106-110

Chapter 106: A Small Expansion

“Boss, besides the major TV networks, have you considered other broadcasting companies?”

“Other broadcasting companies? HBO?” Milo spread his hands. “If it’s just about acquiring them, it might be better to build a new one instead.”

HBO is a cable network, which inherently faces limitations in terms of reach. If the goal is to create a major media conglomerate, cable networks can be part of the portfolio but should only serve as complementary pieces. The core must be a terrestrial television network.

“Boss,” said Chris, the media expert from the advisory team, “perhaps you could consider acquiring TBS.”

“TBS?” Milo blinked. “I think… I’m looking for an American broadcasting company, right?”

“Isn’t that what I’m talking about?” Chris Carey was momentarily puzzled.

“Isn’t TBS short for Tokyo Broadcasting System?” Milo asked, equally confused.

“Tokyo Broadcasting System? Boss, you’re mistaken.”

Chris Carey tried to suppress a laugh. After a moment’s thought, he explained, “Boss, do you remember which news channel stood out the most during the Gulf War a few years ago?”

“Of course…” Milo rubbed his chin. He didn’t know. The predecessor hadn’t paid attention to such events, and Milo himself arrived after the war ended. “You’re saying…”

“Exactly, Turner Broadcasting System,” Chris Carey nodded. “Commonly referred to as TBS.”

Milo gestured for Chris to continue. “Do you think acquiring TBS is a good idea?”

“Absolutely,” Chris Carey nodded again. “While TBS isn’t as expansive as the major networks and doesn’t have as many nationwide channels, it’s still a strong contender in the U.S.”

“Although TBS’s entertainment division isn’t as robust as ABC or others, their news channel holds a solid position within the White House press corps.”

“More importantly, TBS is much cheaper than the major networks. With your current resources, issuing acquisition bonds could get the deal done.”

This was a crucial point. Acquiring one of the major networks would require upwards of $20 billion. By contrast, TBS had a market valuation of around $50 to $60 billion. Even with an acquisition premium, the total cost wouldn’t exceed $8 billion.

Milo’s current liquid assets were just under $2 billion. This wasn’t enough for a full acquisition. However, the initial funds could be used to start the process, with the remainder raised through loans or bonds. Once the company was acquired, it could generate revenue to pay off the debt.

This was a common Wall Street strategy, often executed with finesse. Hong Kong’s Liu Luanxiong had mastered this approach as well. To use an analogy:

A wealthy landowner desires to marry a beautiful woman but doesn’t have enough money. If the woman is valued at 100 silver coins in the market, and the landowner only has 10, he can use those 10 as a down payment and sell the woman’s future “earnings” to raise the remaining 90 coins. Once the woman is married, her income can be used to pay off the debt.

If her income falls short, both the woman and the landowner’s initial investment would belong to the creditors.

This strategy allowed acquisitions with minimal upfront capital but carried significant risks.

Noticing Milo’s interest, the chief advisor, Sabbatai, added, “There are rumors that Warner is also eyeing TBS. Since ABC and CBS already have new owners, TBS might be their only option.”

“Moreover, Warner is also in talks with HBO. Whether we want TBS or HBO, we might have to compete with Warner.”

“We can engage both companies simultaneously,” Milo concluded. “Focus on TBS and use HBO as a diversion to keep Warner occupied.”

The advisors nodded in agreement.

“Oh, one more thing,” Milo added. “Since we’ve decided on the direction for acquiring a network, we should consider a small expansion.”

“A small expansion?” Sabbatai raised an eyebrow. “What do you mean, Boss?”

“Paladin Media’s film division is thriving. We’re attracting a lot of actors and directors and have numerous projects in the pipeline. Why not establish a talent agency? Keep the profits in-house.”

The U.S. had three major talent agencies: William Morris, Creative Artists Agency (CAA), and International Creative Management (ICM), alongside hundreds of smaller firms. Establishing a talent agency required minimal effort—just a labor law license, which could be secured for a few thousand dollars.

