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Chapter 314 Losing Both Wife and Army

When Google's presentation came to a close, the entire tech world seemed to be struck by a high-energy thunderbolt. Almost everyone was thoroughly amazed by Google's research and development creativity, which seemed to have a god-like perspective.

From the day Microsoft suddenly announced that it would bundle MSN software with the Windows system, attempting to undermine Google's dominance, it has been less than ten days.

But Google turned those ten days into a technological comeback, not only accurately seizing the loopholes in Microsoft's bundling strategy and coming up with a solution that can be described as a stroke of genius, but also developing the corresponding product and showcasing it at the launch event.

The smooth operation and thoughtful features drew enthusiastic applause from the audience.

This idea was so ingenious that it was breathtaking, and the speed of its development was so astonishing that it made people question their existence. It not only left its peers in Silicon Valley speechless, but also amazed the entire United States.

Major media outlets on the website worked overtime overnight to produce articles, with each headline more exaggerated than the last.

Ten Days! Google's Magnificent Transformation from Crisis Response to Trendsetting

Microsoft's bundling strategy fails; Google demonstrates what true disruptive power looks like.

However, while some are happy, others are sad. In that sprawling, palatial mansion in Washington, the atmosphere is now comparable to that of a haunted house. The cold and oppressive atmosphere is more chilling than an ice cellar in the dead of winter.

The mansion was packed with Microsoft executives and staff, yet the huge house was so quiet you could hear a pin drop. No one dared to make the slightest sound, and everyone subconsciously held their breath low, afraid that if they made even the slightest noise, they would become the first to be targeted.

The makeshift office, though separated from Bill Gates' living room by two entire floors and where no sound could travel, still kept everyone inside sitting quietly in their seats, staring blankly at their computer screens, as if under a spell, resembling a group of meticulously crafted works of art sculptures.

Some people's bladders were about to burst, but they gritted their teeth and dared not get up, their hands tightly gripping their pants, afraid that if Bill Gates heard the noise of flushing the toilet, he would pack his bags and leave.

Looking into the living room, the live broadcast of Google's press conference had long since ended, and the TV screen had switched to a news program. The anchor was enthusiastically analyzing the impact of Google's new products on the technology industry, occasionally mentioning that Microsoft's strategy had suffered a Waterloo, and the sarcastic tone in his words could be clearly felt even through the screen.

Malcolm felt like he was about to suffocate under the oppressive atmosphere. He was a senior executive at Microsoft and had worked with Bill Gates for more than a decade. He had seen all kinds of storms.

But today, Bill Gates's face was the worst he had ever seen. His ashen face looked as if ink could drip from it, and the coldness in his eyes was enough to freeze a person into an ice sculpture.

Malcolm could no longer bear the unease. He cautiously raised his eyes, quickly glancing at the icy-faced Bill Gates, and asked in a voice barely audible, "Should our previously agreed-upon binding plan continue?"

As soon as he finished speaking, he felt a gaze as sharp as that of death itself.

That was Bill Gates's gaze—cold, sharp, and filled with intense anger, as if it could pierce right through him.

Malcolm's heart skipped a beat, and he instinctively shrank back. If eyes could see, he felt his anus would probably rot.

"Do you think it still makes sense?" Bill Gates finally spoke, his voice as cold as an ice cube just pulled from the Arctic Circle, each word carrying a chilling edge, but Malcolm still keenly detected a slight tremor in his voice.

The trembling wasn't from fear, but entirely from anger—the indignation of having a carefully planned scheme easily foiled, the frustration of having one's advantage overtaken by the opponent.

Bill Gates took a deep breath, trying to stay calm. After all, now was not the time to lose his temper; he needed to quickly find a way to salvage the situation.

"There are two things to do now. First, immediately unbind MSN from the PC version, and in this matter, we must try our best to remove Microsoft from the picture, so that public opinion doesn't turn against us."

Malcolm nodded quickly, feeling a little relieved. It seemed that Bill Gates had finally regained his senses and hadn't been blinded by anger.

He knew very well that continuing to use bundling tactics to attack Google was pointless and would only put Microsoft in a more passive position.

Although Microsoft is powerful enough to compete with any company in the world, it cannot afford to be an enemy of all companies in the world.

If Microsoft offends other tech companies because of this bundling issue, it will be impossible for Microsoft to survive in the industry in the future.

"This is easy to handle," Malcolm said quickly, his tone more relaxed than before. "We can issue a statement firmly denying unfair competition through bundled sales. Just like you said before, we'll emphasize that MSN is merely an embedded program in the Windows system, and the reason it was bundled before was to provide users with more convenient services."

"If the regulatory authorities believe that this constitutes a monopoly, we are willing to actively cooperate in making rectifications. This will also earn us a good impression from the public and judges, which will be of great help in subsequent judgments and in dealing with the patent infringement case brought against us by Google."

