America 1919

It turns out that those who normally issue threats often end up taking the hardest hits.

Lival McKee, as did Drake Watt, had now lost their status as professional gamblers. Without the term 'professional,' they were no different from those gamblers willing to sell their land, sons, or daughters.

In just one morning, not only had they spit out the more than seven hundred thousand they'd won at the Surf Hotel, but they'd also gambled away their own stake of over ten thousand US dollars!

Now, the two no longer possessed the swagger they had upon first entering the casino hall. All they had left was bitterness and disbelief. In fact, during the gambling process, that money was no longer seen as money; in their eyes, it was merely an object to place bets on.

But now, when they realized they couldn't produce a single cent anymore, their minds suddenly caught up with reality.

They were bankrupt!

The sudden blow caused both men to collapse onto the casino hall floor, looking ashen-faced as if mourning the dead.

"At least, they haven't completely lost their composure!"

Donnie, watching them, offered a word of praise.

Someone had once told Donnie that hospitals are the best place to see human nature. But at that moment, as Donnie looked at those two men and then at the gamblers who didn't care less, he felt this was the real stage to witness human nature.

"Mr. Block, we've lost!"

Lival McKee, supporting a vacant-eyed Drake Watt, stood up, managing to preserve a minimum of their dignity.

Donnie smiled, took out twenty US dollars from his coat pocket, and handed it to Lival McKee, saying, "Consider this your fare for the way home!"

"Money!"

The previously vacant-eyed Drake Watt, upon seeing the US dollars in Donnie's hand, hurriedly snatched them away and yelled, "I have money, I have money, place a bet, I'm betting now, you roll the dice!"

Donnie looked at the crazed Drake Watt without expression, while the other gamblers, who had just been looking up to him, showed no sympathy or shared mourning. Instead, they reveled in schadenfreude.

Serves you right, who told you to be so undisciplined? If it were me, let alone winning seven hundred thousand, even if it were just one hundred thousand, I would've left... mmm, two hundred thousand, even better!

The others gazed at Donnie differently now, with outright admiration. This is what a real big shot looked like.

Never kicking someone when they're down, that's something the Surf Hotel consistently practiced.

At the Surf Hotel, there was a rule never to win the last dollar from a gambler. Each visitor who gambled at the Surf Hotel, if they were from out of town, would receive a train ticket back to their city from the Surf Hotel.

"Good!"

With someone from the crowd suddenly shouting loudly, the casino hall erupted with a wave of applause, all directed towards Donnie.

Nucky and Saskamaggio, those who had spent years living in Atlantic City, were no longer curious about such situations. On the contrary, representatives of the State Government, Ashuwebb and the two great financial groups of Morgan and Mellon, showed expressions of extreme astonishment upon witnessing this scene.

Have you forgotten who swindled all your money away?

Now just because Donnie had offered them the basic fare back to their home city, these gamblers applauded?

Had their brains been left at home when they walked into the Surf Hotel?

Right, these people aren't the ones affected, so that's why they're cheering.

Just as they thought this, they saw Lival McKee snatch the US dollars from Drake Watt's hands. They expected the two to start fighting, but instead saw Lival McKee holding the twenty dollars while sincerely thanking Donnie.

"Mr. Block, you are the most charming casino owner we've ever met. Thank you very much for your generosity. If there's ever a time you can make use of us, just give us a call, and we swear we'll lay down our lives for you!"

Had he gone mad, or had everyone else?

The trio Ashuwebb couldn't believe what they were seeing.

Donnie pondered for a moment and then suddenly chuckled, "If that's the case, I do have a proposal!"

"Please tell us, Mr. Block!" Lival McKee said earnestly. Read latest chapters at My Virtual Library Empire

Donnie looked around and saw that everyone in the casino was watching him. He didn't satisfy their curiosity.

"Let's discuss it in my office!"

Donnie said.

"Of course!" Lival McKee agreed without hesitation. They weren't worried about meeting Donnie alone in the Surf Hotel after winning so much money, and they were even less worried now!

The gamblers who wanted to know what Donnie would say expressed their disappointment with sighs.

Although these people couldn't follow Donnie back to his office, Nucky and the others could. They were very curious to know what Donnie would say to Lival McKee and his companion.

The office at Block Tavern couldn't possibly seat so many people before, but even with everyone seated now, it still seemed spacious.

Lival McKee and Drake Watt stood there somewhat nervously watching Donnie, whose mental state had improved somewhat by then!

Donnie, looking at them calmly, said, "The Surf Hotel has not been open for long, and has always hoped to have more talent. I think you both have skills. Since you possess the ability to listen to the cup, your dice-rolling skills must be good as well, right?"