“This is completely doable,” Chris agreed. “Setting up a shell is easy. The challenge lies in attracting top agents and talent to make it successful.”

“And there’s another thing,” Milo added. “I want to acquire a record label and enter the music industry.”

“The music industry?”

“If we’re building a media empire, we need a presence across all related industries,” Milo explained.

“Fair enough,” Sabbatai agreed but noted, “We’ll need more personnel. The advisory team is already stretched thin, and the new ventures will require CEOs and top executives.”

“No problem,” Milo replied confidently. “I’ll instruct the headhunters to recruit aggressively.”

Milo had the resources—$1.8 billion in liquid assets, with $1 billion allocated to a strategic short on international oil prices. With Venezuela’s recent announcement of increased production, Milo anticipated a two-year downturn in oil prices.

Following his instructions, this investment alone could yield an 80% return within three months. If necessary, Milo was confident he could raise another $10 billion within that time. However, doing so might risk becoming the target of Wall Street’s ire.

For now, TBS was the priority. Achieving greatness by growing the company into a peer of the Big Four networks would be immensely satisfying.

Milo smiled. “Let’s get started.”

(End of Chapter)

*Chapter 107: Edward's Warning*

The meeting came to an end as Sabbatai West and the others rose to bid Milo farewell and prepare to leave.

“Wait, I have another idea,” the boss suddenly said.

Sabbatai and Chris exchanged glances, silently lamenting the seemingly endless demands of their new boss.

But then again, he paid them exceedingly well.

“Go ahead, boss,” Sabbatai said, stopping in his tracks.

“I’ve been thinking about something—maybe it’s time to integrate this with the record company.”

“What do you mean, boss?”

“Exactly what I’m about to explain.” Milo nodded. “You see, for a record company to thrive, it needs the support of trending artists. But right now, most of the slightly famous singers have already been scooped up by other record labels. If we can’t poach them, we’ll have to cultivate our own talent.”

“That’s not easy,” Sabbatai remarked. “Sure, we can send people to scout on the streets or in bars, but that’s not enough. We need more than one approach.”

“Exactly,” Milo said. “I was thinking, maybe we could target the backup talent pools of other record labels.”

“Hmm... Could you elaborate?” Chris asked. As the media expert in the advisory group, such matters primarily fell under his purview. Sabbatai handled finance and coordination, while others provided expertise in legal, accounting, intelligence, and investigations.

“Sure. For instance, I have a decent relationship with Disney right now, so I know a few things. A few years ago, Disney launched something called the Mickey Mouse Club. They recruited 8- or 9-year-old kids, signed them as club performers, and had them perform, sing, and appear on TV.”

Milo outlined his thoughts. “But I’ve recently heard that the show’s ratings have been declining. If it doesn’t improve in the next few months, it might be canceled. If that happens, those child performers could be disbanded and sent home.”

“So, I thought, perhaps we could seize this opportunity to discover a few standout talents among them. Think about it, Chris. These kids have undergone professional training and have stage experience, which is much better than starting from scratch.”

“Who knows? Maybe we could groom one or two of them into pop icons like Madonna or Michael Jackson.”

Milo’s tone was persuasive, and a faint, almost imperceptible sly smile played on his lips.

“That sounds great, boss,” Chris admitted after some thought. “But as you said, if the Mickey Mouse Club regains popularity, it will continue, won’t it? That would make recruiting these kids much more challenging.”

“Of course. It’s just an example,” Milo shrugged. “If not Disney, there are other companies we can monitor for similar opportunities.”

“The main thing is acquiring a record company to lay the groundwork for the future.”

Milo waved dismissively. “Bring me a list when you have it. We might stumble upon something valuable.”

“Understood, boss. Give me three days. I’ll compile a list of record labels we can acquire or ones worth considering,” Chris assured him.

“Good. Let’s proceed with that,” Milo said with a laugh. “I know this is a lot of work and a daunting challenge, but I believe in your abilities. That’s precisely why I hired you all.”

