Manhattan Reborn 1978

a new day.

new York.

It was just after nine in the morning.

Manhattan, in front of Wildfire Bar on 42nd Street.

After spending a "quiet" Christmas at home, David led his family back to New York.

When Susan entered the bar and saw that only Old Rhett was looking after the bar with a rag in his hand, he asked everyone to go upstairs first, hoping to stay and help.

Old David smiled and asked his wife Sierra to lead the Malik sisters and Cui Yingying upstairs first. He pulled his son David and followed Susan into the bar.

. . .

in the bar.

Susan and Old Rhett each held a small notebook and walked into the back warehouse while chatting and laughing, preparing to check the beverage inventory in advance for today's business.

David walked to the bar and quickly found some cocktail ingredients, hoping to make a few non-alcoholic cocktails for himself and his dad.

Old David asked "carelessly" while looking at the holiday decorations in the surrounding bars.

"Wait a minute.. Are you going to Boston tomorrow?"

"Yeah~" David seemed to have known that his father wouldn't be able to endure it for long, he smiled and shrugged.

"On the day of the engagement ceremony, you also saw it~"

"No matter what my purpose is... getting engaged to Lilith, there must be a potential process that is recognized by everyone~"

"I should go to Boston a month before the engagement ceremony, or even earlier, to finalize this matter with the old Morgans!"

Old David pursed his lips, nodded slightly and said: "The engagement ceremony was only confirmed ten days in advance... It's a bit too hasty~"

"But your engagement...?"

"Ok!"

David put a slice of freshly cut lemon into the cocktail shaker, nodded and smiled: "It's precisely because it's a fake engagement that we have to do a whole show!"

"Old Morgan and Neriya, what they need is not my so-called son-in-law, but...face!"

"If the love affair between Laura and Lilith is exposed by someone who is interested, it will definitely become a joke among the gossip circles of Boston's old money families."

"So...hehe~"

"..."

Old David nodded at the movements of his son's hands, rested his elbows on the bar, and whispered: "Put some rum in my glass."

"Rum?"

David frowned slightly, stopped what he was doing, looked directly into the eyes of his father, David Sr., and asked.

"The dress my mother wore at the engagement ceremony that day...was it custom-made, right?"

"Ok!"

"Feel sorry!"

"Did I...disappoint you?"

Old David's eyes became more inquiring, and he asked, "You have told us clearly the ins and outs of the whole thing in advance~"

“We are not disappointed~”

"It's just that you go see them tomorrow..."

"do not worry!"

"I know!"

David nodded with certainty, with a smile on his lips: "Actually, if I were to marry Laura, there wouldn't be so many problems~"

"Didn't you see that on the day of the engagement ceremony... Pine hardly looked at me~"

"Hahaha~"

"And Giles...that kid has been peeking at me furtively, but he hasn't come directly to interact with me like before."

"But I can understand them!"

"Because Lilith, not Laura!"

"This is another important reason why I chose Lilith!"

"And Pine, Giles, Cheryl and Grace also understand this truth~"

"Even Panaris and Eld, who seem timid and cautious, are more inclined to support Lilith and me, and they finished the little ceremony we held with dignity."

David continued to be busy with his hands, and sighed with some self-deprecation in his voice: "Even if you don't ask today, I will find time to explain this matter to you again."

"Being a good match has always been one of the most recognized unspoken rules of marriage and love in people's hearts."

"Pine once mentioned to me, consciously or unconsciously, that Neria really wanted to bring Lilith and Carl J. Mellon together."

"But things went counterproductive~"

"Lilith already has her heart set on something, and she has put all her thoughts on that little girl Laura..."

"Is this... God playing tricks on people?"

"Hehe~"

"The times are changing so fast these days, I think you feel it a little more strongly than I do."

“When I was a kid, those so-called counterculture movements had a profound impact on all the young people growing up in our generation.”

"When people are around... unwed pregnancies and divorces have become commonplace, causing children in single-parent families to regard rebellion as their own label, hoping to gain more people's attention and warmth."

"Rebellion is no longer the deepest secret buried in the hearts of young people~"

"They are also constantly sending signals to the people around them that are completely opposite to traditional conservative ideas!"

