America 1919

So, I really had completed a class jump.

Jessica Dole believed that truly wealthy people should have a certain filter for personal morals.

That's why Jessica Dole had rejected those who offered her their eager attention.

In simple terms, Jessica Dole was a woman with very clear goals and a calculative mind.

Although Walker was a good candidate, Jessica Dole wouldn't really get involved with him without a full understanding of who he was.

Seeing Donnie's expression, Walker asked uncertainly, "You didn't guess this already, did you?"

Donnie immediately shook his head and said, "How could I? If I had known, I would have warned you!"

Walker eyed Donnie skeptically, finding it hard to believe his words.

Donnie then turned his gaze to Robert and asked.

"Tell us about the income from the outskirts of the other ten cities?"

The income from the outskirts was grey income, something Donnie couldn't possibly book into Starry Entertainment's accounts.

With a smile on his face, Robert said, "I've verified everything. The total betting from the outskirts of the ten cities is 7,693,571 US dollars. I've already made calls to the responsible persons in each city this morning. After deducting all the necessary payments, the total income is 1,389,376 US dollars. According to the profit-sharing agreement we discussed, we'll get 410,000 dollars!"

Upon getting these figures, smiles spread across everyone's face.

Donnie looked at the group and said with a laugh, "Now, surely no one doubts that the Miss America pageant is profitable, right?"

The group let out an embarrassed laugh, previously puzzled by Donnie's focus on the Miss America contest.

Now that the solid figures were before them, to continue doubting would be stubbornness.

"Once we get this money, take out 205,000 dollars and send it to Nucky!"

This money, being grey income, certainly couldn't be deposited directly into Donnie's account. Additionally, the betting funds collected by the major cities would surely be in cash. According to the gang members' usual way of doing things, they would definitely give Donnie cash!

The same people who had just been excited heard that Donnie wanted to share this money with Nucky… Even though they already knew about this, they still felt somewhat unhappy!

"Donnie, we're the ones doing this, aren't we?"

Donnie immediately shook his head and said, "Although we're the ones doing this, we couldn't possibly have connected with the people in the other cities so smoothly without Nucky. Plus, do you think Nucky doesn't know about this? I can assure you that by now, Nucky definitely knows this number."

John scratched his head and said, "I still feel a bit resentful."

Donnie laughed and said, "There's nothing to feel resentful about. Business partnerships are like this; only mutual wins are true victories. Besides, if we were to shortchange Nucky on this, next time during the divisional finals, the betting income from those cities might not even pass through our hands but go directly to Nucky instead."

"He wouldn't dare!"

John burst out angrily.

Donnie countered, "Why wouldn't he dare? Although we have grown stronger compared to before, we are still far behind Nucky."

John fell silent!

Throughout this conversation, Walker had not spoken again and simply watched quietly as Donnie discussed these matters with his own people.

So when Donnie and Walker entered Donnie's office, Walker sincerely said to Donnie, "Thank you for your trust."

Donnie hadn't avoided Walker during the earlier conversation when in reality, he should have.

Facing Walker's gratitude, Donnie handed him a cigar and laughed, "Didn't you consider us your friends already?"

"Of course not!"

Walker immediately denied it, and then he added a bit sheepishly, "I'm just not used to seeing the way you all interact with each other!"

Donnie laughed heartily and said, "You'll get used to it after we spend more time together. The ways of the upper-class don't exist here with us!"

Having Walker around was actually very beneficial for Donnie.

It wasn't just about the movie company or inviting Charlie Chaplin. Even without these things, Donnie would willingly engage with Walker, albeit in a different manner.

The people around Donnie were either from Elwood Village or former comrades from the military. A significant problem they had was the lack of upper-class thinking and networks.

Walker was different. Although he was an illegitimate child, in an age where illegitimate children had inheritance rights, Walker's upper-class connections were something Donnie needed.

Donnie and Walker didn't have much conversation because a special visitor had arrived at the Block Tavern.

Breton!n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

It wasn't Breton's first time at Block Tavern, but this time she had come alone.

"Donnie, you didn't forget about what we discussed last night, did you?"

On seeing Donnie, Breton's face was lit with a smile.

Donnie shook his head and said, "Of course not. If you need to, we can go see Miss Elena right now!"

After their conversation the previous evening, Breton and Donnie now addressed each other by their first names; Breton's full name was Nan Breton!