America 1919

"That's right, I just remembered, I have some things to discuss with Miss Farmer about the Miss America finale tomorrow, so I think Miss Farmer won't be coming over tonight!"

After saying this, Donnie left Ban Johnson's room directly!

.

The next day!

When Donnie woke up, Carmen Farmer was already awake and had changed her clothes.

Seeing Donnie wake up, Carmen Farmer lay on top of him and asked coquettishly, "Donnie, will I be holding up the crown of Miss America tonight?"

Glancing at Carmen Farmer, Donnie said impatiently, "Maybe you will, maybe you won't, I don't know!"

Carmen Farmer felt somewhat disappointed inside, but she dared not show it. She knew about Jessica Dole's meeting with Charlie Chaplin and Griffith; she understood that as long as she held on to Donnie, her bright future wouldn't be too far off.

Therefore, a few days ago, Carmen Farmer had already broken up with Leck Young.

"All right, do you want me to join you for breakfast?"

Carmen Farmer continued to ask.

Getting up from the bed, Donnie said, "No need, I've got things to do. You should leave now!"

Carmen Farmer nodded, kissed Donnie on the cheek, and then left the bedroom. Watching Carmen Farmer dressed and ready to go, Donnie couldn't help but wonder where she got her clothes from.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

After getting up, Donnie didn't go for breakfast but went straight to the fifth floor of the Ritz Hotel, to Nucky's study.

Clearly, Nucky, who used to sleep until noon, had to change his routine today.

Seeing Donnie come in, Nucky smiled and said, "I thought you wouldn't sleep well last night!"

Donnie didn't answer Nucky's question right away, but turned to Louis and said, "My God, Louis, don't you know to prepare breakfast for me too?"

Louis hurriedly bowed and said, "I'll go prepare breakfast for you right now, Mr. Block!"

Nucky, playing with his knife and fork, said, "Hey, Donnie, Louis is my man, can't you be a bit kinder to him?"

"If it were Miss Lucy, I promise I'd be extremely gentle!" Donnie said loudly.

"OK, you keep being like that to Louis then!" Nucky immediately gave up arguing with Donnie.

After taking the milk prepared by Louis, Donnie went straight to the point and asked Nucky, "Nucky, I need to know your stance now. What do you think about those who want to pluck our peaches?"

Donnie could solve the broadcasting company issue on his own, as it was his sole business, but building a new hotel was different—it involved not just Nucky, but also Atlantic City Hall and the New Jersey State Government. This was not something Donnie could handle alone.

That's why last night, Luke Jackson from Westinghouse and Owen Young from General Electric came to him, and those who sought a share in the legalization of Atlantic City's casino industry, they would go to Nucky!

Nucky said, "I thought you'd bring up this issue more delicately!"

Donnie replied, "It's not the time to be subtle, so what do you really think, Nucky?"

Nucky had to put down his knife and fork, wiped the corner of his mouth with a napkin, and then said, "More people getting involved means more people to share the risk with us!"

Donnie shook his head and said, "But it also means we might lose control of the company much easier!"

"Of course, I'm aware of your concerns, Donnie," Nucky said, "but these people are not small fry. Many of them can shake the entire United States economy with a stomp of their foot!"

Donnie looked at Nucky seriously, "So are you planning to bring them in?"

Donnie swore that if Nucky really planned to do that, he would get rid of Nucky as soon as possible. A person who could affect his plans and who was starting to slip from his control, no matter if Nucky had absolute influence in Atlantic City and no matter if getting rid of Nucky would trigger countless chain reactions, Donnie didn't care.

"Of course not!"

Under Donnie's gaze, Nucky shook his head with a smile, "This is Atlantic City; the new hotel will become a symbol of Atlantic City. Most importantly, this is my Atlantic City!"

Donnie quietly heaved a sigh of relief. As expected.

In Nucky's heart, what was the core interest?

It was the dominion over the entire Atlantic City. Everything Nucky had was based on this very foundation.

If the legalization of Atlantic City's casino industry were to proceed and a casino licensing system put into place, the new hotel would symbolize the power of Atlantic City. Nucky had Donnie manage the hotel because Nucky believed he could control Donnie.

But if those tycoons were brought in, everything would change completely, and the very foundation of Nucky's held interests would be devoured by those tycoons.

"So now we're in the same boat again!" Donnie laughed.

"Haven't we always been in the same boat?" Nucky joked, then seriously added, "But these are no ordinary people, so even if we refuse them, we must do it tactfully. And we do indeed need some new industries to join us!"

Donnie said, "Are you talking about the banking industry?"

Nucky nodded and said, "Exactly, the establishment of a new casino will inevitably involve a vast amount of cash, which is a significant cash flow for any bank. Moreover, among these people...."