Chapter 363 - 360 Investment Plan, National Hero.
The first time Howard arrived in Las Vegas, he was captivated by the city that never sleeps, standing in the desert.
It was like a hot girl clad in tulle, sexy and charming.
There was an urge to explore and discover more.
"You should have brought me to a wonderful place like this earlier! I'm sure Rogers would have loved it too!"
Howard was sitting in a stretch limousine and enjoying the roadside scenery through the window.
The roaring waves and undulating curves reminded people of the beaches and bikini girls in Hawaii.
"Steve, with his old-fashioned personality, may not know how to enjoy such a degenerate life of luxury."
Luke shook his head and smiled. Compared with Howard's status as a capitalist, Captain America was a national hero.
"True. If we say a dirty word in front of Captain Rogers, we might get lectured."
Howard exhaled.
A few days ago, Luke took Malèna, then Rogers took his girlfriend, and Howard was left alone to act as a third wheel.
They held a family party together in Brooklyn. As a result, Howard said 'Oh sh*t!' and was seriously lectured by Captain America.
'Don't swear in front of Captain Rogers' -- it had become a classic phrase, circulating in S.H.I.E.L.D.
"The Italian family business seems to be doing well."
Howard and Luke had just got off the plane when members of the Mafia came to greet them.
Moreover, it was a big spectacle, with an extended version of the convertible luxury car and four police motorcycles with the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department logo clearing the way.
"Of course. Any visitor who comes to Las Vegas would be protected by the Mafia, as long as they enter the casinos and spend money."
Luke smiled and lightly said so.
"So, thieves and robbers stay in the old city. If they dare come to the new city and attack those guests, they would be cut off by the Mafia and thrown into the desert to feed the vultures."
The police in Las Vegas were only responsible for maintaining law and order in the old city.
As for the order in the casinos and hotels, it was the job of the gangsters.
In this respect, everyone had a good understanding and a clear division.
"It sounds a bit like Hell's Kitchen."
Howard remembered a place in New York.
To be honest, when he saw a group of big men wearing black suits and sunglasses lined up in two rows…
Treating him with respect somehow satisfied the sense of vanity in men.
"Should Stark Industries invest in several projects, it would definitely become a gathering place for the rich in the future."
Luke suddenly said.
About the Las Vegas project…
In the beginning, he planned to invest money to build two luxury hotels.
Of course, building a hotel was just a cover.
As a complementary entertainment facility, the casino and spa for guests were the main priority.
The plan submitted to Alessandro included the construction of a golf course and a resort in the later stages.
"You're that optimistic about Las Vegas?"
Howard was a little surprised.
The investment was no problem.
He was an arms tycoon and a scientific adviser to S.H.I.E.L.D.
No matter from the company's size and competitiveness, or connections and back office, there was no shortage of business orders from the Pentagon.
However, Howard was curious about where Luke's confidence came from.
Everyone knew that Nevada was a deserted desert 20 years ago. Only few people would come, except for gold diggers and workers.
"Never doubt my prediction of the future."
Luke's answer revealed a trace of mystery, just like a bluffing trickster.
Las Vegas became the future 'Casino City' and 'Entertainment Capital of the World'.
In addition to the support of the local government, it was also related to its own geographical advantage.
First of all, it was the only water source in the Mojave Desert in the Southwestern United States, and it was also a transportation hub.
If someone wanted to go from the east to the southwest corner cities such as Los Angeles and San Diego, they had to pass through Las Vegas.
Later, the railroad was opened to form the 'Los Angeles - Chicago' junction.
After the rise of air transportation, Las Vegas would become the four major air cargo transfer stations in the United States -- Chicago, Houston, Atlanta, and this world-famous 'Vegas'.
As we all know, it was a superior position for traffic.
It could gather popularity and attract investment.
The highlands and valleys, combined with the natural hot springs, made Las Vegas a great place for a vacation.
With all these conditions, the rise of Vegas wasn't a coincidence but a foregone conclusion.
"What I asked of Alessandro was that the city attracts not only gamblers but also the rich and famous Hollywood celebrities."
Luke lowered the window, and the hot air from the weather poured in.
The honey-colored thighs wrapped in shorts could be seen everywhere on the streets, and people couldn't take their eyes off them.
No wonder Howard was so excited just now.
A lot of people's perception of Las Vegas was limited to the well-developed gaming industry and mob money.
Little did they know that it was actually the world's number one hospitality center.
It would have the largest and best race track, top golf course, and ski resort on the West Coast.
Because of its special climate and non-industrial environment, it was one of the best places in the United States for lung disease treatment.
If the Mafia could operate seriously and build it steadily according to Luke's plan…
A few decades later, Las Vegas would become a huge inexhaustible gold mine for them.
"You always have a wider perspective."
Howard wasn't shocked by Luke's grand plan.
SkyNet, a company financed by Stark Industries with the technology provided by the former, was mainly engaged in telecommunications.
The scope of its business development, as well as the research and development technology, were basically implemented according to Superman's vision.
AT&T, which was the owner of Bell Labs, was unable to resist SkyNet's dominance.
"You know what? I recently found a Chief Financial Officer."
Howard sighed.
"He's a very capable and insightful young man. He admired your proposal, and I feel like he has a pair of eyes that can see the future, watching everything that will happen in the near future."
Luke picked his eyebrows. 'The CFO Howard found was not Obadiah Stane, right?'
That was the villain that almost brought the Stark family to its end.
"General, we have arrived at the hotel."
The stretch limousine was parked on the side of the road, and a soft carpet was directly rolled out from the hotel to the car door.
On both sides stood ladies of various complexions and nationalities, each with their own characteristics.
"Isn't this a bit too high-profile!?"
Howard felt the slight movement of the 'beauty radar' on his lower body, and his intuition told him that tonight would be a sleepless night.
"General, Mr. Stark, please have a look upstairs."
The ladies surrounded the two who got out of the car and walked into the elevator under the envious eyes of tourists.
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