"No one can escape the positive or negative impacts brought about by the rapid changes in the environment of the times!"

“That’s why there is a little girl like Laura!”

"Old Morgan and his children should know these truths very well~"

"And the hostess Neriya definitely doesn't understand in her heart."

"So I guess... maybe because of her status as the hostess, she has more to worry about, so her family members deliberately downplay the impression of the engagement ceremony in people's minds... right?!"

David smiled, stopped shaking in his hand, found two clean wine glasses, and continued.

"For families like theirs who no longer have to worry about making a living, I don't know exactly what they need to consider every day~"

"But I know that people who have money and time will find things they are interested in doing."

"For example: study literature, music, history, etc."

"Or maybe you simply like to explore the secrets that others want to hide deliberately in your own social circle, to satisfy your curiosity that has nowhere to go, or to kill boring time."

"That's what we commonly call gossip~"

David raised the cup, touched it with his father, David Sr., and said with a smile, "But, I'm very lucky!"

"In old Morgan's house, there are no annoying things like talkative women and loud trumpets..."

"His children also attach great importance to the family affection between each other. There are no messy internal fights among wealthy families."

"Brothers Panaris and Giles are not the kind of losers we often hear in various gossips...who spend all day looking for beautiful women and living in debauchery~"

"Cheryl and Laura are not the kind of arrogant young ladies with eyes above their heads..."

"They are all real, and they all know clearly that family and family ties are the most important destination of their souls!"

"However, it is obvious that little girl Laura still lacks a deeper understanding of this point."

"This time I went to Boston. Mostly because I wanted to have a good chat with Nariya. A small part of the reason was to give Laura another blow and prevent her from making any more willful actions that she will definitely regret."

"Spreading rumors all depends on one mouth, but refuting rumors requires breaking your legs!"

"Not to mention, the relationship between Laura and Lilith is not a rumor in the first place~"

"So when Laura's little girl becomes the focus of rumors, whether she can hold on... is still a big question!"

David Sr. took a sip of his drink and looked at his son with raised eyebrows. The inexplicable sense of absurdity emerged again.

He couldn't help but ask himself: This person was raised by himself. .Silly son?

David, who had no idea about the psychological activities of his father, old David, after saying this, lowered his head and looked at the gently shaking wine glass, and seemed to have some bad premonitions~

. . .

Outside the bar.

Sam Rogers parked the car on the street, led Mu Brandes and David's work assistant Kihara Nobunari, opened the door and walked into the bar.

David, who was standing at the bar, saw the three of them, raised his glass and smiled: "Hey guys, would you like a drink?"

Sam, who took the lead in walking in, smiled and nodded to Old David, put the briefcase aside, shook his head slightly and said.

"No~thank you!"

"Just give me a glass of juice."

"Haha~ Where are you?" David turned to Mu Brandes and Kihara Nobunari and asked.

The two of them also declined David's "kind offer" and said that a glass of juice would be enough.

Sam seemed very relaxed and chatted enthusiastically with old David while David was "busy".

Old David drank down the drink with a smile, stood up and nodded to the three of them: "You guys talk first~ I'll go take a look at the warehouse behind."

"Oh? Dad, it's okay...it's just some work~" David shouted in confusion.

Old David paused as he walked towards the warehouse, smiled with relief, said nothing, and strode into the warehouse.

Sam looked at Old David's back with great envy, took the juice, and said with a smile: "Your luck... makes me a little envious and jealous!"

"is it?"

David wiped his hands and shrugged: "Reincarnation... is also a matter of luck!"

"Hahaha~"

Sam, Brandes, and Nobunari Kihara all laughed.

. . .

After joking for a while.

Sam took a sip of juice and got down to business.

"There is news from Iran that it has officially stopped all oil exports to the outside world."

"Just now, as soon as the commodity exchange opened, the price of the heating oil futures contract showed a step-by-step rise, and it has already increased by a full 6%!"

"Today's price volatility is expected to continue until the market closes."

"On the stock market, oil-related stocks on the three major exchanges have all shown an overall downward trend."

