Chapter 959
Colby's crew ushered the guests from the back rooms to the front.
"Take them to the station. Chief Miller will want a word with them," Colby ordered.
"Got it, boss."
As one group after another was led away, Colby glanced at the staff being held down. "You gonna spill the beans, or do I have to make you talk?"
"I'll talk! I'll talk!"
One of the staff members quickly raised his head. "Boss, a few of us from the docks just wanted to make some extra cash. A mate mentioned a businessman was opening an arcade. He said if you joined as a franchise, paid the fee, you'd run your own gig. No need to worry about setup or machines. But there was a catch-you had to be a local from Devonport and have some connections."
"Connections to me, right?" Colby pressed.NôvelDrama.Org: owner of this content.
"Not just you... the Aldridge family, Tredgold family, Dennis family, even the Russells... anyone with some pull."
The man couldn't meet Colby's eyes.
Sophie felt a chill as she listened. It was clear that someone was out to smear their reputation. Unable to attack them directly, they decided to corrupt from within. They'd use their people to make money, and once discovered, those same people would be dealt with internally.
It was a two-pronged attack: make money off them and then weaken their manpower and reputation in Devonport. The mastermind behind this was truly devious.
Sophie asked, "So, they just let you run the place on your own?"
"No, we got special training. The machines were rigged so we could control the profits. Someone from the top would check in every two
weeks to monitor the
Sophie continued, "What's your monthly turnover?"
"It varies. Our shop is small, but we handle at least a hundred grand a day, sometimes even more. In a month... we're talking millions."
The mention of millions still seemed unbelievable to Sophie. The shop wasn't big. If it were larger, the monthly profits could be astronomical. Suddenly, Gordon's words came to mind. "In an hour, with just a deck of cards, I can make twenty grand. So, imagine a casino's hourly take."
Gordon won big because he bet big.
Here, the stakes weren't as high, but with a variety of gaming machines and plenty of patrons, a larger
casino could rake in profits nonstop.
Sophie said, "So, you're saying you have to give them at least half or a third of your earnings every month?"
"Our books have always been split
fifty-fifty. Many of the lads have gotten rich. Some of the larger
shops can make tens of millions a month Boss, we were blinded by the money. Please, have mercy! We won't do it again!"
Colby had always looked out for his people, which is why they were so loyal to him.
The men on the ground kept pleading for mercy. Colby gave them a brief look and said, "Take them all to the station."
When they heard this, their hearts sank further, but they didn't dare resist.
Colby had made it clear from the start-his people were not to get involved in gambling. These men, he wouldn't protect, nor could he.