What could Sabbatai and the others say? Naturally, they could only smile and agree that their boss was right.

After all, when you’re paid handsomely, it’s only fair to tackle substantial workloads.

Once the final arrangements were made, Milo left the media company and headed toward Beverly Hills.

The setting sun painted the sky a vivid orange and adorned the mountain peaks with golden edges, giving the surrounding landscape a vibrant glow.

The area was serenely quiet, with occasional glimpses of charming cottages nestled amidst the greenery on the hillsides.

After dinner, Milo brought a bottle of ice wine and a glass to the poolside lounge chair. Reclining with a glass of amber liquid in hand and his left arm resting behind his head, he gazed at the starry sky. The gentle night breeze rustled the leaves, creating a soothing sound.

This leisurely lifestyle felt blissful.

Reflecting on his current reality, Milo realized how different it was from the days when he could only dream of such luxury—dreams that had once brought him pain. Now, this life was within his grasp, though the thought brought a faint, bitter smile to his lips.

Suddenly, his phone rang. Adjusting his position, Milo pulled the phone from his pocket, glanced at the caller ID, and raised an eyebrow knowingly.

“Hey, Edward. Good evening. Are you in Los Angeles?”

“No, not at all. If I were, I’d have informed you,” replied Edward Wilson, Milo’s cousin.

“Then why the call? Are you inviting me to San Francisco? I’ll be there in a few days for a meeting.”

“That’s exactly what I wanted to discuss,” Edward said. “It’s about your internet company, Yahoo.”

“Oh? What about Yahoo?”

“Apparently, its two founders have been getting very cozy with Morgan recently. Also, from what I hear, Yahoo has violated its agreement with you. They didn’t sign a formal contract or give you shares but used the ideas you provided in your proposal.”

“I’ve also heard they signed a confidential agreement with Baker McKenzie. You know what kind of firm they are, right?”

Of course, Milo knew.

Not only were Yahoo’s founders making moves, but Milo had also been preparing on his end.

Baker McKenzie was one of California’s top law firms, ranking among the top five nationwide. Their notable clients included Time Warner, Walt Disney, Symantec, and Microsoft.

Getting close to Morgan, signing with a major law firm, and breaching their verbal agreement?

Jerry Yang and David Filo’s intentions were crystal clear.

“Thanks for the heads-up, Edward,” Milo said, reclining on the lounge chair, gazing at the starlit sky and the Los Angeles nightscape. “This gives me time to prepare and react. I really appreciate it.”

“No problem. When are you coming to visit again?” Edward asked.

“Grandfather, Mother, and Sally have all mentioned wanting to see you.”

“Next time I’m in San Francisco, I’ll stop by,” Milo promised.

“Great. Talk soon then. Goodbye.”

“Bye.”

  *(End of Chapter)*

*Chapter 108: A $22 Billion IP*

*“Through his exceptional imagination and a captivating fantasy world, Mr. Blackburn tells the story so well and engagingly that few readers won't be eagerly awaiting its sequel.”*

— Los Angeles Times  

*“If The Da Vinci Code was Milo's treasure for adults, then Harry Potter is Milo's best gift to children.”*

— USA Today  

*“Suspense, mystery, religion, and now fantasy and fairy tales—is there anything Mr. Blackburn can't do? It's incredible. My daughter, who’s twelve, now desperately wants a magic wand. Mr. Blackburn, where can I buy a ticket to Diagon Alley?”*

— The New York Times

Milo looked at the book reviews from major newspapers with a hint of satisfaction.

He knew Harry Potter didn’t become an instant sensation in its original timeline.

In his past life, Harry Potter was first published by a small London publisher. That publisher wasn’t particularly powerful, but selling 150,000 copies in 15 months was already considered a success in the UK.

However, it only truly became a global phenomenon after its U.S. rights were acquired by Scholastic the following year. With heavy promotion in America, the series gained massive popularity.

Later, Warner Bros. got involved, securing the movie adaptation rights.