"The rate of decline of some stocks can only be described as... diving~"

"But there are also stocks of companies that are very sensitive to oil prices, whose prices are very strong and showing a somewhat abnormal upward trend."

"So, we want to come here to hear your latest arrangements before we buy the planned stocks~"

"Hehe~"

David chuckled twice, walked out of the bar, led the three of them to sit down at a small table, and asked.

"Is there any new news from Otis?"

"Not yet~"

"Then...are the island nation's business group and those white-robed Middle Eastern visitors gone?"

Sam tilted his head and glanced at Kihara Nobunari, and smiled: "They haven't left yet."

"Well~ I'm not leaving, that's right!"

David crossed his legs, thought for a moment, and said, "If it were me, I wouldn't leave!"

"Island countries are among the top oil importers in the world."

"They must know whether Iran's decision to stop oil will cause a second oil crisis!"

"Right now, the world is still in the Cold War period of bipolar opposition."

"It is impossible for an island country to go to a polar bear country... to discuss matters related to oil imports. It can only come to the United States for help~"

"As for the group of Middle Easterners wearing white robes, it is even more impossible for them to leave the United States at this time~"

"This is a delicate moment when the U.S. government and the Federal Reserve have stopped exporting Iranian oil, and there is no definite attitude~"

"In addition, the market is still worried about the last oil crisis, so it may make some irrational behaviors."

"Tsk tsk~"

"guys!"

"What if: The Federal Reserve decides to control the money supply and raise interest rates."

"Our President White has publicly stated that he will not use force to resolve the domestic crisis in Iran."

“The dollar is accelerating its return to the country amid interest rate hikes~”

“The exchange rate of the rice dollar has appreciated!”

“In the market, rumors are spreading and panic is causing more people to lose their minds~”

"There are some people who secretly add fuel to the flames..."

"What do you think the result will be?"

"Ha~"

David looked at the "wonderful" expressions of the three people who were deep in thought, shook his head and laughed.

"Actually, the answer is very simple!"

"The United States, as one of the countries that suffered the most serious economic damage during the last oil crisis, will definitely not be able to escape this time."

"Island country? Kihara Nobunari, tell me."

Kihara Nobunari nodded and said with a smile: "In recent years, the island government has been very active in carrying out various economic transformations away from petroleum, and has also asked banks to issue many supportive low-interest loans to these companies to help them accelerate Get rid of dependence on oil and find more developable new energy sources."

"Moreover, many consortiums from island countries are actively going abroad to find more reliable allies in oil exporting countries."

"Just like this time, the island nation's business group actively discussed oil imports with representatives from several Middle Eastern countries at the Plaza Hotel to further expand cooperation~"

"If another oil crisis breaks out this time, the government will definitely not let the wave of people rushing to buy daily necessities happen again like last time."

"and also!"

Kihara Nobunari adjusted his sitting position and said to David very seriously: "You arranged for me to meet Kagyichiro Yasuda, and I did!"

"He said: This time they received some news from Iran in advance, so they rushed to New York immediately."

"He also said: These people who came behind were the same people who were skeptical when old Mr. Morgan went to Tokyo!"

"These people are dealing with old Mr. Morgan with their mouths, but they are planning other plans in their hearts."

"Oh?"

David looked at Kihara Nobunari with some surprise and asked, "Did he take the initiative to tell you these words...or did you find a way to ask them out?"

"He said it on his own initiative!"

"...Okay~"

"It seems that our friend Yasuda also has his own little plan~"

"Hehe~"

Kihara Nobunari and the other three all laughed.

Sam asked with some expectation and worry hidden in his smile.

"Your engagement ceremony...?"

David tilted his head and shrugged: "Yeah~ it has completely changed its taste!"

"It's a good thing for us, though!"

"You all saw the future goals in this gathering, right?"

"...Hahahaha~"

Target!

The "goal" David mentioned made Sam, Mu Brandes and Kihara Nobunari very excited.

Indeed~

The people who could attend that party, except for a few CEOs + politicians who often appeared in the media, were almost all legendary big shots~

Many of the leaders of the consortium family that Sam and Mu Brandes had only heard of but never met were chatting and laughing with them like ordinary guests. .

