America 1919

Walker didn't argue, nodding his head, he said, "There's no helping it, everyone looks out for their own interests. Hoping they would give up their own benefits and consider ours - that's just not realistic!"

Listening to Walker's words, a smile appeared on Donnie's face. Seeing Donnie smile, Walker asked somewhat puzzled, "What's the matter?"

"Nothing!" Donnie shook his head, still smiling, "Let's not worry about those people for now. As long as we take care of our own matters, that'll be enough!"

Walker didn't probe further into the matter, instead asking Donnie, "Then when do we start our plan? I'd like to know, so I can prepare myself."

"Tomorrow," Donnie said, "Tomorrow morning we can put our plan into action!"

Walker immediately smiled and said, "That's great, then there's nothing for me to worry about!"

Then Walker cheerfully told Donnie, "I should be going then. I have a date with Maholi to watch an opera tonight!"

The opulence of Atlantic City brought the city a lot of things, among which the increase in entertainment options was the most noticeable.

Many operas now regarded Atlantic City as second only to New York. Enjoy more content from empire

New York's Broadway shows would even sometimes open in Atlantic City first. They wanted to see if audiences from Philadelphia, New York, and the like could accept their shows.

Donnie, growing impatient, waved his hand dismissively, "Get lost. You're not needed here anymore!"

.

"Walker, it's been a long time since I've seen a smile on your face. I still remember when Uncle Astor passed away, you looked like a helpless child, standing there not knowing what to do!"

At the Apollo Theater in Atlantic City, this year's premiere of "Tilly's Nightmare" starring Mary Dresler was ongoing, yet Maholi, sitting in the audience, was whispering to Walker.

"I recall this afternoon, you still looked very preoccupied!"

With a smile, Walker said, "Donnie is ready to move, and I'm happy thinking that by tomorrow, Donnie's situation will change. This matter is worth celebrating!"

Maholi paused, then suddenly asked, "Do you really trust Mr. Block so much?"

Walker nodded, "Yes, that man always brings surprises!"n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

"But I remember, this afternoon you told me you had only known Mr. Block for a little more than a month. Is there something that has made you trust someone so much in such a short period?"

Maholi asked, slightly puzzled.

Walker was momentarily taken aback, then gave a bitter smile, "I really hadn't thought about that. I remember when I first came to Atlantic City, I was just curious about the legendary Donnie Block and then I met him. In our interactions... actually, Donnie Block is not a good man.

But strangely, everyone around him seems to live very happily. Any problem seems to disappear under Donnie Block's lead.

This man has a kind of magic that turns decay into something marvelous!"

Maholi nodded, "Even though you haven't expressed your thoughts clearly, I think I understand. Uncle Astor's death, Vincent's actions, they've all left you without the fatherly and brotherly love you should have had, leaving you without someone to rely on. But when you met Donnie, you found that support!"

Walker's eyes widened, and he stared blankly at Maholi, "Are you saying I see Donnie as a father figure? No, no, that's absolutely impossible!"

This time it was Maholi's turn to look stunned, but then she laughed uninhibitedly, even if it drew the displeasure of other audience members, Maholi didn't stop laughing.

"Walker, you really are too funny. How could I possibly think that!"

Maholi couldn't help but pat Walker on the head.

Walker's face turned dark then red, "Even though I may have misunderstood your meaning, your laughter is something I can clearly feel. You're making fun of me!"

"No, no, no!" Maholi laughed, "I'm not making fun of you, I just find you very interesting, something I hadn't noticed before!"

Walker didn't know how to respond to Maholi's words, and eventually chose to remain silent.

Seeing Walker's reaction, Maholi became even happier.

Their relationship moved forward unknowingly, one step at a time!

.

Although Donnie didn't personally call Harding, someone would call Harding for him.

That person was naturally South Brenton!

"You're not coming for the Miss America final?"

When South Brenton called Harding, she was unequivocal, her confidence rooted in the daughter she had borne for him.

"Did Donnie ask you to call me?" Harding's tone was not very pleasant; he thought his woman in Atlantic City had entirely sided with Donnie.

"Do I need Donnie to tell me such things? Your woman has already called Maholi, openly telling her at noon today, you're not to come!"

Only then did Harding realize he had 'misunderstood' South Brenton.