America 1919

LeBron's actions had seriously challenged Donnie's bottom line.

That was embezzling the money that should've belonged to Donnie, in addition, he had tainted the business environment of Atlantic City.

A healthy, vibrant Atlantic City was the only way to ensure a steady flow of wealth for Donnie, which is why, despite knowing that diluting industrial alcohol with water would make him more money, Donnie chose not to go down that route.

LeBron thought that at this critical time, Donnie wouldn't lay a hand on him, but Donnie's plan was that the Miss America city district finals were right around the corner.

By then, Atlantic City would surely be packed with people, and the more crowded it was, the more Donnie wanted to eliminate all potential threats.

LeBron was no exception!

"LeBron has a high reputation in the North District, you can't personally take action. It would undermine your ability to command respect there!"

Donnie analyzed the current situation.

Irving, though clever, was only relatively so. At this time, his only idea was to hire a few hitmen to take out LeBron, and with Donnie's support, assume the role of the North District's boss seamlessly.

Thus, Irving shared his thoughts.

After listening to him, Donnie chuckled and said, "If it were that simple, you wouldn't need to come to me. If LeBron dies, Embiid would definitely rise to the top with Nucky's support. Do you really want to work under Embiid?"

Irving immediately shook his head. The moment he decided to betray LeBron, he had set his sights on being the boss. To be a subordinate again would defeat the purpose of taking out LeBron.

"How's your relationship with Love? If you want to be the boss of the North District, can you secure Love's support?"

Donnie asked Irving.

After thinking a bit, Irving answered, "There's a good chance. I understand Love—he doesn't have much ambition, and when we've had drinks alone, he has mentioned that he's not particularly keen on being the boss!"

Donnie chuckled and said, "That's a smart man!"

Of course, Donnie wouldn't just take Irving's word for it—he would definitely investigate the matter for himself.

"Let's set Love aside for now. The current issue is, if LeBron suddenly dies, how will you deal with the obstacle that is Embiid?"

Irving couldn't answer Donnie's question—Embiid was supported by Nucky, and that was beyond his reach.

Donnie also pondered this problem. There were many ways to make LeBron disappear; the real difficulty was the scramble for the power vacuum in the North District after LeBron's death.

"It would be great if we could get Embiid to leave Atlantic City for a while!"

Donnie thought for a moment and believed the most reliable method was similar to the one used last time to reappoint LeBron as head of the North District. When LeBron died and Embiid was not in the North District, chaos would ensue. In order to quickly quell the chaos, even if Nucky wanted Embiid as the boss of the North District, it would be impossible!

But last time, they had used the liquor smuggling tactic, and this time, if they used it again, Nucky would probably become suspicious!

"I do have a plan!" Irving suddenly said.

Donnie, with a smile, asked, "What plan?"

Irving explained, "I know that although Embiid is married in Atlantic City, he actually has a mistress in Philadelphia, and she has given birth to his son. I think if something happens there, Embiid will definitely rush over immediately!"

Donnie looked at Irving with amusement, "It seems you've already done your homework, haven't you?"

Irving offered an embarrassed smile.

Donnie thought for a moment and said, "Since that's the case, I'll leave it to you to get Embiid out of Atlantic City. As for the rest, don't worry about it!"

Irving quickly asked, "When should I take action?"

Donnie replied, "The sooner the better!"

Irving nodded, confidently smiled and said, "Then I'll go back and arrange this immediately!"

After Irving left, Donnie called for Robert and asked, "Didn't you tell me that LeBron was hot and heavy with a married woman?"

Interestingly enough, while Irving was thinking about using Embiid's mistress to draw him away from Atlantic City, Donnie was also considering using LeBron's mistress to deal with him.

Robert nodded and said, "That's right, her husband is Defoe, the owner of the Defoe Auto Repair Shop in the North District. LeBron is a regular there, and the two of them became involved after frequent encounters!"

Donnie asked, "What's Defoe's character like?"

Robert replied, "He's not that great. According to my investigation, he's usually quite dour, but he behaves in an abnormal way. He especially loves to drink, and after drinking, he becomes extremely aggressive. Also, he's quite sensitive!"

Donnie's eyes lit up—a perfect character indeed!

"You should..."

.

The next day, in the evening, the burly Defoe, like a brown bear, clad in a jacket stained with grease, walked into the tavern near his repair shop, a place he frequented daily.

Although most people at the tavern knew Defoe, no one greeted him; everyone knew he was a silent type and even if they did say hello, he wouldn't respond. But nobody questioned Defoe's skills in fixing cars.