Jasper knew that Yahoo was going to use their search engine.
He also knew that this partnership would help Google gather a large amount of technology and data, which would help them completely perfect the Google search engine.
Yahoo had only agreed to this partnership because they did not believe that the search engine domain would be a big profitable market. They merely saw the search engine market as a small direction for composite dot-com enterprises to gain more technology.
The fact that Google was willing to provide their technology for free meant Yahoo did not have to form a team of technicians to research search engine technology.
As such, it was already too late by the time Yahoo realized how search engines would become the gateway to the entire internet.
By that time, Google’s technology would already have been completely perfected and no matter how skilled Yahoo’s team of technicians was, there was no way for them to surpass Google’s technology in such a short time.
Not to mention that Google would already have taken a majority of users and market share, so they no longer needed Yahoo anymore.
Humiliated and angry, Yahoo then cut Google off. Not that Google minded, as their company became independent.
Thus began the rise of Google and the fall of Yahoo.
“I’m willing to continue investing,” Jasper replied.
Both Page and Brin were shocked by Jasper’s words.
“What are your requirements in return, Mr. Laine?” Page asked carefully.
Jasper smiled meaningfully. “From what I can tell, Google won’t need any other shareholders excluding the three of us. So I’d like at least 70% of the shares.”
Both Page and Brin frowned at that.
The duo had sensed the same thing on Jasper as they had on Morrison… Greed!
“But I will not interfere with the day-to-day operations of the business, nor will I interfere with your managerial rights,” Jasper explained unprompted as if understanding Page and Brin’s concern.
Page and Brin gasped. “Really, Mr. Laine?”
Jasper shrugged and replied, “We’re talking about a large business transaction here and I have no reason to joke about this with you. Of course, to ensure my interests, you will have to accept my requirement to control the company’s financial rights.”
Page nodded. “Of course, but your required percentage is too high.”
Jasper sipped on his coffee and smiled at Page.
Page took a deep breath and came to a tacit understanding with Brin through eye contact. He said, “It’s 70% of the shares, after all. That means we’ll have to kick the other shareholders out and minimize mine and Brin’s percentage. This… is costing us a bit too much.”
“Whether it costs too much or not depends on what you’re getting in return.
“For 70% of your shares, you will receive 150 million US dollars. I promise that the first 100 million will be transferred on the day we sign our contract and the second batch of 50 million will arrive after six months.”
Jasper’s words sparked Page and Brin’s ambition.
“150 million?!”
Page gasped in shock.
Even Brin’s expression turned excited.
As of that moment, Google itself had a market share of 100 million US dollars at most. Yet Jasper was willing to pay 150 million US dollars for 70% of their shares.
Doing so would triple Google’s market price.
Meanwhile, Morrison was offering 60 million US dollars for 80% of the shares and the company’s managerial rights, which meant that he could fire these two founders at any time.
In comparison to Jasper’s generosity, Morrison was just giving the bare minimum.
“I can sign the contract anytime, but I won’t be staying in the United States for long. I have to return to Somerland to deal with some things, so if you two need some time to think it over, please do give me a reply as soon as possible,” Jasper spoke.
Page and Brin replied at the same time, “No need, we agree.”
Jasper smiled and reached out his hand. “Then I wish for cordial cooperation.”
Page and Brin shared a look and then each shook hands with Jasper. “I’m sure it will be.”
“Alright then, we can sign the contract tomorrow. As we agreed, I will not interfere with the company’s day-to-day operations, but you’re free to contact me anytime you want an extra opinion. Of course, the final decision lies with you as well.
“I also hope that you can persuade the other shareholders as quickly as possible because I’ll only transfer the funds after the shares are under my name.”
Both Page and Brin nodded at Jasper’s words.
“We’ll get it done as quickly as possible, Mr. Laine.”
Jasper was in a great mood after the situation with Google was settled.
Seeing that it was getting late, Jasper directly checked the duo into a suite and dragged Jack over to talk for a few hours.
Everyone was working in the same industry, and with Page and Brin as top-notch technicians, they were able to give Jasper and Jack quite a few epiphanies in that aspect.
Jack was also a top-notch professional manager, so he was able to give the duo inspirations on enterprise management. Their conversation was an extremely joyful one and it lasted until midnight.
It was 2 a.m. when Jasper returned to his room and fell asleep after lying on the bed.
The following morning, Jasper woke up and planned to return to Somerland once he signed the contract with Google. However, a problem arose when they were signing the contract.
“Mr. Laine, we’ve talked to the other shareholders and they were very willing to sell their shares. But they suddenly declined this morning when we called to confirm.”
Brin looked unhappy, feeling ashamed about the fact that a problem arose the very first moment they partnered with Jasper.
“One of our shareholders, who’s one of our friends, told us the truth because we’re quite close. She told us that Layman Investment Bank decided to interfere with this transaction earlier this morning and asked to buy their shares at high prices.”
