Truth often wounds the heart deepest!
After hearing Donnie's words, all faces showed disappointment, except for John's, "Is college tuition really that expensive?"
No one answered his question, and Carl still looked at Donnie with dissatisfaction, "Then what do you suggest we do?"
Donnie adjusted his sitting position, knowing that he could only continue with his plan if he managed to persuade Carl.
"Dad, I guess one of the main reasons you want to sell the tavern is because Prohibition is going to be implemented soon, and at that time, you think that once the whole country is out of liquor, people will stop drinking, and so there will be no business for the tavern, right?"
At this point, Donnie didn't mention anything about Cameron, because, in reality, the issues they faced were one and the same—money!
Carl didn't answer Donnie's question but just nodded with a stern face.
However, John spoke up, "That's right, you've just come back from the military and don't know the situation here. Although the tavern is bustling every day with people leaving drunk, many are saying this is their last binge, and when Prohibition starts, they will be able to keep alcohol away from their children!"
Donnie shook his head dismissively and said, "Drinking has become an indispensable habit in their lives. It's not as simple as they say, that they can just give it up if they want to. I guarantee that the day they truly can't get liquor, they will scour the world for it!"
An expression of incomprehension appeared on John's rugged face.
On the contrary, at this moment, after pondering over what Donnie had said, Cameron revealed a sudden look of realization, "You mean to say, brother, that the more something is forbidden, the more it arouses people's inner desires, and the arrival of Prohibition actually makes people want to drink even more?"
See, this is the benefit of education. While the rest of the Block Family were still digesting Donnie's words, Cameron had already grasped his meaning.
Seeing Donnie nod his head, Cameron immediately turned to Carl with excitement, "Dad, if what brother is saying is true, we absolutely cannot sell Block Tavern; it might well be the goose that lays golden eggs for our family!"
Carl raised his eyebrows slightly—not out of anger, but out of curiosity towards this second son who had just returned from the battlefield. The old Donnie was not like this. When did he become so rational and organized?
The battlefield truly was a place that tempered a person.
Carl attributed all these changes to his experiences on the battlefield!
"These are just your conjectures, which don't necessarily reflect the actual situation. I can't base Cameron's future on such uncertainties."
Although Carl felt some of Donnie's points made sense, they were, after all, only Donnie's opinion. For Carl, the most important thing at the moment was to secure Cameron's tuition fees.
As for the other requirements that Cameron would need to enter the highest-ranking universities in the United States, Carl didn't know.
"Dad..."
Before Donnie could try to persuade him further, Cameron already began speaking urgently, believing Donnie's analysis to be more plausible.
"Enough, let's not talk about this anymore, this matter is decided!"
Carl waved his hand, stopping Cameron's words. As the head of the Block Family, Carl was used to having the final word.
At this point, Donnie knew he needed to increase the stakes.
"Dad, you don't know yet that I actually already own my own tavern in Atlantic City, and I've decided that within this month, I will gather more funds to stockpile whiskey and rum. And it's not just me doing this; many tavern owners in Atlantic City are doing the same!"
In fact, at the moment, many tavern owners in Atlantic City shared Carl's point of view, all trying to find ways to get rid of their taverns quickly or to clear out their stockpiles of liquor while they still could.
But Donnie couldn't say that; he needed to increase the stakes in Carl's heart!
When the Block Family heard that Donnie had his own tavern in Atlantic City, surprise and curiosity spread across every face.
Jennifer even asked bluntly, "Weren't you off serving in the military? How did you end up owning your own tavern?"
The other three also looked at Donnie curiously.
Donnie waved his hand and said, "It's a complicated story, I'll tell you all about it when there's a chance!"
Then Donnie said to Carl, "Dad, even if you sell the tavern, it will only cover Cameron's tuition for one year. What about his tuition for the second year?"
Carl replied, "Cameron can work part-time and earn his own tuition. As for your tavern in Atlantic City, now that it's yours, it's your property, and you can do as you wish with it. But my decision is not going to change!"
It's like a stone in an outhouse—hard and stinking.
Donnie, facing Carl who was impervious to persuasion, could only admit defeat helplessly. Forget it, if he wanted to sell, let him sell. After all, what he needed from Carl was his skills and Elwood Village, a place suitable for brewing. Whether or not Block Tavern existed wasn't really a big issue.
Just as Donnie was about to give up, Raven rushed in, flustered.
"Donnie, why are there bullet holes in the Ford you drove here?"
Donnie hadn't expected Raven to recognize the bullet holes in the Ford.
At the same time, Raven's words surprised the other members of the Block Family. Jennifer immediately asked with concern, "What bullet holes?"
Donnie thought for a moment and decided not to hide the matter; after all, it would come out eventually.
So Donnie told everyone about his experiences on the battlefield and his subsequent return to Atlantic City, not leaving out any detail.
After listening, everyone was shocked, never imagining Donnie would have undergone such experiences.
"Didn't you say the other tavern owners in Atlantic City shared your ideas? How then could George Kurle just give his tavern to you?"
By this time, Carl had stood up and was pacing back and forth in the hall.
Although Donnie wasn't certain that this was done by George Kurle, he now had no choice but to pin it on George Kurle.
"He didn't know at the time, but he found out when he got back to Atlantic City!"
"I see!" Carl nodded and said, "So, you're planning to return to Atlantic City?"
Donnie nodded, his gaze resolute, "Indeed, Atlantic City has more potential for development. I need to grow my business there!"
Carl nodded slightly, then turned to John and said, "You go back to Atlantic City with your brother. As for the Block Tavern, we're not selling it!"
Donnie: "..."
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ps: I implore you to continue following the story. I beg you, please don't abandon the book at this critical moment, I plead with all of you~~