Bab 153: Chapter 153: Gambling Conflict Breaks Out
Public opinion can heavily influence perceptions. The media reports and radio broadcasts about the turmoil in Las Vegas began to paint a grim picture of the city's future and investment potential. Land prices, which had skyrocketed due to the gambling boom, were now in freefall.
Once valued at over $4,000 per acre in prime areas, land prices plummeted as panic set in. Speculators who had bought land with hopes of future appreciation were now desperately trying to sell off their properties, but buyers were scarce. The market, once driven by optimism, now faced a stark reality.
Hardy, however, was unfazed. He knew that as long as Nevada remained the only state where gambling was legal, the market would eventually recover. The current drop in land value was a temporary setback.
More pressing issues occupied Hardy's mind. Henry had reported a potential threat against Fredo Corleone, the second son of the Corleone family. With the Corleones already under attack from rival families, this new threat was a serious concern. Hardy decided to take immediate action.
He called Vito Corleone to inform him of the situation. The old godfather, deeply troubled by the news, asked Hardy to help protect Fredo and also requested his assistance in dealing with the rival families' casinos in Las Vegas. In return, Vito promised to fully support Hardy's West Coast ventures.
Understanding the gravity of the situation and the potential benefits of Vito's support, Hardy agreed to both requests.
That evening, while Fredo was enjoying a relatively peaceful moment at his casino, two men in suits approached him and informed him that Hardy wanted to see him. Surprised by Hardy's sudden interest, Fredo followed the guards to Hardy's car.
In the car, Hardy informed Fredo about the imminent threats and suggested that he return to New York for safety. Fredo, visibly shaken, agreed to pack up and leave. However, before he could act, a violent assault on the Corleone casino erupted.
Gunmen stormed the casino, opening fire on security guards and patrons alike. The chaos was intense, with screams and gunfire echoing through the casino. Hardy, observing from a distance, realized the scale of the attack. It was clear that the rivals were not only targeting Fredo but also aiming to weaken the Corleone family's influence.
Hardy instructed his driver to return to the manor, ensuring Fredo's safety. Once at the manor, Hardy arranged for Fredo's flight back to New York the following day.
At the manor's command room, Hardy gathered his key personnel—Lanster, Henry, Matthew, Neal, and others—to discuss the situation. Henry reported on the confrontation at the casino, detailing the firefight between their patrol team and the attackers. Despite their efforts, the attackers managed to escape, leaving two of Hardy's team members injured.
"What are your thoughts on our next steps?" Hardy asked his team, preparing for the ongoing conflict.
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