America 1919-Chapter 928 - 317, the second batch of Tarot Society members

Donnie returned to Atlantic City this time for two reasons: first, to visit his two children, and second, to address urgent matters concerning the Venus Consortium, including the construction of military factories.

After wrapping up these affairs, Donnie first met up with Walker in New York before heading to the manor in Washington.

Last year, under Donnie’s leadership, the Tarot Society was successfully founded. Over the course of this year, its members engaged in numerous collaborations, effectively laying a solid foundation for the Society’s continuity.

Now, one year has passed, and the Tarot Society convened for its second annual meeting, the key agenda being the introduction of new members!

Donnie gave his first nomination without hesitation to Walker Astor.

With the renowned reputation of the Astor Family, coupled with Walker’s current achievements and his wife Maholi’s Empire Grain Food Company, Walker’s inclusion was a foregone conclusion!

The others also recommended allies with undeniable strength, but Andrew Mellon’s nomination surprised Donnie.

"Everyone else is recommending allies from their business or political circles. Why did you decide to bring William in? Isn’t one member from the Mellon Family here enough?" ƒreewebηoveℓ.com

Before the others arrived at the manor, Donnie voiced his curiosity to Andrew Mellon.

For the Mellon Family, having Andrew Mellon as a member of the Tarot Society should already suffice. There was no real need to bring William Mellon in now; they could wait until Andrew Mellon retired or some other circumstance arose to then induct William.

Andrew Mellon reclined on the sofa, a serene smile on his face: "Donnie, you’re aware of my family situation, aren’t you?"

Although Andrew Mellon’s question was ambiguous, Donnie understood his implication—he was referring to his son, Paul Mellon.

From Donnie’s perspective, Paul Mellon was unquestionably a failed first-born heir of the family.

Despite his father presiding over one of the largest consortiums in the United States, Paul Mellon showed no interest in inheriting his father’s wealth. Instead, he seemed keener on figuring out ways to spend it.

This Yale graduate was passionate about academia and the arts, enthusiastically establishing various foundations. He would rather manage old Mellon’s donation to the government, the "National Gallery of Art," than engage in business dealings.

Furthermore, among the third and fourth generations of the Mellon Family—starting from Thomas Mellon, Andrew Mellon’s father—there were few who could shoulder the family’s responsibilities effectively. William Mellon stood out as the most capable among them.

Had Andrew Mellon not been more forward-thinking than Vanderbilt and established a family trust fund, the Mellon Family might have become another Vanderbilt Family within a few decades. Through William Mellon’s stewardship, Andrew began delegating family business matters to professional managers to ensure continued prosperity.

"I’m getting old!" Andrew Mellon said softly. "Compared to outsiders, I place far greater trust in my own nephew. I know William’s capabilities; as a steward, he is competent. But I sense that the next twenty years will bring considerable upheaval, and the members of the Tarot Society will likely be key figures shaping those decades. I want William to interact more frequently with all of you, to absorb the thought processes of those who are more accomplished than him. Perhaps this can better prepare him for the future!"

Donnie grasped Andrew Mellon’s rationale and expressed his understanding of the decision.

"After all, that slot is yours to use as you see fit. No matter what you decide, I’ll support you!"

Andrew Mellon laughed wholeheartedly and replied: "What I wanted was precisely this affirmation from you, Donnie. The tides of commerce belong to your generation now. I hope that in the future, considering the bond between our families, you’ll look out for William!"

Donnie chuckled and said: "William and I are very good friends!"

Andrew Mellon beamed with delight.

The third person to arrive at Block Manor was Old Rockefeller, and he brought along a remarkable figure.

The president of Chase Bank, Abbas Clow!

A man of considerable discretion, Abbas Clow’s name can barely be found in historical records. Yet in actuality, he was a pivotal president in Chase Bank’s history. In 1930, Abbas Clow reached an agreement with the Rockefeller Family, enabling Chase Bank to acquire New York’s Fair Trust Company, whose largest shareholder was Junior Rockefeller.

This transformed Chase into one of the largest banks in the United States and the world.

It also solidified the Rockefeller Family’s control over Chase Bank.

Next to arrive was General Pan Xing, who similarly brought along his recommended candidate: Lieutenant General John Haines, set to replace Pan Xing as the United States Army Chief of Staff.

Coolidge then arrived, presenting his nominee—Herbert Hoover, the current Secretary of Commerce.

Herbert Hoover would eventually succeed Coolidge to become the 31st President of the United States, though Coolidge was obviously oblivious to that fact at this time. Coolidge’s decision to nominate Hoover as a Tarot Society member stemmed largely from Hoover’s early loyalty after Coolidge became President.

Coolidge was also striving to secure more influence within the Tarot Society!