America 1919

The familiar sea breeze, laden with a salty moisture, put Donnie in a good mood.

Although New York was more bustling than Atlantic City, Donnie still preferred Atlantic City because it was his city.

One always feels most relaxed at home!

"You two are finally back!" Helen and Steve Cotting emerged from the train, and Alice immediately went up to them, looking delighted.

Carrying the luggage silently, Steve Cotting made his way toward the car that drove into the station and loaded Donnie and Helen's baggage into the trunk of the car!

"I've read the papers; they say you're the magician of Wall Street! Even Theo called to ask if you were planning to stay in New York for long-term development!"

Alice chattered on, linking her arm with Donnie's.

Donnie laughed and said, "You're in Atlantic City, how could I possibly stay in New York!"

"Even though I know you're exaggerating, I still love hearing it!" Alice said with a smile.

Donnie told Alice and Helen, "You two go home first, I need to make a trip to the hotel!"

In a soft voice, Helen said to Donnie, "Nucky still wields a lot of power in Atlantic City, so whatever you want to do, you need to plan it out slowly!"

Donnie nodded and replied, "I know, but we can't keep giving in; if we still give in at this point, we're just undermining ourselves!"

Not only did Alice come to pick up Donnie, but Robert also drove over.

"Is Nucky at the hotel?"

While sitting in the car, Donnie asked Robert.

As Robert drove out of the station, he said, "He is."

"Has he done anything unusual these past two days?" Donnie asked.

Donnie had not returned to Atlantic City immediately after finishing his business in New York, but instead stayed for three more days, mainly to attend old Rockefeller's party.

At the party, Donnie had an in-depth conversation with old Rockefeller. Although there were significant differences on many issues, at least in some specific fields, they reached an agreement, forming a preliminary alliance.

Donnie had his own understanding of alliances. Enjoy more content from My Virtual Library Empire

Rockefeller, Morgan, including General Electric, these companies were Donnie's initial allies. In such an alliance, with no conflict of interest, everyone cooperated to earn more benefits.

Of course, this included several major oil companies, a vast group.

The middle-level alliance included Albert Furr, Harry D'Agostino, Hoover, and even Marshall and General Pan Xing; at present, they had common interests and no competition between them.

The high-level alliance, such as the Mellon Family, not only had common interests for development but also competition in the same industry. Even so, if competition arose, they would only use their business means without violating their rules of the game. In fact, Nucky was also part of this relationship, but now it all depended on Donnie's upcoming meeting with him.

This meeting would directly determine the future direction of both parties!

Above these three alliances, there was an even closer one, like Donnie and Walker's; in this relationship, one would sacrifice a part of one's own interests to provide greater benefits for one's allies. Of course, after an ally gained benefits, they would also reciprocate!

Previously, when Donnie faced an attack led by the Rockefeller Family, he obviously felt financial pressure, but in the end, he decided to give Walker 5 million US Dollars to compete for the Astor Family's assets.

Once Walker secured these assets, he would immediately start collaborating with Donnie on the construction of the Empire State Building.

"No!" Robert responded to Donnie, "Everything is normal. The only difference from his routine at the Ritz Hotel is that he visits the Surf Hotel every day!"

Donnie nodded and said with a smile, "Let's go!"

"Alright!"

The car drove on... and soon arrived at the Surf Hotel!

"Just stop at the main entrance!"

As Robert prepared to drive into the Surf Hotel's underground parking lot, Donnie spoke up.

Robert nodded and parked the car at the entrance of the Surf Hotel.

Parked at the main entrance of the Surf Hotel were ten of the latest Rolls-Royce Silver Ghosts in gleaming silver, specially ordered by the Surf Hotel from Rolls-Royce ahead of its opening.

This year Rolls-Royce established its first factory outside the United Kingdom in Springfield, Illinois, and the ten Silver Ghosts ordered by the Surf Hotel were shipped from the UK by boat.

These ten gleaming silver Silver Ghosts were to welcome the Surf Hotel's guests!

Beside these ten Silver Ghosts, there were many of the period's luxury cars parked at the entrance of the Surf Hotel, and from time to time elegantly dressed people would emerge and enter the Surf Hotel.

Of course, even more arrived on foot.

Simply put, the revolving door of the Surf Hotel was always in motion, with guests constantly going in or coming out every moment!

"The highway from Atlantic City to Philadelphia is still under construction; once it's completed, I believe even more people will come here!"