How Steve Jobs Became a Billionaire

It is May 24, 1985. Inside a conference room at Apple, a fight that will define the future of the company is about to begin.

John Sculley, the CEO of Apple, looks exhausted. Dark circles surround his eyes like heavy shadows. He hasn't slept because he canceled his flight to China after discovering a secret plan: Steve Jobs is working behind his back to fire him from the company.

But Sculley found out and called an emergency meeting with the board of directors.

Steve arrives late to the meeting; but as soon as he walks in, Sculley stands up, rests his hands on the table with clenched fists, and begins to speak.

Someone told me you want me out of the company. And I want to know if that's true.

Steve didn't expect this, but he has never been shy. His eyes narrow, locking his gaze on Sculley. And as always, he responds with brutal honesty.

John, at Pepsi, you were selling carbonated sugar water. You don't understand anything about computers, much less how to build them.

I brought you to Apple to help me grow, but so far you haven't succeeded.

So I think it's best if you leave.

The room falls into absolute silence. For a second, nobody breathes. And the anger turns Scully's face red.

Steve, you don't have the right to make that decision. Only the board can.

But let's put it to a vote. And I want it to be official; I want the secretary to call for the vote.

It's Steve or me. Who are you voting for?

The tension in the room suddenly skyrockets. Executives shift uncomfortably in their seats: some looking at their hands, others at the floor. Nobody wants to speak first.

Sculley stares at Delbert Yocam. "Del?"

Delbert swallows hard. He looks at Steve and then down at his lap, unable to hold the founder's intense gaze.

“I love you Steve,” Delbert whispers in a voice too small for such a large room. "But I vote for Sculley."

Steve's chest tightens, but he maintains a calm and indecipherable expression. It's just one, he thinks. Just one vote.

Sculley looks at Regis McKenna, the legendary marketing consultant who helped build Apple's public image.

"Steve," McKenna says, "I've told you before, you're not ready to run this company. I vote for Sculley."

A small, cold knot begins to form in Steve's stomach.

One by one, the board members vote in favor of Sculley.

Steve remains motionless in his chair as he realizes the truth: the company he built has turned against him.

Several seconds pass, and with the voice of someone emotionally shattered, Steve speaks:

I suppose I finally see the truth.

Steve gets up and quickly walks out of the conference room. He doesn't look back. Nobody follows him and nobody says his name.

He walks to his office, and as soon as he closes the door, he begins to cry. The man who built Apple from a garage is completely broken.

He reaches for his phone receiver with a trembling hand, dials the number of his close friend, Larry Brilliant, and waits in silence until a voice answers on the other end of the line.

With blurry vision and tear-filled eyes, he sobs into the phone.

I miscalculated, Larry, I miscalculated.