America 1919

"The main purpose here isn't to make money, but to cut off The Fuli Tavern's casino business. As long as we can disrupt their operation, it will be much easier to acquire The Fuli Tavern later!"

Donnie confidently declared.

"However, such services can be quickly copied by The Fuli Tavern!"

Learning services can be difficult or easy, especially for the bunny girls in the casino; it's actually quite simple to pick up.

But Donnie clearly wasn't too worried, "Do you think these bunny girls are our trump card?"

"Yeah, it's just like Scott's bars. Wherever the customers go, they're basically after those women. But now, with other taverns in Atlantic City learning, Scott's business isn't as booming as it was at the beginning,"

John analyzed.

Donnie looked at John, "I didn't expect you to start using your brain!"

John glared fiercely at Donnie.

Donnie chuckled, "Our core business isn't the bunny girls, but Isaiah's underlings."

John was immediately perplexed.

In fact, in the future, Isaiah's underlings had another name, called 'chip bankers'!

This profession hadn't arisen at present, but when Donnie was thinking about how to deal with The Fuli Tavern, he had thought of this industry.

To put it bluntly, these people would accumulate their own clientele through regular interactions and then bring them to a particular casino to spend money.

At the same time, these individuals would provide financial support to gamblers.

It might seem like this industry is just doing some of the casino's work, but in reality, when these people truly grow, they'll have a vast source of customers in their hands.

In places like Macau, during the 80s and 90s, there was only one gambling license owned by the Casino King, so the relationship between the chip bankers and the Casino King was that of contractors with a principal.

But as more gambling licenses started to emerge in Macau, the importance of these chip bankers increased significantly; some casinos even raised their commission to let them permanently book several VIP rooms to win over these individuals.

Although Donnie didn't use the example of Macau to illustrate his point to John, after hearing about the importance of Isaiah and others, John still expressed some concerns.

"There are at least 300, if not 500, casinos in Atlantic City now. If Isaiah and his people get second thoughts, won't we be in a passive position?"

Donnie nodded, "That's why in the coming time, you need to not only manage the situation here but also win over those under Isaiah's command. The day when they only know you and not Isaiah, that's when you will have truly succeeded."

In principle, giving John the task of winning people over wasn't the best fit.

But judging a person requires looking not only at their flaws but also at discovering their strengths.

John definitely wasn't suitable for intellectual games, but for playing the streets and mixing with gangs, there was nothing easier for him.

John was generous and magnanimous; even though Robert often mocked him, he actually admired John in his heart.

"No problem, just you watch me!"

John said eagerly.

Donnie continued his instructions, "Another thing to keep in mind is not to be too harsh on the customers. This place is just our bridgehead for the acquisition of The Fuli Tavern. When we truly own The Fuli Tavern, the money in these people's pockets will be our real target, understand?"

John laughed heartily, saying, "Don't worry, how could I not know that?"

.

The appearance of this villa on the boardwalk soon attracted the attention of many.

As its reputation gradually grew, the first to take notice was not David Jabbar, but AJ, the boss of the West District's Panther Gang.

The reason was simple: Isaiah had come into money through recent developments.

With money comes pride.

Isaiah was no exception, with the most direct manifestation being the purchase of a car for himself and starting to swagger through the West District.

Such behavior naturally led to envy.

And envy can breed ruthlessness.

Today, AJ brought his men to Isaiah's tavern.

Seeing AJ arrive, although Isaiah had already grown to disdain this simple-minded yet physically strong person, he knew he had to act subservient in the face of absolute power!

"Boss AJ, what brings you here? Please, have a seat!"

While speaking, Isaiah even instructed his underling to pour a drink for AJ.

"Isaiah, I hear you've recently made a tidy sum!" AJ sat imperiously, his smile not reaching his eyes as he watched Isaiah!

"What windfall? It's just that a few big shots took care of our business!"

Isaiah said with a fawning smile.

"Really? I see you've bought a car, too, and all your boys are decked out in suits. If you've found a way to make money, share it with us!"

AJ asked.

