227-228

Chapter 227: A Whispered Conspiracy

On the morning of September 10, aboard a private jet parked at San Francisco International Airport’s private tarmac, the golden and luxurious dining room exuded opulence.

The table was set with a sumptuous breakfast, prepared by a high-end culinary team already onboard the aircraft.

Milo’s jet had landed in San Francisco in the early hours, but naturally, Milo wasn’t the type to wake up before he was ready. The massive round Simmons mattress on his jet provided unparalleled comfort, ensuring he could sleep until fully rested.

Shortly after landing, around six in the morning, the standby chef team boarded the plane with premium ingredients, ready to prepare an exquisite breakfast for Milo.

For these top-tier chefs, working for the ultra-wealthy meant more than just delivering delicious and plentiful food—it was about understanding the client’s habits, tastes, and creating a sense of surprise.

Money talks, and in this world, there’s no service money can’t buy.

With no budgetary constraints, the in-flight meal was prepared to Michelin-star standards.

This particular culinary team knew their client was no ordinary nouveau riche who could be dazzled with gold leaf embellishments or stories of rare ingredients.

Milo was the heir to an ancient American aristocratic family whose lineage predated the country itself. He was not someone easily impressed by flashy tricks.

Thus, the chefs put in their utmost effort to craft a flawless dining experience.

When Milo finally emerged from his room, dressed in a robe after freshening up, he sat down in the dining room to enjoy his breakfast.

“This is excellent! I love this level of sweetness—just right. No need to cut it for me; you should eat too. It won’t taste as good once it’s cold,” Milo remarked as he enjoyed his steak, motioning to Gina, who was slicing it into small pieces for him.

Gina smiled and placed her plate, with the steak already cut into bite-sized pieces, in front of Milo.

Truth be told, Gina, who had not been specifically trained for such tasks, wasn’t as adept as Monica, her predecessor.

After all, Gina had a background in law and accounting, holding degrees from top universities like Harvard and Yale.

Milo never intended for her to be a personal assistant in the long term.

His plan was straightforward: have Gina work by his side for a few years to assess her capabilities and loyalty. Once satisfied, he would appoint her as an executive at one of his businesses.

And when the right moment arose, Milo intended to push her further, using a high-level "revolving door" strategy common in America.

It was standard practice for corporate elites to transition into prominent governmental roles.

For instance, years later in a parallel timeline, Goldman Sachs’ CEO would become the U.S. Treasury Secretary.

Taking a bite of the perfectly cooked steak, Milo couldn’t help but marvel at the freedom wealth brought him.

With money, one could always find alternatives. When others faced dead ends, the wealthy had options—a truly fortunate life.

After finishing breakfast, Gina carefully adjusted Milo’s tie, straightened the collar of his crisp white shirt, and helped him into his tailored suit.

Dressed impeccably, the tall and handsome Milo descended the steps of the private jet with his assistants and a team of bodyguards. He entered a waiting Cadillac convoy, which promptly left the tarmac and headed toward the Moscone West Center in San Francisco.

By around 9:30 a.m., Milo’s convoy arrived at the plaza in front of the Moscone West Center.

Stepping out of the car, Milo was immediately greeted by the sight of massive Apple logos and banners promoting the iMac lining the building’s sides.

His appearance caused a stir among the reporters nearby, who surged toward him, creating a chaotic scene.

Conference attendees also turned their curious gazes toward the commotion surrounding Milo.

Amid the cacophony of questions from the reporters, Milo showed no intention of responding. Shielded by his bodyguards, he made his way toward the venue.

Inside the lobby, with the journalists left behind, Milo noticed banners reading “The Computer of the Future” featuring iMac imagery on the registration desk’s wall.

He smiled faintly and continued walking toward the main conference hall.

Just as he approached the entrance, Steve Jobs of Apple appeared, leading a small group and wearing a broad smile.

“Oh, Milo, it’s so great to see you here!” Jobs greeted him warmly, genuinely pleased by Milo’s attendance and, perhaps, by the thought of his old rival Bill Gates facing trouble.

Not that Jobs blamed Gates for anything.

The instant messaging software market was clearly a booming blue ocean.

Anyone with the capability and opportunity would want to enter it.

While Gates had brazenly allowed Microsoft to copy ITK’s model, such tactics were part and parcel of the cutthroat business world.

However, Gates’ choice had indirectly benefited Apple, attracting significant traffic and funding to the company.

And now, Milo Blackburn himself had shown up to support Apple’s new product.

That alone spoke volumes about his anger toward Gates.

“Steve, good to see you. Thank you for the invitation. I’m looking forward to seeing your new product,” Milo replied with a bright smile, shaking Jobs’ hand.

