Kicking Atari!

Chapter 73 Kicking Atari!

After leaving Sidley Austin, Ethan Jones headed straight for Atari.

Because of prior communication, when he arrived, he was immediately greeted by Nolan Bushnell and Don Valentine, who had been waiting for him.

Perhaps because the plan was already in place, Nolan Bushnell was all smiles, while Don Valentine still wore a sour expression to ensure the plan's flawless execution.

Even when Nolan Bushnell poured water for Ethan Jones, the guy snorted.

"Oh, Ethan, you don't need to worry about him."

Nolan Bushnell waved his hand, indicating to Ethan Jones not to worry about it.

Ethan Jones shook his head repeatedly, his face full of shame. "Oh Nolan, what right do I have to say these things now?"

"I've already consulted a lawyer, and it seems my 'Snake Game' really does infringe on copyrights."

"! 』

Upon hearing this, Nolan Bushnell's eyes lit up, but he quickly restrained himself, not wanting to show his joy.

At the same time, Don Valentine also seized the opportunity to speak, offering a sarcastic remark—

"Ha! I've already consulted a lawyer, and it seems my 'Snake Game' really does infringe on copyright!"

Don Valentine first mimicked Ethan Jones's tone and repeated his words.

Then he raised his voice, shouting in a condescending tone, "Ethan Jones! How many days did we give you? Four days? Five days? Did it take you all this time to realize that the patent didn't have the word 'misunderstanding'?"

"Oh! That's really amazing! I almost want to compliment you, you've finally learned to read!"

Nolan Bushnell frowned slightly at the blunt words.

But just as he was about to interrupt, Don Valentine's mouth moved faster than his thoughts.

"Since none of this is a misunderstanding, shouldn't you give us a clear answer?"

"Are you prepared to take on the responsibilities you should as a man, or do you want to keep procrastinating like a baby?"

"If it's the former, I, Don Valentine, would greatly admire you, because you dare to act and take responsibility!"

"And if it's the latter, then I, Don Valentine, can only offer you my final apologies!"

"Because our lawyer has already drafted the complaint! We can file the lawsuit tomorrow!"

"Don't worry, we only have three demands, and they're not as exaggerated as you might imagine!"

With a muffled thud, Don Valentine tossed a document onto the coffee table in front of Ethan Jones.

Upon picking it up and taking a look, the request on it was extremely simple.

Atari is demanding that Ethan Jones pay the one million dollars in damages sought by Milrova. In addition, Ethan Jones is also required to compensate Atari for his concealment of patent infringement and for the early termination of the Snake Game contract due to legal proceedings.

For the former, Atari demanded one million dollars in compensation from Ethan Jones; for the latter, Atari sought three million dollars in damages from Ethan Jones.

To be honest, when Ethan Jones found out that Atari wanted him to pay five million dollars in damages, he almost cried!

Keep in mind that Snake Game didn't even generate five million in net revenue!

These people could have just stolen it, but they insisted on pretending to cooperate to fool themselves. It's really touching!

After reviewing the terms, Ethan Jones' face was filled with shock. "Five million dollars? Oh, I can't accept that price! Even if Snake Game sells for a year, it's impossible for it to earn five million dollars!"

"I thought we were here to break up peacefully, but you guys—"

"Huh? A peaceful breakup? Oh, Ethan! How naive you are!" Before Ethan Jones could finish speaking, Don Valentine shouted, "You unilaterally broke the law! You led Atari into this abyss! And you still want a peaceful breakup under these circumstances?"

"Then you might as well kill us and turn yourself in!"

Go tell the judge—"I am innocent!"

"Dxxn!" Upon hearing this, Nolan Bushnell finally couldn't hold back anymore.

"Don! Shut your beak!" He glared at Don Valentine and roared, "We're sitting here today to solve a problem! If you don't want to solve it, then get out!"

'???'

Don Valentine frowned as he listened to Nolan Bushnell's roar.

He didn't understand why his companion had suddenly become enraged.

But when he caught the urgency in Nolan Bushnell's eyes, he instantly realized what was going on!

This is supposed to be a land of freedom, where there are more people than guns!

If Ethan Jones actually did as he said and pulled a gun from his waist and shot them all, then everything would be over!

Thinking of this, Don Valentine immediately shut his mouth.

