America 1919

Donnie, one of the protagonists eager to enter the oil industry, Theodore Roosevelt, had arrived in Atlantic City.

So the other protagonist, Albert Furr, naturally was also invited by Donnie to Atlantic City the next day.

"You know, Donnie, if it weren't for your invitation, I would never have left Washington. I've been really busy recently!"

Upon meeting Donnie, Albert Furr immediately began to voice his grievances.

Donnie didn't place Albert Furr in the Ritz Hotel, but instead arranged for him to stay in a villa by the seaside in Atlantic City!

In the living room, Donnie pulled out a legal document and a check and placed them on the table.

"These two items, I think, should relieve some of your fatigue, Albert!"

Albert Furr stopped his endless chatter. Although he did not reach out to take the items Donnie had prepared, he still eyed the contents.

The legal document was a contract for the purchase of a $200,000 estate in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles.

The figure written on the check was $200,000!

"Donnie, what do you mean by this?" After seeing the contents, Albert Furr curiously looked at Donnie, though he showed no displeasure.

Donnie did not employ the same tactics he used on Theodore Roosevelt with Albert Furr.

First, they had already met before, and on the second meeting, Donnie had already given Albert Furr a black card from the Surf Hotel representing a $500,000 credit limit!

Second, Albert Furr's experience indicated that he could not possess the composure and caution that Theodore Roosevelt, coming from an American political family, had.

Like many American political figures, before entering politics, Albert Furr was a lawyer, famous for successfully defending New Mexico's legendary Sheriff Pat Garrett in the killing of the legendary outlaw 'Billy the Kid'!

This led to his entrance into American politics, becoming a Senator from New Mexico, and it was at this time that he met Harding and became good friends with him.

From then on, Albert Furr's career skyrocketed!

Despite his status as a lawyer, Albert Furr was a very greedy and reckless man, always donning a wide-brimmed hat and smoking cigars in an attempt to appear sage.

For such a person, there was no need for much beating around the bush. Once a preliminary beneficial relationship had been established, Donnie could continue with his plans!

"My friend Albert, there's something I've deceived you about!"

Donnie did not immediately reveal his plans to Albert Furr, instead choosing to first apologize.

"Is it that you want to do business with our government, Donnie?"

Albert Furr thought back to what he had told Donnie when he had given him the Surf Hotel credit limit.

At this moment, Albert Furr believed that Donnie could no longer resist the temptation of doing lucrative business with the government.

Donnie said with a laugh, "Indeed, I invited you here this time actually for a government deal!"

Albert Furr, sitting on the sofa, crossed his legs and said with a smile, "Donnie, talk about what kind of business you want to do with the government. As the Secretary of the Interior in Congress, and as we are friends, I will definitely help you if I can!"

From beginning to end, Albert Furr did not mention the benefits Donnie had laid out, but his willingness to talk was indeed because of those benefits.

"I've heard that Congress is currently looking into transferring management rights of three Teapot Dome reserve oil fields from the Navy to the management of the Department of the Interior...."

Before Donnie could finish, Albert Furr, who was quite relaxed until then, sat up straight and asked seriously, "Donnie, who told you about this? Is it that bastard Harry? How could he tell you such important news?"

Albert Furr might not have been a very smart person, but he was not a fool either.

Donnie's words, though not complete, had made it clear to him that Donnie must have set his sights on those oil fields!

Donnie waved his hand and laughed, "You misunderstand Harry, Albert. He doesn't know about this. In fact, I came to know about this through a very fortuitous opportunity!"

Albert Furr needed to know how Donnie found out about this still-confidential plan, which implied Donnie might have political resources unknown to him, "What opportunity?"

Donnie explained, "Miss Alice Roosevelt is a very good friend of mine, and it happened that her brother Theo came to Atlantic City for a visit. I learned about this matter during my chat with Theo!"

Although Alice had warned Donnie that in this matter, Theodore Roosevelt would not take his side.

But that did not stop Donnie from first using Theodore Roosevelt as his primary banner.

The reputation of the Roosevelt family was still enough to make Albert Furr wary. Stay updated with My Virtual Library Empire

Sure enough, upon hearing about Theodore Roosevelt, Albert Furr's expression turned somewhat sour.

"I never thought that you, Donnie, would also be in contact with someone from the Roosevelt family!"

Donnie said, "Having more friends usually makes it easier to get more things done. I think you should understand this, Albert!"

Albert Furr nodded, not denying it any further, and said, "Our Department of the Interior has indeed taken over the management of these three oil fields..."

He paused, then finally said, "Donnie, as a friend, let me tell you the truth. You should give up on this matter. I admit the benefits you've laid out are very tempting, but I still cannot satisfy your request."