399. the new year.

January 3.

The times in Italy are perfect, and Milan is a city with its unique charm. It has the power to be called the fashion capital and, for many reasons, is a country that invites exploration and discovery. With its beautiful surroundings, including expansive vineyards, it is a city built for investment.

Billy was walking through the Italian vineyard. Genoa, Turin, and Livorno are nearby and are known for their wine production. They produce various types of wine, from sweet and sour to fruity. Less than an hour away, in Novara, a beautiful villa featured an old wooden house with clay, stone, and luxurious gardens. Alongside it was a vineyard and a barrel factory for aging wine— the beginning of a new business that wasn't focused on getting rich. That's why Mónica, with her large black eyes and distinguished appearance, couldn't find any words to express her amazement.

-So… -

-It's ours. It's my Christmas gift—a vineyard for us. I thought it would be something that could bring us closer to Italy. And just a vineyard. You've always hinted at wanting a place where you can enjoy your wines, so now you have it. We can make our wine. The previous owner sold me his contacts on the condition that I wouldn't dismiss his former employees. If we sell 50% of the harvest, the vineyard can run on its own. With some investment, we can expand the winery and, of course, produce better wines for ourselves, - Billy said to Mónica, who nodded politely but inside felt like a teenager bursting with excitement. A Christmas vineyard, an unexpected gift that delighted her completely; now she understood why he had waited so long to give it to her.

 -Oh, Billy, I don't like being surprised like this, - she murmured, feeling even more touched by the gesture.

-It's for both of us. -

A vineyard is considered by many Italians as a land of beauty, art, culture, and nature— idyllic places centered around the grape. Many traditions, businesses, and products stem from this concentrated fruit that creates a thread of well-being and beauty. It's no coincidence that this fruit produces the elixir of life: wine.

-Thank you for everything you've done for me, - Mónica whispered, acknowledging Billy's support in strengthening her commercial contracts with fashion brands, her involvement in the car market, and her dedication to high-level modeling. The title of the supermodel was now hers.

She bit her lip, resting her head on Billy's chest as she loved to do in the mornings, a position she cherished.

-Don't worry, we'll take it step by step. -

***

Steve Jobs was moving back and forth, enjoying the luxury of closing multiple transactions—a newly acquired pleasure. The business favored Billy, who was buying various shares that might urgently need negotiation in the coming weeks. His percentage had grown from 5% to 9%. The expenditure was considerable, and even though his company NEXT was making a lot of money, the company's money was still just that: company money.

-Apple's stock is plummeting, but Billy is offering to buy shares at $1.75. With a 23% stake in his favor, it's a good deal. The next few months and years will be a matter of investment. We need to remodel the industry and inject varying amounts of money. We have a project, but Billy's priority is to acquire these properties under his name,- Steve Jobs commented.

The other party sighed. Apple's shares, bought in the late 80s, had been a good company, but its recent decline was a complete disaster. He wasn't fully aware that the news was false. While some companies had managed to use Apple's technology, the issue didn't escalate further, but the damage was clear. Therefore, they needed to work on rebuilding the market, closely related to the gaming industry, Autodesk, and Jobs's knack for achieving what seemed impossible. But it wasn't just about luck; it was about sharp vision and strategic thinking.

-They expect a bankruptcy, - Tim Michaels commented.

-We'll do it. The initial investments will involve substantial sums for acquisitions and other projects that may not seem favorable to a board of directors. If you want to invest or buy under a mandatory acquisition agreement, I can't blame you, - Jobs said.

-I'll sell, but I want a preferential repurchase clause when they make their public acquisition, - Tim Michaels responded.

-Of course, we'll do that. I just hope that, at that time, you or your children are willing to reinvest in the company, - Steve Jobs said, with his usual gesture of moving his mustache from side to side.

The signing was flawlessly executed on the page.

…

In the first weeks of January 1996, for Jobs and Billy, it was all about acquiring Apple shares, a move considered one of the largest they had made recently. A well-devised plan divided the shares among three parties: Billy received 78% of the company, Jobs 9.5%, and 12% went to a multi-billion-dollar investment fund covering various sectors such as oil, metals, mining, coal, energy, technology, and even a minor stake in entertainment.

Raimon, another participant, was completely exhausted and overwhelmed from postponing his vacation, but duty called. He had to oversee the entire process of restructuring and fortifying Apple. They hired Gil Amelio, known as a corporate turnaround specialist. If anyone could cut costs, optimize processes, and revitalize a stagnating company, he was the man for the job.

This decision displeased Jobs, but the orders were clear. In the many meetings, it was emphasized that Apple's priority was innovation, not quantity. They reduced the number of product models from 78 to 10—products that had not made a strong impression on the market. These would later be cut down to 5: three computer models, each with its CPU, modem, keyboard, and mouse, but many of these models needed work, along with one laptop and headphones.

-Billy explained everything to me! Let's reduce our products. Our primary colors will be black, gray, and white, with subtle shades of blue to represent the emblem of Lux Animation and various touches of modernity. Billy wants better graphic processors, improved operating systems, and top-notch developers. We need change, and the best change is to switch from inch disks to USB connectors for memory and linking, - Raimon explained, implementing many of Billy's required practices to meet common delivery standards, with designs created by Billy to improve the overall look.

-Yes, but why can't I be the CEO? I believe I've contributed significantly to the company's project, - Jobs murmured with displeasure.

-You're the Creative Director of the company with broad authority over its operational direction. We need you to do what you do best. For now, let Gil handle the numbers and the accounts. You are the face of Apple, - Raimon said smoothly.

Jobs narrowed his eyes but understood his role. The contract was also crucial: Gil Amelio would be CEO for only three years, paving the way for a new director in 1999, with the hope that Jobs's talent would be recognized by then.

The cost of acquiring shares reached $109 million to obtain the remaining percentage and secure 78% of the company. This expenditure was highly controversial when Apple withdrew from the stock market for corporate health reasons, ultimately becoming the owner of the technology company.

The company's finances are as follows: $300 million was invested in Discovery for new documentaries, purchasing, and hiring new talent, and recording equipment. An additional $60 million went into Lux Kids, a children's channel that generated $72 million. $16 million was invested in Comedy Central, while $38 million was spent on Skylerbox, primarily funded by comic book revenues. ID Software was expanded to Atlanta, with $75 million invested in Microsoft Games as a primary investment and $15 million in DreamWorks Games, paid by ID Software.

The purchase of Apple shares for $109 million, covering an additional 46% for a total of 78%, the acquisition of the Golden State Warriors basketball team for $70 million, and the $100 million invested in DreamWorks brought the total expenditure to $757 million in the last quarter. The annual total, considering other expenses, amounts to $1.3 billion.

Throughout the year, four animated films were released, and there was an investment in three films with distribution collaboration.

Monthly, Lux Comics generates $9 to $11 million in comic book sales, half of which is used to sustain the company, with the remainder for investments. This results in a minimum profit of $54 million from comic book sales, reaching a peak of $72 million this year. The television channel earns an additional $57 million from advertising, toys, and licensing.

Hotmail was sold for $520 million, and there is a debt of three credits totaling $300 million, $250 million, and $190 million, respectively.

Iron Giant made a profit of $43 million, Lilo & Stitch $367 million, A Bug's Life $100 million, and Ice Age $500 million. Excluding credits, total box office, comic book, and television revenue amounted to $1.136 billion. The credits are the cash flow needed for their purchases, but they will likely be paid off by April 4, five days after tax filings.

Tax liabilities are calculated at $170 million. Even with the large debt and numerous exemptions, this is the cost of tax declarations.

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