America 1919

"Donnie, I didn't expect you'd be willing to try your luck here too!"

Upon seeing Donnie, Nucky said happily, showing no signs of anger over his brother going against his wishes.

"The Fuli Tavern has always been a model for us at the Block Tavern to learn from."

"Haha, with the way you're developing now, Donnie, I believe it won't be long before you can own a tavern like this one!"

Nucky continued to laugh, but his words made David Jabbar, standing beside him, look uncomfortable.

"By the way, this is my girlfriend, Lucy Danzig, a beautiful girl!"

"I've long heard of Miss Danzig's fine reputation. Seeing you today, you indeed live up to your beauty!"

Donnie reached out his hand, and Lucy, without a change in expression, smiled and said, "I've also always heard Nucky speak highly of Mr. Block as the most promising young man in Atlantic City, truly a person of great appearance and talent!"

The mutual flattery was brief.

"By the way, Donnie, I want to introduce you to a big shot!" Nucky said, his expression filled with a mysterious smile.

Hearing Nucky's words, Donnie paused slightly. Who could be so important that Nucky would call him a 'big shot'? A political heavyweight?

But that didn't seem right. Although their relationship had improved a bit, Nucky wouldn't likely introduce a political heavyweight to him, and knowing Nucky's character, it probably wasn't just to show off.

"May I know who it is?" Despite his confusion, Donnie asked with a smile.

"Ponzi, let me introduce you to Atlantic City's rising star, Donnie Block. Half of the beverages in the whole Atlantic City are supplied by Donnie!"

Nucky turned and signaled to a white man placing bets, who was dressed in an Italian custom-tailored suit with a ruby ring on his finger. As he stood and turned back, his face bore a smile similar to Nucky's.

"Nucky, this is Charles Ponzi, a big shot from Boston, managing a fund worth more than fifteen million US Dollars!" Nucky introduced the man's identity to Donnie.

Donnie's expression grew complex. Charles Ponzi, this was a man of infamous repute in the history of finance.

The 'Ponzi scheme' was named after him.

"I'm honored to meet you, Mr. Ponzi. I hope we can count on your support in the future!" Donnie reined in his curiosity and shook hands with Ponzi, smiling.

Ponzi wore a modest smile and humbly said, "You're too modest, Mr. Block. Right now, Atlantic City is the only place in the United States that can provide beverages for everyone. I believe it won't be long before you become a major figure in Atlantic City!"

Nucky told Donnie with a laugh, "Charles's fund has a very high rate of return, and it operates unique European stamps, with a return rate that has reached 400% at times. Donnie, you could invest some of your spare cash with Charles; who knows, it might bring forward your dream of owning a tavern like The Fuli Tavern!"

"Ah, my operation is just small-time compared to an actual business like Mr. Block's!" Ponzi discretely declined Nucky's suggestion.

"I look forward to the opportunity to work with Mr. Ponzi in the future!" Donnie showed a hint of disappointment.

After exchanging pleasantries, they parted. Donnie exchanged 300 US Dollars' worth of chips and randomly picked a gambling table to start his mission for the day.

In the process, however, Donnie couldn't help but repeatedly glance over at Charles Ponzi.

Shouldn't this guy be in Boston, continuing to deceive small-time investors?

Why had he come to Atlantic City?

If Donnie's memory was correct, by August of this year, Ponzi's scheme would be exposed, and Ponzi would be incarcerated because of it.

Was it that Boston no longer provided fresh blood for Ponzi's scheme, and now he was in Atlantic City to develop new clients?

After pondering for a while without clarity, Donnie refocused on the casino's patrons; after all, Ponzi's presence wouldn't bring him any benefits.

.

"These are the names I've gathered tonight. Observe for a few more days, and the situation should become clear!"

After returning from The Fuli Tavern, Donnie handed over a list of valuable contacts he identified that evening to Robert.

"Just have Dwight keep a close watch on these people. I want to know everything they do in Atlantic City, other than spending at The Fuli Tavern!"

Robert nodded, "No problem, Dwight has just brought in a group of his old friends lately; they'll be more than capable of handling this task!"

Donnie nodded in satisfaction and continued to instruct, "Also, there's another thing I need you to do. Find a high-end villa on the boardwalk and rent it for us."

"You're thinking of moving out of West District with Margaret?"

