Chapter 1281: Chapter 438: Donnie Block’s Grand Entrance

Outside of New York City, in a quaint and ancient-feeling mansion, the place is ablaze with lights tonight.

One luxury car after another leaves New York City, then arrives here, where the servants of the mansion guide them to park their cars in designated spots.

Then one by one, elegantly dressed men and women step out of the cars. They greet familiar friends when they meet them.

Hugh Bancroft, the president of the “Wall Street Journal,” is among them. Seeing the people attending the party, Bancroft feels a bit regretful. If he could have his reporters cover the events here, it would surely attract national attention.

After all, the big shots of all New York have basically gathered here.

But such thoughts, Bancroft merely entertains in his mind. Recently, Bancroft’s days have not been easy. Previously, under the combined pressure of Rothschild and Al Smith, he ordered the “Wall Street Journal” to publish a critical article about Deep Sea Bank’s IPO.

The result was that Donnie Block easily handled the situation, creating quite some trouble for Al Smith in the process.

Although up until now, Donnie Block hasn’t taken action against him, Bancroft understands very clearly that it wasn’t because Donnie Block was wary of the influence of the “Wall Street Journal.”

It’s just that Donnie Block simply has no time to bother with small fry like himself now.

To be the proud president of the “Wall Street Journal,” yet to feel like a small fry in Donnie Block’s eyes—Bancroft could only let out a bitter smile, not knowing what to say about this situation.

For Bancroft now, the most important thing is to figure out how to bow to Donnie Fabloke tonight and have him spare him.

At this moment, Bancroft already knows that there are only three main characters tonight.

The overlord of Wall Street, Jack Morgan!

The representative of the European commercial empire, Anthony Rothschild!

The king of Atlantic City, Donnie Block!

Even Al Smith, the presidential candidate for the Democratic Party, will not be the main attraction here.

When Bancroft entered the hall, there were already quite a few people present. Everyone here, even if seen outside, could easily make the front page headlines.

But here, they are just ordinary people.

As for the three main characters, none of them have appeared yet, and the current focus is Al Smith.

Al Smith, at this time, has turned into a social butterfly, weaving through every small group, occasionally stopping to chat with someone.

New York’s business people are practical. Although Al Smith now may become President of the United States, it’s still just a possibility. Of course, if Al Smith can truly win against Herbert Hoover in the future, the situation tonight would change.

For example, Al Smith would no longer need to approach others first; everyone would initiate conversations with him.

Bancroft approached Al Smith with a bitter smile and said, “Mr. Smith, you guys sure have gotten me into trouble!”

Al Smith knew what Bancroft was referring to and laughed indifferently, “Bancroft, it’s all in the past, isn’t the ‘Wall Street Journal’ fine?”

At this, Al Smith lowered his voice and laughed, “Don’t worry, once I ascend to the presidency, I will give you the rewards you deserve!”

Bancroft doubted this, as though the midterm election votes haven’t happened yet, but given the current situation in the United States, the challenges facing Al Smith are not minor.

“Have most of the guests arrived? Isn’t the host here yet?”

But Bancroft didn’t dwell more on this, regardless of whether Al Smith can become President of the United States. He represents the Democratic Party of the United States, and Bancroft is also a Democrat, so either way, he has to support Al Smith.

The earlier remark was merely a reminder to Al Smith not to forget his contributions.

“Anthony has arrived and is conversing with Jack in the study, but Donnie Block has yet to show up!”

Al Smith clearly understood who the main characters were tonight.

In such a situation, Al Smith did not feel any resentment because this is also part of the process in the U.S. presidential election.

When Harding ran for President of the United States, he was courteous, even somewhat pleasing, to Nucky.

The real change in their status came the moment they were elected President of the United States; the difference between the two states is vast.

“What do you think, how will their negotiation go tonight?” Bancroft softly asked Al Smith.

Al Smith laughed, “Don’t worry, with such a grand occasion, their negotiation is sure to be successful. Haven’t you noticed that others have already started forming secret groups?”

Talking about it, Al Smith looked into the hall, at the small groups of people forming teams.

“With Deep Sea Bank’s IPO imminent, I believe Donnie Block wouldn’t want to stir up further trouble, and those people now gathering are discussing how to compete for Deep Sea Bank’s stock.”

Bancroft nodded first. Although Block clashed quite fiercely with Rothschild recently, now that Deep Sea Bank is about to go public, all grudges must be set aside.