Chapter 389: Hardy, Do You Want the New Governor?

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After a whole day and night of gambling, Margaret and Taylor were exhausted but unwilling to leave the gaming tables. By early morning, they had already lost over half of their money. Hardy, however, had no interest in playing; as the owner of the casino, he knew the outcome was predetermined by the odds, ensuring the casino would always come out ahead.

The next day, Margaret and Taylor enjoyed a well-deserved rest, sleeping in until the afternoon. After a leisurely breakfast, they prepared to explore the city's shopping streets. Las Vegas was a paradise of luxury goods, and the two women, unfazed by the cost, spent four to five million dollars on various items.

Once their shopping spree concluded and their purchases were returned to the hotel, Margaret eagerly expressed her next desire. "I saw on TV that there's a male striptease show here. I want to see it."

Hardy was taken aback by her enthusiasm. At the strip club, they watched as muscular men performed provocative dances, much to the delight of the audience. Margaret, fully immersed in the experience, even tossed a banknote into one performer's shorts and playfully slapped his behind. Hardy could hardly believe this was the same princess from the strict British royal family.

After the striptease, they moved on to a boxing match. Margaret was thoroughly engrossed, cheering loudly for her chosen fighter, who ultimately won in an upset, earning her a tidy sum of over ten thousand dollars.

Back at the hotel around midnight, Margaret was about to retreat to her room with Taylor, but Taylor chose to visit Hardy instead. That night, Margaret found herself unable to sleep, her mind troubled by the sounds she imagined coming from Taylor's room—sounds she hoped were only in her imagination.

The next morning, Margaret joined Hardy and Taylor for breakfast, noticing the telltale signs of their recent activities. During the meal, Hardy asked about their plans for the day. Margaret revealed her next interest: the racetrack. "I want to watch horse racing today. I have some thoroughbreds back in the UK that could do well here. Maybe I'll bring them over for races in the future."

"I'm also interested in hitting a disco tonight. I've heard they're wild and exciting," she added.

Hardy agreed to both plans.

As they ate, two middle-aged men approached Hardy, maintaining a respectful distance while waiting for a cue to speak. Hardy acknowledged them with a wave, inviting them over. "It's fine. Just go ahead."

The men explained their proposal: with increasing shipping volumes in Japan and Hong Kong, it was becoming impractical to use existing ports. They suggested investing $30 million to build a new seaport near the Strait of Malacca, which could support their shipping and re-export business.

"Having a private port would be beneficial," Hardy agreed. "What locations are under consideration?"

"Singapore is the top choice due to its strategic location, but Penang and Malacca are also options," one man replied.

Hardy pondered the potential instability in Southeast Asia and the risks of such a large investment. "The situation there is uncertain. It might be wiser to wait for stability before committing to such a large investment."

Another man suggested an alternative: purchasing land in Singapore, Penang, or Malacca outright. This would ensure the company's control over the property and mitigate future risks.

Princess Margaret, overhearing the discussion, looked at Hardy with interest. Hardy waved off the idea. "It's too elaborate for a port. Let's start by using Singapore's port temporarily and monitor the situation. Keep me updated on any developments."

After the men left, Margaret, curious about Hardy's views, asked, "Why do you think the situation in Malaya is unstable?"

Hardy responded, "If you follow Malaya's situation closely, you'd understand. It's likely to become independent like India in the future."

Margaret took note and later contacted her delegation's manager, who confirmed the political instability in Malaya. This information was then relayed back to England.

Princess Elizabeth, upon receiving the update, considered the implications. If Hardy was indeed interested in acquiring land in Malaya, it could be an opportunity to address the UK's financial crisis. Given the looming deadline for national debt repayment, the sale of territories could provide the necessary funds.

Elizabeth contacted the Prime Minister to discuss the possibility. The Prime Minister was cautious but acknowledged that the sale of Penang and Malacca could be beneficial, while keeping Singapore under British control.

"We could offer Penang and Malacca to Hardy for $500 million in exchange for a 10-year low-interest loan. It would address our immediate financial needs while securing his investment," the Prime Minister proposed.

Elizabeth agreed and instructed Margaret to negotiate with Hardy on this potential deal. The fate of these territories could hinge on Hardy's response, shaping both the UK's financial future and the geopolitical landscape of the region.