Marvel 1919 : Rise of an Empire

The next day, George returned to his villa.

After retracting his doppelgänger and finding nothing unusual, he took a shower and rested.

The following day, Tessio arrived once again, bringing a contract and a check.

It was the last day of June, and George went to the company to have the finance staff handle his taxes.

After settling them, he noticed Paul and the others had not yet returned, so he prepared to leave. However, as he was exiting, a clerk handed him a document, explaining that Paul had arranged for its collection and that it should be given directly to George.

George assumed it was the information he had previously asked them to gather on various industries.

Returning home, George spent the next few days reading through the documents, rarely stepping outside.

During this time, Ryan sent a telegram informing him that Baird had been found and had agreed to come to the United States. He would arrive after settling matters in his hometown.

This was excellent news for George. That night, he even had a few extra drinks in celebration.

Three days later, Paul returned.

He reported that all the company's debts had been cleared, a financial officer was stationed on-site, and \$50,000 was left for the three researchers to continue their work, awaiting George's further instructions.

George acknowledged this and, from the collected documents, selected five companies: a hairdryer factory, a washing machine factory, a water heater company, an electric fan factory, and a refrigerator factory. Each of these was qualified for public listing.

He instructed Paul to monitor the stocks of these companies and notify him if any were delisted or went into bankruptcy liquidation.

During his last visit to the company, George had felt the office environment was subpar. He now instructed Paul to find a better location for the company headquarters. It could be purchased and should be spacious—somewhere near the World Trade Center would be ideal. Money was no longer a concern.

It was now July, and the futures price of wheat had dropped to \$1.10 per bushel. George believed it could still go lower, so he wasn't in a rush.

After Paul left, George resumed refining the injection molding machine's blueprints, meticulously recalling details from his previous life.

Two days later, he received a call from the old family head of the Winchester Company. He mentioned an upcoming dinner party in New York hosted by an arms company, and the Winchester Company was invited. Old Bennett would be bringing his successor and asked if George wanted to attend.

After confirming the time and location, George agreed. They chatted for a while before hanging up.

Just as George resumed working, another call came in—this time from Vito Corleone.

Since returning to New York, George had not informed Vito about his dealings with Luciano.

"Hello, George."

"Hello, Vito. Is something wrong?"

"Paul, Luciano just called. He said you left Reno without notifying him, and he feels disrespected. He's demanding you return and apologize in person."

George recounted the events of that meeting, including the casino pricing: "Honestly, I felt staying there would have put Luciano in danger. I left for his sake. And now he turns around and blames me?

Please tell him: if he doesn't apologize, then don't blame me for what comes next."

"Paul, I'm sorry. I didn't expect him to react this way. I also bear some responsibility and will give you an explanation."

"Vito, this has nothing to do with you. I asked for your help. Just deliver my message to him. Don't worry about the rest. If someone wants to cross the line, I'll make sure they regret it. If you still consider me a friend, please trust me."

George was truly angry. That day, he could have left directly. Even if the Jewish Gang had tried to stop him, he was confident he could have eliminated them.

Still, George had lived as an ordinary man for over thirty years in his previous life. He didn't kill lightly.

Though powerful now, George hadn't developed a savior complex. Aside from saving the Hong Brotherhood once, he hadn't acted like a heroic protagonist.

He simply wanted to leverage his knowledge from the past to make money and live comfortably. In a safe and ordinary world, he'd have stayed hidden and quietly built his fortune.

He treated everyone around him with a normal mindset. But some people just didn't appreciate kindness.

As the saying goes, "Things do not go beyond three."

For George, the Jewish Gang asking Vito for an apology was the third offense. So, retaliation was imminent.

George put aside his blueprints and took out Deadshot's equipment. As a human arsenal, Deadshot's inventory was enough to fight a small war.

George maintained the firearms, checked ammunition and magazines, and then stored everything in his space.

He waited patiently until evening, when Vito called again.

"Sorry, George. I didn't expect Luciano to reject your gesture."

"It's fine, Vito. Sometimes, it's necessary to show strength. After months of working together and winning that huge prize, I'm sure I've attracted envy.

