America 1919

He hadn't realized someone was tailing him.

And so, that scene had just played out in the tavern's main hall.

"Donnie Block, I won't let you have your way. You're truly devious and sly, trying to use me to take down Nevin Byrd—the troublemaker for you—at this time!"

During his days in Atlantic City, Luther Ganaxy had also learned about the issue between Donnie and Nevin Byrd.

From Donnie's orders, he could deduce that Donnie was planning to frame Nevin Byrd using this incident!

"Fuck you, still hard-mouthed at this time!"

John, enraged, delivered a kick that sent Luther Ganaxy tumbling to the floor, followed by a flurry of violent blows.

Donnie watched silently, gritting his teeth in pain, enjoying the care from the doctor.

Helen and Alice stood by Donnie's side, observing his bare upper body with its perfect muscle lines marred by various scars—some from bayonet wounds, others from bullets.

They knew these must have been left from Donnie's time on the battlefield.

Thinking of how Donnie had recklessly thrown himself to protect them just before, a different emotion began to stir in their hearts.

Just then, Nate Sermont, the manager of Block Tavern, walked in. He had meant to say something to Donnie but fell silent upon seeing Helen and Alice by his side.

Seeing this, Donnie knew that Margaret must have also received the news and rushed over.

Donnie was just about to invite Margaret in when Helen spoke up, "Manager Sermont, step outside with me for a moment!"

Then she said to Donnie, "You need to rest now. I'll handle the rest!"

Donnie, seeing the determination in Helen and the confusion in Nate, nodded without saying a word.

Helen took Nate away from there.

"Alright, stop hitting him!"

Donnie halted John's continued beating of Luther Ganaxy.

Luther Ganaxy, with blood on the corner of his mouth and sprawled on the ground, stubbornly said, "No matter what you do to me, I won't let you have your way!"

Donnie looked at him disdainfully and instructed Robert, "Call Irving, have him come over!"

Robert nodded and immediately went over to Donnie's desk to call Irving.

Only then did Donnie continue speaking to Luther Ganaxy, "I bet you don't know who Irving is, do you?"

"Hmph!" Luther Ganaxy snorted and did not answer Donnie's question.

"Irving is the boss of North District in Atlantic City. North District is the Black community here. There are not only casinos and brothels but also special places that cater to certain... particular tastes of Black men..."

Listening to Donnie's description, Luther Ganaxy began to tremble, realizing what Donnie implied.

"Imagine that, a white man being sent to that place. I think your clientele will be quite satisfied. I'll have my people send you some lubricant later!"

Donnie continued speaking.

Luther Ganaxy's face turned even paler.

"Devil, you devil, even if I go to hell, I won't let you off!"

"That's useless talk. The choice before you is simple: either do as I say, or tonight you'll find yourself sent to North District, and you'll become the most sought-after man there!"

Donnie looked at Luther Ganaxy coldly!

Luther Ganaxy collapsed to the ground, his previous defiance gone, and he began... sobbing uncontrollably!

Donnie knew that Luther Ganaxy had given in.

""Call Eli, leave the rest to him!"

Donnie first addressed this to Robert, who was waiting for Donnie's next instruction, before turning back to the doctor who had already begun stitching up his wound, asking, "For an injury like mine, I believe I should be recovering in a hospital. Why are you performing surgery here?"

The doctor rolled his eyes and said, "Esteemed Mr. Block, when I first arrived, I had already mentioned that with such an injury, you should go to the hospital. It was you who insisted on having the surgery done here!"

Donnie nodded, remarking, "So you were paying close attention to everything that just happened, huh?"

The doctor turned pale, stating, "I'm just a doctor; I was focusing on your surgery and didn't hear anything. Plus, I have decided, tomorrow I will move my family to the West District!"

"The people of the West District will certainly give you a warm welcome!"

Donnie smiled as he got up, with Alice quickly coming to his aid.

"Alright, I think I should now heed the doctor's advice and go to the hospital for some rest and recovery!"

As Donnie was leaving his office with the help of Alice, he saw Helen and Margaret, whose eyes were slightly red, talking about something.

The two of them immediately stopped their conversation upon seeing Donnie emerge.

Helen said to Alice, "Alice, we should head back now!"

Hearing Helen suggesting that she should go back with her, Alice quickly exclaimed, "At this time, we should be going to the hospital!"
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Helen spoke sternly, "Someone will take care of Donnie at the hospital, now you need to come home with me!"

Alice, who had always been at odds with Helen, saw her expression at that moment and ultimately chose to compromise.

As she let go of Donnie, Margaret had already taken over her duties.

"Get well at the hospital, we'll come to see you tomorrow!"

Helen's eyes showed concern as she spoke to Donnie.

Donnie nodded and said with a smile, "Don't worry, such injuries are nothing to me!"

Helen left with Alice.

Donnie went to the hospital with the assistance of Margaret.

But the events of tonight were far from over!

The news of Donnie being shot spread quickly throughout Atlantic City.

"How foolish, why would you hire a gunman? Isn't that giving Donnie a reason to come after you?"

At Ritz Hotel, Nicky Limo angrily reproached Nevin Byrd.

"I told you, the gunman wasn't hired by me. Do you really think I'd be that stupid?"

Nevin Byrd was equally furious.

"Really wasn't you?"

Nicky Limo looked at Nevin Byrd with suspicion.

Nevin Byrd said coldly, "As I said, I'm not that stupid to send a gunman after Donnie at such a time, which would cause me to lose my biggest leverage in Atlantic City, right?"

Nicky Limo chose to believe Nevin Byrd, as such an action would indeed be too foolish: "If it wasn't you, then who could it be?"

"How would I know? Donnie has so many enemies!" Nevin Byrd said angrily, "I even suspect that Donnie arranged the gunman himself just to frame me!"

Nicky Limo shook his head, "No, Donnie might be crazy, but he's not that crazy. One slip and he could have died himself!"

"Then who could it be?" Nevin Byrd asked.

Nicky Limo said helplessly, "It doesn't matter who it was, what matters is, we all know that Donnie will definitely use this incident to his advantage!"