The Tyrant Billionaire

Another big business deal sealed.

This is the biggest advantage of joining a consortium: sharing resources and growing together. Small businesses fighting alone can't compete with this behemoth.

The gathering continued.

A group of men went to the most luxurious golf course in San Francisco, which also belonged to Bank of America. Today, it was closed to outsiders, only consortium members attended.

The evening ended with a dinner, finishing around 9 PM.

No women appeared at the gathering, only business and politics. This is a true high end gathering.

The kind of party with lots of beautiful women might seem lively but is really just for fun, not for discussing serious matters.

Back at their residence, Hardy smiled at Andy, "I feel like there are more and more things to handle. I've been in San Francisco for a month and a half and can't get away."

Andy smiled, "But your gains are huge."

Indeed, the gains over the past month and a half were substantial.

Acquiring Wells Fargo gave Hardy Group a financial core, making them a member of the California consortium, further strengthening their presence in California.

Several business deals were also made.

Acquiring shares in Pepsi, partnering with Merck Pharmaceuticals to build a factory in England.

Each of these would be a major undertaking for others, but for Hardy, it was just a matter of a few words.

This is the advantage of having vast resources.

A consortium is a resource pool where everyone contributes and withdraws resources, mutually benefiting and promoting each other.

The next day.

The new casino partners gathered again. Meyer had specially come from Los Angeles to San Francisco. Initially, he was the initiator, but now he was just a supporting character.

Looking at Hardy, he had heard that Hardy officially joined the California consortium last night, with dozens of tycoons hosting a membership reception for him.

Hardy's wealth and status had far surpassed him.

Just last year, Hardy was a promising young man he admired. Now, he had rapidly grown into the biggest tycoon group leader in Los Angeles.

Giannini chaired the meeting. He looked at everyone present and smiled, "Now let's discuss the casino's share distribution."

He first looked at Hardy, "Hardy, you said you wanted to keep 20% of the shares, right?"

Hardy nodded.

"As for the remaining shares, after consultation, the distribution is as follows: MGM 10%, Merck Pharmaceuticals 10%, Crocker Agricultural Products 15%, Pepsi 7%, Lockheed Aircraft Manufacturing 10%, Bank of America 28%."

Meyer had initially wanted to lead the new casino project but ended up with only 10%. Once the big capital players got involved, things went out of his control, and now he was just a follower.

Actually, he was lucky not to be kicked out completely.

Giannini continued, "Regarding management, the new casino will continue to be led by Hardy. Does anyone have any objections?"

Everyone agreed.

"Hardy has one condition: everyone must sign an agreement that as long as the casino doesn't incur significant losses, the management rights belong to him. If severe losses occur, the shareholders will reclaim management rights and choose a new CEO. Any objections?"

Some agreed. They invested just to make money. Like Lockheed, they knew how to make planes, not run a casino.

Some hesitated but eventually agreed. Without Hardy, the casino probably wouldn't run well.

"Next is the management equity issue. After calculations, management equity will be 12% of the total shares. Any objections?" Giannini looked at everyone.

The management equity was for profit sharing only, 12% of the annual net profit. After deducting management equity dividends, the remaining profits went to the shareholders.

Some thought the management equity was too high, but since Bank of America agreed, the others didn't oppose.

"Lastly, what should we name the casino?" Giannini asked.

Meyer felt a bit sad. He had originally planned to name it 'MGM Grand Hotel,' which would also promote MGM. But now, as a small shareholder, he didn't dare to suggest it.

"Hardy, do you have any ideas?" Giannini asked Hardy.

Hardy thought for a moment, "How about Caesar's Palace?"

"Caesar's Palace Hotel, Caesar's Palace Casino. I think it sounds great," David Merck said.

Others also liked the name.

Thus, the casino was named.

They discussed some details, like the casino's design and business strategy. Hardy shared his plans for developing Las Vegas, and everyone thought Hardy's plan was excellent.

Especially the idea of TV draws and telephone betting for more diverse draw activities, which everyone supported.

They grew more confident in the future profitability of the casino.

With the deal finalized, they celebrated with champagne. The lawyers quickly drafted the contracts, and everyone signed the agreement, making it official.

Caesar's Palace Hotel was officially born.

David Merck and Hardy clinked glasses, "You move fast. I heard you already sent someone to the pharmaceutical factory. I've signed off, so you can collect the goods anytime."

"Thank you."

"You're welcome. I'm counting on you to make some money at the casino," David Merck laughed.

"No problem. I'm good at running casinos," Hardy laughed.

"The U.K penicillin factory is being negotiated, with an estimated investment of $1.2 million. If construction is fast, it can be operational in six months."

As they chatted, another person approached, Robert Gross, head of Lockheed Corporation.

Robert Gross was in his 60s, with blond hair, looked very energetic. He greeted Hardy with a smile, "What are you two discussing?" Enjoy stories on m_v lem|p-yr

"Just a small business. I'm planning to build a penicillin factory," Hardy said.

Penicillin had once been a mysterious product, but after years of development, factories could now produce it on a large scale. It wasn't something Robert Gross paid much attention to, he had his own agenda for approaching Hardy.

"Hardy, I also have a small business to discuss with you."

"What business?" Hardy was curious. He didn't sell arms, what could Gross want to discuss with him? Shouldn't he be talking to the military?

"Does your HD Airlines need any passenger or cargo planes? Lockheed produces excellent passenger and cargo planes, like the L-049 Constellation. Are you interested?" Robert Gross asked with a smile.

Hardy smiled and shook his head, "Sorry, not at the moment."

Hardy declined outright.

His fleet was purchased from the military at a very low price. Buying Lockheed's planes at market price didn't fit his concept of a low cost airline using common aircraft parts.

Robert Gross showed a disappointed expression.