Hunting in Hollywood

Simon was multitasking, flipping through a business plan in his hands when he heard a noise again. D-girl, Deborah Lipman, also walked in.

He motioned for Deborah to sit on the other side, and lifting the business plan in his hand, Simon asked with a smile, "Do you have any ideas yet?"

Deborah shook her head sheepishly, "Not yet."

As D-girl spoke, she couldn't help but glance nervously at the other side where Claire was sitting, worried that Claire might expose her.

In reality, D-girl had also drafted a business plan; she hoped to establish a cosmetics company.

However, after submitting her business plan to the Vase Fund team affiliated with Lannister Capital, it failed to pass the review and was quickly rejected.

Janet even declared that the ladies could only submit a plan every six months, and if none of their proposals were approved during their five-year contract, they could forget about receiving the $10 million investment.

Moreover, Janet prohibited them from bothering Simon with any plans that failed to pass.

If found doing so, they would be immediately dismissed.

After initial excitement, the ladies quickly realized that the money from the Westeros family was not easy to obtain.

Unaware of these details, Simon didn't know that, aside from the housekeeper Alice Ferguson's two proposals closely related to Ygritte, the only one that had passed recently was C-girl's card camera plan.

The business plan in his hands clearly articulated core aspects like market research, future projections, investment budget, development cycle, and operational strategies.

Among the additional materials, C-girl had even reached an agreement with a senior engineer focused on digital camera development at Kodak.

Should the project plan pass, the engineer would resign from Kodak to start a company with C-girl, where he would focus on camera development and she would handle financial and other corporate matters. Each would own 25% of the company shares, while the Vase Fund would invest $1 million for the remaining 50% stake.

The card camera, essentially a consumer-grade digital camera, was set against professional-grade DSLRs.

The highest pixel count for top-tier DSLRs of the age had reached over 1.5 million, and, just like the camera Simon initially gave to Sandra, they were very expensive, costing thousands of dollars.

However, the card camera that C-girl planned to develop only had a resolution of 320*320 pixels, totaling 100,000 pixels.

Such image quality was absolutely sufficient for the personal computers of the early 1990s, as the resolution of mainstream PC monitors was around that level. Even a few years later, a 100,000-pixel card camera would not be considered outdated for sending images over the internet.

Since it was a completely internet-based camera, there was no need to accommodate printing quality.

Moreover, for the core sensor component of the digital camera, C-girl planned to use the often marginalized CMOS sensor instead of the more mainstream CCD sensor prevalent in that era.

Both CCD and CMOS sensors were developed in the 1960s and had decades of developmental history.

The advantages and disadvantages of the two types of sensors were clear: CCD sensors provided superior image quality but were expensive and power-hungry due to their complex manufacturing process. CMOS sensors, on the other hand, had lower image quality but were cheaper and consumed less power due to their simpler manufacturing process.

Of course, even with simpler CMOS technology, it wasn't something that could be developed with a mere $1 million investment.

The camera C-girl planned to develop would source its main components from various manufacturers, essentially making it an assembled device.

In reality, even Apple's iPhone, according to this logic, was also an assembled device.

The engineer planning to leave Kodak would be mainly responsible for developing the camera's control system, integrating various components into a cohesive whole and optimizing within the cost constraints of the card camera.

In the business plan, C-girl hoped to keep the cost of this planned card camera around $300 and sell it for $500. Although $500 was still pricey for a simple card camera, it was within the spending capacity of middle-class users who could access the internet during that era.

Moreover, if the market demand was high enough to achieve economies of scale, both the costs and selling prices could be further reduced.

The initial $1 million investment was primarily for developing prototypes and producing the first batch of products to test the market. C-girl also planned to market directly through internet platforms to save costs as much as possible.

If the market feedback met expectations, a second round of funding would be sought from the Vase Fund.

The entire business plan was scheduled for a three-month period.

After reviewing the business plan, Simon found himself unable to offer much additional advice.

C-girl's approach was undoubtedly correct; even if this attempt didn't succeed, her foresighted choice of the CMOS sensor alone was enough reason for Simon to support her continued efforts.

The CMOS sensor would

 later become the mainstream sensor in photography phones.