But they refused to lose in terms of momentum.

He crossed his arms and leaned back.

The thuggish look that naturally arose was practically as if he had "I live in Santo Lodo, ​​a five-star good citizen" tattooed on his forehead!

With his silence, Nolan Bushnell also breathed a sigh of relief.

Turning his gaze back to Ethan Jones, and seeing his displeased expression, Nolan Bushnell lowered his voice and said in a calm tone, "Ethan, you may think that five million in compensation is a bit much, but this figure has actually been precisely calculated."

"First, there's the one million dollar in damages that Mirova is demanding. This amount is fixed because it's not what we're asking for."

"Secondly, there's the one million dollars for concealing patent infringement, which is calculated based on a licensing fee of one hundred dollars per machine. If you think this price is too high, you can go out and ask other companies, ask those companies that are being sued by Mirova, and they will tell you that Mirova's patent fees start at eight percent of the selling price per unit."

"Finally, there's the three million for early termination of the contract. In fact, Atari won't get a single penny of that amount."

At this point, Nolan Bushnell's tone became slightly somber, "This money is mainly for Midway Games and Chicago Coin, because they, like us, have been sued by Milrova."

"In the lawsuit they received, Milrova demanded $1.5 million in damages from them."

"The remaining 1.5 million is for them to obtain patent licenses."

Whoops!

Nolan Bushnell's words almost moved Ethan Jones to tears!

Atari demanded five million in compensation from him, but ended up not taking a single penny.

What a selfless spirit this is!

If Steve Jobs were there, he probably would have fallen down and bowed down in worship.

Because Nolan Bushnell and Don Valentine are clearly more compassionate than the Buddha who fed the eagle with his own body!

"I see?" Ethan Jones nodded slightly, indicating that he understood. "If all this money is for compensation, then I have no objection. Since I made a mistake, I should bear the consequences."

"! 』

Nolan Bushnell's lips curled up at Ethan Jones's words.

He glanced furtively at Don Valentine, whose taut face was trembling slightly as he tried to hide his joy.

Their eyes met, and information was exchanged.

Knowing his chance had come, Nolan Bushnell rubbed his hands together excitedly. "Oh, Ethan! I have to admit! You're absolutely the most responsible man I've ever met! You're like a Texas cowboy! A hero on horseback!"

Ethan Jones inwardly scoffed at the outrageous praise, but outwardly he wore a helpless, bitter smile.

"Taking responsibility? Oh Nolan—in our time, taking responsibility is a derogatory term. I also want to be like Clark Kent and shoulder everything, but... I admit, I can't, because I don't have that much money."

"Let alone five million, I can't even afford the one million that Mirohua is demanding from me."

When Ethan Jones slumped onto the sofa with a sorrowful expression, looking up at the sky and sighing listlessly.

Nolan Bushnell and Don Valentine, who witnessed all of this, had an indescribable look of surprise in their eyes!

Because this is exactly the result they wanted!

Without further hesitation, Nolan Bushnell cleared his throat and sat down next to Ethan Jones, saying, "Oh Ethan, my friend, please don't be so dejected, because this matter hasn't reached the point of no return."

"Do you remember when I apologized to you a few days ago? At that time, I said that we at Atari might not be able to pay you the second installment of revenue from Snake Game until everything was resolved, but now..."

"We can settle the payment in a different way."

"Your second-phase dividend is 1.37 million, so we'll offset it with 1.5 million. After deducting this amount, you only need to raise another 3.5 million for us."

"See? Just by using your brain, you can solve 30% of the funding problem in an instant!"

"The remaining three and a half million shouldn't be a problem for you, right? After all, your uncle's orchard has been around for many years, and with all that accumulated wealth... uh, I mean, he must have a lot of connections, right? He should be able to help you solve some of your difficulties, shouldn't he?"

Holy crap!

Ethan was furious!

These sons of bitches have absolutely no shame!

Did you want him to swindle Thomas and Linda out of their savings?

Although Ethan Jones knew it was just a pretense.

But the surge of anger still made him want to raise his fist and punch that bastard!

However, Ethan Jones held back when he thought about how these people hadn't yet revealed their true intentions.

"But that's not enough," he said. "Although Thomas has done well in business over the years, the family doesn't have much savings at all. I told him before that I wanted to start a business, and he said he could only give me 100,000..."