“Please, this way, Milo…” Jobs gestured politely after their handshake, leading Milo toward the front row of the hall.

As Milo glanced around the hall, he noticed a banner overhead reading: “iEra, iFuture, iMac!”  

He couldn’t help but smile.

Today, Apple was launching the iMac G3—a product whose timing was slightly late.

Between 1993 and 1997, the penetration of personal computers in American households had skyrocketed from single digits to 40%.

With the success of Windows 95, graphical interfaces had become mainstream, solidifying the dominance of Windows PCs in the market.

In this landscape, Apple faced increasing challenges as most software was designed for Windows, and schools and workplaces predominantly used Windows systems.

Without a strong software ecosystem, the Mac struggled to compete.

Yet, the iMac still had potential.

Jobs, much like China’s future tech mogul Pony Ma, was an exceptional product manager.

While both needed robust management teams to run their companies, their instinct for market trends and product development was unparalleled.

What set Jobs apart, however, was his obsessive perfectionism.

This trait drove him to ensure his products were flawless, making them the epitome of excellence—a quality Pony Ma lacked.

As for the technological gap between their respective countries, that was another story entirely.

However, in essence, both of these individuals are outstanding, top-tier product managers.

For this reason, during the development of the iMac G3, Jobs seized another key opportunity: the internet.

The iMac G3 was among the first computers to come with a built-in modem and to market internet connectivity as a major selling point.

The "i" in iMac initially stood for "internet," symbolizing its ability to connect to the web.

Internet functionality played a critical role in the iMac's sales.

By simply connecting to the internet and using a browser, the iMac could perform tasks similar to those on a Windows PC, such as browsing websites and sending or receiving emails.

Even today, these are the primary functions of home computers.

One could say that it was the web that gave the iMac a window of opportunity, ultimately paving the way for Apple’s resurgence.

Of course, all of that happened in an alternate timeline.

[Note: Read the error-free version on Book Bar.]

Currently, because Bill Gates and Microsoft blatantly plagiarized ITK and released the new MSN,

Milo is far from happy.

Now it’s clear that he’s determined to support Apple and position its Mac OS as a competitor against Microsoft.

Whether or not it succeeds is another matter, but at the very least, it will deeply annoy Microsoft.

That’s also why he accepted Jobs’s invitation and is personally attending today’s iMac launch event.

Jobs is incredibly busy today. The iMac represents his first major battle since returning to Apple.

If it succeeds, it will mark his triumphant return as a visionary leader.

The people who ousted him from Apple earlier would all look like fools.

But if the iMac fails,

Jobs would be in a situation beyond redemption, with a high likelihood of stepping down.

At that point, it’s uncertain whether Apple could even survive, but Jobs’s chances of returning to the company he built would be slim to none.

“Please take a seat here for now; the event will begin shortly.”

Jobs courteously invited Milo to sit down, adding, “Forgive me, dear Milo. I still need to oversee a few final details. I really don’t want anything to go wrong today.”

“Go ahead, you’ll do great, dear Steven.”

Milo raised an eyebrow, nodded, and smiled as he took the seat Jobs indicated—front row, center.

As a large number of reporters filled the auditorium, Milo, feeling a bit bored, crossed his legs and began texting his women on his phone. He didn’t even notice someone had taken the empty seat next to him.

“Hey, Milo, you shouldn’t pretend not to see us.”

“That’s right. We’re here for you today, after all.”

Hearing these two voices, Milo didn’t even look up. “You didn’t have to come. That way, I could eat more apples.”

“Hey, that’s not happening. Good things are meant to be shared. That’s how we’ve always been, right? Hahaha…” Hector, seated beside him, chuckled.

On Milo’s other side sat his cousin, Edward Wilson.

In fact, Milo had been buying Apple stock since late 1995.

By the time Jobs returned, Milo privately owned 6.9% of Apple’s shares.

Now, in order to spite Microsoft and support Jobs—and, of course, for massive future profits—

Milo’s holdings in Apple had increased to 11.5%, making him the company’s largest shareholder.

Jobs’s growing influence on Apple’s board was largely due to the full support of this major shareholder.

It was probably also Milo’s confidence in Apple and Jobs that convinced the market to expect great things from Jobs.

As a result, the Boston First National Bank, managed by Hector, and Wells Fargo, controlled by Edward, also bought large amounts of Apple stock.

Now, the three of them were Apple’s largest shareholders: first, second, and third, respectively.

Today was a crucial day for Apple as a company.

Even before today, Jobs had announced publicly that Milo Blackburn would attend the launch event in person.

He also stated that Apple would soon establish a strategic partnership with Yahoo.

