America 1919

Chapter 487

?Chapter 487: 184.

Those figures who once influenced American history_4 Chapter 487: 184.

Those figures who once influenced American history_4 Charles Mitchell laughed heartily and said, “Then I shall personally welcome Mr.

Block at the entrance of Citibank!”

While they were exchanging pleasantries, young Rockefeller walked over.

“Charles, I didn’t expect to see you again so soon!”

Charles Mitchell smiled and said, “Seeing Mr.

Rockefeller here doesn’t surprise me in the least!”

In response to Morgan, the Rockefeller Family had actually already made some strategic moves on Wall Street, one of which was investing in Citibank.

During the Stillman era, old Rockefeller had become a shareholder and board member of Citibank already!

The banking industry in New York during this period was also known as the “little circle game,” where typically an individual would serve on the boards of several banks simultaneously, which is one of the reasons why the American banking industry, whenever it ran into trouble, would instantly affect a large segment of the market!

Moreover, this situation made the New York banking industry a tight-knit circle, where insiders could share the banking cake.

If newcomers entered, they would carve out a piece of their cake, so establishing a new bank in New York was an endeavor more difficult than starting from scratch in hell.

Indeed, over these twenty years, the banking sector in the United States hadn’t fared well, with over 500 small and medium-sized banks going bankrupt.

Beyond operational issues, these failed banks had another major problem: they couldn’t genuinely integrate into this circle.

Even in the boardroom of Breton Bank, a bank that hadn’t gone public, you could find the presence of Mellon and Morgan.

Everyone was already intertwined!

This was a complex web that even the most renowned economists couldn’t untangle!

That’s why even the Rockefeller Family, one of the top families in the United States and a shareholder in Citibank, still struggled to truly hold absolute sway over Wall Street.

Rockefeller wanted to invade Morgan’s stronghold, Wall Street!

Morgan wanted to penetrate Rockefeller’s bastions like oil, steel, and other industrial sectors!

Nonetheless, they were both making headway bit by bit, seeking cooperation amidst competition and vice versa.

Rockefeller laughed heartily and said, “Of course, Donnie and I are good friends, and now also partners.

Today marks the grand opening of Donnie’s Surf Hotel, launching a new chapter in the United States’ “spinach” industry, and I had to come over to celebrate!”

Thus, Donnie’s circle was always changing, and others were constantly updating their own social circles.

Although such parties were a showcase of acting talent, it was undeniable that they often paved the way for potential business collaborations.

At this moment, only Walker remained by Donnie’s side.

It was then that Walker mentioned something to Donnie.

“I’ve recently heard a rumor,” Walker said with a solemn expression.

Donnie looked puzzled, “What rumor?”

Walker said, “I’ve heard that someone on Wall Street wants to stir up trouble during ABC’s IPO!”

Donnie frowned.

The ABC IPO was a grand event for everyone involved, a time to share the cake.

Now if someone wanted to cause trouble over this, it would be tantamount to declaring war against all of ABC’s partners.

What sort of thinking would lead someone to devise such a plan?

Having realized these things, Donnie waved his hand and laughed, “Probably just some gossip, no one has that energy, nor does anyone have that guts!”

Walker suggested, “At first, I thought the same thing, but there is a chance that some people might know about it, and have your business partners mentioned anything about this to you?”

Walker’s words hit Donnie like a sledgehammer.

Right, regardless of whether it’s true or false, as long as the rumor is spreading, shouldn’t his business partners be warning him?

Why hadn’t any of them said a word?

Donnie looked around at everyone in the banquet hall; each person had a smile on their face, engaging warmly in conversation with those around them, even bursting into hearty laughter when amused.

At least on the surface, there were no signs of scheming or conniving.

Compared to everyone in the banquet hall, Donnie trusted Walker’s word alone more.

So what if it was true?

Could he assume that these people had teamed up?

If that was the case?

“Who told you about this, and how did it spread in New York?”

Walker said, “Heard it from someone at a banquet; I can’t recall who exactly at this moment, but after learning about it, I also asked some friends.

Those who knew about it couldn’t trace how the news got out, only that a handful of people in New York are aware!”

Seeing that Donnie did not respond, Walker inquired, “If it’s true, should the listing of ABC be delayed?”

Donnie shook his head, “Can’t delay, the listing of ABC is already at a critical point!”

“But what if it’s true?”

Walker asked earnestly.

Donnie continued shaking his head, “I don’t know yet, because I can’t identify who my opponents are, but if it is indeed true, then the only thing they can do is suppress ABC’s stock price during the listing, or even make it plummet below the issuance price.

But if that’s the case, wouldn’t these people also suffer losses?”

“Could it be that they want to use this opportunity to wrest control of ABC from your hands?”

Donnie shook his head, “No, current United States law doesn’t mandate shareholders to own a certain amount of stock in a listed company.

I’ve done the math, even if these people join forces, and including those shares sold on the secondary market, they wouldn’t have more than me!”

Walker scratched his head, “Then what exactly does the other party want to do?”

Donnie first nodded and signaled to someone greeting him with a smile, then said, “Now is not the time to talk about these things.

Let’s discuss this in detail after the Surf Hotel opens!”

Walker said, “Alright, but don’t worry too much about it.

Perhaps it’s just a rumor!”

Donnie nodded.

At this point, a strong sense of crisis arose within him again.

ABC was his ace card; he couldn’t afford any mishap.

And at this moment, Donnie was sure that most of the people in the banquet hall were figures notable in the history books, each capable of altering the course of American history.

Now here they were, and it was unknown whose fangs were starting to stir!