Chapter 200: Twitter

Silicon Valley, the South Bay Area of San Francisco, was a high-tech industry cluster. In Redwood City, Evan Williams saw Charles Capet off from Twitter's headquarters.

"Goodbye, Evan. I think Twitter will surprise everyone in the future!"

"Bye, Charles. I hope to hear more of your constructive advice!"

Charles smiled and got into the business car parked by the road with Dona Williams.

Charles directly acquired 85% of Odeo Company for $1.5 million while Evan Williams still held 10%, and the remaining 5% would be given as equity incentives to the management.

"Sign the agreement as soon as possible." Charles was initially a bit excited, but after success, he seemed to calm down.

"Alright, there will be a lawyer here tomorrow to handle the agreement!" Dona Williams nodded. The boss and Evan Williams spent an entire day discussing without much haggling over the price.

"Also, transfer an additional $2 million to Twitter as operating funds. Evan and I agreed that this investment wouldn't dilute his shares, but future financing will dilute normally," Charles said. He wouldn't fund Twitter alone; outside capital would be brought in for development.

However, with 85% of the shares, Charles would always have controlling interest and enough strength to finance until Twitter's IPO.

"Boss, I trust your vision. Your investment in YouTube was very successful, and we still hold a significant percentage. Whether we sell or wait for the IPO, Dawn Investments' investment is thrilling!" Dona Williams said, kissing Charles.

"Dona, after finalizing the contracts, we'll head to New York. Although The New York Observer is just a regional weekly, it has many influential readers. I plan to acquire it from Arthur Carter," Charles said, patting the girl's leg.

Dona Williams nodded. The New York Observer had a witty writing style and insightful reporting, attracting a stable subscriber base.

"Boss, you seemed very excited last night. Why do you seem so calm after the acquisition?" Dona felt Charles was unusually calm.

Charles smiled, stroked the girl's cheek, and kissed her. The spacious business car allowed ample room.

In no time, Charles leaned back on the seat, enjoying the service from Dona Williams, gazing at the neon lights outside.

The movie The Pursuit of Happiness was filmed in San Francisco, starting last November and wrapping up this February.

Directed by Gabriele Muccino, the film starred Will Smith's son, Jaden Smith, playing his son. Actress Thandiwe Newton played Will Smith's wife.

The movie was basically developed with Will Smith as a producer. Charles from Capet Pictures served as the executive producer with another production executive assisting.

"Mm," Dona Williams finally raised her head as the car neared the hotel.

After gulping and fixing Charles' clothes, she took out a mirror, wiped her mouth, and entered the hotel suite with Charles.

"Boss, when are we going to New York?" inquired Phyllis Jones, returning from shopping.

"Once Dona wraps things up here, we can head to New York," Charles responded, overlooking the San Francisco Bay.

"Great! Dona and I plan to shop on Madison Avenue and Fifth Avenue. San Francisco doesn't have as many stores as Manhattan does!" Phyllis Jones, who earned well with Charles and received occasional rewards, couldn't suppress her shopping nature.

"Heh, go ahead. I'll give you both a few days off to enjoy New York," Charles said, indifferent to such small matters.

Phyllis Jones playfully stuck out her tongue, kissed Charles on the cheek, and said, "Tonight, Dona and I won't let you get out of bed tomorrow."

With that, Phyllis Jones went to sort through her shopping haul.

Dona Williams just shook her head slightly. "Big boobs, no brains!"

"Dona, do you think Capet Entertainment has a good chance to acquire Lucasfilm?" Charles suddenly asked.

"Lucasfilm? It owns the Star Wars series," Dona Williams was visibly shocked.

Everyone knew what the Star Wars series represented in America - it was a top-tier global movie IP.

"I'm not sure if George Lucas would sell Lucasfilm, but I know we can't afford it," Dona Williams analyzed rationally.

"True," Charles said, asking casually since Lucasfilm's headquarters were in San Francisco.

Charles was well aware of the immense value of the Star Wars series, with countless merchandise sold.

Licensing toys, magazines, games, and more were endless.

The most valuable asset of Lucasfilm was undoubtedly the Star Wars series IP, but Lucasfilm also had the world's top special effects company, Industrial Light & Magic, Lucas Licensing, Skywalker Sound, and Lucas Animation among others.

The Indiana Jones series was also developed by Lucasfilm. The Star Wars series was distributed by 20th Century Fox, while the Indiana Jones series was distributed by Paramount.

The visual effects of Transformers were developed by Industrial Light & Magic along with Digital Domain!

However, Digital Domain, the second-largest effects company, had been declining since James Cameron and Stan Winston left.

Medium and small effects companies were more favored by production companies for outsourcing. Though not as efficient as established effects companies, combining several firms for special effects works too.

Because, it's cheaper!

Capet Entertainment's Marvel Studios would develop more effects-heavy blockbusters. The special effects would mainly be outsourced to medium-sized Hollywood firms and those in Australia, the UK, and Canada.

"Boss, Lucasfilm won't be for sale. George Lucas doesn't need the money!" Dona Williams said.

Charles looked at Dona and just smiled, saying nothing.

The timing wasn't right yet.

*****

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