"This amount of money is simply not enough, is it?"

"I need to pay you 3.5 million, plus another 1 million to Mirova, leaving a shortfall of 4.5 million!"

"That's a difference of forty-five times!"

"Even if I went to Baja California as a hostage to transport goods, I wouldn't earn this much!"

Nolan Bushnell nodded slightly at Don Valentine upon hearing the dejected words.

The two knew that the water in the pot was almost at the right temperature.

"Ethan, Ethan, don't do this."

Nolan Bushnell raised his arm and put it around Ethan's shoulder, saying, "Brother, to be honest, we have a way to solve your problem, but we just haven't known how to bring it up because it would be too cruel for you..."

"What? You have a way?" At this moment, Ethan Jones was like a drowning boy trying to grab onto the mast that suddenly appeared on the water.

Upon hearing Nolan Bushnell's words, a look of delight flashed across his face, and he exclaimed, "Cruel? Is there anything crueler in this world than being burdened with a lawsuit and unable to pay your debts?"

"Right now, anything that can get me out of this quagmire is saving me!"

"Are you sure?" Nolan Bushnell asked, his eyes gleaming.

"OK!" Ethan Jones nodded vigorously.

While giving an affirmative answer, Nolan Bushnell also turned his attention to Don Valentine.

Upon receiving a signal from his companion, Don Valentine immediately said, "Ethan, when we were calculating the claim amount, we actually realized that you couldn't afford this astronomical figure. In order to resolve this matter and get rid of Milova's entanglement with us, we thought about some issues from your perspective and considered ways to solve the problem. Then we discovered... your game, 'Snake Game'."

"Although Snake Game infringed on copyrights, it is still a good game. In the past few days, we have inquired about prices in the market for you and received some good feedback. For example, Disney is willing to pay four million to buy it if you are willing to sell."

"That way, you only need to raise another 500,000."

"If I remember correctly, the first round of revenue sharing for 'Snake Game' was 400,000?"

"This amount of money shouldn't be a problem for you."

Good guy!

Ethan Jones just wanted to shout "Wow!"

In his previous assumption, no matter how ruthless Don Valentine and his ilk were, at most they would just embezzle his second-phase dividends.

But he never expected that these people not only wanted to freeload off his game and pocket his dividends, but also wanted to take back the profits that had already been distributed several months ago, and incidentally charge market interest on those profits.

What exactly is a capitalist?

These are the real capitalists!

I'm not only going to skin you alive, drink your blood, and eat your flesh, but I'm also going to make you in debt!

No wonder Evelyn Jensen said he was too kind! The so-called method of doing things is still the most primitive distribution according to work!

Compared to these guys, Ethan Jones is incredibly naive!

After staring intently at Don Valentine for a while, Ethan Jones realized that the future godfather of Sequoia Capital wasn't joking, so he dropped his pretense and burst into laughter.

His actions, however, left Don Valentine and Nolan Bushnell puzzled.

Still holding Ethan Jones, Nolan Bushnell asked, "Brother, what's wrong with you?"

"Oh Nolan, you ask me what's wrong? Can't you tell I'm happy?"

Ethan Jones tilted his head slightly and flashed a bright smile at Nolan Bushnell.

"We've known each other for five months, right? You've finally decided to tell the truth? That's really something!"

"You guys had your eye on my game's copyright from the very beginning, didn't you?"

"You've played a marketing game with me for months because of this."

"Wow! This is really putting you in a difficult position!"

The sudden sarcasm made Nolan Bushnell and Don Valentine tense up.

Both of their eyes involuntarily twitched.

"Brother, I don't understand what you mean."

Nolan Bushnell subtly withdrew his arm, opened his arms wide, and tried his best to show his innocence.

But having already heard that Disney was the buyer, Ethan Jones no longer needed to play this boring game of mutual agreement with them. He glanced at the two men with a mocking look and said, "Stop pretending. Do you really think I'm an idiot?"

"I am aware that you have a patent license for 'video games and training devices'."

"I know even better that you started selling the company using this as leverage as early as April this year."

"You all knew that 'Snake Game' was copyrighted!"

"But they didn't tell me, nor did they prevent it!"

"Because you want to use this as an opportunity to scheme against my copyright!"

!!!