This led to the iconic film series, but the true value of the franchise extended far beyond the movies.

As one of the most valuable intellectual properties in history, Harry Potter eventually generated over $22 billion across various revenue streams.

However, due to complex capital operations, the original author only retained the rights to the novels.

In this alternate world, J.K. Rowling had faced... an unexpected situation.

Now, the author of the book bore the name Milo Blackburn.

And Milo wasn’t about to settle for the smallest slice of the pie like the British woman did.

The cake was his creation, so while he might not eat the entire thing, the largest portion was unquestionably his.

At this moment, he was working to expand the metaphorical Harry Potter cake.

With his reputation backing the book—he was, after all, last year’s hottest and most celebrated literary prodigy in America—and with Harvard Press, one of the nation’s top five publishers, handling its publication, the expectations were sky-high.

News of the book broke in December last year.

By January and February, it had already topped The New York Times’ “Most Anticipated New Books” list for two consecutive months.

On March 7th, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone was released simultaneously in Europe and America, selling 500,000 copies on its first day.

Of course, most of those were pre-orders.

The second day, which was today, brought headlines across many American newspapers.

Milo particularly appreciated the balanced review from The New York Times.

"Written with vivid imagination and captivating narrative, it features cinematic descriptions bursting with visual appeal. This quality makes Harry Potter uniquely suitable for adaptation and explains the resounding success of its adaptations."

Indeed, the visual richness of Harry Potter was one of the reasons it adapted so well to other media.

While most newspapers were filled with praise, there were detractors as well.

The criticism mainly stemmed from the stark difference in style between this book and his last one.

His previous book was a suspenseful detective story filled with symbolism and theology—a sophisticated read for adults.

Now, less than a year later, Milo had released a fantasy fairy tale clearly aimed at a younger audience.

Even though the publisher and friendly media outlets had repeatedly prepped the public by framing it as a gift to children, his prior work had set such a high bar for adult readers that many found it hard to believe.

When the book finally hit shelves, they opened it and thought, "What the—? It really is a children’s book."

Add in a few competitors and detractors stirring the pot, and the controversy grew.

Milo calmly stacked the newspapers on the table and continued his breakfast.

Controversy wasn’t necessarily bad—it often led to heated debates.

And the more people argued, the greater the buzz.

His last novel, The Da Vinci Code, had benefited tremendously from intense theological debates, boosting its sales far beyond its original timeline.

The same principle applied to Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone.

Milo wasn’t afraid of controversy. The bigger the buzz, the higher the sales.

Of course, the key was that the novel itself had to hold up under scrutiny.

And Harry Potter? It was undoubtedly solid. It even pioneered a subgenre in Western literature, just like The Da Vinci Code had done.

In the original timeline, just the core series—not counting adaptations or spin-offs—sold over 500 million copies.

With seven books and spin-off works, its total reach was staggering.

Confident in its quality, Milo welcomed the debates. He even had several strategies prepared to handle future controversies.

But for now, it was only the second day of release. It would take time for the storm to fully brew.

After breakfast, Milo took a brief rest before heading to his home gym for a workout.

Under the guidance of his bodyguards—who doubled as fitness trainers—Milo had developed a consistent workout routine over the past six months.

An hour of exercise left him drenched in sweat.

He wiped his face and neck with a towel, kicked off his shoes and socks, and walked barefoot to the swimming pool, diving in with a splash.

Late March in California brought cool but pleasant weather, with temperatures around 68 to 77°F (20–25°C) when the sun was out.

Drifting on an inflatable raft in the pool, wearing nothing at all, Milo basked in the sun without a care in the world.

Wendy, holding a stack of documents, couldn't help but feel envious.

A powerful family background, stunning looks, a strong physique, a talent for making money as easily as breathing—and let’s not forget his impressive... assets.

Every aspect of Milo’s life seemed enviable.

At least Wendy worked for him and could enjoy some of the benefits of his success.

Sighing, Wendy poured himself a glass of iced wine from the cooler and reclined on a lounge chair. The chilled sweetness was a brief escape.

