Chapter 85: 80. Net Worth Doubled (3rd Update~)
As it turned out, Ponzi was indeed in a rush, so after "thinking" about it for a night, he personally drove to Donnie's The Fuli Tavern!
"Just as you said, Donnie, I hope I can help more young people achieve their dreams and change their social class. As for being some kind of spiritual mentor, I don't care about that!"
After exchanging greetings with Donnie, Ponzi stated his purpose for coming!
Give money!
However, Ponzi still wanted to take control of the situation before handing over the money.
"Of course, I never doubted Mr. Ponzi's integrity. You are the most pure, noble, and moral person I have met, one who has risen above base interests!"
In face of his benefactor, Donnie offered his most exaggerated praises.
"Ha ha, my friend Donnie, you're being a bit too flattering, but I am indeed quite a pure person!" the corners of Ponzi's mouth stretched to his ears.
"There's absolutely no exaggeration, I even feel it's a bit modest!" Donnie said earnestly.
After collecting his emotions, Ponzi continued to ask Donnie, "So, when can the news about the beauty pageant be reported?"
Donnie immediately replied, "Very soon, it will be in the papers soon. Our side has already begun forming the first Miss America Election Committee, and after the election is successful, it will officially be reported!
Moreover, Mr. Ponzi, you will also become the honorary director and chief judge of our first Miss America Contest!"
"As for the beauty pageant, I do have some considerations. It's not that I'm craving to be the honorary director or the chief judge, but mainly I want to elect real beauties who can represent the spirit of America!"
Ponzi said modestly.
Donnie nodded, "I believe Mr. Ponzi!"
After the mutual flattery was over, Donnie took out the contract he had prepared earlier. "This is a contract drafted by Brad Dorn, the most famous lawyer in Atlantic City. It has the stamp of his law firm, as well as Mr. Brad Dorn's signature. If Mr. Ponzi sees no issues, he can sign it."
Ponzi picked up the contract and read it carefully. As an experienced con artist, Ponzi didn't want to end up being cheated by someone else.
Once Ponzi finished reading the contract and was sure there were no issues, he smiled and said, "Of course I trust you, Donnie. Now I'll sign the contract and then send it to my lawyer!"
Ponzi naturally had to keep one copy of the contract with himself!
Donnie, struggling to contain his excitement, smiled and said, "Of course!"
Then both parties signed their names on the document and affixed their seals.
After all the procedures were completed, Donnie also obtained a check for 500,000 US dollars from Ponzi!
"Ha ha, my dear Donnie, I have other matters to attend to, so I'll head back now. But I'll be waiting at home for your newspaper!"
Donnie nodded and smiled, "In no more than five days, this newspaper will be on your desk!"
Ponzi left satisfied.
Donnie immediately instructed Dwight, who was by his side, "You don't need to follow me for the next few days. Keep a close eye on Ponzi for me. I want to know all of Ponzi's movements during this period, and make sure to find out where Ponzi puts the contract!"
Although Bruce was keeping watch over Ponzi, sneaky actions were Dwight's specialty.
Dwight nodded immediately and said, "Understood!"
After Dwight left, Nate knocked and came in.
"Is there something wrong?"
Donnie, seeing Nate, was somewhat curious. Although Nate had previously been David Jabbar's manager, Donnie really required his expertise.
After all, whether it was John, Robert, or even Bruce, none of them had the experience of running such a large tavern on their own.
And Nate would find it difficult to locate a job in Atlantic City with the same treatment he now garnered, so naturally, he stayed.
"It's like this...." Nate was about to tell Donnie why he came, but he stopped as soon as he began speaking and noticed Olden van, who had arrived at the tavern the night before, enter.
Nate had a lasting impression of Olden van. After all, it was Olden who had led the team to take David Jabbar away.
Seeing the close relationship between Olden and Donnie, he understood why his former boss had lost without any grievances.
Donnie also noticed Olden van's entrance, but he first asked Nate, "Is there an issue with the tavern?"
Since Nate was only responsible for the tavern's operations, Donnie thought there might be some issues with the tavern.
"No, it isn't!" Nate said.
"Then we'll talk about it later!" Donnie was busy at the moment. Since it wasn't about the tavern, there was nothing to worry about.
"Ah!" Nate was startled for a moment and then left the office. However, as he walked out of Donnie's office, he glanced at the tavern's storage and shook his head slightly, hoping you can hold on for a few more days!