It could be said that this card camera plan bore a striking resemblance to the photography phones that would be widely adopted by manufacturers many years later.

Moreover, whether it was this card camera or the photography phones remembered by Simon, both catered to people's desire to express themselves. Many years later, everyone would directly switch to mobile social platforms, while at this time, this card camera focused on PC social platforms.

Since Simon had already initiated a social networking business on PCs, this card camera certainly had significant market potential.

Imagine a person at a party, traveling, spending time with children, playing with pets... casually taking a photo with the card camera, pulling out the floppy disk, conveniently and quickly transferring it to a computer and uploading it online to share snippets of their life, receiving likes and comments from many people around them, which would surely bring social pleasure and satisfaction.

If card cameras became widely popular, the large number of uploaded images could quickly enrich the content resources on the internet.

Closing the business plan, Simon hesitated for a moment, not yet voicing his intention to provide additional support for this business plan. Instead, he asked, "Is a three-month development period a bit rushed?"

Claire shook her head, explaining, "Neil has already completed a simple prototype in his spare time and even submitted his proposal to Kodak. But Kodak has never placed much emphasis on the digital camera business. The three months are mainly for further optimization of the prototype, as well as custom ordering and assembling components."

The Neil that C-girl referred to was Neil Brantley, the engineer planning to leave Kodak.

Simon considered for a moment and quickly came to terms with it.

Many everyday electronics were not as high-end as imagined. Apple's initial batch of personal computers were essentially crafted by a group of founders who pooled money to buy components and assembled them in a garage—a pure DIY effort.

Because they sold well, they later received investment.

Neil Brantley developing a card camera in his spare time was akin to when Steve Wozniak invented the personal computer.

For a deeply skilled tech expert, developing some electronic products alone was not a difficult task.

Moreover, compared to professional-grade digital SLRs, the technology for a card camera was much simpler.

In Simon's memory, as technology advanced, ordinary people could buy parts and DIY their digital cameras, much like assembling personal computers. Of course, a DIY camera could never compare to a professional camera.

"Since that's the case, I don't really have any suggestions for this business plan itself," Simon handed the folder back to Claire and added, "However, perhaps you could develop some image processing software to complement it. Since this camera is just a basic consumer model, the imaging results definitely can't be too outstanding. Developing some image processing software that allows users to crop images, adjust brightness, or add text could be very practical."

Claire was confident in her business plan, not like some other ladies who hastily put together a plan just to secure investment quickly, so she had done a lot of meticulous preparatory work.

She had brought it tonight simply to let her boss know she was working on this.

However, hearing the suggestion about image processing software, C-girl was intrigued.

Since it was a consumer-level card camera, and many features of professional cameras had to be omitted for cost reasons, this inevitably resulted in subpar image quality. Using computer software for secondary image processing and repair was indeed an excellent way to compensate for this shortcoming of the camera.

However, C-girl quickly added, "But, boss, that would require additional time and budget."

Simon vaguely remembered that Photoshop software had appeared just a few years ago.

However, the planned image processing software certainly didn't need the complex functions of Photoshop; it was more akin to Meitu Xiuxiu from his memory.

"You could first inquire in Silicon Valley if anyone is developing similar software. If so, you could directly collaborate with them, which would save time in software development. If not, then apply for an additional budget."

Simon and Claire continued discussing, and Deborah, who had just been worried that C-girl might expose her, felt somewhat neglected seeing that she was completely ignored. Pretending to listen intently, she kept inching closer to Simon.

If she could 'conquer' her boss, the potential value could far exceed $10 million.

Just like Jennifer Reybold.

That woman was merely the boss's mistress, yet she received treatment almost akin to that of the lady of the house and was even more easily jealous, often ruthlessly driving them away from their boss.

While Simon was talking with Claire, he reached to take a sip of water, accidentally touching Deborah's chin as she had moved quite close to him.

Of course, he understood the ladies' intentions.

Casually flicking Deborah's delicate chin before he took his cup, he noted, "These vases around me, their exteriors are indeed exquisite. After joining, they also enjoy expensive daily maintenance and care that only the wives of

 the wealthy can afford."