Being able to gain a sense of presence in front of them should be regarded as a key step towards the "goal"!

----

Southeastern New York, Brooklyn.

Since FBI agents arrested several criminals involved in the Lufthansa robbery a few days ago, many rumors have begun to spread on the street about the whereabouts of the stolen money~

Some people say that Jimmy, Henry and Tommy, who planned the big robbery, had long hidden the stolen money in a place where no one could find it.

Some people also say that their boss, Paulie, has already arranged for people to transfer the stolen money out of New York. After it is laundered in a few days, it will enter a bank account overseas.

Someone else said. .All this money has been seized by the FBI, which is preparing to use it as the most powerful evidence to send Pauly, Jimmy and Henry to prison and let them all die there. .

Rumors are flying everywhere~

However, the FBI seems to be busy with the follow-up pursuit of the Barclays Bank robbery. There has been no public information about the progress of the Lufthansa robbery trial~

This makes the rumors circulating secretly much more "credible"~

It also made those with ulterior motives secretly spread the matter even more "complex and confusing". .

. . .

Brooklyn, 89th Street.

In a restaurant with a "Closed" sign on the door.

Five middle-aged people sat around a table in the corner, waiting in silence.

The air seemed to be "frozen" by the energy emanating from the five people.

The old man standing behind the service desk, wiping a cup in his hand, put down the cup consciously, walked to the phone, and waited silently.

10 minutes, two 10 minutes.

After half an hour.

It seemed that the atmosphere in the restaurant was almost depressing. .When it's about to explode~

The phone rang for a while.

"Bell bell~"

The old man who was standing by the phone waiting quickly picked up the phone, listened silently for a while, and asked in a low voice.

"Where was he sent?"

"When?"

"Ok!"

"Don't go away, I'll call you back right away."

"Ok!"

. . .

The old man who answered the phone put down the phone, walked to the five people, and said.

"Jimmy has been judged insane by doctors and is preparing to send him to St. Elizabeth's Mental Hospital."

"Paulie committed suicide due to the negligence of FBI guards, but he did not die... He has been sent to the hospital for treatment."

"Which hospital he went to, no one knows yet~"

"It is said that the FBI has contacted people from the Anti-Gangster Task Force to take over Poly..."

"That boy Henry, there isn't much news coming out."

"However, he has a serious drug addiction and is very timid."

"I'm afraid that he will cooperate with the FBI and tell some things that we don't want him to say, all..."

"..knew!"

Among the five people, a man with gray hair, a straight suit, and a red-on-blue striped tie frowned and looked at the group of people and said.

"They...must die!"

"what do y'all think?"

"..." The remaining four people said nothing and nodded one after another, which was regarded as acquiescence and agreement~

"Hmm~"

"Go and arrange it!"

"Be quick! Be clean!"

"Ok!"

. . .

The old man who answered the phone walked out of the restaurant.

The gang leader who gave the orders, Francisco Barone, stood up, straightened the folds of his coat, and said to the other four.

"I'm going to visit old Malkin right now!"

"If he is willing to help... no matter what the cost, we can accept it!"

"Agree?"

"Hi~"

The four of them looked at me, and I looked at you, without saying a word.

Francisco Barone narrowed his eyes slightly, tapped the wine glass twice with his fingers, and said.

"The FBI in Las Vegas has begun to secretly install bugs in some places."

"From today on, we will not discuss business on any phone calls, nor will we discuss sensitive topics in any unfamiliar places!"

"When Pauli and the others are dealt with, someone will be arranged to notify you before we meet again."

"...Okay~"

One of the four people thought for a moment and nodded in agreement.

Francisco Barone looked at him deeply, nodded slightly, and strode out of the restaurant.

. . .

After he left.

Another person among the four looked at his not-so-tall back, frowned and whispered.

"Pauli knows a lot about his secret business~"

"If he wants to do something...should we help?"

"Hehe~"

The remaining three people all smiled noncommittally, but their eyes said "just watching the fun", "it doesn't matter" and "I support you" respectively!