Simon was multitasking, flipping through the business proposal in his hand, when he heard a sound again. Miss D, Deborah Lippmann, also walked in.
Signalling Deborah to sit on the other side, Simon raised Miss C's business proposal in his hand and asked with a smile, "Do you have any ideas yet?"
Deborah shook her head sheepishly, "Not yet".
As Miss D spoke, she couldn't help but glance at the other side of Simon, worried that Claire would expose her.
In fact, Miss D had also produced a business proposal; she hoped to establish a cosmetics company.
However, after the business proposal was submitted to the Vase Fund team affiliated with Cersei Capital, it failed the review and was quickly sent back.
Janette also stated that the ladies could only submit a proposal once every six months, and if none of the proposals submitted during their five-year contract period passed, they could forget about the $10 million investment.
Furthermore, Janette forbade them from bothering Simon with proposals that had not passed.
If discovered, they would be immediately fired.
After the initial excitement, the ladies quickly realized that the Westeros Family's money was not easy to get at all.
Simon was unaware of these behind-the-scenes details, so he didn't know that, apart from the two proposals closely related to Ygritte submitted by Housekeeper Alice Ferguson, the only one that had passed recently was Miss C's card camera plan.
The core points of the business proposal in his hand; market research, prospect forecasting, investment budget, development cycle, and operation strategy, were clearly and systematically presented.
In the accompanying materials, Miss C had even reached an agreement with a senior engineer at the camera giant Kodak, who specialized in digital camera research and development.
As long as the project proposal was approved, the engineer would resign from Kodak and establish a company with Miss C. He would focus on camera R&D, while Miss C would handle finance, marketing, and other company affairs. They would each hold 25% of the company's shares, and the Vase Fund would invest $1 million to acquire the remaining 50% stake.
A card camera is essentially a consumer-grade digital camera, contrasting with professional-grade digital SLRs.
The highest pixel count for top-tier digital SLRs of this era had already exceeded 1.5 million, and their price was naturally very expensive, just like the camera Simon gave Sandra; it was not uncommon for them to cost tens of thousands of dollars.
However, the card camera Miss C planned to develop would only have 100,000 pixels at a 320x320 resolution.
This level of image quality was certainly sufficient for personal computers in the early nineties, as the resolution of mainstream PC monitors was roughly at this level. Even a few years later, a 100,000-pixel card camera used primarily for sending online images would not be considered obsolete.
Since it was purely an Internet camera, there was naturally no need to consider print quality.
Furthermore, for the core sensor component of the digital camera, Miss C planned to use the long-marginalized CMOS sensor, rather than the mainstream CCD sensor of this era.
Both CCD and CMOS sensors originated in the 1960s and already had decades of development history.
The pros and cons of the two sensors were very clear: CCD sensors offered superior image quality but were complex to manufacture, expensive, and had very high power consumption. CMOS sensors had lower image quality, but their advantages were simple manufacturing, very low energy consumption, and most importantly, low cost.
Of course, no matter how simple the CMOS technology was, it could not be developed with a mere $1 million investment.
The main components for the camera Miss C planned to develop would be customized and procured from relevant manufacturers; plainly speaking, it was an assembled machine.
Of course, even the Apple phone in Simon's memory was essentially just an assembled machine following this logic.
The senior engineer planning to leave Kodak would mainly be responsible for developing the camera's control system, integrating a series of components into a whole, and optimizing it within the cost constraints of the card camera.
In the proposal Simon held, Miss C hoped to control the cost of the planned card camera at around $300 and the selling price at $500, while ensuring a certain level of image quality and functionality. $500 was still somewhat expensive for a simple card camera, but it was within the purchasing power of middle-class users who could access the Internet in this era.
Moreover, as long as market demand was large enough to achieve economies of scale, costs and selling prices could certainly be reduced further.
The first phase of the $1 million investment would mainly be used for prototype R&D and the production of the first batch of products for market testing. Miss C 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 financing would be sought from the Vase Fund.
The timeframe for the entire business plan was three months.
After reviewing the business proposal in his hand, Simon found that he couldn't offer many more suggestions right away.
Miss C's approach was definitely correct. Even if this attempt failed, her foresight in choosing the CMOS sensor alone was enough for Simon to support her in continuing the endeavour.
The CMOS sensor later became the mainstream sensor for camera phones.
