America 1919

During Harding's tenure, the biggest scandal was the U.S. Government leasing their strategic oil reserves in California's Elk Hills, Bovay region, and Wyoming's Teapot Dome to American oil businessmen.

One of the behind-the-scenes operators was none other than Albert B. Fall, who was then the Secretary of the Interior!

After getting to know these people from Harding's campaign team, Harry introduced Donnie to those who were unaffiliated with the campaign team.

Those were the business magnates that Donnie had been worried about.

However, unlike Harding's campaign team, who all came in person, some of these magnates sent representatives, while others came themselves.

Among them were General Electric's president Owen Young, Westinghouse Electric Corporation's general manager Luke Jackson, and Alfred DuPont… who had broken away from the DuPont Family but became a significant figure in New York.

Donnie, looking at the smiles on these people's faces, couldn't find happiness in his heart because he knew their arrival probably wasn't just about Atlantic City's gambling industry.

If there was someone among these people who could make Donnie the slightest bit happy, it was Ban Johnson, the chairman of Major League Baseball!

After exchanging pleasantries, Harding immediately suggested they all have a thrilling poker match.

Those familiar with Harding no longer found this suggestion surprising.

Preoccupied Donnie couldn't sustain the luck that had seen him come out on top last time, and he quickly lost all his chips, bowing out of the game.

Standing on the balcony with a glass of red wine from France in his hand, the sea breeze against his face and the faint salty smell helped clear Donnie's head a great deal.

He didn't have much time left!

"It looks like you've got something on your mind, Donnie!"

At that moment, Harry came up to Donnie's side with a glass of wine in his hand.

"I think these people didn't come to Atlantic City just for a vacation," Donnie replied casually.

Harry looked at Donnie and laughed, "And here I thought you'd be worried!"

"Worrying isn't the most important thing for me now. What's crucial is how to deal with the current situation." As he said this, Donnie glanced at Harry.

He thought about it but decided not to voice the question he wanted to ask Harry: why he wasn't informed in advance about the arrival of these people.

But soon Donnie understood. Although he was in collaboration with Harry, in Harry's eyes, his importance certainly wasn't as great as those other individuals. With that in mind, it wasn't necessary to ask.

"Albert organized this meetup. I also only found out these people would show up when I was getting on the train," Harry spoke as if he knew what Donnie was thinking, then added.

"Donnie, you've moved too fast. The push for legalization of the gambling industry in Atlantic City has made many see the potential wealth here. They won't just watch this wealth without trying to get a piece."

"It's probably not just about the legalization of Atlantic City's gambling business, is it?"

"Harding values you not for your influence in Atlantic City, nor for your campaign donations to him, but for your Atlantic City Broadcast company. Harding sees the potential energy of the Atlantic City Broadcast company, and naturally, those people can see it too!"

Donnie fell silent. When he saw Owen Young and Luke Jackson, he had already guessed that these people were definitely coming for the Atlantic City Broadcast company.

As of now, the three most profitable ventures in his hands were: the bootlegging business, which was profitable but not something that would draw those tycoons to Atlantic City; the Miss America pageant, prestigious and influential but not enough to bring all these people here.

The other was the hopeful legalization of Atlantic City's gambling industry!

Since these people were already aware of this, they must also know about his plans to build a top-tier luxury hotel in Atlantic City.

The profits that the gambling industry could bring were undeniable, something these magnates couldn't ignore, and more importantly, if the business really took off, the other businesses in the area would boom as well.

That includes the banking industry!

The immense cash flow of casinos is something no bank can overlook, which explains why Dick was in such a hurry.

Of course, this also includes the existence of the casinos themselves.

As for the Atlantic City Broadcast company, it wasn't yet the most prominent enterprise in Donnie's portfolio, but one thing was clear: with the election of Miss America and being the first commercial radio station in the United States, everyone saw the huge influence it could wield.

"Dealing with these people won't be easy!" Harry toasted with Donnie, "As a friend, all I can do is warn you about this. Even if you can't become friends with them, try not to become enemies!"

Whether Harry's warning was genuine or not, Donnie still expressed his gratitude, "Thanks!"

Footsteps approached from behind them, Harry turned to look, then said, "Well, Donnie, your first problem has arrived!"