Hileman’s prime initiative, which Gates had not authorized before.

But today’s events, no doubt, helped Gates make up his mind, which was good for Hileman.

See, with a new project, he could expand his department, and there would be more bonuses.

The two who left empty-handed just walked out of the AOL company’s door, and then unexpectedly ran into an unforeseen visitor.

"Bill! My goodness, I didn’t expect to see you here."

Just a brief moment of surprise, and Dean enthusiastically opened his arms.

"Dean, you’re simply everywhere!" Gates’ smile was somewhat forced, his open arms clearly reluctant.

"That’s exactly what I was about to say to you," Dean caught the unwilling Gates and then gave him a hearty hug.

"To be honest, even if I saw you at the White House next time, I wouldn’t be surprised anymore."

"I’m not interested in politics. Besides, why does Byte Company always get in front of Microsoft?"

The two men, embracing each other, exchanged these amiable greetings by each other’s ears.

"It’s not that Byte Company gets in front of Microsoft every time; it’s that you try to monopolize the entire IT industry.

We are just doing business as usual, yet you point at those businesses that have nothing to do with Microsoft and say, ’Hey! This is my turf, now get out immediately!’"

"Microsoft is just developing according to its own plans. I just wonder why our business overlap is so high?"

While saying this, Gates glanced at the AOL sign behind him, the implication clear.

His gesture made Dean burst into laughter, "Maybe you should discuss this issue with Cook and their team. I think Intuit will have the same questions for you."

Where did Microsoft money come from? Surely it’s not a coincidence that just when Quicken began to make money, Microsoft suddenly claimed, "Oops, we just happen to have a similar plan," right?

The timing of this plan seems a bit too convenient. Why wasn’t it launched when Intuit was founded?

Dean’s retorts left Gates speechless and also exceptionally angry.

Because from Gates’ perspective, it was Dean flaunting his own victories.

The war between Microsoft money and Quicken had just passed, and the latter’s series of cunning maneuvers had once put Microsoft in a state of disarray.

After a two-month intense price war, Microsoft had abandoned such a harmful approach.

Yes, there’s almost no promotion for Microsoft money now.

The previously overwhelming advertising had quietly disappeared.

Because Microsoft realized that after spending a significant amount of human resources and time, it had hardly taken any customers from Intuit.

The incremental market was simply not enough for Microsoft to recuperate its massive cost investments; continuing would just be throwing money away.

The rational Gates and the board of directors eventually decided to delay further investment in Microsoft money, and things got back on track.

So now, Dean’s comments were like rubbing salt in Gates’ wounds.

"Dean..."

"Oh, by the way," Dean casually interrupted him, "I’ve been a shareholder of AOL for two years now."

Dean patted Gates on the shoulder and then entered AOL’s company doors with Durell in tow.

Why phrase it as ’dragging’? Because to Durell, Gates was an enemy whose mere sight was infuriating.

No, perhaps for Gates, Durell hadn’t left much of an impression.

Because Go Company had barely made a splash before Microsoft harassed it into submission.

But Durell hadn’t forgotten that grudge; if not for Dean holding him back, he might have gone up to give Gates a piece of his mind.

However, Dean’s recent exchange with Gates also gave Durell quite a thrill.

"Dean, Gates must be seething right now, haha~"

"Why?" Dean shrugged innocently.

"Because you just brought up Intuit, the only company that has recently made Microsoft eat humble pie."

Alright, Dean had not thought of that angle, and hopefully, our Mr. Price wouldn’t take that trivial matter too seriously.

He was just giving an example off the top of his head; what bad intentions could he have?

"Hey, Dean, guess who just visited my office?"

As the group just met, Steve Case couldn’t wait to share what had happened half an hour earlier.

"We’ve already had a cordial greeting with them at the door," Durell winked at Case.

"Oh~" Steve Case opened his mouth in surprise.

"Alright, let’s talk about AOL’s listing. Gentlemen, I can hardly wait."

Compared to the Seattle pirates, Nasdaq was certainly more attractive to Dean.

...

The planned listing date for AOL was at the end of July, and by then Steve Case had already completed roadshows in several major cities.

To support AOL, Dean had even been a guest at the Los Angeles roadshow.

After all, on the West Coast, his name was also a hugely respected brand.

No, more accurately, in the whole of America, the name Dean Price carried a legendary aura.

Now, as Dean once again appeared in Nasdaq Square, he immediately attracted a flurry of camera flashes.

"Mr. Price, do you think AOL will achieve the same success as Byte Company?"

Facing a forest of microphones from reporters, Dean’s face broke into an exaggerated smile.

"Oh~, I believe AOL is doing a great thing; it’s leading thousands of people to learn to enjoy the rich diversity of the internet.

AOL’s success is inevitable, and I have confidence in it. Everyone needs the internet, and everyone can’t live without the internet!"

Dean shouted the slogan and then tugged at the T-shirt he wore, emblazoned with the AOL logo and stock symbol.

His exuberant expression was as though he himself was the founder of AOL.

"Mr. Price, I’ve heard you’ve also invested in AOL, so do you think this will be a successful investment?"

"Of course! The fact that AOL can stand here today has already proved it."

"Would you care to disclose how much you invested? What kind of returns are you expecting?"

"You’ll all know soon enough," Dean winked at them, "No one understands the internet better than I do!"