Entertainment: Starting as a Succubus, Taking Hollywood by Storm

Martin frantically searched the memories of "Asian Martin" in his mind, trying to decipher why Michael Eisner would suddenly propose selling shares to him.

Could Eisner be hoping to leverage Martin to persuade Steve Jobs into selling Pixar to Disney?

After pondering the matter for some time, this seemed to be the only plausible explanation.

However, if Eisner truly thought this way, then he was grossly mistaken.

Martin and Jobs shared nothing more than a relationship of mutual interest: Jobs had helped Martin acquire Apple stock, and Martin, in turn, had granted Jobs voting rights—purely a trade of benefits.

Jobs himself didn't buy these shares, not because he didn't want to, but because Apple's other shareholders wouldn't allow him to further consolidate his influence within the company. They needed to maintain a balance—leveraging Jobs' abilities while retaining the option to oust him if needed.

If this balance were upset, Apple could turn into a one-man dictatorship under Jobs. And how this "tyrant" might treat the other shareholders? Well, they knew all too well—after all, they had once banded together to oust this Apple founder!

In the original timeline, as Jobs' decisions proved increasingly successful, he came close to fully controlling Apple. However, his ultimate downfall wasn't caused by other shareholders but by pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors.

But following Jobs' passing, Apple gradually began its descent.

Martin's investment in Apple shares was purely for profit, not for control. That's why he willingly ceded voting rights to Jobs—because he knew only Jobs could lead Apple to greatness.

However, if anyone thought this meant Martin could influence Jobs' decisions, they were gravely mistaken.

After much consideration, Martin still couldn't figure out Eisner's intentions. That said, the proposal seemed to bear no downside for him, whether it succeeded or not. So—

"I'd be very interested in acquiring some Disney shares. But how much is Disney offering, and what would I need to pay?"

Steve Jobs sneered, his hawk-like gaze fixed on Michael Eisner.

Eisner, unfazed by Jobs' intimidating glare, smiled warmly at Martin. "Disney shares aren't cheap. I can offer up to 8%, but it'll cost you a billion dollars."

That was practically a bargain.

Martin almost agreed on the spot.

But after a moment of thought, he replied, "Michael, let me think about it."

Eisner chuckled. "I'm not in a hurry. Take your time to consider."

He then glanced at Jobs, his smile vanishing. "Steve, as for the matter of acquiring Pixar, you can take your time as well. I'm equally in no rush."

With that, Eisner led his entourage and left.

As Martin and Jobs watched the overbearing CEO disappear through the doorway, they almost simultaneously turned to face each other.

Martin spoke first, "Steve, you must know something about why Michael suddenly wants to sell me shares, right?"

Jobs smirked, leaning back in his chair. "Let's find somewhere quiet to talk."

The two went to a relatively tranquil café and ordered coffee.

After taking a sip, Jobs leaned back against the chair, speaking in his characteristically arrogant tone:

"Martin, my advice to you: don't bother discussing Disney shares with Michael. He's playing you."

Martin, mid-sip of his coffee, looked at Jobs' posturing and couldn't help but chuckle.

"Oh? You're already in negotiation mode?"

He nodded, setting down his cup. "Alright, let's talk."

Placing his hands on the table and clasping them together, Martin's expression turned serious. "Steve, I'm not going to give up Disney shares just because you said so. This is Disney we're talking about."

"Sure, but you're aware of Disney's recent situation, right? Its stock is practically sinking into the mud."

"Still, this is Disney."

Martin emphasized again, his face showing a faint, knowing smile.

"Fine, fine—Disney it is." Jobs waved his hand, conceding. Then, after a moment's pause, he said, "Alright, I'll be honest with you."

He shook his head, seemingly annoyed that he couldn't pressure Martin through sheer presence alone, and continued:

"Michael wants to acquire all of Pixar's shares. My asking price is 18% of Disney's stock or $2 billion."

"Eighteen percent? So, 9% for Pixar and 9% for you personally? If you really got that, you'd become Disney's largest individual shareholder."

Martin shook his head. "Michael would never allow someone as headstrong as himself to become Disney's largest individual shareholder and join the board. No wonder you two are at odds."

"Exactly. He won't allow it. That's why he's chosen you."

Jobs took a frustrated sip of coffee.

He suspected that Eisner chose Martin Meyer specifically because of Martin's behavior as Apple's individual shareholder—someone who didn't meddle in the CEO's decisions. To any CEO, such a shareholder was ideal.

So, had Jobs essentially dug his own grave here?

Martin was still puzzled. This didn't entirely explain why Eisner would choose to sell shares to him.

If Eisner didn't want a strong shareholder on the board, he could simply choose not to sell.

Disney could afford to scrape together $2 billion if it really had to, perhaps by mortgaging a few of its theme parks.

Wait—unless there was someone within Disney blocking the deal, perhaps even promising Jobs shares. And that someone might be beyond Eisner's influence.

A name popped into Martin's mind—Robert Iger.

(Author's Note: In the original timeline, Disney officially announced its acquisition of Pixar in 2006, making Pixar a wholly owned subsidiary of Disney. The deal cost Disney 13% of its stock. As Pixar's owner, Steve Jobs ended up with 6.05% of Disney's shares, becoming its largest individual shareholder. By then, Disney's stock had already risen due to Pirates of the Caribbean, reducing the price Disney had to pay. This deal was facilitated by Robert Iger, who succeeded Michael Eisner as Disney's CEO.)

Why couldn't Michael Eisner deal with Robert Iger?

Because Iger had the backing of the only surviving Disney founder—Roy Disney.

"Steve, did you secure Robert Iger's promise?" Martin asked directly.

Jobs froze for a moment, then, realizing he had said too much, looked vexed. "I guess I gave away too much, didn't I?"