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"Was the person who just left the one you were talking about last night, Ponzi?" Olden sat on the sofa in Donnie's office, took out a cigarette, and leisurely lit it.
After arriving in Atlantic City last night, Donnie had told Olden about Ponzi.
Donnie nodded with a smile, "That's right, the very same person!"
Olden blew a smoke ring and then exaggeratedly said, "Had you not told me, I would never have believed that this man could be such a big fraudster. It's truly surprising!"
Donnie laughed, "Didn't your instructors teach you at the FBI never to judge by appearances?"
Olden said nonchalantly, "My instructor only told me that to become a qualified FBI agent, you absolutely must not do anything against the public will!"
Then Olden asked curiously, "But what I'm curious about is, how did you come to know about this Charles Ponzi, whose business is in Boston, and even know so much detail?"
Donnie laughed, "God came to me in a dream and told me!"
"Pfft!"
Olden waved his hand dismissively and asked, "So when do I make my move?"
Donnie laughed, "In the next couple of days, but we have to wait until my newspaper officially publishes it!"
If one is to run a newspaper, naturally, it takes a sensational news story to serve as a hook.
The Miss America pageant ensures traffic for his newspaper every day, but Ponzi's case will become the headline of the front page for the first issue of the newspaper!
Olden looked at Donnie in exaggeration and said, "If I were Ponzi, I wouldn't forgive you even if I went to hell! Not only did you con his money, but you're also using his reputation to drive traffic to your own newspaper?"
Donnie laughed indifferently, "I am saving the world here. Don't you know how many people he cons every day in Boston, in Atlantic City?
All that money is the fruit of their hard work!
So I believe, when I die, I won't go to hell. God will surely personally welcome me at the gates of heaven!"
Olden stared blankly at Donnie and then earnestly said, "Respected Mr. Donnie Block, there is something I must tell you!"
"What is it?" Donnie asked.
Olden answered, "That is if you ever want to sell me out, make sure to tell me in advance, so I can tell you which part of me is the most valuable!"
After listening, Donnie burst into loud laughter, not just because of what Olden said, but more so because of the profit he made from Ponzi.
In the few months he had been in Atlantic City pulling various schemes, if you included The Fuli Tavern, Donnie's entire net worth amounted to only about one hundred and fifty to sixty thousand US dollars.
And, in cash, only fifty to sixty thousand.
But this time, his net worth had more than tripled, and most importantly, with the five hundred thousand dollars in cash, Donnie could do a lot more.
Robert came over to Donnie's place, also bringing good news with him.
"The newspaper business is settled! I've acquired 'Atlantic City Weekly'!"
In Atlantic City, there are a total of four newspapers, two dailies, one Sunday paper, and one weekly! Stay connected with m-v l|e'm,p| y- r
Among them, the most famous is the daily 'Atlantic City Forum', which also boasts the highest sales!
And naturally, the worst-selling is the weekly 'Atlantic City Weekend'!
This is the newspaper that Robert has acquired!
When it rains, it pours!
Donnie didn't expect that just as he was discussing the newspaper business with Olden, Robert had already completed the task he was previously assigned.
Donnie said, "Submit the application to City Hall immediately to change the weekly to a daily, also recruit more staff, and I want to go see this newspaper!"
Robert said, "No problem, changing it to a daily, I think, can be smoothly handled by going to Eli Johnson at City Hall, and recruiting staff is indeed necessary. So, the last question is, when do you plan to meet with the staff of the newspaper?"
Donnie got up, "Right now!"
The office address of 'Atlantic City Weekend' is in the eastern district of Atlantic City; in fact, all four newspapers of Atlantic City are located there.
But when Donnie arrived, the scene he encountered still prompted a feeling of helplessness in him; it appeared that Robert had chosen a newspaper weak not only in strength but also with the poorest office location.
Including the editor-in-chief, the newsroom staff only numbered four or five people.
Initially, Donnie had planned to give a speech to them upon arrival, but seeing the current situation, he no longer felt inclined to do so.
Instead, he had a brief chat with the editor-in-chief of 'Atlantic City Weekend', Robinson, and after getting a sense of his character, Donnie decided to keep him in the editor-in-chief position for a while. Still, should a more suitable candidate arise, a change would be necessary!
In the end, Donnie decided to rename 'Atlantic City Weekend' to 'Atlantic City Post'!"
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