Nolan Bushnell looked surprised when he heard this.

"Brother! What nonsense are you talking about!" he shouted, looking utterly bewildered. "If we have patent licenses, how could Milrova possibly sue us? Are you crazy, or are they?"

"I'm not crazy, and neither are they, which is why we received different indictments." Ethan Jones looked at Nolan Bushnell with a grin and said, "Do you know where I just came from?"

"I'm from San Francisco, from 555 California Street, Room 2000."

"This address should be familiar to you, right?"

"If you can't remember, I can help you recall."

As he spoke, Ethan Jones took out a business card from his pocket and gently placed it on the coffee table.

When the lawyer's business card bearing the name Sidley Austin appeared, Nolan Bushnell's lips twitched involuntarily.

Ethan Jones, however, seemed oblivious and continued, "I just went to Sidley Austin and spoke with Milward's lawyers. I asked them to tell Milward that his decision to file separate lawsuits is not problematic."

"Although they didn't understand what I meant, they did as I said, and after a phone call, they told me that their client, Milova, was very happy and liked the result very much."

That's right!

This is why Ethan Jones chose to communicate with Milrova first!

Because he needed to verify if the information brought by Steve Jobs was true! If Atari did indeed hold the patent license for "video games and training devices," then, under Ethan Jones's suggestion, Milrova would definitely give a positive response! And vice versa!

As for why no feedback is given?

That is impossible!

Because Ethan Jones used this as leverage to negotiate with Milwaukee to remove the sales ban clause!

When he changed his approach from "Is it or isn't it?" to "Will you do it or not?", the other person would definitely fall into the trap and give the correct answer!

More importantly, this news, which was of paramount importance to Ethan Jones, meant absolutely nothing to Milrova. Upon hearing about Ethan Jones's deal, they would at most assume that Ethan Jones and Atari had already communicated and knew everything! And all of this was unimportant to Milrova's top management, because they didn't care about patent licensing; they only cared about their comfortable positions!

After confirming with Milrova that Atari did indeed possess the patent license...

All the previous speculations have now become facts.

Impressive—

An infuriating truth!

"Oh! Sxxt!!!"

Looking at that business card, Nolan Bushnell could no longer wear that mask of hypocrisy.

"Dxxn! Where did you get this information???"

"We didn't tell anyone this! Which son of the bitch leaked this information???"

Nolan Bushnell is going crazy!

Because he was certain he hadn't mentioned this to any Atari employee!

Of all the people in Atari, only he and Don Valentine knew about this!

Meanwhile, outside...

The only options left are Milrova, which has granted the license, and their target buyers, MCA and Disney!

The former, Milrova, would never publicize this matter, because this is precisely what they want to conceal! As for the latter, Nolan Bushnell simply doesn't believe that Ethan Jones could obtain information from these giants!

As he pounded his heels and frantically racked his brains, Don Valentine, with a gloomy expression, suddenly spoke up, "It's Vinton Cerf, isn't it?"

"? 』

This name captured Nolan Bushnell's full attention.

"Don! What do you mean?"

"His sister, Evelyn Jensen."

Don Valentine made no attempt to hide anything, staring directly at Ethan Jones as he said, "His sister, Evelyn Jensen, has a good relationship with Vinton Cerf, a professor at Stanford's School of Engineering, who is a senior researcher at the Stanford Institute."

Nolan Bushnell frowned immediately when the name Stanford Institute appeared!

Because he understood what Don Valentine meant!

The information about them possessing "video games and training equipment" may have been leaked from Disney!

Did Disney leak this information?

"Oh, oh my god!" Nolan Bushnell slammed his fist on the sofa next to him. "Just as I thought, they're in the entertainment business!"

"Not a single piece of information could be kept secret!"

Ethan Jones was somewhat moved, because it was only then that he realized he had another channel to obtain information.

As Don Valentine said, Vinton Cerf is a senior fellow at the Stanford Research Institute, which has a long-standing close working relationship with the Disney Group.

For example, the site selection and design for Disneyland in Anaheim, California, was undertaken by the Stanford Research Institute.

Later, the Stanford Institute also provided guidance for the establishment of projects such as Disney World in Orlando, Florida.

That was a relationship established during Walt Disney's tenure, and from every angle, it was more reliable than Steve Jobs's connections.

