America's No. 1 financial conglomerate

Chapter 558 A Chess Piece

Jobs had sensed something was off earlier. Jennifer Linley wasn't particularly beautiful; she lacked the stunning features of a Hollywood star, the elegant demeanor of a socialite, and her figure was rather ordinary.

What exactly made this seemingly ordinary woman attract Ernst's attention?

Given Ernst's status at the top of the fame and fortune world, she is surrounded by countless beauties who would flock to her, so why would she watch her live stream?

Now that he was sitting next to Jennifer Linley, he was even more certain of his idea that this woman must hold something Ernst wanted.

Or rather, she possessed some value that Ernst could see and exploit.

Live broadcast.

The word flashed through Steve Jobs' mind like lightning.

The only thing he would be interested in is live streaming, which is closely related to the internet.

But this conjecture raised new questions for him. With Ernst's financial resources, he could easily build his own platform from scratch if he wanted to.

The other party's live stream was barely a makeshift operation, yet he had gathered all sorts of top talent and technology. Why go through all that trouble?

Then there's only one possibility: he doesn't want to enter this industry right now and needs to use Jennifer Linley to help him solve some problems. Ernst isn't here and doesn't know about Jobs' analysis; otherwise, he would be quite surprised.

Because what Steve Jobs thought was exactly the same as his plan.

The atmosphere in the lounge became strange the moment Ernst took his first steps toward Jennifer Linley.

The guests, who were originally scattered in various areas, all had their eyes drawn to that direction, focusing on Ernst and Jennifer Linley.

Curiosity, doubt, and inquiry alternated on everyone's faces, and whispers spread quietly like a fine spider web throughout the lounge.

Why?

This is the question on everyone's mind right now.

"Could Ernst have taken a liking to that woman?"

In an inconspicuous corner, two men in suits, exuding an air of importance, were talking in hushed tones, their voices filled with disbelief.

One of them raised an eyebrow slightly, his gaze sweeping over Jennifer Linley's entire body, his eyes filled with obvious disdain.

"That's impossible!" another person immediately retorted. "There are countless beauties in Hollywood, and the daughters of various wealthy families would not refuse his advances. With his status and position, how could he be so indifferent as to take a fancy to such an ordinary woman?"

"You just don't understand." The man who spoke first chuckled. "Sometimes, after eating too much delicacies, you inevitably get tired of them. Occasionally, you might want to try some leftovers for something new." The other person still didn't believe him because, in his eyes, Jennifer Linley wasn't even leftovers; at most, she was just a bowl of spoiled rice, not even worthy of being used as an appetizer.

money.

The other party made a lot of money, but in the eyes of these people, it was just a drop in the ocean, let alone Ernst, a top tycoon who controlled a vast business empire.

appearance.

Even if it's leftovers, someone like Ernst would choose raw seafood.

Who is Jennifer Linley?

Is it pig feed?

What a shock this must have been! Ernst could have taken a fancy to this woman and gone up to her in front of everyone, wanting to sleep with her.

But what value does such a woman have for Ernst, besides being someone he can sleep with?

Not only him, but many people couldn't understand it.

However, two voices simultaneously arose in my mind.

One voice told me that Ernst couldn't possibly want to sleep with her. But another voice told me, what value did this woman have besides being slept with?

Not to mention these bystanders, even Jennifer Linley herself shared this thought.

When she saw Ernst slowly walking towards her, her heart began to pound uncontrollably, as if trying to break free from the confines of her chest.

She subconsciously straightened her clothes, her fingertips trembling slightly, her mind a complete mess.

"Is he interested in me?" Jennifer Linley couldn't help but ask herself.

Is this what they call love at first sight?

But she already had Paul, who was very strong, and she was very satisfied.

Although Ernst was young and handsome, the dream partner of countless women, he was a playboy. In recent years, he had become addicted to alcohol and women, which may have drained his body.

What should I do?

If Ernst really wants to get to know me, or even pursue me, should I give him a chance?

Once this idea pops into your head, it grows wildly like weeds.

Jennifer Linley couldn't deny the deadly allure of becoming Ernst's wife. Marrying him meant not only a life of luxury, but also endless wealth and glory for her descendants.

Those who now look down on her and disdain her will one day beg for her favor.

Everyone fawned over her like lapdogs, just to get a sliver of Ernst's attention from her.

But what about Paul?

Jennifer Linley was torn by a fierce internal struggle.

How about... you talk to Paul and ask him to be your lover?

Can I compensate him materially? A house, a car, money—all these things will be readily available if I marry Ernst.

Just as Jennifer Linley's thoughts were racing and getting increasingly absurd, Ernst had already walked up to her.

He stopped, a perfectly measured gentlemanly smile appearing on his face. His eyes were gentle, yet they carried an indescribable aura.

Jennifer Linley felt her mind go blank with a "buzz".

Is he going to propose to me right here?

"Can I sit here?" Ernst's voice came clearly, shattering Jennifer Linley's illusion. "I'm sorry, I haven't decided yet." The words almost came out of her mouth, and she was stunned after saying them.

Ernst was also visibly taken aback, clearly not expecting such a response.

Fortunately, Jennifer Linley reacted quickly, realizing her blunder, and hurriedly tried to salvage the situation, saying, "I mean, please sit wherever you like, of course."

Ernst nodded to thank her, then slowly sat down, looked at her calmly, and said, "I've watched your live stream."

Upon hearing this, Jennifer Linley's expression instantly turned somewhat flustered, and her eyes began to dart away.

Did he see Paul too? How am I supposed to explain this?

"Very good," Ernst's voice rang out again.

Was he praising me?

Yes, he must really admire me, otherwise why would he approach me?