Knowing Milo would appear, both Hector and Edward had come personally.

After some casual banter among close friends, Milo lowered his voice and quietly spoke to his cousin and best friend:

“I have an idea that could potentially cause some international disputes. But I also think that if it succeeds, it could bring me an enormous amount of Franklins in the future. What do you think—should I give it a try?”

“If it might lead to international disputes,”

Edward smiled, “then it’s best to involve more friends, like me.”

“Boston will always have your back,” Hector added bluntly.

“Bingo!”

Seeing how they both supported him without hesitation, Milo knew that his successes in the Southeast Asian financial crisis and the internet boom had earned him the trust of both the California and Boston financial groups.

This made his next plan much easier.

“All right,”

Milo began whispering his scheme:

“SGS-Thomson Microelectronics. Remember this name. When you get back, start preparing to short this publicly listed company. Early next month, their executive team will visit California for business. I don’t care under what pretext—just detain them and lock them up as soon as they arrive.”

“SGS-Thomson Microelectronics? Sounds like it’s related to semiconductors,” Hector asked, skipping over the reason and instead focusing on the details.

Milo nodded. “Yes. Remember the global electronics technology alliance I mentioned to you? This is part of that plan.”

“Got it!” Edward nodded decisively. “SGS-Thomson Microelectronics? I’ll have my people keep an eye on it. Just detain them, right? Or do you want something more...?”

“I’ll let you know the specifics when the time comes.”

---

(End of chapter)

*Chapter 228: The Fate of the Gauls*

After chatting for a while, Steve Jobs arrived fashionably late, dressed in his signature black shirt and jeans.

He rarely wore a suit in public.

Clap clap—

As he stepped onto the stage, the audience erupted in thunderous applause. A smile spread across Jobs' thin face, his eyes shining with a stubborn brilliance. He shyly waved to the crowd, acknowledging their enthusiasm as he walked to the center of the stage. Despite his gestures, the applause didn’t stop. Jobs blinked repeatedly, smiled faintly, and nodded slightly, basking in the applause while genuinely appreciating the audience's warmth.

With a smile on his face, Milo clapped along while marveling, “Damn, this feels just like the Apple product launches of the future.”

He had initially thought that this style of presentation only emerged after the debut of the iPhone.

To his surprise, Jobs had already adopted this approach.

When it came to marketing, Milo couldn’t deny that the old man had quite the knack for it.

This method would eventually be emulated by nearly every tech product launch in the future.

The highly anticipated Apple Worldwide Developers Conference officially began with Jobs’ distinct voice and characteristic delivery.

As Jobs paced across the stage, remote in hand, he began introducing the iMac G3, its features displayed on the screen behind him.

From a design perspective, the iMac G3 was a unique "all-in-one" device with no competition at the time.

Encased in a semi-transparent plastic shell, it integrated a 15-inch CRT monitor, a motherboard, speakers, and all other components.

Jobs pursued extreme simplicity with this product.

Aside from the keyboard and mouse, the iMac G3 required only one power cord to operate.

To emphasize its all-in-one nature, Apple even designed a handle for the iMac G3, allowing users to carry the entire computer—despite its hefty 15kg weight.

Of course, laptops could achieve the same level of portability while being much lighter.

Jobs’ boldness lay in his decision to abandon many traditional computer ports and standards.

The iMac G3 eliminated numerous legacy interfaces, including SCSI, serial ports, and the Apple Desktop Bus.

This meant older external hard drives, scanners, printers, keyboards, and mice were incompatible with the iMac G3.

Instead, Jobs bet on a new standard: USB.

The first-generation iMac featured two USB ports for connecting peripherals.

This decision, announced before the product's release, sparked significant controversy.

At the time, USB-compatible peripherals were still scarce.

But history would prove this to be a visionary choice.

Finally, Jobs removed the floppy disk drive, a staple in all computers of the era, replacing it with a CD drive.

The key difference between floppy disks and CDs was that floppy disks were writable storage media, while CDs were "read-only."

Jobs believed that most personal computer users were "content consumers" rather than "content creators."

Therefore, the higher capacity and faster reading speed of CDs would make them the dominant medium for software and content in the future.

Once again, this prediction was spot-on.

Looking back at the iMac G3 through the lens of hindsight, Jobs’ technical and product insights seemed almost prophetic.

The iMac G3 was well-received by consumers, giving the struggling Apple a new lease on life.

Applause and admiration filled the venue, bringing the atmosphere to a climax.

Milo remained unimpressed by the crowd’s enthusiasm and cheers, fully aware of Americans' penchant for superficial flattery and their love of making a scene.