But that doesn't matter anymore, right?

If the result is correct, that's enough.

And now-

"The advantage lies with me!"

Looking at the two men with their dark expressions, Ethan Jones laughed. "So you admit it?"

"Aren't you tired of wearing a mask for so long?"

When the insulting words were uttered, Nolan Bushnell could no longer laugh, and Don Valentine... the guy who had been playing the fool all along picked up his brain in front of Ethan Jones.

He crossed his legs, adjusted his posture, and a mocking look appeared on his face.

"Ethan, even if you knew everything, what could you do?"

"Yes, we had already obtained the patent license for the video game and training device before signing the contract."

"Yes, we knew from the beginning that Snake Game was infringing on copyright."

"Yes, we have ways to avoid Mirova's lawsuit."

"But we didn't."

"Because we wanted to acquire the rights to 'Snake Game' from the very beginning."

Don Valentine recounted what they had done, word by word.

As he spoke, a proud smile spread across his face, which bore the marks of time.

"Ethan, I can tell you everything you want to know now."

"But do these things mean anything to you?"

"It's gone."

"You know too late."

"The moment you sign the licensing agreement, your fate is already sealed."

"You have no chance of saving Snake Game."

"You can fight back, but your resistance will only make me withdraw my last bit of pity."

At this point, Don Valentine laughed.

His mouth was slightly open, and beneath his white teeth lay a dark abyss.

"You don't have to sell us 'Snake Game'."

"We can also refuse to accept the second phase of dividends as payment and increase our claim amount."

"Go and raise the money, child."

"Next, we will demand ten million from you."

"You can have Barbara Babcock hire Edward Williams to help you with the case."

"But once Milroyal files a lawsuit, you have no chance of winning."

"Even if the court ultimately awards only a few million instead of ten million, it doesn't matter, right?"

Don Valentine grinned and said with a sneer—

"We don't care about the amount of money; we just want to see you crying and begging for buyers to purchase your game."

Now that Ethan Jones knows everything, Don Valentine has no choice but to cut ties!

Can't I get Snake Game?

It's okay!

It's the same whether you take money or not!

More importantly, Ethan Jones himself shouldn't even think about holding the copyright!

Now that the plan has been set up, it has to be cut to the bone!

Otherwise, wouldn't Atari have been sued by Milrova for nothing?

Just when Don Valentine thought that the matter was settled and there was no way to fix it, Ethan Jones, who was sitting there, suddenly leaned forward, put his elbows on his thighs, picked up a cup from the coffee table, and started playing with it.

"Don, Nolan, have you ever been to prison?"

This issue made Don Valentine and Nolan Bushnell, who were already annoyed, frown.

Before they could ask any questions, Ethan Jones continued, "It's said that our country's prisons are infamous. They're filled with torture and abuse, rife with cruelty and humiliation. No matter who goes in, they'll suffer inhuman torment. Of course, some people think it's paradise, like going home, and they might even have a chance for enlightenment."

"I don't know which statement is correct, but I'm ready to go and experience it."

"? 』

"Ethan, what do you mean?" Nolan Bushnell asked, puzzled.

Don Valentine squinted and cast a questioning glance at Ethan Jones.

"What do I mean?"

Ethan Jones laughed, tossing the cup in his hand as he looked at the two people in front of him.

"Gentlemen, have you forgotten something?"

"I, Ethan Jones, used to be an employee of Milrova, in the California marketing division."

"I once wrote an invitation to Nolan Bushnell for the launch of the new product, the Mirova Odyssey, and then personally greeted him when he went to attend the event."

"We've never publicized this matter because there's a secret between Nolan and me."

"That was two years ago when I told Nolan that billiards was the most popular game at Milwaukee."

!!!

Nolan Bushnell's pupils constricted.

Don Valentine, his brow furrowed and his face contorted in a grimace, cried out, "Ethan—you!"

"Don't get agitated... Corporate espionage is all too common in the business world, isn't it?"

Ethan Jones raised an eyebrow, placed his cup on the table, and said softly, "Last time, when Milrova sued Atari for plagiarism, they were very dissatisfied with the settlement result under Professor Ralph Bell's intervention."

"Because what they want to do most is to strangle Atari."

"Unfortunately, they didn't succeed."

"But it's alright, I'll give them a chance now."