“Ahem.”

Seeing that Milo might be dozing off, Wendy cleared his throat. Time was precious, and Milo’s workload was all on Wendy’s shoulders.

Milo opened one eye lazily at the sound.

“Oh, you’re here.”

He stretched languidly, rolled off the inflatable raft, and swam to the pool's edge.

Grabbing a towel, he draped it over his shoulders, water dripping from his body. Taking the photos Wendy handed him, Milo began flipping through them with interest.

(End of Chapter)

*Chapter 109: Two Interviews*

Two days ago, Milo asked Wendy to make a choice.

The first option was to continue as the General Manager of Paladin Films, with a clear path to becoming an executive at Paladin Media.

The second option was to take on the role of General Manager at Paladin Capital, overseeing internet stock portfolios and related investments.

Alternatively, Wendy could return to his previous role as the family office manager for Milo—essentially as a butler.

Wendy Aris chose the latter without much hesitation.

This wasn’t surprising.

The Aris family had served the Blackburn family for generations, going back to Wendy’s great-great-grandfather.

From a practical standpoint, Wendy believed his decision made sense.

Let’s examine the first option.

Becoming the General Manager of a film company has its ceiling.

At best, you might reach the heights of someone like Michael Eisner of Disney, one of America’s most famous corporate leaders.

But that depends on Paladin Media growing to the scale of today’s Disney—a challenging feat.

Even if it were achieved, Wendy felt it wouldn’t be worth it.

Eisner might be riding high now, but once he steps down, he’ll be just another name.

The second option was similar.

The third option, considering both sentiment and history, as well as practical reasons, seemed the most fitting to Wendy.

---

By the poolside, Wendy quietly watched Milo flip through photos and documents.

“Wendy.”

After a few minutes, Milo suddenly spoke up.

“Do I look like someone who’s easy to take advantage of?”

Wendy was speechless.

He thought, If you’re easy to take advantage of, then there’s no one in the world who isn’t.  

Choosing his words carefully, Wendy replied, “Perhaps the name Morgan gives them courage. Or maybe Morgan promised them something. But they fail to realize that promises are often made to be broken.”

Milo looked up at the burly man and smiled.

“You’re right. I’ll be heading to San Francisco the day after tomorrow. Before that, you go ahead. Start with that Chinese guy. He seems more timid and easier to handle.”

Meaning easier to control.

“Understood.” Wendy stood up, indicating he’d take care of it right away.

Milo called him back, adding, “Oh, by the way, help me look for a new house. Both in Los Angeles and San Francisco. This villa feels a bit small.”

“No problem,” Wendy replied.

---

That afternoon, Milo remained at the villa.

By the pool, in the same spot, but this time meeting with two other individuals.

“Good afternoon, Eric and Elon. It’s a pleasure to meet you both.”

The two men quickly shook his hand and introduced themselves.

“Mr. Blackburn, hello. I’m Eric Schmidt. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

Eric Schmidt was poised, appearing to be in his forties, and had been recruited by Milo through a headhunting firm.

“Mr. Blackburn, hello! It’s a great honor to see you again. Thank you so much for investing in Zip2!”

The younger man, with brown hair and a square face, was Elon Musk.

Last year, Milo invested in over sixty internet companies, one of which was Zip2, a startup by two brothers named Musk.

Zip2 developed online content publishing software for news agencies.

After shaking hands, Elon Musk continued gratefully:

“Also, thank you for helping Zip2 connect with The New York Times. Without your introduction, that partnership would never have happened.”

Milo waved his hand dismissively and gestured for them to sit down.

“Elon, I own 45% of Zip2. If it becomes profitable, I’ll be just as pleased. However, today’s meeting isn’t about Zip2. I have something else to discuss.”

Under the warm Los Angeles sun, beside the Beverly Hills villa pool, Milo addressed the two future tech moguls seated before him.

After Mrs. Sollie brought coffee, Milo got straight to the point.

“I called you both here for one reason.”

