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.
Bab 154: Chapter 154: Reversing the Black and White, Capturing the Flamingos
Hardy looked around at his team, his expression serious. "What do you think we should do?"
Lanster was the first to speak up. "We should dispatch all patrols to search for those attackers and hit them hard!"
Matthew clenched his fist. "Exactly. Anyone who dares to harm us must face our retaliation."
The group was clearly eager for action, but Hardy shook his head slightly and smiled. "Don't worry. I've been anticipating this opportunity. Now that it's here, let's make the most of it."
"Henry, call Bill and have him gather 200 people. They need to be at the airport in the morning, and don't forget to bring Alan Payne."
"Got it, Boss. I'll inform him now."
Henry knew a major move was imminent.
"Lanster, inform the police to investigate the attackers and make sure patrols can continue their duties effectively."
"I'll notify the Las Vegas Police Department," Lanster replied.
"Also, inform the newspapers and radio stations. They need to report on the incident and broadcast that HD Security will be ramping up patrols and taking severe measures to prevent such attacks in the future."
"Understood," said Lanster.
Finally, Hardy turned to the action team. "Get ready. We have a big operation planned for tomorrow night. Let's aim to minimize casualties."
"Yes, Boss!" the team responded enthusiastically.
With the stage set for a significant operation, the team was buzzing with excitement.
---
The next day, the Las Vegas News ran a story about the attack that had occurred the previous night. The city was abuzz with chatter.
"Wasn't HD Security supposed to be top-notch? Last night, the Corleone family casino was attacked, and even though a patrol car showed up, it was nearly riddled with bullets," one person commented.
"Yeah, I saw it too. But those HD Security guys know how to survive. They ducked and covered, but no one was killed," another added.
"The Corleone family casino was attacked. Do we know who did it?"
"Who else could it be? The four big families are at each other's throats. It must be them."
"Careful with your talk. It could bring trouble. And did you hear about HD Security? They signed a free contract with the police to enter the Las Vegas market. Quite a spectacle."
"The power dynamics in Las Vegas are so tangled that it's beyond any single security company to manage."
Many were now mocking HD Security, anticipating their departure in defeat.
---
At dusk, several planes landed at Las Vegas airport. Trucks transported the newly arrived personnel to the manor.
As night fell, HD Security patrol cars began making their rounds. The atmosphere in Las Vegas seemed to shift subtly.
By 9 o'clock, the city was in full swing with casinos bustling and gamblers cheering. But suddenly, trucks screeched to a halt outside the Basini Family Casino. Security guards at the entrance, sensing trouble, tried to flee.
"DaDaDaDaDaDaDa~!" The attackers opened fire, targeting the casino's entrance with ruthless efficiency.
Masked gunmen stormed into the casino, where terrified gamblers had already dropped to the floor. Anyone who stood up became a target.
The attackers swept through the casino, searching for cash. They quickly located the safe, filling their bags with money.
"Get out now if you don't want to die. Otherwise, we'll kill everyone here!" one of the bandits shouted.
Screams filled the air as gamblers fled the casino.
After the heist, the attackers fled in their trucks. Moments later, the Basini casino was engulfed in flames from a violent explosion, consuming it entirely.
Simultaneous attacks occurred at several other casinos—Tataquilia, Strache, and Cuneo—all suffering similar fates. Explosions and gunfire erupted throughout Las Vegas.
At the Flamingo Casino, a fierce battle raged as hundreds of HD Security personnel launched an assault on the Selton family, who had taken over the Flamingo. The Seltons were caught off guard and overwhelmed, their bodies and weapons loaded onto trucks.
That night, Las Vegas was filled with chaos and destruction.
The police department, receiving numerous emergency calls, reported the situation to Chief Steve. He grimaced at the thought of how the situation might escalate but decided to wait.
When the police arrived on the scene, they found the aftermath of a fierce confrontation. Henry reported to Chief Steve, "We've wiped out the gangsters from last night's attacks. There are 43 dead robbers. Please send someone to handle the bodies."
Chief Steve, stunned, asked, "All of them? No survivors?"
"None. The resistance was intense," Henry confirmed.
"Alright, I'll send a team," Chief Steve said, grappling with the scale of the violence.
---
The following day, the Las Vegas News published an announcement:
"Yesterday, a group of gangsters attacked several Las Vegas casinos, robbing over one million dollars and killing more than 170 casino employees. With the authorization of the police chief, HD Security mobilized all personnel, eliminating 43 of the robbers. HD Security has proven its ability to protect Las Vegas and eliminate any threat to the city's order."
Everyone knew the casinos were linked to gangsters. The claim that these attacks were perpetrated by robbers seemed dubious, but the newspaper's account, backed by the police, portrayed HD Security as the city's savior.
The extreme nature of the operation shocked many. HD Security had brutally demonstrated its power, leaving no doubt about its capacity for control.
The casino managers, who had once mocked HD Security, now kept a low profile, wary of further conflict.
Hardy's strategy, though ruthless, was effective. By showcasing his strength, he aimed to instill fear and establish dominance in the chaotic Las Vegas underworld.
---
That night, the casinos were open but far from their usual bustling state. Many were too afraid to venture out, dreading another possible attack.
The next day, announcements from the Las Vegas News reported that Jon Hardy would hold a public funeral for Siegel and Fredo at noon at the Las Vegas Public Cemetery.
Casino managers quickly notified their families, and many family heads prepared to attend, signaling a shift in the power dynamics of Las Vegas.
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