America 1919

Young Rockefeller fell silent again, and Old Rockefeller didn't rush him, simply turning his gaze towards the sea. When he saw a seagull that marred the beauty of the ocean in his eyes, Old Rockefeller didn't hesitate to pick up the rifle by his side and with a gunshot, the seagull dropped into the sea, vanishing!

The sound of the gun woke Young Rockefeller, "Dad, I want to give it a try!"

Old Rockefeller got the answer he wanted but showed no change in expression and said, "Alright, you can contact Barry Company now. I've already told you how to do it, but whether you can successfully operate it is up to you!"

"Yes!"

.

Donnie started his roadshow, which was a very tiresome process. Without airplanes... well, even if there were airplanes, Donnie wouldn't dare to fly, considering the planes were just too dangerous at the time.

Donnie could only take the train, embarking on his long roadshow journey.

Fortunately, Donnie had friends in every city of the roadshow, like now in Philadelphia, where Salvatore Bella found Donnie right away.

Sometimes Donnie didn't understand the style of these gang leaders. Why did every one of them have to wear fedoras at an angle, dress in black trench coats, black suits, and red pocket squares?

Was it to tell others that they were gang leaders and that they should be careful around them?

Or was it to notify the assassins who their targets were?

Donnie didn't criticize Salvatore Bella's attire but felt a headache coming on over the request he put forth.

The man wanted to buy up some shares of ABC at an internal subscription price!

Wasn't it nice for everyone to just quietly make money from bootlegging?

Why poke their noses into an industry they didn't understand?

In fact, Donnie knew that the other party must have seen the current favorable situation of ABC and expected the shares to soar after the listing, which is why they approached him with such a request.
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The ultimate pursuit of a gang leader was to make money, regardless of how they achieved it.

"Bella, are we friends?" Donnie asked seriously, sitting on the sofa and facing Salvatore Bella.

"Of course, we've always been the best of friends!" Salvatore Bella said, laughing heartily.

"Since we're friends, then I have to tell you the truth!" Donnie said seriously.

"Speak, I'm all ears!" Salvatore Bella didn't catch Donnie's drift.

Donnie said, "The listing of ABC means that the company is no longer just mine, but belongs to all shareholders, the entire board of directors. And do you know who is on ABC's board now?"

In confusion, Salvatore Bella asked, "Who are they?"

"General Electric, the Mellon Family, Morgan, Goldman Sachs, Merrill—these people are very famous, whether in America's industry or financial markets," Donnie explained.

"Right!" Salvatore Bella said excitedly, "Since these big shots are very optimistic about ABC, it proves that there's a great future for ABC. I should definitely join in at this time!"

Donnie tapped the rhythm on the armrest of the sofa more quickly. He knew that subtlety wouldn't work with these people, whether they pretended to not understand or genuinely didn't get it, he needed to tell them the situation straight.

"Since all these people will be ABC shareholders and board members, do you think they would agree to let you buy ABC shares at the same price as theirs?"

Thinking of Salvatore Bella's circumstances, Donnie didn't wait for an answer and continued to speak.

"They won't agree, not only will they not agree, but they will also vehemently oppose it. Of course, they won't do anything to me, but they will certainly do something to you.

By then, they just need to cooperate with Philadelphia's police for a major sweep, and your business in Philadelphia will be completely replaced. Then, they can use these conditions to threaten you and acquire your ABC shares.

When their shares in ABC increase, and mine decrease, I might even lose control of ABC. At that time, ABC will no longer be my ABC.

As a friend, I want you to have better opportunities, but I can't let you get into trouble for that chance and increase the possibility that I lose ABC!"

This time, Donnie Block made his intentions very clear to Salvatore Bella.

"Would they really do that?" Salvatore Bella didn't fully believe Donnie.

Donnie nodded with certainty, "They definitely would do that. If one day you found out there's a warehouse in your territory in Philadelphia hiding millions of dollars' worth of high-quality liquor, would you be tempted, would you have your men move in, especially if the owner of this private stock posed no threat to you?"

Salvatore Bella fell silent and finally said with resignation, "If it's really like you said, I would take action today!"

Donnie nodded, "That's the logic. So, do you think your influence can compare to the powers I mentioned earlier?"

Salvatore Bella's expression became even more resigned. The truth always hurts the most.

Even though Salvatore Bella might make money faster than some of the companies Donnie had mentioned, he also used his wealth to develop a close relationship with the government in Philadelphia.

But he still knew that he had no advantage in front of these commercial giants.

Just one word from them could completely ruin him!

Salvatore Bella was not so arrogant as to think he could stand against these people!

Eventually, Donnie persuaded Salvatore Bella, but he couldn't convince everyone. Many people still thought Donnie was giving them the runaround after hearing his explanation. Since Donnie was friends with them and also with the other partners, then a friend of a friend should be a friend, right?

But regardless of whether these people understood, Donnie ultimately refused their requests.

Just as Donnie was getting a headache over these matters, the opening of the Surf Hotel finally arrived.

Donnie also temporarily halted his roadshow itinerary and returned to Atlantic City.

"I can understand the tiredness on your face, but what about the look of helplessness in your eyes?" Nucky from Atlantic City came to the Occidental City train station to pick up Donnie personally and teased him with a smile after seeing the expression on Donnie's face.

"Alright, stop teasing me, I don't believe you don't know what it's because of!" Donnie said to Nucky, resignedly.

Nucky laughed loudly, "Alright, we can set aside those people's matters for now. What's most important for us is the Surf Hotel opening in three days!"