America 1919

George Whitney sat across from Donnie, feeling uneasy.

Before today, George Whitney had never imagined himself feeling this way about facing Donnie, but now, under someone else's roof, he had no choice but to bow his head!

He thought that if he couldn't solve this matter smoothly, he, the youngest partner in Morgan's history, might end up with a bad record.

For George Whitney, this was something utterly unacceptable.

"George, as a friend, I wouldn't make things difficult for you," Donnie said with a smile as he handed George Whitney a Coca-Cola.

If there were friends familiar with Donnie, they'd know at the sight of that smile that Donnie was planning to set a trap!

However, George Whitney was not familiar with Donnie, so he didn't know what lay behind that smile, and relaxed a bit as he said, "Thank you, this incident has allowed me to witness your capabilities, Donnie. If possible, I hope we can become friends, just like you and William Mellon!"

Donnie nodded, "Of course, I hope, George, that you'll find time to visit Atlantic City. Only there would you truly understand my hospitality!"

George Whitney's mood eased, and he smiled, "When I have the time, I will definitely make the trip!"

After exchanging pleasantries, Donnie revealed his intention to George Whitney, "I hope to buy out all shares of Coca-Cola from Morgan."

Coca-Cola, the unchallenged future global leader of the beverage industry, had not yet fully grown.

In fact, this brand was not originally marketed as a beverage, but as a drink that could relieve symptoms of headaches...

Coca-Cola was created in 1886 by pharmacist John Pemberton, and after two changes in ownership, it was finally bought by American banker old Robert Woodruff in 1917 for 25 million US dollars, officially turning it into an industry for the Woodruff family.

In 1919, old Woodruff took Coca-Cola public, with an opening stock price of 40 US dollars per share. Affected by the market and not favored by capital, by 1920, Coca-Cola's stock price had fallen to 19.5 US dollars per share.

The total market value of the Coca-Cola Company had also plunged to just over 10 million US dollars, but as Coca-Cola's marketing efforts started to kick in, this year the company's market value had returned to 25 US dollars per share, with a market value of over 15 million US dollars.

From this, it could be seen that the market was regaining confidence in Coca-Cola, and now the company's stock price was continuing to climb, influenced by the US stock market bull run.

It could be said that Coca-Cola Company was viewed as a company with great potential by Wall Street. Discover exclusive content at My Virtual Library Empire

However, what really made Coca-Cola shine would have to wait until young Robert Woodruff took over.

Young Robert Woodruff was a true business genius, who in 60 years genuinely turned Coca-Cola into the world's number one beverage company.

Actually, Donnie's decision to take ABC public at this time was aimed at raising funds to acquire Coca-Cola.

Now, in the context of the United States' Prohibition, Coca-Cola had become an important drink that the general public used to replace alcoholic beverages, and at this time the Coca-Cola Company had begun planning to sell Coca-Cola from Georgia to the entire nation, and to start building their own factories in other states.

Under such circumstances, if Donnie could complete the acquisition of Coca-Cola at this time, he would obtain these land assets and Coca-Cola's sales channels.

Then, when Prohibition ended, Donnie's alcohol brands would be able to utilize Coca-Cola's sales channels and the spare land at Coca-Cola's factories across the states to quickly expand nationwide.

By that time, openly, he'd have Coca-Cola Company's channels and land.

Secretly, he'd have the support of the big bosses of gangs in major cities.

Donnie's alcohol brand would have a comprehensive crushing advantage over other alcohol companies!

"That's impossible!"

George Whitney immediately objected after Donnie proposed to buy Morgan's shares in Coca-Cola.

Of course, George Whitney wasn't aware that Coca-Cola would grow to be a super conglomerate with a market value exceeding 250 billion US dollars. He simply believed that Coca-Cola was a company with growth potential at the time and didn't want Morgan to lose such a quality company.

Donnie, not taking George Whitney's objection seriously, smiled and said, "George, although the stock price of the Coca-Cola Company is slowly rising, it is after all only a small to medium-sized public company with limited potential. If you sell Morgan's shares in Coca-Cola to me, I can enrich my beverage sector, and you, in turn, can keep your losses within a manageable range for Morgan. It's a win-win situation!"

It's you who's going to benefit exclusively, isn't it?

George Whitney thought to himself, without knowing the true value of Coca-Cola, he didn't doubt Donnie's words, but he still didn't want to give up Morgan's shares in Coca-Cola.

"Donnie, you should know that the chairman of Coca-Cola, Mr. Woodruff, and Mr. Morgan are very good friends. Asking Morgan to sell the shares of Coca-Cola Company to you and aiding you in gaining control of Coca-Cola goes against the friendship between Mr. Morgan and Mr. Woodruff!"