Have you thought about your future life plans?

Oh no, am I really going to confess my feelings?

They're all asking me about my life plans. How am I supposed to answer that?

She can pause her career and become a full-time housewife.

"I'd like to invest in you. What are your thoughts?"

"Okay." Jennifer Linley blurted out almost instinctively, then realized what she meant and couldn't help but ask in confusion, "Huh? Invest in me?"

Why is this different from what I expected?

Shouldn't it be proposing to oneself or expressing love?

How did it suddenly turn into an investment?

Ernst, unaware of Jennifer Linley's inner turmoil, nodded and confirmed, "That's right, I'll invest in you."

He paused, then continued, "I can help you set up a professional live streaming company, and I'll give you full technical support. You can not only continue your live streaming career, but also recruit more promising streamers to join you and scale up the company's operations."

That was his purpose in approaching this woman: to explore the influencer livestreaming industry.

Social media platforms like YouTube will inevitably emerge a few years earlier due to their own circumstances, at which point the influencer economy will begin to develop. By investing in Jennifer Linley's company, one can accumulate talent and experience.

Another point is equipment. Jennifer Linley's need to build a live streaming company provides a perfect opportunity for iTech to enter the related equipment field. Finally, and most importantly, it's a test of Western social consciousness.

Westerners value personal privacy, and the live streaming industry is precisely the biggest violation of personal privacy.

Digital self-disclosure, cyberspying, and the boundaries between public and private spaces have already had a significant impact on society because of Jennifer Linley.

Ernst wants to expand the scope of this influence and make these topics a hot topic for the whole nation.

The ultimate goal is simple: to advance the legal process for subsequent social media privacy policies, content guidelines, and platform review mechanisms, and to shape the entire regulatory system.

With the rise of the live-streaming economy, various complaints and lawsuits are bound to follow.

What do online celebrities rely on to attract attention?

Pornography is the simplest and most direct.

None of the original live streamers were able to escape.

Just because you're in the US doesn't mean you can endlessly push the boundaries. US law has very strong regulations on this.

Just look at the movie ratings; R-rated movies are off-limits to minors.

It's not that cinemas don't want to make money, but the consequences of being reported are too great. The same applies to live streaming, and it's even more problematic because it allows minors unrestricted access to these content.

Jennifer Linley is Ernst's scapegoat; if things go well, his investment can be profitable.

She might be the one who gets into trouble.

Her role was to promote the standardization of the entire live streaming platform, laying the foundation for her future entry into the industry.

"Start a company?" Jennifer Linley hadn't expected that the other party didn't want to marry her, but rather wanted to invest in her.

But this is good too, at least we don't have to worry about Paul anymore.

"That's right, you can start a professional live streaming company. I'll invest one million in you, taking a 49% stake, making you the major shareholder."

Jennifer Linley's heart started pounding again. A million dollars! She'd been streaming for two years and hadn't even made two hundred thousand dollars.

The live streaming website she created is all free to watch; her only income comes from accepting gigs and appearance fees from TV stations.

They've earned quite a bit; over the years, they've accumulated a total of three to four hundred thousand US dollars.

However, with high earnings come high expenses, and my savings are only a little over 100,000 yuan now.

Suddenly, a million dollars fell into her lap—how ​​could Jennifer Linley not be tempted? And she believed this wasn't the end, but merely the beginning.

I'm sure there are investment companies that Ernst has invested in that company that would be willing to put their money in, right?

"Can I? You're really willing to invest in me?" She was somewhat incredulous.

"Why not?" Ernst shrugged and gave the other person an encouraging look.

"I think you could rent an office space first, and then hire some pretty and hardworking female anchors."

"As for your live streaming website, it could also be improved..."

Ernst spoke to him at length and offered some suggestions.

Jennifer Linley was stunned. She wanted to ask, "Who's the anchor between us? It seems like you know more about this than I do."

Because she was sitting in a very secluded spot, and other people didn't want to get involved with her, they all stayed away from her area from the very beginning.

As a result, no one else could hear their conversation; they just seemed to be having a very lively chat.

Larry Ellison, who had just arrived at Jobs's spot, walked up to him and whispered, "What's going on? Is this Ernst's new love interest?"

Jobs rolled his eyes and said speechlessly, "I heard he's going to propose to her later." Larry Ellison stared wide-eyed in shock, looking at Jobs, then at Jennifer Linley and Ernst.

He didn't recognize Jennifer Linley and thought she was a young lady from some wealthy family.

"No way?" Larry Ellison's voice rose a few decibels, then he quickly lowered it again. "Given his current status and position, even if it were a business marriage, he wouldn't choose such a... mediocre woman, would he?"

Larry Ellison glanced at Jennifer Linley again, his face twitching slightly. "At least find someone you can bring yourself to kiss, right?"

"Did you get a shock?"

"That shouldn't be the case," Larry Ellison shook his head in denial. "What could have possibly upset him so much?"

"China Telecom?" That was the only thing he could think of. "It can't be that bad, can it? What's that little bit of business to him?"

"Whose woman is this?"

Before Jobs could answer, he answered his own question, "It doesn't matter whose woman she is. If he marries her, as a friend, I'll be laughed at every time I go out."

Larry Ellison kept talking to himself, and Jobs put down his knife and fork, looking at him with eyes full of affection.

What kind of intelligence is that? Doesn't he have a brain at all?

Which big family is so stupid as to send someone like this to contact Ernst? Seeing that the other party was still rambling on and on, still in his familiar chatterbox manner, Jobs shook his head and said, "No wonder Ernst said you eat cake when you give birth."

"What do you mean?" Larry Ellison looked at him blankly.

"His mouth never stops."