America 1919

When Harding made his entrance, it actually also signified the official end of the Miss America red carpet show.

By now, the host had already started to warm up the atmosphere for the upcoming finals on the T-stage.

These big shots below were no longer moving around at will, but had taken their seats at their designated spots.

As with the other two competitions, besides these big shots, there were major newspaper media from all over the country present, and the second floor was occupied by staff from Atlantic City Broadcast. As for ordinary people... sorry, there was no place for them here tonight.

"I never thought Donnie would actually have us become judges in this competition!"

Reporters Bob Ferry from The New York Times, Bobby Smith from the Los Angeles Times, and Harvey Grant from The Washington Post were seated together.

The exclamation had just come from the Los Angeles Times' Bobby Smith.

All three had a rather shameful history in Atlantic City, and they actually had some respect for Donnie, who was behind the plotting of that affair.

"Clearly, Donnie is using Miss America to maintain his hold over his turf!"

The Washington Post's reporter Harvey Grant's gaze fell on Donnie Block, who was sitting at the same table as Harding.

"The influence and money-making power of Miss America have completely exceeded everyone's expectations. Donnie's 'Atlantic City Post' and Atlantic City Broadcast have relied on Miss America to become well-known newspapers and broadcasts throughout New Jersey, and even across the country. With such influence, it's impossible those tycoons haven't noticed it!"

Saying this, Harvey Grant glanced again at the other figures in the hall and said, "Otherwise, why do you think so many people have come here today? I have already received word that many among them want to get a piece of Donnie's Atlantic City Broadcast.

If they can't establish a partnership now, do you believe that by next year, there will be a proliferation of beauty competitions all over the country?"

"Now, Donnie has made us judges, also with the right to vote, so when the time comes, our newspapers will all cover the grand spectacle of Miss America," said Bob Ferry from The New York Times.

With this wave of publicity, even if others wanted to hold beauty contests, they wouldn't be able to compete with Miss America in terms of influence!

Upon hearing the analysis from the two men, Bobby Smith exclaimed, "I didn't expect that a poor kid who just left the military last year would, in less than a year's time, reach a position where he can sit on an equal footing with these tycoons and even dictate our actions!"

Upon hearing Bobby Smith's exclamation, Bob Ferry and Harvey Grant both revealed a trace of apprehension, cautiously observing their surroundings.

"If you want to meet God, don't drag us into it. Have you forgotten the evidence that Donnie holds?"

Bob Ferry even chided in a low voice.

Bobby Smith lowered his voice and said relaxedly, "Relax, at this moment, Donnie is busy chatting with our future President. How could he possibly pay attention to us!"

The fact that Harding would eventually defeat Woodrow Wilson to become the next President of the United States was actually quite clear to a certain group of people.

Ever since returning from France last year, Wilson's support in public opinion polls in the United States had been declining. Moreover, Wilson's health was deteriorating day by day.

At the end of last September, Wilson's speech tour in the west was abruptly interrupted, and at that time, The White House received a telegram from Wilson's accompanying physician: The President is seriously ill; return immediately!

As for the other presidential candidates, in public opinion polls conducted last month, they couldn't even come close to Harding.

Harvey Grant also lowered his voice and said, "But I don't agree that Donnie can now sit on an equal footing with these tycoons. At most, the Atlantic City Broadcast that Donnie currently owns gives him the right to speak in front of these tycoons, which is also why Donnie definitely wants to keep raising the prestige of Miss America!"

Bobby Smith thought for a moment, nodded in agreement with Harvey Grant's words.

Bob Ferry, listening to their conversation, did not continue to join in, even though he admitted that Harvey Grant was right. He believed that someone who achieved in less than a year what others might not accomplish in a lifetime would definitely become a true tycoon in the future!

At this moment, Donnie was casually chatting with Harding, with both men occasionally bursting into laughter.

Right now, they couldn't possibly be discussing anything serious, just personal anecdotes, which helped to strengthen the relationship between them.

Following the host's welcome, the Miss America final officially began.Nôv(el)B\\jnn

Beauty contestants from ten cities – New York, Philadelphia, Los Angeles, Chicago, Houston, San Francisco, Boston, Pittsburgh, Atlanta, Washington, as well as thirty-three from Atlantic City, clad in swimsuits, took their turns on the T-stage, each having one minute to show off their figures.

Afterwards, all the judges would present their flowers, and the sixteen Miss Americas with the highest scores from the flowers would move into the second round!