"...This is only the beginning of the Apple Worldwide Developers Conference. Before we wrap up, I want to thank everyone who contributed to these products," Jobs concluded.

As the audience rose to their feet in applause, Jobs waved and stepped down from the stage.

“What do you think?” Jobs asked Milo after the event, personally approaching the three major shareholders of Apple.

After politely greeting Hector and Edward, Steve Jobs turned to Milo Blackburn with a serious expression.

It wasn’t just Milo’s immense influence and status as Apple’s largest shareholder that prompted Jobs to seek his opinion. Jobs also recognized that this young man, known as the “Godfather of Silicon Valley,” had an even broader vision for the IT industry than he did.

While Jobs was focused on creating new products to save Apple from the brink of collapse, Milo was already envisioning the formation of a global electronic technology alliance.

If Milo succeeded, any new contender in the electronic technology field would have to bow to him. Milo Blackburn would undoubtedly become the true ruler of global electronic technology.

Additionally, Milo had provided input on the iMac G3’s product concept and design.

For example, Milo had firmly advocated for the adoption of the USB interface. Initially hesitant, Jobs only committed to the decision after Milo declared that USB was the future.

Of course, Jobs had already considered the idea; Milo’s support merely gave him the push he needed.

“It’s perfect. I believe it will be the best computer in the world—at least for the time being,” Milo praised with a smile. “Truly one of a kind.”

Hearing such an evaluation from the handsome young man, Jobs grinned, visibly pleased.

“Is it really that good? I don’t know much about computers, but it feels like this new Apple product is far too radical,” Hector said to Milo after they left the venue.

“Being radical isn’t always a bad thing. Trust me, this time, Jobs’ boldness is a good thing,” Milo replied, smiling at his cousin and close friend. “Just wait—within three months, Apple’s stock price will increase by at least 30%. If you’re willing to take my advice, I’d suggest holding onto Apple’s stock for the long term.”

After attending Apple’s developer conference, Milo and Hector enjoyed lunch together.

In the afternoon, Milo drove to Santa Barbara, where Monica was resting during her pregnancy.

Santa Barbara, also known as Santa Bárbara, lies between San Francisco and Los Angeles.

When the convoy arrived, the sun was just setting, casting a warm glow over the simple, cozy villa.

Sunlight bathed the terrace, where a hardcover poetry book with a warm yellow cover lay on a chair, its pages marked with a delicate bookmark. Fresh oranges were neatly arranged on the table. In the blue crescent-shaped pool, leaves floated gently on the surface, swaying with the breeze.

The three-and-a-half-story villa stood amidst lush greenery, surrounded by trees that ensured privacy. Behind it lay the ocean, and in front, dense vegetation concealed it from view.

The villa featured a large and small dining area, designated as Chinese and Western kitchens. The spacious living room connected directly to the garage and recreational areas.

It also included staff quarters, a bar area, a gym, and a fully equipped entertainment room, alongside a storage facility.

The second floor housed bedrooms, a study, bathrooms, a walk-in closet, a terrace, a dressing room, and a home theater.

The third floor contained a laundry room, drying area, sunbathing space, spa room, and tea room. The attic served as a storage area. The villa boasted seven bedrooms and fifteen bathrooms in total.

Compared to a full estate, the villa wasn’t particularly large.

The estate included a tennis court, a small golf practice area, and a compact wine cellar.

--- The entire estate spans 5 acres.

A FIFA-standard soccer field is 7,140 square meters, making this estate roughly equivalent to four and a half soccer fields.

The surrounding area has a high percentage of greenery.

Jogging along the shaded paths, it takes about 20 minutes to reach the main street, a charming Spanish-style avenue with clean, peaceful vibes, white walls, and red tiles. It’s exceptionally serene.

Tall palm trees line both sides of the street, creating an ambiance reminiscent of an old European town.

Compared to Santa Monica, beloved by global billionaires, Hollywood celebrities, and tourists, Santa Barbara is quieter, more comfortable, and less crowded. There’s little paparazzi activity, and most people here are retirees, students, or middle-class families.

Santa Barbara also has better weather compared to Malibu, where temperatures fluctuate more dramatically. This makes it a more suitable place for relaxed, long-term living.

Right behind the estate is Santa Barbara’s famous beach, accessible via a palm-lined pathway from the villa’s backyard.

Unlike California’s other touristy beaches, this one is less chaotic and noisy, exuding a serene and elegant charm.

Most visitors are professionals on vacation or wealthy retirees. Not far away, you can see a plethora of yachts dotting the coastline.

This region is also home to many of America’s most renowned wineries. Santa Barbara is famous for its Pinot Noir, and while 80% of American wine is produced in California, the best wineries are located right here.

