Morrison’s overwhelming force had Page and Brin looking embarrassed and afraid.
While the three of them were of similar age, Morrison had grown up in a wealthy family and received the best education available. When he graduated, he got a job in the world-class Layman Investment Bank’s middle management.
As for Page and Brin…
Page’s family could still be considered slightly powerful, but Brin had come from an ordinary family.
Not to mention that Page’s family background was nothing in comparison to Morrison’s.
“We have no intention of offending you, Mr. Morrison, but you understand that cooperation has to be done on common grounds, at least. And we believe that you…”
“I mean that Layman Investment Bank’s conditions are too harsh. By purchasing 80% of our shares with 60 million as well as accepting you as our operational supervisor, we would then lose all initiative.”
Page glanced at his partner and spoke with difficulty.
“We cannot possibly accept such harsh conditions.”
Morrison scoffed and leaned back against the chair as he spoke coldly, “You need to know that there are at least 8,000 to 10,000 start-up companies like yours in the United States. Do you know what makes you different from them?
“The only difference is that I like you and I’m willing to invest. Yet you’re criticizing me for having harsh conditions?
“What makes you think that a small company like yours will still find other sources of investment after rejecting Layman Investments, huh?”
Page clenched his jaw at Morrison’s words and replied, “There are other people interested in our company, at least.”
“That man of Somer descent?” Morrison’s expression grew even more mocking.
“Somerland is nothing but a poor, underdeveloped, and feudal country. The only people you’ll find there are scammers and ruffians! Do they even know what the internet is? Or what a technology company is?
“You’re people of the United States, and yet you lower yourself just so you can work with the lowly people of Somer descent? How shameless!”
Page frowned heavily at that and was about to speak when Brin tugged on his hand to stop him.
After stopping Page, Brin then gave Morrison an apologetic smile. “We’re merely getting in touch with them, Mr. Morrison. After all, this is someone Mr. Todd has introduced. He bought 27% of Google’s shares from Mr. Todd.
“Even if not to discuss the terms of cooperation with him, it’s only right we meet him considering he’s one of our shareholders.”
“So you’re using Todd’s name to shut me up, then?” Morrison scoffed.
“Who the hell is Todd in comparison to my father?”
“Yes, yes, of course.” Brin smiled, much more tolerant than Page.
“But we aren’t you, Mr. Morrison. You have a powerful family supporting you and you’re the senior investment manager of Layman Investments. We’re but the founders of a small start-up company. We don’t have any power at all so we don’t really have a choice when it comes to a lot of things.”
Brin’s extremely humble attitude slightly brightened Morrison’s dark expression. “Hmm, not bad. At least, you’re respectful when you speak.
“Go if you must, then. But remember that my conditions are here. You’d better decide quickly because if I change my mind, I won’t entertain you even if you come begging at my door.”
“Yes, yes, of course. We’ll definitely think it through and give you a satisfactory reply, Mr. Morrison.”
Brin spoke and dragged an upset Page out of the room.
After they left, a beautiful and lithe secretary strutted into the room.
Morrison slapped her on the butt.
“Have someone find out who that person of Somer descent in touch with Google is. Google’s a very promising company and investing in them will help me fight for the position as president of the Terra regional branch. There’s no way I’m going to let some stink*ss person from Somerland screw my plans over.”
“Very promising company?” the secretary asked.
“Yahoo has already agreed to use Google’s search engine technology. That’s what my dad said. No one knows about this yet, not even Google themselves have been informed.
“Google’s market price will immediately skyrocket by the time news gets out. Only idiots will think that Google’s an ordinary start-up!”
…
Page and Brin arrived at DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel one and a half hours after they left Morrison’s office.
They were shocked to see Jasper standing by the entrance to greet them.
Sitting in the car, Page, who had been wearing a dark expression on his face because of Morrison the entire ride over, suddenly turned to Brin when he saw Jasper standing by the entrance from afar. “Brin, I would prefer accepting this person of Somer descent’s investment if his conditions aren’t too harsh.”
“Why?” Brin asked.
“Take a look.”
Page pointed at Jasper’s silhouette that was getting clearer as the car drove toward him and said, “We’ve been smiling as we begged others to invest in us all this while, yet who has ever come out to greet us before? It’s been a very long time since I’ve been treated with such courtesy. He makes me feel respected.”
Brin’s gaze burned into Jasper as he pursed his lips silently.