"Boss AJ, I really don't have any opportunities here; just some big shots looking after me. Oh, that's right, Donnie Block from Block Tavern, the boss there, recently set up a casino and gave us brothers some business!"

Without the courage to face AJ, Isaiah decisively brought up Donnie.

AJ was slightly taken aback; he certainly knew who Donnie Block was, currently the fastest-rising young man in Atlantic City.

In just a few months, he had become an important figure in Atlantic City.

What AJ didn't expect was that Donnie Block knew Isaiah and even threw business his way.

This made things difficult for AJ; if it were just Isaiah, he wouldn't care and would simply take over, but now that Isaiah was backed by Donnie Block, this was someone AJ couldn't afford to mess with.

"So, you know Donnie Block, huh? No wonder you've been looking so pleased with yourself lately!" AJ thought about how to handle this situation.

Seeing AJ looking somewhat intimidated, Isaiah immediately gloated, "I just got lucky. Who told Donnie Block to take a liking to me!"

Smack!

AJ, being a simple-minded man, didn't think too much. Even knowing he couldn't mess with Donnie Block, seeing Isaiah boast so smugly still made him angry. He slapped Isaiah across the face without thinking.

"Hmph, so what if you know Donnie Block? Don't forget this is the West District, not the boardwalk. Since you're operating in the West District, you'd better watch how you behave!"

Covering his cheek, Isaiah stared at AJ, his anger boiling inside. He hadn't imagined that even after he got money, the other could still hit him whenever he wanted.

But seeing the other boys with AJ, Isaiah had no choice but to vent his anger internally.

"Yes, yes, you're right, Boss AJ!"

"Hmph!" Seeing Isaiah as cowardly as ever, a smile spread across AJ's face. If Isaiah had shown some backbone at that moment, AJ might have been wary of him, but now, seeing Isaiah was still a bootlicker, AJ had no more worries.

"Good that you understand! Since you're making money now, the previous rates can't apply anymore. From now on, you have to hand over 100 US dollars a month. Otherwise, be extra careful when you go out!"

After AJ finished speaking, his boys went straight behind Isaiah's bar, rummaged through the drawers, and took out 100 dollars.

"Boss AJ, weren't those rates set by Nucky?"

Seeing his money being taken, Isaiah quickly spoke up.

"Hmm. Are you using Nucky to pressure me?" AJ snorted coldly.

AJ was of course afraid of Nucky, but he wasn't afraid of Isaiah and didn't even consider him worth paying attention to.

So at this moment, he was very displeased with Isaiah.

"No, not at all!" As expected, Isaiah didn't dare to say more under AJ's intimidation.

"Better not!"

AJ left with the money, victorious and content.

It wasn't until AJ had left that Isaiah dared to curse AJ's shamelessness loudly.

After swearing, Isaiah thought it over and decided to leave his tavern to go to the villa, wanting to tell Donnie what had happened, and more importantly, to beseech Donnie to have his back.

But Donnie wasn't there, and all Isaiah found was John.

After hearing Isaiah's story, John immediately became enraged.

Although Donnie had previously warned him that they would eventually have to ditch Isaiah, John still saw Isaiah as one of his own for the time being.

Now that AJ had hit Isaiah even knowing this, it was like a slap in the face to John!

"Damn it, even an AJ dares to be pompous with our people. Tell me where he usually hangs out in the West District; I've got to properly sort him out!"

Encouraged by John's response, Isaiah was about to spill the details of AJ's whereabouts.

But Robert, who had been listening to their conversation without speaking, suddenly interjected.

"Wait a second!"

"What's up?" John asked, displeased at being interrupted as Isaiah was about to speak.

"Nothing, go on!" After a moment's thought, Robert decided not to say anything. After all, John wasn't going to act immediately. He would share his thoughts with John after Isaiah left.

With concerns of delay potentially breeding more troubles, Isaiah quickly told John about AJ's usual spots in the West District.

"Alright, I've got it. Don't worry, I'll take care of this for you!" John said confidently.

Seeing John's demeanor, Robert could only shake his head in resignation.