"I will tell Milova that I did help you back then."

"As for the method, it's quite simple. Nolan, don't you also live in Los Gatos? We're communicating face-to-face, right?"

"I know that my actions as a corporate espionage agent will lead to federal prosecution, and if proven, I could face up to 15 years in prison and $500,000 in damages. But that doesn't matter. I'm already going to pay $6 million anyway, so paying a little more won't hurt. Besides, I can't afford to pay that much anyway. Staying out there working to pay off my debts is no better than going straight to jail."

"And you guys are in trouble. Atari is worth 20 million to Disney, and MCA is willing to pay 22 million for it, but you won't get any of that money because you're going to jail with me!"

"Goose, goose, goose..."

At this point, Ethan Jones chuckled.

His handsome face was now contorted with madness.

He slightly raised his chin and looked down at the two of them.

"How about it, Nolan, want to go eat in jail together?"

That's right!

Threatening Atari with the charge of industrial espionage—that was the magic Ethan Jones had in mind!

As a former Mirova employee, Ethan Jones knew better than anyone just how strong Mirova's desire to destroy Atari was!

Because whether it's middle management or senior management, they have repeatedly tried to pin the blame for Atari's rise on him!

Unfortunately, Ethan Jones was too clean! So clean that they couldn't find even the slightest fault with him!

This fact greatly disappointed Milova.

Before today, Ethan Jones found this unfounded suspicion really unpleasant.

But now, Ethan Jones thinks that the leaders at Milroyal who want to shift the blame have a good idea!

Since Nolan Bushnell and Don Valentine have set a trap to ruin him and prevent him from recovering through legal means, then don't blame him for flipping the table and ending up in a mess!

Isn't Mirohua trying to frame him for colluding with the enemy?

you can!

Ethan Jones accepted it!

He would readily admit that he had provided Nolan Bushnell with Milovari's business intelligence!

He has confirmed his identity as a corporate spy!

Make Nolan Bushnell an accomplice!

Ethan Jones believed that if he dared to speak up, those petty guys from Milrohua would hold a grudge and never let him go!

And at that time, Atari still wants to sell?

Dream on!

Since you don't want me to have an easy time and want to crush me to the ground, then let's all go to hell together!

"Ethan Jones!!!"

Nolan Bushnell, having figured it out, was furious.

"This is slander!!!"

"I did not hire you to steal Mirova's business information! I am conducting business openly and honestly!"

"Who cares?" Ethan Jones spread his hands and laughed. "Nobody cares whether you're in business or not."

"The judge only knows that Milrova has filed a lawsuit against us, accusing you of instigating me to steal Milrova's trade secrets. I have confessed to my crimes, and you will become a subject of close investigation by the police."

"I know Mirova and I know Atari. I will tell the judge that we always do business face-to-face."

"Because of our close relationship, after I left Milrova, I directly handed over the game I invented to Atari for distribution."

The light, casual words made Nolan Bushnell's neck veins bulge and his cheeks turn bright red.

"Ethan Jones—"

Nolan Bushnell roared, "The judge won't believe it!"

Before he could finish speaking, an angry Don Valentine chimed in, "Ethan! Stop playing these little tricks!"

"It's useless! Your testimony alone isn't enough to convict you! Not only that, it will also get you caught up in a false accusation!"

"Oh? Really?" Ethan Jones laughed. "Like I said, who cares?"

The instant he finished speaking, his expression changed, and he shouted—

"Nobody cares about that fact!"

"Except for you!"

"So what if it's a false accusation?"

"All I want is to see you in court!"

"Didn't MCA offer you 22 million because of patent licensing?!"

"Isn't Disney also trying to acquire you, who own the patent licenses?!"

"But what if you get caught up in the vortex of stealing Mirova's trade secrets?!"

"Would they dare to make another acquisition?!"

"And after you went to court on charges of stealing trade secrets, Atari's normal production was even halted by the court!"

"As for the reasons, I don't think I need to explain them to you again, do I?"

"Milohua will seize this opportunity and cripple your production capacity!"

"Aren't you after the copyright to my 'Snake Game'?!"

"Can!!!"

"I'll make sure your company can't be sold at all!!!"

"You don't want me to live, do you???"

"Then we'll all die together!!!"

Ethan Jones shrugged.

