September 17, 1997.
The lucky number seven—or perhaps the number seven of performance—of a triumph that so often seems to strike people's minds… Billy's success is the success of wealth. William Dommer had witnessed the two enormous acquisitions Billy made, nearly 250 million dollars between two automobile companies, along with all the properties, contracts, and businesses he purchased, turning an entire conglomerate into his own. A success that showed no signs of slipping into failure. The entry was so powerful and precise that William still couldn't fully understand how. Using his private line and the satellite phone he had given Billy to avoid leaks and information theft, the two connected for a call.
-It's simple, and I'm not afraid to say it. – Billy remarked, weighing his words. – I plan to merge with Toyota, bringing together three major companies that will cover three different tiers of luxury: the luxury of the lower and lower-middle class, the luxury of the upper-middle and high class. Three companies that will completely break apart any industry we touch. – Billy stated, utterly intent on the success he was driving in the Asian market. For now, Raimon carried out most of the operations, and the momentum of the companies allowed him to borrow in dollars and acquire more stocks and assets—a scheme of possibilities that seemed ready to devour everything.
-You want to swallow Toyota whole. – William Dommer said in surprise.
-In fact, I do want to swallow Toyota, and in a straightforward way. Since we already have an agreement, what I need are large, deep injections of capital. With them, we can gain at least 60% across different companies while launching an aggressive deal, putting forth a bold 20% support stake, through which I'll propose alliances and capital injections for car production, based on Asia's metallurgy and active development services. We'll join forces with a brand brimming with potential. – Billy replied.
-And you'll do this for the reason of… – William Dommer asked.
-For making money—unprecedented money. These brands can generate immense value for our companies. And beyond that, this is our gateway into Formula 1. So tell me, William, do you think this is a failure and want to step aside, or do you see the future in this venture? – Billy pressed.
-Henry Ford, when he rose to prominence, was perhaps the greatest car salesman in America. Over time, his vehicles spread across the entire country. He was arrogant, but from the 1920s to the 1940s, there was no man with that much power—he achieved whatever he desired. His strength was innovation, yet he failed to see the world that was coming. If we make money, I'd advise selling the company in the next 20 to 25 years. – William Dommer said.
Billy raised an eyebrow. It wasn't a bad idea. Sales were already near solid, and he knew that in 30 years, the symbol of the future would be artificial intelligence within automobiles—from minimal manual decisions, to comfort, renewable energy, branding, design, and global recognition.
-You may not believe me, but I have an idea to create the finest cars over the next 40 years—giving young people the chance to own luxury vehicles, making people love my cars, and tying it all into my video game consoles, films, and marketing. – Billy said.
-Bold of you. I'm in. I'm friends with many shareholders across auto companies, and I can bring BlackRock into play, making under-the-table acquisitions while keeping our names protected. – William Dommer Rockefeller replied.
-We'll wait for Asia to hit its lowest point. Many businessmen will lose fortunes, and we'll step in; however, we'll choose by January next year. For now, I'm gathering capital. – Billy explained, intent on using the leverage of acquisition and risk.
-Heh, you're ruthless. I understand now, kid… then I hope we'll have time to see your plan come to life. – William Dommer responded, weighing it carefully. – I'll invest in your cars when I see it's truly worth investing. –
-No matter. Still, I'd like to buy a glass-making company. – Billy added. – Corning Incorporated. They're developing a touch-sensitive glass, which will be vital for our companies to embrace the future. What remains is for you to purchase Apple shares from those investors still holding on, and I'll pave the way for us to build a strong enterprise with that glass company. –
Billy wanted to push this company to its limits—to have it supply everything he needed. That was his advantage: creating the unbreakable glass he would use across all his video game consoles, portable devices, cellphones, and even cars with integrated GPS. The creation was within his grasp, and he burned with the desire to invent so much that he would have to move the machinery of the United States for a thousand years, carrying forward industrial secrets.
-Glass… a company that seems beyond my scope. I don't have good references. What's your involvement with it? – William asked.
-You'll see in three years. But it's nearly as valuable as Apple—or any other company. We'll harvest the fruit of an industrial secret. Patents are meaningless when we can seize the market. – Billy replied, fully aware that the fruit of industrial secrecy could last maybe six years, after which he could file a tentative patent registration for an additional 12 years of protection. Perfect—without a doubt.
Once the first patent was released, the progress could consume competitors while others struggled to catch up, as his brand became firmly established. In any case, Billy had a clear path ahead.
-We'll discuss this thoroughly. – William said, ending the call with a formal goodbye, though his heart had started to race. It was incredible how the young man's mind worked—calculations that seemed almost hypothetical. Following a boy who moved like a shark in a pool was a gamble that could silence anyone daring enough to rise against him.
…
Billy chuckled to himself. The old man wanted to scrape a share but didn't know where to start. Some ventures would bear fruit, others were risky wagers. Building a company was… complicated. Copyrights, competitors moving like starving sharks, each desperate to grab a slice of the pie. A brutal struggle. Even the comic industry wavered under countless plagiarism lawsuits. Without his father, his signature, and the support he had received, he would never have survived the flood of claims—even as he counter-sued.
-Let's see how much I can use you. – Billy muttered, considering that a 20% stake would help him acquire multiple companies. He didn't care to own them outright—he only wanted profits and the power to steer the board toward its destiny. Nothing more mattered.
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