America 1919

Donnie spoke calmly, "Nevin, let's be frank with each other. You know why I hit you before, even if I don't spell it out. If you're still hung up about it, it's going to make me lose respect for you!"

Nevin Byrd replied coldly, "I admit that I did try to use Hans Layton and his men to pressure you before. But you slapped me twice in my own tavern, in front of my patrons. That has greatly undermined my reputation in the East District. Do you think under these circumstances, I could agree to your terms, Donnie?"

"As long as the terms are right, I believe there's nothing we can't discuss. What happened before is in the past, and there's no use talking about it now. I think we should have a proper discussion about the Golden Hall at the Surf Hotel!"

Donnie didn't care about Nevin Byrd's thoughts at all.

Nevin Byrd said, "The situation now is, unless you, Donnie, agree to the conditions that Mori and I have set, there's nothing to discuss!"

Donnie waved his hand, "Forget about those unrealistic conditions. Nevin, let's talk about my terms!"

Without waiting for Nevin to reply, Donnie continued.

"I can only give you one Golden Hall, but I can allow you to conduct your money-lending business there without Surf Hotel taking any cut of the revenue.

Additionally, I'll help you get in touch with Dick from Breton Bank. You can work with them exactly as John did, adding a layer of security for your finances.

Lastly, I can put you in charge of the East District's gambling bookies!

These are my final terms. If you don't accept them, then you won't have a place in Atlantic City anymore!"

Nevin Byrd's expression turned serious. He could tell that these were indeed Donnie's final terms. If he didn't agree to them, there might not be another opportunity to negotiate like this in the future.

But as clear as he was about this, Nevin Byrd couldn't let go of his own interests!

"Two Golden Halls, plus the conditions you mentioned before. If you can agree to that, I can stop all my casino operations in the East District right now!"

Donnie shook his head, looking somewhat disappointed, "Nevin, I've already said, the ones I just mentioned are my final terms. This is not a negotiating tactic, it's a notification."

Just as Nevin Byrd was about to say something, two women who could capture the attention of the entire tavern walked in.

Helen Taft, Alice Roosevelt!

Upon entering, they glanced around briefly and immediately saw Donnie, who was talking with Nevin Byrd.

"Donnie, you promised to drink with us tonight, to give us a proper send-off!"

Alice sat down next to Donnie, her face showing discontent.

Helen sat on the other side of Donnie.

The two women were leaving Atlantic City tomorrow. Helen was heading to Washington with South Brenton for a speech, and Alice was off to New York to oversee aspects of the Miss America pageant.

"Do you have business to discuss? Should we…?"

Helen looked at Nevin Byrd, seated across from Donnie, and asked.

Donnie shook his head, "It's fine. My negotiation with Mr. Byrd is almost concluded."

Nevin Byrd looked curiously at the two girls beside Donnie. Recently, the whole of Atlantic City was abuzz about Donnie having two very beautiful girls with him, and these girls came from no ordinary backgrounds.

Now it seemed these were the two girls.

"Donnie, your decision is too domineering. From three Golden Halls to just one, and you're not even giving me a chance to negotiate. With terms like these, if I agree to them, it wouldn't take a year before my prestige in the East District vanishes completely!"

Although curious about the identity of the two girls, Nevin Byrd knew it wasn't his concern. What mattered most to him now was the number of Golden Halls.

"Two Golden Halls, that's my final condition, too. If you can't accept that, I'm sorry, but I won't agree to your terms! Not just me, but no one in the East District will!"

Having said that, Nevin Byrd stood up to leave.

Just as Donnie was about to say something, a voice suddenly rang out in the noisy tavern hall.

"Donnie Block!"

Donnie instinctively looked in the direction of the voice.

A man in a brown jacket holding a Colt 1911 stood not too far away, aiming directly at Donnie!

Seeing this, Donnie's brain had no time to react. His body instinctively responded by spreading his arms and pushing down Helen and Alice, who sat beside him.

Their family backgrounds meant they must not have any accidents in Atlantic City, especially not around him.

Bang bang!

With two gunshots, the entire tavern hall instantly erupted into chaos. Donnie felt a sharp pain in his back.

He knew it was the sensation of being shot.

Before the man could make another move, Steve Cotting and the others had already responded, firing their guns and striking down the would-be assassin.