Milo’s sharp gaze landed on Schmidt and Musk.

“Have you heard of Yahoo?”

The two exchanged glances reflexively.

Yahoo?

In most places, and industries, it wasn’t a household name yet.

But in California, especially in the internet and IT sectors, Yahoo was legendary.

As the largest internet portal in the U.S. and perhaps the world, Yahoo had achieved fame despite modest financials: $1.3 million in revenue in 1995 with a $630,000 operating loss.

However, after Netscape’s successful IPO, Yahoo had become Silicon Valley’s next big thing.

“Of course,” Musk said, smiling.

“Last night, I even used Yahoo’s site to research a competitor to Zip2. Their new search feature is incredibly user-friendly!”

After Musk’s enthusiasm, Schmidt added, “Without a doubt, Yahoo is the most prominent internet company since the Netscape wave.”

Milo nodded.

“I hold 35% of Yahoo, though it should have been 40%.”

“The founders betrayed me. I want to replace them.”

“Elon, Eric, would you be interested in leading Yahoo?”

Before they could react, Milo continued:

“If you’re willing, Eric, you’ll become CEO. Elon, I think Chief Marketing Officer suits you.”

Without hesitation, Musk responded, “Of course, I’d be thrilled.”

Schmidt was more reserved but eventually agreed, driven by the challenge and potential.

“Bingo!” Milo stood, signaling the end of the meeting.

“Prepare yourselves. Familiarize yourselves with Yahoo. In a week, your names will be on its management roster.”

---

The next day, March 9, 1996, marked another milestone: Milo’s film Angels and Demons concluded its extended global run, grossing $508 million—exceeding his expectations.

With the sequel, The Da Vinci Code, set to begin casting, Milo chose to continue partnering with Disney, seizing financial and strategic advantages.

---

By 10 a.m. in Hollywood, Milo visited the casting office. Surrounded by aspiring actresses vying for the role of Sophie Neveu, he witnessed a spectacle of ambition, beauty, and effort—a microcosm of Hollywood itself.

By the end of the session, Milo selected Marion Cotillard as one of three finalists for the lead role, expressing trust in his team to finalize the rest of the casting.

---

(To be continued…)

Chapter 110: "We All Know"

*San Francisco Bay Area*

*Woodside*

Located roughly 30 to 40 miles from Silicon Valley, Woodside has long been a favorite among Bay Area billionaires.

In a few years, as Silicon Valley blossoms, this area will earn the nickname "the backyard of Silicon Valley."

Owning property here becomes a badge of honor for the Valley’s nouveau riche.

On this particular day, while Milo and Wally are auditioning new actors, something else is unfolding in Woodside.

*211 Round Hill Road*

A villa here becomes the setting for a secret meeting closely tied to Milo.

---

*Noon*

The villa's front door opens, and out walk Yahoo's co-founders, Jerry Yang and David Filo.

“David, I can’t shake this uneasy feeling,” Jerry Yang confides, catching up to his taller partner.

David Filo, the quintessential American farm boy from the Midwest, stands a full head taller than Jerry. His ruddy complexion reflects his outdoorsy roots, and Jerry looks up at him while speaking, “I’m worried about the potential backlash from what we’ve done.”

“What’s done is done,” David says nonchalantly, giving Jerry a reassuring pat on the shoulder. “Jerry, it’s about who we’re with! We’ve got Sequoia Capital on our side now. And more importantly…”

David’s confidence brims over as he adds:

“We have Morgan Stanley backing us! Jerry, you know what Morgan Stanley means. They took Netscape public. They know the game better than anyone.”

Jerry nods, though his concern lingers. “I know that, David, I really do. But Milo Blackburn… We used his ideas. We didn’t honor the agreement. We didn’t give him shares, yet we took his concepts.”

---

Months earlier, Milo had come to them with a pitch deck that left them in awe.

Under Milo's intense persuasion and with Sequoia Capital staying passive, they reluctantly agreed to his terms. Back then, Yahoo's future wasn’t as certain as it is now—Morgan Stanley hadn’t yet entered the picture.

