America 1919

This included the preliminary rounds, the top 16, the top 8, the top 4, and even up to the final top three; then, when the national competition began, one could deduce from this and continue to set betting markets or even directly open markets about which contestant would win the championship."

By that time, as long as the event could create a sensation, there would be no need to worry that no one would place bets."

Such side-betting business was actually not that unique, the only unique aspect was that this place was Atlantic City, a yet-to-be legally sanctioned Casino City, and the Miss America pageant was held right here.

What's most important was, Donnie was the bookmaker behind the scenes!

This alone would bring Donnie a massive influx of cash.

"Ah, how did I not think of this!" John said excitedly.

Because your brain isn't even as big as a squirrel's!

Donnie said, "I'll talk to Nucky about this in a couple of days. You're responsible for getting all the preliminary work done!"

"Why do we have to tell Nucky? We can do it on our own!" John didn't want to share the profits with Nucky.

Donnie, slumped over the desk, waved his hand weakly: "Go buy a lottery ticket or something, just don't get in the way of my real business!"

"Fine!" John left Donnie's office without caring much.

Doing monopolistic business in Atlantic City without giving Nucky a cut is utterly impossible!

How could such a simple concept not be clear to John?

Donnie really wanted to go back and ask Jennifer if John really was Carl's own son.

Thinking that if he asked this question, he might get chased out of the Block Tavern by Jennifer with a gun, Donnie decisively abandoned the idea.

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Now that Donnie's business had entered the fast lane, after a moment's thought, he made a call to Nucky's study and they fixed a time to meet.

When Donnie arrived at Nucky's study, Nucky laughed and said, "Donnie, have you noticed how often we have been seeing each other lately?"

Donnie responded with a laugh, "Can't help it, after all, if you want to do business in Atlantic City, you can't do it without your support, Nucky!"

"Haha, so you do understand this. Then why did you always refuse my friendship before?" Nucky said cheerfully.

Donnie replied, "It's simple. Like now, I'm actively seeking a partnership with you, Nucky, whereas if I had accepted your friendship back then, I should now be doing the things that you arranged for me!"

"One is being in charge of your own affairs, and the other is me arranging your affairs for you!" Nucky summed up Donnie's words.

"Exactly!" Donnie readily nodded. Now that he and Nucky were partners, there was no need to face him with the same mindset as before.

"But how can you be so sure that what I arrange for you wouldn't be better than what you want to do yourself?"

Nucky was still somewhat unwilling to concede.

Donnie asked with a smile, "So, Mr. Nucky, if I were your man right now, how would you arrange things for me?"

"I would make you a sheriff in charge of public safety in Atlantic City. In the future, I might even make you the city's treasurer!"

Nucky's only position now was the financial officer of Atlantic City, and by saying this, he was actually making a guarantee to Donnie!

Donnie took the lead and said, "Mr. Nucky, you see, this is the difference between you and me. You hope that I can follow the path you once took and tread it again, but I would rather forge my own path."

"All right!" Nucky didn't intend to discuss this issue in depth with Donnie. In his view, Donnie had a common problem of the youth.

He thought he was invincible after a few successes, not realizing that the advice of experienced folks could be very useful until he took a big fall!

"Let's talk about what you've got in mind for this visit!"

Donnie shared his plans regarding the Miss America pageant with Nucky.

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Nucky's sitting posture became straighter and his expression more serious as he listened, until after Donnie finished, "You're planning to milk the Miss America pageant for all it's worth, huh?"

Donnie sat there with a smile on his face and asked Nucky, "So, Mr. Nucky, you have no objections to this idea?"

Nucky laughed heartily and said, "Of course not, I really appreciate your idea!"

Donnie said, "To make this happen, all we need is to ensure that the election of Miss America becomes an event that captures the world's attention."n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

Of course, Nucky understood this point and said, "Don't worry, I'll call the other three newspapers in Atlantic City myself. I want every person in Atlantic City to wake up every morning and see news about Miss America in the newspapers, no matter which one they pick up!"

As he spoke, Nucky suddenly thought of something and said, "Right, those three newspapers have been slandering Miss America recently, haven't they? You don't have to worry about that anymore, I'll get them all to change their tune!"

"Please don't do that!" Donnie immediately stopped Nucky's idea.

"Why?" Nucky looked at Donnie, confused.

Donnie explained, "If everyone is saying something is good, it's actually easy to trigger people's rebellious spirit. It's better to have some criticizing and others praising, creating a storm of discussion, isn't it easier that way to make people remember this event?"

Nucky was a very clever man, or he wouldn't have become the king of Atlantic City.

And the most successful king in the history of Atlantic City at that.

So after Donnie finished speaking, Nucky just thought simply and immediately understood Donnie's intention.

"Right, when everyone says it's good, ordinary passers-by might lose interest, but when the good and the bad become two opposing camps, naturally the level of discussion will surge. The more this happens, the more people will want to see whether the event is good or bad as it unfolds!"

Donnie nodded with a smile, "Mr. Nucky is truly a wise man, far better than my brother, John!"

A delighted Nucky glanced sharply at Donnie and said, "Don't think that I don't know what kind of person your brother John is. Are you trying to provoke me by comparing me with him?"

Donnie laughed and said, "Of course not, I was just genuinely praising you, Mr. Nucky!"

"Enough, no need to explain. That'll only make you seem worse!" Nucky said helplessly.

Donnie stood up and said with a smile, "So, about the preliminary competition..."

Nucky said, "Just let John handle that. If there are any problems, I'll take care of them!"

Those were the words Donnie was waiting for. As he stood up to take his leave and reached the door of Nucky's study, Donnie suddenly turned back to ask.

"Mr. Nucky, which do you think is better, the path you arranged or the one I'm taking now?"