When the patent infringement case was mentioned, Bill Gates's face darkened again. He asked reluctantly, "What about this lawsuit? Are we really helpless? Are we just supposed to watch Google sue us and pay us a huge sum of money?"

Malcolm felt a little helpless looking at Bill Gates's unwilling eyes.

He knew that this patent infringement case was not just a matter of money for Bill Gates, but also a matter of face; it was simply the greatest humiliation Bill Gates had ever suffered in his life.

The carefully planned bundling strategy was easily countered by the other party. Not only did it fail to suppress Google, it also spurred new business developments for Google, making Google more popular in the market.

Microsoft, on the other hand, not only has to admit its failure and untie the partnership, but also faces huge compensation. It's like losing both its reputation and its money. Who would be willing to accept that?

"To be honest, it's difficult," Malcolm said in a heavy tone. He wanted to give Bill Gates hope, an answer he longed for, but reality was cruel and allowed no falsehood.

"The other party's evidence is very strong. Our previous actions of bundling together do indeed constitute an infringement. The possibility of winning this case completely is extremely slim."

"However, by untying MSN from Windows, we can use this as a reason to separate MSN completely from Windows. In this way, the amount of compensation for infringement can be greatly reduced, which can also reduce some losses."

Bill Gates didn't say anything. What the hell do I care about? What I care about is whether that money will end up in Ernst's pocket.

Silence fell in the room again, as if the air had frozen.

However, this time, before Malcolm could break the silence, Bill Gates spoke up again, saying, "The second thing is for you to immediately pass on the word that we need to hold an emergency high-level meeting tomorrow morning. Microsoft must have its own software download store, just like the one Google launched this time."

Not to mention Bill Gates, even Malcolm recognized the importance of software download marketplaces.

Users are increasingly reliant on convenient ways to obtain software. When users become accustomed to downloading various software from software stores, whoever controls these stores will control the industry's discourse power.

In the future, whichever software you want to rank at the top will be ranked at the top, and whichever product you want to promote will be seen by more users. This will have a huge impact on Microsoft's future development.

Don't be fooled by Larry Page's nice words at the press conference, saying that Google's software store will not charge users or businesses any fees.

Does that mean this online store is a money-losing business?

On the contrary, the profit potential and future development prospects of this mall are so vast that they are unimaginable.

Once users develop the habit of downloading software from app stores and traffic increases, will Google really have the final say on which software will rank higher?

No, money decides!

The company that pays the most for a booth gets to sit in the front row, get seen by more users, and gain an advantage in market competition. The chain of interests behind this is incredibly long.

"I'll make the arrangements right away to ensure that the high-level meeting tomorrow morning can proceed smoothly."

Bill Gates nodded, said nothing more, and got up to go upstairs.

Malcolm immediately took out his phone and dialed Bill Gates' secretary, telling her to contact the airport and get ready, as he would definitely be flying back to Microsoft headquarters that night.

As soon as the call ended, Malcolm saw Bill Gates' personal secretary rushing downstairs in a panic, her face pale and her eyes filled with terror, as if she had been greatly frightened.

Immediately afterwards, screams, pleas for mercy, and painful wails came from upstairs. The sounds were sharp and pitiful, sending chills down one's spine.

Malcolm glanced at his trembling secretary beside him and asked calmly, "Are you scared?"

The secretary nodded tremblingly, her voice trembling with tears, "Yes—some, it was my first time meeting Mr. Gates—"

Using a dog leash to whip someone is terrifying.

Malcolm listened without showing any discomfort. Everyone needs to vent, especially after experiencing such a big setback. If you keep your emotions bottled up, you'll get sick sooner or later.

When ordinary people encounter unpleasant things, they can only silently endure them. But it's different for important people; they have the ability to find ways to vent their frustrations and won't let themselves be wronged.

Go ahead and hit him, it would be best if you could kill him, anyway, it has nothing to do with him if he dies.

If someone were to die, everyone in this room would receive an exorbitant sum of hush money, and he would undoubtedly be the one to receive the most.

However, he also knew that this was just wishful thinking and could never be realized. Even if an accident did happen, he would never let the deceased die here.

Everyone in the room will see the woman leaving alive.

She won't die at Bill Gates's hands. Even if she's destined to die, she'll die in a hospital, or some crazy person will suddenly appear, stab her, and cause her to die in an accident.

As for why that lunatic appeared and how he got into the hospital, none of that matters.

Importantly, evidence that Bill Gates was the mastermind will be completely overwritten, and the official cause of death will only be a stab wound inflicted by that madman.

Even if the people in this villa try to use this to threaten Bill Gates in the future, it won't work at all. A lawyer can simply ask, "Was the deceased still alive before leaving the villa?" and Bill Gates will be acquitted, since no one can provide evidence that the death occurred in the villa.

While Bill Gates was still venting his anger in his mansion, the earthquake caused by Google's press conference was only just beginning to unfold outside.

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