The agreement, while loosely binding, did exist. It stated that Yahoo would trade shares for Milo’s groundbreaking ideas.

Now, the co-founders had violated that agreement. They’d used Milo’s concepts without giving him any equity.

Jerry worries that this breach of trust could come back to haunt them. But David, ever confident, dismisses such fears.

David leans in, speaking with the enthusiasm of a child showing off his new toy:

“Come on, Jerry. Look at who we’re partnered with—Sequoia, the most influential VC in Silicon Valley! And Morgan Stanley, the undisputed king of Wall Street!”

“Yes, we used his ideas. But the agreement wasn’t ironclad. If he wants to sue us, we’ll take him on.”

“And let’s not forget,” David continues, gesturing toward the villa they’ve just left, “when Yahoo goes public, Milo’s shares would’ve been worth at least $200 million. If he sues us, the valuation will take a hit, and so will the value of his shares. I’d bet good money he’ll grit his teeth and wait it out—for the sake of those millions.”

Jerry, reluctantly, sees the logic.

---

Yahoo’s fortunes have soared since adopting Milo’s ideas.

Thanks to these innovations, Yahoo’s user base has ballooned by millions, and its daily visitor count now exceeds five million, with over 30 million daily clicks. These metrics place Yahoo miles ahead of its competitors.

As a result, Yahoo’s valuation has skyrocketed. Initially pegged at $500 million pre-IPO, it now stands at a staggering $1 billion. Everyone, from the co-founders to Sequoia and Morgan Stanley, believes Milo won’t act against Yahoo before the IPO, as doing so would devalue his own holdings.

---

After their meeting, Jerry and David head to a local steakhouse for lunch, savoring Italian-imported veal. Over their meal, they discuss Yahoo’s bright future and the challenges Milo might pose down the line.

By 1:00 PM, the two part ways. Jerry, still contemplative, decides to stop by the office before heading home. But as he drives, his phone rings—it’s his girlfriend, Akiko Yamazaki.

“Jerry, you should come home,” Akiko says softly, the sound of barking dogs audible in the background.

“Why? What’s going on?” Jerry asks, noting the unusual tone in her voice.

“Just come home,” she insists before abruptly hanging up.

---

Alarmed, Jerry dials the police before heading to his house. Upon arriving, he parks a block away and waits. Minutes later, he sees police officers knock on his door. Akiko answers, letting them in.

Once the officers have been inside for a while and no gunshots are heard, Jerry cautiously approaches.

---

Inside the house, Akiko pulls Jerry aside, whispering, “Someone’s here to see you. I didn’t let them in—they forced their way.”

Jerry sighs in relief that he’d called the police beforehand. Still, as he observes the officers’ relaxed demeanor, a sense of foreboding settles in.

One of the officers, a white man with a doughnut-laden physique, turns to Jerry. “Mr. Yang, your guest—Mr. Aris—claims he means no harm. We can’t remove him without cause. He’s waiting for you in the living room.”

Jerry stiffens, his mind racing.

---

In the glass-walled living room, Jerry meets his unexpected visitor: a rotund man in colorful casualwear, exuding an unsettling mix of joviality and menace.

“Aris? It’s you!” Jerry exclaims, recognizing the man.

“Ah, Jerry,” Aris beams, enveloping him in a bear hug. “We need to talk.”

As Jerry sits across from him, he feels the weight of what’s coming.

“I know what you did this morning, Jerry. You, Filo, and those bankers thought you could pull a fast one on us,” Aris begins, his smile unwavering.

Jerry forces a nervous laugh. “I don’t know what you mean. I’ve been at the office all day—Yahoo’s busy times, you know.”

But Aris waves off the denial. “Come on, Jerry. I know you met at 211 Round Hill Road. You should know by now—nothing in Silicon Valley escapes us.”

He leans in, his voice dropping:

“We know everything.”

Jerry’s heart sinks as Aris’s words shatter his last defense.