America 1919

"That's right!" the elder Rockefeller continued with a smile, "Third, you need to keep an eye on Donnie's financial condition. I know it's not easy to do this, but I think when Donnie realizes what's happening and can't figure out who is behind it, he only has one way to respond, and that is to prepare more funds to deal with it."

The younger Rockefeller also understood that this was not easy, so he said, "I'll try my best to investigate thoroughly!"

The elder Rockefeller said, "Next, you need to remember, we are not looking to destroy Donnie Block... In fact, given Donnie's wealth status and the diversification of his assets, it's impossible to destroy him. Our goal is to make Donnie understand that the Rockefeller Family is not to be tampered with, and ultimately, even to subdue him, so it's sufficient to cause him some losses and make sure his ABC shares don't reach the expected stock price after they go public!"

The younger Rockefeller holding the phone said, "Understood!"

.

Although the issue of ABC going public loomed over Donnie like a dark cloud, he still had to focus more of his energy on the opening of the Surf Hotel.

After a day's work, Donnie, dressed up along with the equally glamorous Alice, attended a party that welcomed Hollywood stars, directors, and some movie company bosses.

Charlie Chaplin, Pickford, Douglas, and Griffith, as Donnie's partners at United Artists, naturally had to be there. At the same time, the Miss Americas who had been making their way in Hollywood for a year also came back at this time.

Of course, there were many more stars, directors, and bosses.

However, Donnie was only somewhat familiar with Hollywood stars of the era, like Charlie Chaplin and Pickford, who had made a name for themselves in film; he really didn't know much about the others.

With Hollywood's major studios lifting their embargo against United Artists, Chaplin and his partners burst with feverish passion, started to create their own movies, and this outbreak had led United Artists to release several box-office hits in just over a year, reviving the company that had previously struggled to walk in Hollywood.

Becoming the new force in Hollywood cinema capable of challenging the majors.

It was also this elevation in status that gave Donnie, although not much present in Hollywood, quite a reputation there as one of the shareholders of United Artists.

The founding of the three major unions also brought Donnie a fair amount of fame.

In the end, a cash cow like the Surf Hotel was exactly what these Hollywood stars loved the most. These people earned money at a much easier rate and in different ways than ordinary people, and their work status left them with a strong sense of emotional emptiness.

And the casinos were the best place for them to vent.

With so many layers of BUFFs, when Donnie extended the invitations, practically everyone showed up except for those who were busy filming and couldn't make the time.

Under Griffith's leadership, Donnie got to know many of the Hollywood stars, directors, and bosses of the era!

"Donnie, when you have the time, you should really talk to Pickford and Douglas. They've only been married for such a short time and they're already talking about divorce. It's a pity for their relationship, and it's also trouble explaining to their respective fans!" Griffith said in a low voice to Donnie during a lull.

Donnie was taken aback for a moment. Although he had had some history with Pickford, since those events, they hadn't kept in touch, and he had been too busy to follow such entertainment news.

"They're getting a divorce?"

"Yeah, can you believe this nonsense? Pickford is even planning to take a two-year break from acting, saying she wants to find a place to rest properly!"

Donnie turned his gaze toward Pickford, who was not far away. At that moment, she and Douglas were holding wine glasses, chatting with friends, and there wasn't a hint of divorce in her smiling face.

However, Donnie had always greatly admired the acting skills of these movie stars; it was all an act for now.

"Griffith, I'm afraid I can't help you with this matter!" Donnie refused Griffith's request, not because of the previous story between him and Pickford, but because Donnie simply had no spare time to worry about these matters.

The Surf Hotel was opening the day after tomorrow, and after the opening, he still had to be busy with the roadshow for ABC's listing, as well as dealing with the incident that would happen due to ABC's IPO. Where would he have time to manage these people's personal lives?

"As friends of both of them, we naturally hope they can be happy, but regardless, it's their life they're living, and whether they are truly happy, only the two of them know."

"After all, we're just friends. If our involvement causes problems in their friendship, wouldn't that be even worse?"
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Donnie had a very good impression of Griffith, so he said a little more to him.

After listening, Griffith heaved a helpless sigh and said, "Alright, Charlie also told me that it's not our place to say much about this matter. I just don't want to see them as friends..."

Donnie patted Griffith on the shoulder and said, "I understand what you mean!"

Donnie viewed this matter as just a minor interlude at tonight's dance, but unexpectedly, while Alice was off chatting with her favorite movie star, Pickford approached Donnie.

"That's a very pretty girl!" Pickford stood next to Donnie with a wine glass in hand, but her eyes were on Alice not far away!

"Hmm!" Donnie nodded.

Pickford said, "Did Griffith already tell you about Douglas and me?"

Donnie nodded again and said, "He did, indeed. I told him that this was your private matter, and we shouldn't get involved!"

"Thank you!" Pickford said with a meaningful thanks, then she said, "I'm thinking of selling my shares in United Artists and then residing in Atlantic City for a while. I was wondering if you are interested in taking over my shares in United Artists?"

Donnie was genuinely taken aback this time; he had not expected Pickford was thinking not only of taking a break from the limelight for two years but also of selling her shares in United Artists.

"United Artists' current valuation is not low, and it will be even higher in the future. Don't you regret it?" Donnie asked.

Pickford smiled and said, "There's nothing to regret, and besides, selling now has already made me a tidy sum!"