It could be said that this card camera plan was remarkably similar to the camera phones that many manufacturers would widely develop years later.
Moreover, whether it was this card camera or the camera phones in his memory, they both tapped into people's desire for self-expression. It was just that many years later, everyone directly transitioned to mobile social platforms, whereas this card camera was focused on PC social platforms.
Since Simon had already launched social networking services on the PC side, this card camera certainly had considerable market potential.
Just imagine: when someone is attending a party, traveling, spending time with children, or playing with pets... they can easily snap a photo with the card camera, pull out the floppy disk, quickly and conveniently transfer it directly to a computer, upload it online, share snippets of their life with everyone, and gain likes and comments from many people around them, which would certainly bring social enjoyment and satisfaction.
If card cameras became widespread and users uploaded large numbers of images, it could also rapidly enrich Internet content resources.
Closing the business proposal in his hand, Simon hesitated, deciding not to mention his intention to provide extra support for this proposal yet, preferring to wait until Miss C produced results. He merely asked, "Is the three-month R&D deadline a bit rushed?"
Claire shook her head and said, "Neil himself has already completed a simple prototype privately, and he even submitted his proposal to Kodak. It's just that Kodak has never paid much attention to the digital camera business. The three months are mainly for further optimization of the prototype, component customization and procurement, and assembly".
The Neil Miss C referred to is named Neil Brantley, the senior engineer planning to leave Kodak.
Simon considered this for a moment and quickly felt relieved.
Many electronic products in daily life are actually not as high-end as imagined. The first batch of personal computers from Apple Inc. were essentially components bought by a group of founders who then assembled and soldered them in a garage, a purely handmade DIY effort.
Because they sold well, they later received investment.
Neil Brantley developing the card camera in his spare time is roughly similar to when Steve Wozniak invented the personal computer years ago.
For a technical expert with deep professional knowledge, developing certain electronic products independently is indeed not difficult.
Furthermore, the card camera is technically much simpler than a professional-grade digital SLR camera.
Simon recalled that as technology developed, ordinary people could eventually DIY digital cameras by purchasing components, just like assembling a personal computer. Of course, the DIY digital cameras would definitely be far inferior to professional cameras.
"In that case, I don't have any suggestions for the business proposal itself", Simon said, handing the folder back to Claire. "However, perhaps you could develop an image processing software to go with it. Since this camera is only a consumer-grade basic model, the imaging quality certainly won't be outstanding. Developing image processing software that allows users simple functions like cropping, brightness adjustment, or adding text would definitely be very practical".
Claire was extremely confident in her business proposal; she wasn't rushing to produce a plan just to quickly gain investment like some other ladies, and had therefore done a lot of detailed preliminary work.
Bringing it tonight was simply to let her boss know what she was working on.
However, upon hearing the suggestion for image processing software, Miss C's eyes lit up.
Since it was a consumer-grade card camera, many professional camera functions had to be sacrificed for cost reasons, which inevitably resulted in mediocre image quality. Secondary processing and restoration via computer software was indeed an excellent way to compensate for the camera's shortcomings.
Miss C quickly added, "But, Boss, this will require extra time and budget".
Simon vaguely recalled that Photoshop software likely appeared within the last few years.
However, the planned image processing software certainly wouldn't need complex functions like Photoshop, leaning more towards something like Paint from his memory.
"You can first inquire in Silicon Valley to see if anyone is developing similar software. If so, you can cooperate directly with them to save development time. If not, apply for a separate budget".
While Simon and Claire were talking, Deborah, who had just been worried that Miss C would expose her, felt a little jealous seeing herself completely ignored. She pretended to listen intently but occasionally nudged closer to Simon.
If she could successfully 'capture' her boss, the potential value would be far more than $10 million.
Just like Jennifer Raybould.
Although she was clearly just the boss's mistress, her treatment in front of him was almost the same as the lady of the house, and she was even more prone to jealousy than the boss's wife, often ruthlessly driving them away from the boss.
While talking to Claire, Simon casually reached for the cup next to him for a drink, but his arm bumped into Miss D's chin, as she was practically leaning against him.
He certainly understood the ladies' intentions.
He casually lifted Deborah's delicate chin with his hand before picking up the cup.
The 'vases' around him were naturally stunning; after joining the job, they also enjoyed expensive daily maintenance and care that only the wives of typical tycoons could afford. They could indeed all be described as 'exquisite'.
