Chapter 381: Surging In

"Actually, it's very simple to get all of AOL's shareholders to unequivocally support Netscape and ignore all the benefits that Microsoft's preinstalled system icons could bring,"

Steve Case's fingers lightly tapped on the tabletop, "As long as the interests of the two are tied together, no one would consider Gates's proposal."

Dean's gaze flickered, and under Steve's slightly tense but impassive eyes, he simply responded.

"Go on~"

"Alright, Dean, I think I've guessed it," Steve spread his hands, deciding to tell the truth.

"As an ally, there is no doubt that we stand with you, but AOL is a public company.

In order to be accountable to shareholders and the public, the prerequisite for AOL's assistance to Netscape is that it must be in its own interest.

So I thought of a compromise, which is 'you are in me, and I am in you.'"

Seeing that Dean was still noncommittal, Steve simply shrugged.

"To put it more bluntly, it's cross-shareholding between AOL and Netscape.