Chapter 153 Bow down and submit
Jacob reeled, his mind struggling to grasp the sheer audacity of Elbert's claim.
'A warehouse brimming with world-altering inventions? It seemed too fantastical, too improbable. And yet, the evidence, in the form of the breathtaking sky screen and the impossibly sleek wristwatch, was irrefutable.'
A wave of regret washed over him.
"Had I been too hasty in offering a mere 10% of Meta Platforms? Perhaps 15%, even 20%, would be a more… equitable exchange for a stake in this technological goldmine," he murmured.
"Mr. Perry," Jacob began, his voice trembling with a mixture of awe and renewed greed.
But Elbert silenced him with a raised hand, a knowing smile playing on his lips. "As for the future you envision, Mr. Russell," he said, his voice calm yet laced with an undercurrent of barely contained power. "It's closer than you think. It's here, waiting to be unleashed."
He casually extended his wrist, revealing a sleek black watch. A press of a button, a flash of light, and a miniature virtual screen materialized above the watch's face.
Jacob stared, his jaw slack with astonishment. "This… this virtual imaging… it's like the sky-screen, but… miniaturized. On a watch?"
Elbert chuckled softly. "You give it too little credit, Mr. Russell. This is no mere watch."
With a flick of his wrist, Elbert swiped at the virtual screen. The image sharpened, resolving into a familiar sight: the interface of a mobile phone.
Jacob blinked, his mind struggling to keep pace.
He realized this wasn't just a display; it was a fully functional phone, worn on the wrist, its interface projected onto a screen that seemed to materialize out of thin air.
Meta Platforms had poured billions into developing similar technology, striving to create the next generation of mobile devices. But their efforts had yielded only clunky prototypes, derisively nicknamed "phone-mirrors" within the company.
And yet, here was Elbert, casually showcasing a device that made their best efforts look like Stone Age relics.
As if reading Jacob's thoughts, Elbert tilted his head, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "I imagine you're wondering about the market implications of such a device, Mr. Russell?"
Jacob could only nod mutely, his throat suddenly dry.
"Let me paint you a picture," Elbert continued, his voice taking on a hypnotic cadence. "Imagine a world where everyone has access to this technology. The latest smartphones are rendered obsolete overnight. A world where communication, entertainment, information… it's all just a flick of the wrist away."
He paused, letting the image sink in. "And imagine, Mr. Russell, if the Gemini App, with its ever-expanding suite of functions, were the default operating system on this device."
Elbert's gaze locked onto Jacob's, his eyes burning with an almost predatory intensity. "And then," he whispered, his voice barely audible above the roar of the city below, "I disable access to all other apps."
The words struck Jacob like a physical blow. He staggered back, his mind reeling from the sheer audacity, the breathtaking ruthlessness of Elbert's plan.
'All other apps… disabled. Meta Platforms, VirtuoMart, every internet giant, every tech behemoth… rendered irrelevant with a single command. What the hell!' he exclaimed inwardly.
It was a vision of both terrifying power and seductive elegance. There were no messy antitrust lawsuits, no protracted battles for market share, just… dominance—absolute and unchallenged.
Jacob, the master strategist and the architect of countless corporate victories, suddenly felt like a pawn in a game he didn't fully comprehend.
"So," Elbert continued, his voice regaining its conversational tone. "I trust you understand why I'm not in a hurry to release this device just yet."
Jacob, his mind still struggling to process the implications of what he had just witnessed, could only stare blankly.
"Humanity," Elbert explained patiently. "Isn't quite ready for this level of disruption. The economic consequences alone would be catastrophic."
He gestured towards the city below, his voice filled with a strange mix of empathy and cold calculation. "Think of your own employees, Mr. Russell. The thousands who depend on Meta Platforms for their livelihood. And what about the countless others who rely on your supply chains and your partnerships? What happens to them when their world is turned upside down?"
He shook his head, as if saddened by the thought. "No, I have no desire to build my empire on the ashes of countless others. It would be a hollow victory, devoid of meaning."
Jacob, his initial shock giving way to grudging admiration, found himself nodding in agreement. Elbert, for all his ruthlessness, possessed a vision that extended far beyond mere profit or market dominance. He understood the delicate balance of the global ecosystem and the interconnectedness of industries and livelihoods.
"So, you see," Elbert concluded, his voice softening. "Meta Platforms still has a role to play in this new world. You've built a valuable company, one that provides essential services to millions. Your work has meaning and purpose."
Jacob, his heart pounding with a mixture of relief and a strange sense of gratitude, stammered. "So… you're not going to… eliminate Meta Platforms?"
Elbert smiled, a genuine smile this time, devoid of any malice. "Not if I can help it, Mr. Russell. The strong, you see, are obligated to protect the weak."
Jacob winced at the backhanded compliment but couldn't argue with the underlying truth. Compared to Elbert, with his casual brilliance and world-altering inventions, he was undoubtedly the weaker party.
"However," Elbert continued, his tone turning playful. "A little demonstration of humility is always in order, wouldn't you agree?"
Jacob, still reeling from the emotional rollercoaster of the past few minutes, could only manage a confused, "What?"
Elbert chuckled, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "It's time for your performance, Mr. Russell. Log into your Gemini App account and announce to the world that Meta Platforms… bows to the Gemini App."
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