So please help me spread the word: in one week, the Reno Jewish Gang will be gone.

Anyone who doesn't want to die should leave Reno.

Anyone who wants my life is welcome to try. Do they think I'm easy to bully?"

George had even considered letting the matter go. When the Jewish Gang came after learning he was supplying alcohol to the Corleone Family, he didn't press for how they found out.

Nor did he confront the Corleone Family about the leak. After all, every time George made a delivery, he transformed into a bird.

Only Mori's and Corleone's trusted subordinates knew his identity. So, for the Jewish Gang to know meant a leak had occurred.

It was about profits, as he told Vito. Envy had clouded judgment. Now, he would make an example of them.

He wouldn't show mercy.

Though angry, George understood the Mafia was just another gang. His main goal was to establish authority, and the Jewish Gang was the perfect target.

After hanging up, Vito realized there might be a breach within his ranks. He summoned Tessio.

"Has anyone asked about the alcohol source recently?"

"Yes, Vito, but I knew it was sensitive. I instructed my subordinates not to talk about George to outsiders."

"Still, the news got out. Investigate immediately and find out who betrayed the Corleone Family."

"Understood. I'll report back tonight."

Tessio left.

Meanwhile, George rested, sleeping soundly. But the Corleone Family was anything but peaceful.

Late at night, Tessio returned to Vito's study, where Vito had been waiting.

"We found the leak. The Basini Family's strategist bribed one of my men. That's how the information spread."

Simple as that.

"Punish the traitor. For next month's alcohol profits, give George 60% and keep 40%. Also, give him all profits from this month's Basini Family sales. If he agrees to continue, we won't cooperate with Basini anymore. I'll speak to them myself."

"Understood."

"And one more thing. Spread the word that George is heading to Reno next week. Let those interested join the fun."

Vito knew he couldn't stop the greedy. The Corleone Family would risk becoming enemies to many. He had no choice but to rely on George.

The next evening, at the entrance of New York's grandest hotel, George stepped out of his car and spotted Bennett and a young man getting out of a Ford.

"George, long time no see. You're so carefree. You're a major shareholder now, but I never see you getting involved."

Bennett gestured to the young man. "This is Randy Chris. A good young man."

For Bennett's age, calling a thirty-something man young was fitting.

"Randy, meet George Orwell, our company's major shareholder."

"Mr. Orwell, it's an honor."

"Mr. Chris, please just call me George. If Mr. Bennett trusts you, so do I. I hope you'll take good care of the company."

They shook hands.

"Let's head inside," Bennett said.

Inside the banquet hall, people recognized Bennett and approached him. He introduced George and Randy to many guests.

Upon learning George was a young shareholder in the Winchester Company, many were surprised. They assumed he was a wealthy heir gaining experience. Regardless, they greeted him warmly.

George collected a stack of business cards and returned each gesture politely. That courtesy was deeply ingrained in him from his previous life.

"How is it? Warm welcome, right?" Bennett teased.

"Yes," George replied.

"You'll get used to it. Banquets go like this: small fish arrive first, then bigger ones. The more capable you are, the more people recognize you. Some here will help you, but they'll also want something in return. You two are young—think carefully in the future."

The old gentleman shared his wisdom. Both men thanked him sincerely.

"George, come with me."

They moved to a quiet corner.

"George, I'm wondering if you're interested in buying all my shares. My health isn't good, and I won't be in this position much longer. If you approve of Randy, I'll pass on my role and contacts to him. The economy is turbulent, and the family needs to consolidate funds. We can't sustain many assets."

George considered it. He had paid \$4 million before due to a lack of funds. Now, with two months of alcohol income, he had over \$3 million in the bank—enough to buy the remaining shares.

The Winchester Family no longer prioritized this industry, so he saw no harm in taking over.

"Mr. Bennett, I'd be happy to take over your shares. Tomorrow, Paul will bring a check and accompany you to complete the procedures. Let's keep the valuation at \$6 million."

Bennett shook his hand. "Thank you, George."

George's offer matched the pre-crisis valuation—a sincere gesture.

End of Chapter 32

Translator's Notes:

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