Deborah, whose chin was caught by Simon, instinctively shrank back, her face flushing slightly, but soon she leaned in again without a fuss.

Simon took a few sips of water, put down the cup, and enjoying the soft body pressed against his side, smiled and said, "That's enough for tonight, everyone go rest."

Deborah asked, "Boss, do you want to take a bath?"

"I've already bathed."

"It's okay to bathe again," Deborah's eyes sparkled, "Shall I run the bath for you?"

"No."

Simon stood up, smiled, and extended his hand in front of D-girl, "Come on, kiss for goodnight."

Deborah cooperatively cradled Simon's hand, kissed the back of it, and said, "Goodnight, master."

"Good girl."

Praising her, Simon then turned and left the room.

Watching her boss disappear, D-girl withdrew her gaze and noticed C-girl staring at her, subtly lifting her chin, "What?"

C-girl pursed her lips, remarking, "Troublemaker."

Deborah was unbothered, even unabashed, saying, "If I can climb into the boss's bed, it's more useful than doing a hundred projects."

"Have you climbed into it?"

"I'm still working on it," D-girl replied, then complained, "If you had joined in just now, we might have succeeded."

Claire felt no aversion to Deborah's absurd suggestion; after all, it wasn't something she hadn't tried before, but simply said, "And then what?"

"What do you mean, 'and then'?"

"After you climb into the boss's bed."

Deborah tilted her head.

Yes.

That was indeed a serious question.

As they worked alongside Simon, they also came into contact with many upper-crust anecdotes and gossip.

There were countless cases of nannies turning into mistresses, like the recent rise of Robin Williams, who started an affair with his housemaid and then abandoned his wife of ten years. Apparently, CAA had exerted a lot of effort to prevent Robin Williams' public image from being severely damaged.

However.

Deborah realized that competing with Janet for that position seemed exceptionally challenging.

Even if she managed to displace Janet, there was still Jennifer.

The best she could hope for was to be his mistress.

With that thought, D-girl, supporting her chin, murmured, "Actually, just living like a maid now, I'd like to keep it going forever. Being the boss's mistress doesn't seem too bad."

Claire rolled her eyes, turned off her computer, packed up her files, and walked out.

Deborah got up and followed closely, saying, "Hey, Claire, am I wrong?"

"Right."

"So, let's all work hard together. For an outstanding man like the boss, having only two or three mistresses definitely isn't enough. We still have a lot of chances."

"You climb into the boss's bed first."

"How about we go straight to the master bedroom?"

"You go alone."

"My success rate is too low alone; together we're more attractive. Oh, isn't it the boss's birthday soon? We could say we're delivering birthday gifts."

"..."

Claire simply ignored the continual chatter beside her.

Having been around Simon for a long time, Claire had gradually figured out her boss's temperament.

For instance, the boss actually didn't like pretty vases that were just beautiful on the outside. He kept them around more for their aesthetic appeal and had little physical desire.

However, although the relationships among ABCD four girls were relatively close, Claire definitely had no intention of sharing these private insights with the others.

In the following days, Simon casually drafted a memo to create a PC peripheral hardware ecosystem through a new data interface and handed it over to Ygritte's side, also instructing Bezos and Bates to start scouting for related technical talent.

The integration of MCA was also proceeding smoothly and methodically.

Time quickly moved to February 22.

That day was a Friday.

Compared to the flamboyant celebration of Simon's 20th birthday party, this birthday party was much more low-key.

Of course, given Simon's increasingly unmatched wealth and power, although he wanted to keep a low profile, this birthday party was still highly anticipated.

Simon had no intention of opening Dumaine Manor for the party, choosing the same mansion in Palisades mid-mountain as he had for his 20th birthday.

This decision disappointed many of the party's guests who had been envious of the villa at Dumaine ever since it was built. However, considering those who had tried every means to get an invitation to the birthday party but failed, this disappointment seemed insignificant.

The party was scheduled for seven o'clock in the evening.

By less than six o'clock in the afternoon, many guests had already started converging from various parts of Los Angeles toward the western suburbs of Los Angeles in Palis

ades mid-mountain.

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