America 1919

``` "Who is it?" Donnie asked, somewhat impatiently. If building a chain company was just to solve the problem of nationwide betting ticket sales after the opening of the Racing Club, now the chain company had become an industry chain that Donnie must have! Alice looked arrogantly at Helen and did not answer Donnie's question, clearly wanting Helen to bow to her. Helen chuckled and said, "I've also thought of someone who can solve this problem!" "You mustn't say!" Alice suddenly lost her composure and yelled at Helen. Helen just smiled and didn't speak, and at this moment, Donnie also had someone in mind, but seeing the excited Alice, he did not reveal his choice, simply asking Alice, "Then can you tell me?" Alice huffed and then reluctantly told Donnie, "Of course it's Maholi. Her family's the largest snack sales company in the United States, naturally having competent retail talent in their hands. And since you're going to start a retail company, the products of the Grain Empire Food Company are definitely indispensable. Moreover, I understand that the investment in this matter is absolutely beyond imagination. Just training these sales talents before the company starts operating is a huge expenditure. Even if you have the private liquor business as a backup, you can't put all your resources into this." "Besides, to break A&P's control in the retail industry, we'll need more partners, whether it's the Grain Empire Food Company or the Coca-Cola Company, they're partners you can pull in. That way, the risks we need to bear are naturally smaller!" Donnie and Helen looked at each other and smiled, then Donnie said, "It seems we should invite Walker and Maholi, the newlyweds, to visit Atlantic City!" Walker and Maholi had already had their wedding earlier in the year and then went on a vacation to Egypt. However, with problems arising at the southern farms, they cut their holiday short and returned to New York. On Donnie's invitation, Walker and Maholi came to Atlantic City very willingly. "Donnie, I'm very grateful for what happened with the farm. If it weren't for you, my farm would have suffered heavy losses!" After seeing Donnie, Maholi expressed her thanks. That night, it wasn't just Donnie's farm; many farms had taken such actions, and some unprepared farm owners suffered heavy losses. Donnie laughed, "That's as it should be, after all, you were paying us a salary!" Maholi laughed and said, "Donnie, there's actually something I've been wanting to discuss with you, even if you hadn't invited us over!" Donnie said, "Speak!" Maholi responded, "After this incident, I've realized that relying solely on the people inside the farm is hardly sufficient to maintain its safety. Those people might be behaving now, but I know them, they don't learn. This event might keep them in line for a few years, but I'm sure other actions will follow. So, I was thinking of hiring some people from you to be the permanent security team for my farm. What do you think?" Donnie naturally had no objections, as he could always recruit more veterans, a gap that numbered in the millions. "Of course, you can have someone from your company discuss it with Chris!" After some small talk, Donnie turned to Walker and asked with a smile, "How about you? Do you need any help?" ``` Last year, Walker had already begun the formal battle for control over the Astor family assets with Vincent, during which he had the financial support of Donnie, Maholi's influence in New York, the backing of Astor IV's wife, Madeline, and the covert support of his aunt, Helen Roosevelt. Walker had achieved decisive results in this battle for the family assets. During this time, Walker had been meeting with the Astor family to solidify the partnership, knowing that with a majority of support, he could officially take the helm of the Astor family! "Absolutely no problem, rest assured, I estimate in less than a month, this matter will be resolved!" Walker was now very confident about this matter. Seeing that there were no issues on Walker's side, Donnie did not elaborate further, and after inviting them to sit, he revealed his idea to establish a chain company. Walker and Maholi exchanged a look, and finally, it was Maholi who said, "Donnie, as a friend, I can certainly satisfy your needs and can even find some professionals for you from the Grain Empire Food Company. But also, because we are friends, there are two things I need to tell you beforehand!" Donnie nodded and asked, "Go on!" Maholi continued, "First of all, I can find you talent, but it's best when assembling the entire management team that you personally select the appropriate candidates. This will prevent a lot of troubles in the future!" Donnie understood the type of trouble Maholi was referring to, which was essentially the concern that an outsider managing the chain company might be tempted by interests to act against the company's benefit or to use the management structure to marginalize Donnie. In reality, even if Maholi hadn't mentioned it, Donnie would surely have prepared for such issues. "That's a given, I'll personally recruit a group of people when the time comes!" Maholi went on to say, "Also, your plan is a bit..." After hesitating for a moment, Maholi then said, "A bit too aggressive, establishing two thousand stores all at once. If any problems arise, the losses to you would be enormous. Of course, it's your own business, and how you make decisions is ultimately up to you!" Donnie didn't respond to Maholi's concern but instead said, "Maholi, that's exactly the second issue I want to discuss with you. I firmly believe the chain industry will become the mainstream of the United States' retail industry in the future. It's a vast commercial empire, and if the Grain Empire Food Company is interested, I'd like to invite you to join us!" Upon hearing this, Maholi's eyes lit up. While she had suggestions about Donnie's plan, she didn't deny that if this business succeeded, it would be a very successful venture, and most importantly, a company that would generate huge cash flows. However... "Donnie, I really appreciate your invitation, but I can't make this decision alone. I need to discuss it with the company's board of directors before I can decide!" After Maholi finished speaking, a hint of anger appeared on Walker's face, a sentiment that Donnie caught! "What's wrong?" Donnie asked directly, having no reason to conceal anything from Walker.