Original: Things became so bitter that, on one occasion, Gates stormed out of a meeting in a huff after a shouting match in which Ballmer jumped to the defense of several colleagues, according to an individual present at the time.
Simplified: Things became so horrible that, on one occasion, Gates ran out of a meeting in a huff after a shouting match in which Mr. Ballmer defended several work people, according to a person present at the time.