CH77 - Atari's Turn - IV

"Judge only knows that Magnavox has filed a lawsuit against us. Magnavox accuses you of instigating me to steal Magnavox's trade secrets. I admit my guilt, and you will be the subject of a police investigation."

"I understand Magnavox, and I know Atari too. I will tell the judge that we had a face-to-face transaction."

"Because of our close relationship, as soon as I came out of Magnavox, I directly handed over the game I invented to Atari for distribution."

Nolan Bushnell's neck veins bulged as he heard the light words, his cheeks turning extremely red.

"Ethan—"

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

Before his words could settle, an angry Don Valentine also supported, "Ethan! Don't play these tricks anymore!"

"It's useless! Your testimony alone won't convict me! Moreover, it will drag you into the whirlpool of false accusations!"

"Oh? Is that so?" Ethan laughed, "Who cares, anyway?"

And in the instant his words fell, his face changed, and he shouted loudly—

"No one cares about this!"

"Except for you!"

"Even if it's a false accusation, so what?"

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

"MCA didn't offer you $22 million for patent licensing?"

"Disney also wants to acquire you with patent licensing, right?"

"But what if you are deeply involved in the whirlpool of stealing Magnavox's business secrets?"

"Will they still dare to acquire you?"

"And after you stand trial for stealing trade secrets, Atari's normal production will be halted by the court!"

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

"Magnavox will seize this opportunity to crush your production capacity!"

"Don't you covet the copyright of my 'Snake Game'?"

"Fine!"

"I'll make sure your company can't sell anything!"

"Don't want me to live, huh?"

"Then let's all die together!"

Ethan shrugged.

A ruffian-like appearance instantly appeared.

Yes!

Ethan knew that the charge of stealing trade secrets was untenable.

But that didn't matter.

Because Magnavox, seizing the opportunity, would crush Atari to the fullest!

They might not have endless hatred for Atari, but they would certainly, like Ethan, want to strangle this little rascal!

And when Ethan, transformed into a knife, fell into Magnavox's hands, did Nolan Bushnell and Don Valentine still want to sell the company at a high price? Cash out? Dream on! Everything was in vain!

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

Their lips trembled, wanting to roar, but found they couldn't make a sound.

Breathing rapidly, wanting to resist, but found they couldn't lift their elbows.

Ethan looked amused at this situation.

Mockery was written all over his face as his body leaned forward slowly.

When he locked eyes with the two, mocking words followed.

"Nolan, can the purchase price of $22 million let you take away $10 million? But now... sorry, can't get it anymore~"

"You!" Nolan Bushnell's eyes shot flames.

"Don, heard you invested all your savings in these years?"

"Wow~ a forty-year-old man without a penny, how pitiful~"

"Ethan—" Don Valentine gritted his teeth.

"What's wrong? You guys seem to be really upset?" Ethan laughed, "If you're upset, then don't live with it!"

Such irritating words made Don Valentine's facial features twist.

Closing his eyes, pondering for a while.

When he opened them again, it was surrender.

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

Oh!

Ethan really liked Don Valentine's appearance.

Not because he didn't want to harm the enemy while hurting himself, but because he wanted to see his opponent collapse after all the scheming.

No choice, he was just an ordinary person.

And since the other side chose to compromise, then—

Ethan said, "Give you 48 hours to settle the dividends of 'Snake Game' with me."

"Fine." Don Valentine nodded.

"The cooperation on 'Snake Game' ends here."

"No problem."

"You need to bear Magnavox's, your own, and the distributor's lawsuit compensation."

"That's impossible!"

Before Don Valentine could speak, Nolan Bushnell shouted, "Even if the compensation can be negotiated, it would be two million!"

"We can't afford that!"

"Ethan! Don't be too much!"

This statement made Don Valentine silent, which was considered an agreement.

And Ethan leaned over to Nolan Bushnell's side, staring straight into his eyes. "Nolan, do you know why I dare to play the card of industrial espionage? Because I have a way to make the judge believe we're in cahoots."

"Remember a few weeks ago when we discussed the second-phase dividends? I asked you, why is there such a big difference in the sales of 'Snake Game' in the Midwest and ZD regions of the United States?"

"You told me it was due to 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 bet with me? Bet on whether the IRS will accept my report."

"I will tell the IRS that Atari tampered with the sales of 'Snake Game' because Atari wanted to pay less tax. And I can provide documents showing the discrepancies."

"'Snake Game' sold over seven million in the ZD region of the United States, while sales in the Midwest region didn't even reach three and a half million."

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

"Although the first time you evade taxes, the IRS will only make you pay back the taxes, but it doesn't matter. When all your taxes are in question, I will present the IRS investigation report to the judge, proving that what I said is true, that you guys are instigating me to steal trade secrets, and you are stubbornly lying. Do you think the judge will believe you or me?"

"Here's a piece of advice, judges are also human."

Ethan blinked at Nolan Bushnell.

"Gulp."

The next moment, he heard the sound of swallowing saliva.

Under his gaze, Nolan Bushnell clenched his silver teeth, and each word slowly bounced out from between his teeth—

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

"Devil..." This nickname made Ethan burst into laughter.

He patted the documents on the table and laughed, "Thanks, I like this nickname."

Then, he stood up again, glanced sideways, and looked down at the two from a height.

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

"Good luck."