His rascal-like demeanor instantly came to the fore.

Yes!

Ethan Jones knew that the accusation of stealing trade secrets was unfounded.

But it is not important.

Because if Milrova seizes the opportunity, it will destroy Atari!

They may not have endless hatred for Atari, but they would definitely want to strangle this little brat just like Ethan Jones!

When Ethan Jones himself became the knife, handing it over to Milwaukee, did Nolan Bushnell and Don Valentine still think they could sell the company for a high price and cash out? Dream on! They'd be dreaming!

Thinking of this, Don Valentine and Nolan Bushnell clenched their fists.

His lips trembled; he wanted to roar, but found himself unable to utter a sound.

I was breathing rapidly, wanting to fight desperately, but I found that I couldn't lift my elbow.

This sight made Ethan Jones raise his eyebrows.

His face was full of mockery, and he slowly leaned forward.

When he looked at the two men at eye level, teasing remarks followed.

"Nolan, the acquisition price of 22 million should allow you to take 10 million, right?"

"But now... sorry, I can't get it~"

"You!" Nolan Bushnell's eyes blazed with fury.

"Tang, I heard you've invested all your savings from all these years?"

"Wow~ a forty-year-old man with no money, how pitiful~"

"Ethan Jones—" Don Valentine gritted his teeth.

"What's wrong? You all look really upset?" Ethan Jones said with a laugh. "If you're upset, then don't be upset!"

Such irritating words made Don Valentine's face contort in pain.

He closed his eyes and pondered for a long time.

When I opened it again, there was only compromise.

"Okay, I give up. What do you want?"

Whoops!

Ethan Jones really liked Don Valentine's appearance.

It wasn't that he didn't want to inflict heavy losses on himself, but rather that he wanted to see his opponent fall after exhausting all his cunning schemes.

There's nothing I can do; he's just an ordinary person.

Since the other party has chosen to compromise, then—

Ethan Jones said, "You have forty-eight hours to settle my share of the Snake Game profits."

"Okay." Don Valentine nodded.

"The collaboration with Snake Game has come to an end."

"no problem."

"You need to be liable for the legal damages that Mirova has inflicted on you, your distributors, and me."

"That's impossible!"

Before Don Valentine could speak, Nolan Bushnell shouted, "Even if we can negotiate a three-way settlement, it will cost two million!"

"We can't possibly pay that money!"

"Ethan Jones! Don't go too far!"

These words silenced Don Valentine, which was tantamount to agreement.

Ethan Jones then moved closer to Nolan Bushnell, staring intently at him. "Nolan, do you know why I dared to play the corporate espionage card? Because I have a way to convince the judge that we're in cahoots."

"Do you remember the discussions we had a few weeks ago about the second phase of dividends?"

"I'm asking you, why is there such a big difference in the sales of Snake Game in the Midwest and the West Coast of the United States?"

"You told me before that it was because of population distribution, right?"

"I didn't object at the time, but now I want to tell you, I don't believe it."

"Are you willing to take a bet with me? Bet the IRS will accept my complaint."

"I will tell the IRS that Atari manipulated the sales figures for Snake Game because Atari wanted to pay less tax, and I can produce the discrepancies in the documents."

"Snake Game sold over seven million copies in the West Coast of the United States, but less than three and a half million in the Midwest."

"Do you think they'll believe your population distribution theory after the IRS gets involved?"

"Although the IRS will only make you pay back taxes the first time you evade taxes, that's okay. When your taxes are all problematic, I can take the IRS investigation report to the judge to prove that what I said is true, that you instructed me to steal trade secrets, while you stubbornly lied. Do you think the judge will believe you or me?"

"Let me give you a piece of advice: judges are human too."

Ethan Jones winked at Nolan Bushnell.

"Gulp."

The next second, he heard the sound of swallowing.

Under his gaze, Nolan Bushnell clenched his teeth, slowly uttering each word from between them—

"Ethan Jones...you're a devil..."

"Goose, goose, goose, goose..." This nickname made Ethan Jones burst into laughter.

He picked up the documents on the table, patted Nolan Bushnell's face, and said with a smile, "Thank you, I like that title."

Then, he stood up again, glancing sideways and looking down at the two of them.

"Now, it's your turn to raise the money."

Good luck.

Two in one

(End of this chapter)