Time flew by.
In the blink of an eye, it was May 15th.
Today was a big day, especially for ICQ. It marked the third anniversary of the company's founding.
ICQ was the world's first instant messaging software. From its inception, it only had five members—Visger, Vardi, Goldfinger, Annon Amir, and Kyle—and an initial startup capital of less than a million US dollars.
However, it rode the wave of the internet era. Upon its launch, ICQ instant messaging software received a global response. With its unprecedented creativity, it quickly garnered a large user base worldwide. Even in Asia, where the internet was less developed at the time, its market share reached 70%.
ICQ made a spectacular debut on Nasdaq.
The initial public offering price was $39, but it soared to $52 upon opening!
Throughout the day, ICQ's stock fluctuated, but the overall trend was positive, peaking at $109 and closing at $92.
In just one day, ICQ's market value reached $6 billion!
Up to this point in its development, ICQ was undoubtedly an internet wealth myth, its legendary status comparable to giants like Amazon, Yahoo, and Dell.
Even though it's somewhat in decline now and facing challenges from instant messaging software developed by companies like Microsoft, it remains a major company with a market value of $7.2 billion.
Therefore, ICQ's third-anniversary reception still attracted the attention of countless media outlets worldwide.
"Whoa, this is quite a scene!"
As soon as Kyle arrived in Silicon Valley, he was met with a barrage of cameras from numerous reporters.
Inside and out, there were dense crowds of people.
Kyle's 12 armed security personnel tightly guarded him, keeping the media reporters at bay.
"Mr. Page, please say a few words!"
"As a co-founder of ICQ,
this is your first ICQ reception since divesting your shares. Won't you share your thoughts?"
"Mr. Page, ICQ's stock has been halted three times in the first half of May. Facing such immense challenges, won't you comment?"
"Please share your opinion."
Although the reporters were blocked by security, they surged forward, shouting themselves hoarse, all in pursuit of breaking news.
News was money!
If they didn't get a firsthand scoop, their bosses and editors at their respective media companies would certainly not let them off the hook.
Bodyguard Zhao Wushuang said in a deep voice, "Boss, there are too many reporters. We will escort you away from the scene quickly."
"No!"
Kyle shook his head and said, "Before arriving here, I knew the media reporters would be relentless. Even if I leave now, they won't give up."
"This…"
Adam looked hesitantly at the reporters, who were acting like mad dogs, surrounding them.
Kyle immediately gave him a reassuring look, then shouted, "My time is limited. I can only give you 3 minutes. Can everyone please be orderly, OK?"
3 minutes?
Although the reporters were not entirely satisfied, Kyle's willingness to grant an interview was already the best outcome.
Immediately, the noisy scene quieted down.
Kyle scanned the crowd, then pointed to a female reporter in a red trench coat in the front row.
"You."
Upon hearing this, the female reporter immediately suppressed her excitement and said, "Hello, Mr. Page. I'm Wakley from Bloomberg Businessweek. As is well known, you completed the divestment of your ICQ shares in July last year and have had no further business dealings with ICQ since then. What considerations led you to attend ICQ's third-anniversary reception this time?"
This question was undoubtedly on the minds of many reporters.
Kyle smiled and said, "Although I divested my shares in ICQ, don't forget, I am one of ICQ's co-founders. It's like my child. Is there a problem with me attending my child's third birthday?"
Immediately, Kyle selected the second reporter.
"Mr. Page, I'm Billy Wilson, a reporter for the City News. What are your thoughts on ICQ's stock being halted three times in the past half month?"
The reporter asked.
Kyle smiled and said, "What do I think? I'm not an ICQ shareholder anymore."
Of course, the reporters present would not be satisfied with this answer.
Kyle, of course, knew this.
"I'll say a few more words."
"The three circuit breaker events for ICQ on the Nasdaq recently originated from ICQ's first-quarter financial report this year, which I've paid a little attention to."
"ICQ's first-quarter profit this year was $23.9 million, a significant decrease compared to the $38.2 million in the fourth quarter of last year. This is also the root cause of ICQ's three recent circuit breaker events."
"Of course, you'll probably ask about the challenges ICQ faces from Microsoft's MSN, as well as local instant messaging software in various countries and regions overseas, right? You want to ask about those, don't you?"
As his voice fell, everyone nodded vigorously.
However... Kyle spread his hands and said, "Come on, I don't own an instant messaging software company. Recently, I've been busy with the release and promotion of 'My Big Fat Greek Wedding' and '300', and even the establishment of overseas distribution channels, which I have to constantly monitor. I'm so busy I barely have time to breathe. How much do you think I understand about the current global instant messaging market?"
"But, you…"
A reporter tried to press further, but Kyle waved him off.
Kyle said loudly, "I never comment on things I don't understand."
In his words, Kyle was full of assertiveness.
Just because you're a reporter, does that mean I have to care about you?
Kyle was an entertainment company boss, not a celebrity actor or director. He was a behind-the-scenes worker and didn't like to show his face. If anyone dared to badmouth him, they could expect a court summons.
Reporter Question 1: "Mr. Page, according to informed sources, Visger and other management teams intend to invite you to rejoin ICQ. What are your thoughts on this?"
Kyle smiled and said, "Informed sources? I don't even know, stop messing around!"
Reporter Question 2: "Since its IPO last year, ICQ has made drastic moves, acquiring 12 American companies in just one year, and simultaneously establishing or acquiring 17 companies overseas. However, as of early May this year, data shows that as many as 9 subsidiaries have gone bankrupt and been restructured. Can you comment on this?"
"Oh, so many subsidiaries?"
Kyle feigned a surprised expression and smiled, "I didn't even know, how can I answer? And you also know that although I've founded many subsidiaries, I haven't had any experience with bankruptcy and restructuring, so I can't answer."
...Kyle had given the reporters 3 minutes for questions, but he got carried away with answering and, ignoring the security team's attempts to stop him, chatted with them for over ten minutes.
Overall, the media reporters who had cornered Kyle were quite satisfied with his answers.
Even if Kyle had skirted around some of the issues.
In the evening.
Less than half an hour before the reception officially began, Kyle had already led his team to the designated venue.
"Hi, Kyle!"
As soon as he stepped into the venue, before even sitting down, someone greeted Kyle.
It was Rupert Murdoch, chairman of News Corp. Of course, he was accompanied by a Chinese woman.
"Hello, Mr. Murdoch, and Ms. Wendi Deng." Kyle shook hands.
That's right, the Chinese woman next to Murdoch was none other than the future famous third Mrs. Murdoch—Wendi Deng.
Of course, the two were not yet married.
But it would be soon; the wedding date was in June, and Kyle had even received an invitation.
"Mr. Murdoch, you're still as vibrant as ever, which I, as a junior, greatly admire." Kyle smiled.
Murdoch shook his head and said, "I'm old, how can I compare to you young people? Also, you've done well recently, giving Warner's Steve Ross a good dressing-down. That old guy was acting superior; I've wanted to deal with him for a long time."
Kyle said, "Great minds think alike."
Steve Ross, the chairman of Time Warner Group, had always acted very dominantly, and many people disliked him. This explains why the other major Hollywood studios didn't intervene in Kyle's actions against the Warner Group.
The animosity among the Big Six was even deeper than Kyle had imagined!
Kyle wasn't surprised to see Murdoch here. After all, ICQ was also a famous American enterprise, and Murdoch's News Corp held a significant stake in ICQ.
On a day like today, Kyle would have found it strange if he hadn't shown up.