The Tyrant Billionaire

People began streaming into the casinos.

The real celebration had begun.

Hardy and the shareholders strolled through the casino, watching the enthusiastic gamblers, a promising sign that business would be booming.

Hardy and the shareholders then gathered in the VIP lounge to drink and chat.

They discussed a wide range of topics—casinos, business, the stock market, and, of course, the ongoing war on Korea.

Many of Hardy Group's partners, as well as representatives from several major corporations, were present. They were particularly interested in the war because of its impact on their businesses.

"How long do you think it'll last over there? Personally, I hope it drags on a bit longer. That way, we can sell more supplies and make more money," one company boss commented.

This was classic capitalist thinking.

"I don't think it'll last too long. After all, the opposition is weak. Their weapons and logistical support can't compare to the U.S. Once MacArthur intervenes, I think the enemy will retreat like the tide," someone replied.

Many people agreed with this view.

This was the prevailing sentiment in America, based on an assessment of strength.

"But the Soviets are backing them, so they might hold out a bit longer," someone else remarked.

"No, the Soviets won't dare to send troops directly. That would mean defying the United Nations," another countered.

"And what about China? Do you think they'd actually get involved?"

This comment prompted laughter. "Haha, China? They're all talk. The chances of them actually sending troops are slim to none. They're too focused on their internal issues to take decisive action."

Since the victory in World War II, the U.S. had firmly established itself as a global superpower. Meanwhile, China was viewed with skepticism—an impoverished and unstable country with more propaganda than actual strength.

Someone looked at Hardy. "Mr. Hardy, you're now a special envoy to Japan and a logistics supplier for the U.S. military. What's your take on the situation in Korea? Do you think it'll be over soon?"

Hardy thought for a moment before answering. "It's important to stay realistic. The situation in Korea isn't just about the local conflict; it's a direct outcome of the U.S. Soviet rivalry, not simply a civil war."

"I think MacArthur's forces could reclaim South Korean territory without much difficulty, and he might even return home by Christmas, as he's claimed. But there's one wildcard—if MacArthur overreaches and tries to dismantle North Korea entirely, it could provoke unnecessary complications."

"Are you implying the Soviets might get involved—or even China?" someone asked.
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"Both are possibilities. However, I doubt China has the capability to truly alter the course of this conflict. Their rhetoric is loud, but their ability to project power remains questionable. Still, if MacArthur pushes too far, it could give them an excuse to meddle and create chaos."

...

The casino's grand opening was a resounding success.

Business was booming.

Las Vegas television held a lottery draw every half hour, pulling people from all over the country into a gambling frenzy.

ABC also broadcasted the concerts featuring Marilyn Monroe and Ava Gardner, earning another wave of high ratings.

After the opening festivities, business gradually stabilized but continued to bring in big profits daily.

One day, Henry approached Hardy with a report: "Boss, Dr. Claire Hans from 'American Hans Biopharmaceuticals' announced yesterday that they've developed a specific drug for treating tuberculosis."

American Hans Biopharmaceuticals was a strategic move Hardy had set up in advance, intended as a tool to harvest profits from Japan.

A South African company acquired shares in American Hans Biopharmaceuticals, while almost all the publicly traded shares, around 99%, were quietly absorbed by accounts controlled by Andy, spread across hundreds of different accounts.

The next step was to find a way to drive the stock price to an exceptionally high level, then let a fraudulent investment company take over at the peak. Naturally, the money from the fraudulent company would end up in Hardy's pocket.

The entire process was legitimate.

Fund companies, as well as those dealing in antiques, gold, real estate, and mortgage backed investments, operated entirely within the law. Even if these companies went bankrupt, the managers wouldn't face any penalties. If investments failed, there was nothing they could do.

The biggest losers, of course, were the investors.

The biggest winner, naturally, was Hardy. He not only profited from the stock market but also legally acquired valuable collateral like antiques, gold, real estate, and property.

Of course, those were bank mortgages, and during the contract period, they could be redeemed.

However, after a financial collapse, how many would actually have the funds to redeem these assets?

If they had the money, they wouldn't have turned to mortgage backed investments in the first place.

TheGlobal Timeswas the first to report on the news of American Hans Biopharmaceuticals developing a tuberculosis treatment.

The report was extremely detailed.

"Dr. Claire Hans graduated from MIT with a degree in pharmacology and pharmaceutical sciences. During his university years, he developed a fever reducing drug that saved the lives of hundreds of thousands of patients."

"Later, Dr. Hans established American Hans Biopharmaceuticals, dedicating over a decade to research, culminating in a breakthrough tuberculosis treatment. The drug has now been formulated, and Dr. Hans has completed animal testing, with highly successful results."

"According to Dr. Hans, this drug is a specialized antibiotic targeting tuberculosis bacteria, with an efficacy rate far exceeding any current TB drugs on the market. It has a cure rate above 98% and is entirely free of side effects."

"Here's some background on tuberculosis. TB is an extremely infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, spread primarily through respiratory droplets. Simply walking past a TB patient could expose you to the bacteria through the air or droplets."

"This disease is widespread across Europe, America, and the world, and is now recognized by health authorities as a major infectious disease. It is estimated that over 10 million people worldwide are infected, with an accelerating trend of spread."

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