---

At the time of purchase in the late 1990s, this villa estate was valued at $2.7 million, including the wine collection in its cellar.

The price wasn’t particularly high, mainly because the U.S. real estate bubble hadn’t fully inflated yet.

Just a few years later, this price would have been unimaginable.

The value would’ve likely increased fivefold. In modern times, it’s estimated the estate would be worth tens of millions of dollars.

---

In the villa’s front yard, Milo, dressed in a loose, warm pink T-shirt and gray shorts, was lounging lazily on a sunbed. His muscular physique radiated a growing aura of mature sex appeal.

White skin, particularly among Anglo-Saxons, is often strikingly pale—a shade of white that can appear almost unhealthy.

This is why most white people enjoy sunbathing: to give their ghostly pale skin a healthier, slightly sun-kissed glow.

Not only is this aesthetically pleasing, but in moderation, sun exposure can be beneficial for their health.

Monica, wearing a nude-colored slit sweater dress that accentuated her curves, walked out barefoot in white flats, looking radiant.

In her hand was a half-full glass of vegetable juice, which she sipped delicately.

Although she was nearly three months pregnant, her outfit made her appear vibrant and full of life, with no visible signs of her pregnancy.

“It’s still a bit warm. You should have something to drink,” Monica said with a smile, her eyes lingering on Milo for a long time.

Milo smiled back, taking the vegetable juice from her hand.

He took a sip and winced—it tasted terrible.

But this drink was part of his daily nutrition plan, prescribed by his dietitian. Since Milo loved meat but hated vegetables and refused to take supplements, this was the only way to ensure he got enough vitamins and fiber.

Monica sat on a nearby lounge chair, looked at him, and said, “I’m planning to contact the University of California, Santa Barbara. While my belly hasn’t grown too much yet, I’d like to take some courses there. Their accounting and business management programs allow auditors to attend classes.”

She reached out and gently wiped a bit of juice from the corner of Milo’s mouth. “It’s not far—just a 20-minute drive.”

In most parts of America, a 20-minute drive is considered very close.

“No problem. I’ll have someone handle the arrangements,” Milo replied, agreeing to her request.

After all, he couldn’t stay here indefinitely, and it wouldn’t make sense to keep Monica cooped up in the villa all day. Even yoga or prenatal classes could only offer so much.

Milo believed that keeping a positive mood and staying active were better for both the mother and the baby’s development.

However, any exercise should be conducted under professional medical supervision to aid both delivery and postpartum recovery.

Pregnancy didn’t mean treating someone like a rare, fragile creature.

As long as the exercise was moderate and nutrition was well-balanced, it would actually promote the baby’s healthy growth.

---

“I’ll go check on dinner,” Monica said with a satisfied smile as she noticed Kenny approaching with Milo’s phone in hand but hesitating to interrupt.

She left gracefully, and Milo turned his attention to Kenny.

Kenny handed over Milo’s primary phone.

“Mr. Blackburn just called. He wants to speak with you,” Kenny said softly.

Typically, Milo’s bodyguards referred to his grandfather as “Old Mr. Blackburn” and his father, Joseph, simply as “Mr. Blackburn.”

“Did he mention what it’s about?”

Kenny shook his head.

Milo took the phone and called his father back.

“Good afternoon, Dad—or wait, I should say good evening,” Milo greeted casually. “What’s up?”

“George Schneider, Washington’s ambassador to Paris,” Joseph’s voice came through. “He called me earlier. He claims the Élysée Palace is determined to safeguard their legitimate interests in Africa at all costs.”

“Oh?” Milo raised an eyebrow and chuckled. “Determined to safeguard? Are they planning to deploy troops? Hah! At most, they’ll send part of their Foreign Legion. Honestly, they probably won’t even bother with that—they’ll likely just hire some mercenaries.”

There was a moment of silence on Joseph’s end.

A few seconds later, Joseph said quietly, “We’d actually prefer if they deployed troops...”

Since World War II, America’s dominant international strategy had been straightforward: suppress rivals.

Whether it was the now-collapsed Soviet Union, China, or the once-dominant powers like Britain and France, the United States spared no effort and operated with a unified agenda.

As Milo and Joseph discussed, if France impulsively deployed troops in Africa, Washington would overtly support the move.

But covertly, much like how the world united to bleed the Soviets dry in Afghanistan, or how a similar strategy would be used against America in the same region years later, the U.S. would intensify efforts to bog France down in Africa, draining Paris of its resources and power.

Unfortunately for Washington, the French likely weren’t foolish enough to engage in outright warfare for territories outside their homeland.

(Chapter End)