June 24.
Anne was reviewing all the accounts. The battle for the acquisition was reaching its peak. The offer was now available to AOL and its competitors, attracting many eager to compete for the purchase of Hotmail. The acquisition was still alive, as everyone wanted a piece of Hotmail.
Everything was set for AOL to take the prize, with paynt terms and negotiations varying between offers. AOL was willing to pay $530 million in different installnts over one to two years. Microsoft, on the other hand, preferred to offer $130 million in company shares, with the remainder in a firm check. This thod would finalize the purchase. Other companies had similar negotiations, but the sale agreent was to be settled by July 10, ten days after results from Europe ca through. These results would be crucial for the acquisition.
-Has Billy not answered? - Anne Hall asked.
-No, it must be three in the afternoon there; here, it’s nine in the morning, - Raimon replied, noticing a new offer from a company. Although the decision wasn’t 100% Billy’s, it was crucial to have his input.
-He’s probably filming. We can wait for him to call back later. I think the offer is perfect for us. The 5% in shares along with the paynt helps us negotiate. However, the benefits of partnering with companies include relationships and contacts. Microsoft is a major company that offers more than just money. The additional 8% in shares they offer could be sold later, and we could strike extra deals, which interests Billy, - Raimon explained.
Hotmail's price continued to rise due to Billy’s ongoing campaign. His marketing strategies went viral, using 21st-century tactics that were remarkable. First, Hotmail was advertised on most web pages that didn’t yet have ad services. Second, word of mouth was employed, with ads in bars near offices and physical ads. More costly comrcials were run in cinemas, leveraging contacts to broadcast these ads before films, spreading across North Arica in just two weeks.
-We’ll discuss it thoroughly once he calls for the briefing sessions. We have five to ten days to respond to these offers. I sent a note about the sale happening on July 10. The public offer agreents should co through online that day, - Anne said.
***
Later that day, Billy had finished most scenes at the hotel, with so extra takes. The tanned brunette woman was a fiery presence, captivating the n around her.
-Are you coming to the eting? We’re having a little party in the hotel penthouse. It was useful, - Winona remarked lightly.
-I have to work. I’m sorry I can’t attend, - Billy declined, seeing the black-haired woman as a ticking ti bomb amidst the turbulence.
-I don’t think you understand. It’s a eting, and besides, I think you owe so favors, Mr. Investor. As your friend, rejecting people isn’t good. Even if you have work, attend for half an hour, greet everyone, chat a bit, and then excuse yourself, - Winona advised.
Billy nodded at Winona’s advice, realizing another of his significant mistakes, and understood the importance of relationships, not without noting the brunette’s sensuality in every step.
Winona walked towards Monica Bellucci. The two won left the second-floor room, which was more like a remote production studio in Tunisia, a ten-minute drive from the hotel.
-How did you get to Tunisia so quickly? - Winona asked, greeting her with a kiss.
-I have a little businessman who’s willing to do anything for . He lent his private jet. From Italy to Tunisia, it’s just a short trip, - Monica replied with a smile that brightened the darkness.
-Oh, it’s so good to have you here. We can go to the villa. I miss our ti in Italy, - Winona said, hooking her arm with Monica’s. Though they seed close, they saw each other occasionally, having t on the set of Dracula, where Monica transitioned from a secondary character to a symbol of beauty.
- too. It’s always nice to have a sexy girl divert so attention from ,” Monica teased, making Winona blush. Unlike Winona, Monica was fully aware of her beauty and knew how to navigate the world with it. In an interview, Monica once said, “Beauty is a gift and a burden. It can open doors, but it can also be a trap. - This phrase encapsulates her persuasive outlook and tranquility.
-We'll do our best, - said Winona.
Billy descended the stairs. From a distance, he could see that most of the ti, the won around him always advised on how to relate to others. This ti, he took the initiative. First, he went to his room and took a long shower, then he went to the hotel restaurant, asking two things about the wine bottles and room service. Two bottles of '74 vintage, each costing 64,800 dinars, almost 37,000 euros. It was a key move, as the recomndation was sensational.
He paid and requested the bottles be sent to Mrs. Winona's penthouse, along with so traditional food.
He also ordered his suit and called to get updated on everything happening in the company.
-What are you talking about? - Billy asked Anne Hall.
-We received a very positive offer that would give us more money. However, I decided to postpone and wait until July 10th as we presented. Also, the ssenger initiative, an online chat, is partially agreed upon. We still need to strengthen our interest in the use of email, -said Anne.
Getting ahead of much of the work Billy was waiting for, the need to make money was key. He didn't quite know how to guarantee success since, most of the ti, with films, success was uncertain. His production companies needed funds, especially with the recent expansion. But the ssenger chat model was an offer even other companies besides Microsoft couldn't resist.
-How secure is the offer? - asked Billy.
-TPG Capital (forrly Texas Pacific Group) offered to buy Hotmail for $800 million. Along with that cos 5% of Apple's shares, aning most of the ti we'd have enough budget to keep investing in Pixar, Lux Films, and a special effects company, - explained Anne.
-100% secure. Sohow, they discovered our online chat. The only condition is that you act as a creative advisor and assess options, denying any work or secrets to another company, - said Anne.
***
It was seven o'clock in the evening, Tunisian ti, and Billy was still handling business. Alongside Winona were Monica Bellucci and Juliette Binoche, who had arrived a week ago to see the production. The three won were laughing, while the English prince looked cornered by the three won whispering.
The door knocked.
-Ohhhh, it must be the blond young man, - said Monica cheerfully, seeing Cate going to open the door.
A young hotel bellboy opened the door, a bit nervous. The 200-dinar tip, along with the bill of almost 70,000 dinars, was a clear sign that one of the hotel bosses was involved and couldn't be offended.
-Excuse , miss, but Mr. Billy Carson sends his regards, - said the bellboy, blushing upon seeing the hotel stars. He had heard that most of the ti, these people had a terrible temper, so it was better to act formally.
-Ohhhh, - murmured Juliette. The three won approached the intimidated bellboy, and they saw the delivery of two bottles of wine along with nurous dishes. Their eyes widened.
-I think we'll keep it,- said Monica, accepting it before Winona could reject it out of pride.
-You haven't tipped, - murmured Winona, reaching for her purse.
-It's not necessary, miss. I've already been tipped, - said the young man respectfully, knowing that Aricans usually give large tips.
-I don't think Mr. Carson is coming, - said Colin Firth. His British accent sounded more respectful than anything else.
-Mr. Carson sent us a great wine. Oh, what a delight! I can taste it on my lips just by looking at this kind of wine, - comnted Monica, still in a blue dress. Her tanned skin and brown hair, along with her neckline, were an irresistible charm.
-I have no idea about wines, - responded Juliette Binoche, her black hair tied up. She was dressed all in white but had a more elegant posture, more for business than anything else.
They had a couple of beers in the hotel fridge, but wine was not common. So they saw many basic things: first, Colin Firth didn't drink much. A few sips of wine and beer loosened his tongue, sothing unusual for an Englishman. Second, the three won were experts in drinking wine.
Colin's dance was the funniest thing to see
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