Robert didn't understand Donnie's intent.

Donnie laughed, "That place isn't meant for living, it's for us to be able to take over The Fuli Tavern in the shortest time!"

"Alright, I'll give you some news in two days!" Seeing Donnie didn't specify the details, Robert didn't ask further.

After instructing Robert, Donnie then said to Bruce, "You've been enjoying yourself enough at the Scott Tavern these past few days. Now, there's actual work for you to do!"

Puffing on a cigar, Bruce said nonchalantly, "Of course, that's exactly why I came to see you!"

Donnie said, "I don't have a photo of this man right now, but I know his name is Charles Ponzi. He should have arrived in Atlantic City with Nucky yesterday. This man will be very high-profile, I believe you should be able to easily keep an eye on him."

"No problem, this information is enough! So what do you want me to do, kidnap him?" Bruce asked.

Donnie shook his head, "No need, I just want to know what this man is up to during his time in Atlantic City, that'll be enough!"

Although at The Fuli Tavern, Donnie thought Charles Ponzi wouldn't benefit him, the man was too famous, and Donnie couldn't help but be curious about what Ponzi was up to in Atlantic City.

Moreover, Donnie wanted to know if Nucky had invested in Ponzi's fund; if he had, it might mean some changes were necessary for his own plans in Atlantic City.

If not, was there a way to use Charles Ponzi for something?

In any case, it was necessary to find out Ponzi's specific situation in Atlantic City before making a decision.

"This is too easy, barely a challenge!"

Bruce laughed.

"Although the task is not difficult, this person is important. Don't underestimate him, this is a millionaire we're talking about!"

"Wow!" Bruce whistled exaggeratedly.

.

"So, my dear brother, are you trying to tell me by letting my enemy go while I was away from Atlantic City, that you want to betray me?"

After returning to The Fuli Tavern, Nucky met his brother, Eli Johnson!

"You know I would never betray you!" Eli said with an expressionless face.

"Really? But what you're doing now is betraying me. So tell me, what kind of benefit did the general offer you to betray your brother who has always looked after you?"

"I said, I haven't betrayed you!" Eli Johnson raised his voice, saying quite displeased, "I am helping you!"

"Helping me?" Nucky laughed out of anger, "Ha, then tell me, how is letting my enemy go and affecting my reputation in Atlantic City helping me?"

"Washington has already called. Even if you've smoothed things over with Washington, your actions will always cause dissatisfaction. Now that Vince has been dismissed, he can't play any role in the general's hands anymore. Letting go of such an insignificant person could ease your relations with Washington. I honestly don't see anything wrong with doing so!"

Eli Johnson had his own thoughts.

Nucky chuckled and said, "These words, did David Jabbar teach you them?"

Eli Johnson's expression suddenly changed.

Seeing the change in Eli Johnson's expression, Nucky continued, "I've always said you're a fool and I've told you before, just do everything as I ask, then only I would know you're a fool. Now, you're telling the whole of Atlantic City that you, Eli Johnson, are a fool!"

"I'm not a fool!" Eli Johnson retorted loudly.

"Still saying you're not a fool, if Vince was just a police officer, do you think I would consider him? If that were all, his influence in Atlantic City wouldn't even match Donnie Block's. Vince's most important identity is the general's godson.

As long as he holds that title, the moment he walks out of the prison, everyone in Atlantic City will think I've been suppressed by the general.

What will people in Atlantic City think of me then?

Do you think the bit of money you got from David can compensate for these losses?"

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Amid Nucky's rebuke, Eli Johnson left the place, not concealing his anger.

"Darling, Eli is trying to help you, don't be angry, okay? Besides, wasn't your trip to Washington very smooth?"

Lucy brought Nucky a cup of coffee.

"Heh, smooth?" Nucky said angrily: "If it weren't for him releasing Vince and the general telling Washington about it, I would have gotten much more from this trip!"

However, it was evident that Nucky didn't want to divulge too much about what happened in Washington to Lucy. After sending her back to the bedroom, he started dealing with the backlog of work that had accumulated during his days away from Atlantic City.

After leaving the Ritz Hotel, an angry Eli Johnson went to The Fuli Tavern.

"Eli, you look terrible. Is it because of what happened with me that Nucky scolded you?"

David Jabbar poured Eli Johnson a glass of whiskey.