When Simon held Deborah's chin, she instinctively flinched, her face flushing slightly, but she quickly leaned back towards him without a sound.
Simon drank a few sips of water, put the cup down, felt the soft body pressing against him, smiled, and said, "That's enough for tonight. Go rest".
Deborah asked, "Boss, are you going to Shower?"
"I already have".
"It's okay to Shower again," Deborah said, her eyes sparkling:
"Shall I go run your bath for you?"
"No".
Simon stood up as he spoke, extending his hand toward Miss D with a smile, "Come, goodnight kiss".
Deborah cooperatively held Simon's hand, kissed the back of it, and said, "Goodnight, Master".
"Such a good girl".
After offering a compliment, Simon turned and left the computer room.
Watching her boss's figure disappear, Miss D withdrew her gaze, noticed Miss C staring at her, and slightly raised her chin, "What's wrong?"
Miss C pursed her lips and commented, "Troublemaker".
Miss D didn't mind, not even bothering to hide it, saying, "If I can get into the boss's bed, it'll be more useful than you completing a hundred projects".
"Have you gotten in?"
"I'm still trying", Miss D said, then complained, "If you had joined me just now, maybe we would have succeeded".
Claire didn't feel any aversion to Deborah's ridiculous suggestion, in fact, they had tried before, but she simply asked, "And then what?"
"And then what?" After getting into the boss's bed?"
Deborah tilted her head.
Yeah.
This was indeed a serious question.
As they worked alongside Simon, they had come into contact with quite a few anecdotes from the upper circles.
Cases of nannies successfully becoming the lady of the house are countless. For instance, Robin Williams, who became popular in recent years, initially had an affair with his family's nanny and then abandoned his wife of ten years. It is said that CAA spent a great deal of effort to prevent Robin Williams' public image from being too severely damaged.
But...
Deborah realized that trying to compete with Janette for that position seemed extraordinarily difficult.
Even if she somehow managed to push Janette out, there was still Jennifer.
The best situation would be to become his mistress.
Thinking about this, Miss D rested her chin in her hand and muttered, "Actually, even just this current life as a maid, I'd like it to continue forever. Being the boss's mistress doesn't seem bad either".
Claire rolled her eyes, turned off her computer, gathered her files, and walked out.
Deborah got up and followed closely, saying, "Hey, Claire, am I wrong?"
"You're right".
"So, let's all work hard together! A man as outstanding as the boss surely won't be satisfied with just two or three mistresses. We still have plenty of chances".
"Get into the boss's bed first, then talk".
"How about we just go straight to the master bedroom?"
"Go by yourself".
"My success rate alone is too low; going together is much more appealing. Hmm, isn't the boss's birthday coming up soon? We could say we're delivering birthday gifts".
"..."
Claire simply ignored the continuous chatter beside her.
Having been with Simon for a long time, Claire gradually figured out her boss's temperament.
For example, the boss actually doesn't care much for pretty vases who are nothing more than exquisite shells. Having them around is mostly for aesthetic pleasure, and he doesn't harbour much physical desire for them.
However, although the four ladies (A, B, C, and D) were relatively close, Claire definitely did not plan to share these personal insights with the others.
In the following days, Simon simply compiled a memo on building a PC peripheral hardware ecosystem through a brand-new data interface, submitted it to Ygritte, and instructed Jeff Bezos and Carol Bartz to start scouting for relevant technical talent.
The handover and integration of MCA were also proceeding smoothly.
Time quickly arrived at February 22nd.
This day happened to be a Friday.
Compared to the extravagant display at Simon's 20th birthday party, this birthday party was much more low-key.
Of course, given Simon's increasingly unprecedented wealth and power, even though he wanted to keep a low profile, this birthday party was still highly anticipated.
Simon did not intend to open up Point Dume Manor; the birthday party venue, just like his 20th birthday, was chosen to be the mansion halfway up the mountain in Palisades.
This decision disappointed many guests attending the party, as the villa occupying Point Dume had been the subject of much envy and discussion since its completion. However, considering those who desperately sought but failed to obtain a birthday party invitation, this disappointment seemed irrelevant.
The party time was seven o'clock in the evening.
Before six o'clock in the afternoon, many guests were already converging from various parts of Los Angeles toward the mid-mountain mansion in Palisades, located in the western suburbs of Los Angeles.