While in America, the system says Roosevelt was an emperor.

Adam watched Tom chatting with the receptionist, feeling increasingly confused, and began to analyze the situation:

Tom is definitely here for cooperation, there's no doubt about that.

It's just that you left it out for a while, is it really that big of a deal?

If it really escalates to the point where the gunman is brought to the forefront, won't your reputation be ruined, Tom?

Ultimately, Adam couldn't accept defeat, so he took a step back and said to Tom:

"Mr. Tom, tell me, what would it take for you to talk?"

Tom didn't even turn his head, looking at the receptionist, and replied:

"I said I'd wait until I have time."

"unless……"

Adam's eyes lit up; he knew that what had just happened was nothing more than Tom's negotiation tactic.

Although the method was crude, it did indeed anger him.

Adam's mind raced through countless negotiation tactics, and he quickly replied:

"Unless what?"

Tom said flippantly:

"Unless you beg me~"

Adam's mind went blank for a moment, as if paste had been stirred up.

Tom did all that just now to vent his anger, not as a negotiation tactic!

Tom Smith is a complete madman.

It took Adam five or six seconds to catch his breath.

Adam couldn't accept a lose-lose situation, and he was unwilling to give up everything, so he could only take another step back and bow his head, saying:

"Mr. Tom, I'm begging you, please, let's talk alone today."

Tom held up a megaphone to his ear and replied:

"What?"

"What did you say?"

"Speak louder, I can't hear you."

Adam gritted his teeth and spat out the last word, one by one, through the gaps between them:

"Mr. Tom, I'm begging you."

Tom patted Adam on the shoulder and said:

"That's more like it."

After saying that, Tom turned and walked toward the elevator, with Adam quickly following behind.

An unsuspecting person would think that Tom was the owner of the No. 1 office building.

As the elevator sped upwards, Adam gradually calmed down.

After a moment's thought, Adam couldn't figure out whether Tom was a complete madman or a master negotiator.

As soon as the elevator reached the second-to-last floor, the two stepped out and were surrounded by more than ten people who looked at them anxiously.

Adam gestured for everyone to stop, and then addressed the crowd:

"Go back, everyone. Don't worry, there won't be any danger."

"Go back to work first."

The crowd nodded and dispersed, turning back every three steps.

Tom nodded and said:

"I didn't expect you, you lecherous bastard, to be quite respected in the company."

Adam raised his head and replied:

"Hmph~"

"I am the most capable man in the Vanderbilt family besides Uncle William."

"Can they possibly disobey me?"

Tom didn't reply, but looked out the window at New York City.

Decades ago, the Vanderbilt family controlled over 90% of New York City's real estate.

Today, under the influence of Roosevelt's New Deal, the scale and profits of the real estate industry have increased significantly.

Vanderbilt Real Estate Company made several times more money on its books.

However, their control over New York real estate has declined to 50% or 60%.

If you were truly capable, would you have allowed your industry market share to decline so drastically?

If New York can maintain control of the real estate market, will there still be a blond-haired president like D.C.?

The Nail Dragons made their fortune in New York real estate.

In Tom's mind, a high-energy background music started playing; a blond, white man was waving his hands and singing:

"It's fun to stay at the Y~M~C~A~"

Tom quickly shook his head, banishing the MAGA March from his mind.

Adam and Tom entered the office, and Tom took the initiative to say:

"My request is very simple."

"I'm buying metal."

"You, you make the connections and get a cut."

"The more precious the metal, the higher the commission."

Adam was intrigued by the idea; why not make a sure-fire profit? But he was also puzzled.

Rare metals?

What kind of project requires rare metals?

Adam frowned and asked:

"quantity?"

"How much do you need?"

Tom answered casually:

There is no upper limit.

"I can handle the entire output of the Great Lakes industrial region."

A deathly silence fell over the office. Adam frowned, understanding Tom's unspoken message.

In the current global situation, they are taking over the entire production capacity and rare metals of the Great Lakes industrial region...

Tom was smuggling war resources to Germany.

Adam stared at Tom, trying to read something from his face.

After a long pause, he asked in a low voice:

"Does Uncle William know about this?"

Tom did not reply.

Adam couldn't help but think—if it really was William's idea, pressing him for answers would only make things worse;

Some things are better left unknown.

If it wasn't William's idea, then what right did Tom have...?

No, the fact that Tom was able to get William's business card says it all.

But just to be on the safe side, Adam said:

"Business can be done, but I will only act as a facilitator and will not leave any written records."

"I don't need you to give me the profits; I'll get a commission from the steel company."

Tom understood Adam's concerns and replied:

"That's no problem."

Adam was also delighted. As long as there was no concrete evidence, it was Tom who was smuggling and colluding with the enemy. What did it have to do with me, Adam?

But Adam still had reservations and continued:

"There is one more condition that must be met."

"I promise, this is the last one."

Tom replied:

"speak."

Adam said:

"Qiangsheng Engineering Company has a bad reputation. I have no business dealings with you, so don't even think about getting any more municipal engineering projects in the future."

"You need to find a way to resolve the reputation problem of Qiangsheng Engineering Company."

"Otherwise, no matter how many 'legal teams' you bring to my door, I will not cooperate with you."

Tom nodded, understanding Adam's unspoken message:

For Qiangsheng Engineering Company to be accepted into the table, it must have a clean background.

Tom countered with:

"It's all about having a clean background."

"But to what extent is it considered 'clean'?"

Adam replied:

"Mr. Tom, do you have Uncle William's business card?"

"Don't you understand what constitutes a clean background?"

Tom pulled out William's business card, a very simple white business card.

William Vanderbilt.

There was no prefix or suffix; the entire business card contained only a handwritten signature.

Tom laughed. In America, aren't the companies run by politicians the cleanest companies in the world?

But at this stage, Tom cannot openly flaunt William's power.

Tom stood up, placed the business card on Adam's desk, and said:

"The current city council will be replaced after Christmas."

Voting will begin on January 15th next year, and the election results will be announced on February 10th.

"Then you'll know whether Qiangsheng Engineering Company is truly clean or not."

"Until then, I will leave this business card with you."

After saying that, Tom turned and left the office.

Adam glanced at the business card, puzzled.

For Qiangsheng Engineering Company to be "clean," it needs at least one city councilor to fully endorse it.

I know all the city councilors in New York City, and I've never heard of any of them having anything to do with Tom.

Could it be that Tom knows other senators besides his cousin William?

That's even more impossible. Do you really think senators are as common as cabbages?

If Tom had two senators as his backers, could he really become a lowly tax collector in the Treasury Department?