Even during the off-season, the daily profit of the casino in the Golden Coin Hotel could reach tens of millions or even hundreds of millions of US dollars.
During the peak season, when there are many tourists, or when high rollers visit, this figure could increase even further, potentially reaching several hundred million or even billions of dollars a day.
Just a little over a hundred million, and the loser wasn't even the casino...
According to the usual work procedures, such a small matter would not be enough to warrant 'reporting to Stark himself'.
It was purely a personal action by the casino manager.
His goal was obvious: he simply wanted to take advantage of this good opportunity to show his face more in front of Stark and deepen the big boss's impression of him.
The ideal was full, but the reality was stark.
Given Stark's temperament, how could he possibly remember him, especially since he only called to report and did not personally appear before Stark?
Ultimately, compared to the casino manager with his intentions, Stark was clearly more concerned about the fact that 'Bayonetta won money'.
"Bayonetta, I heard you won a lot of money this afternoon?"
It was past nine and almost ten at night.
Connie, who couldn't fight off sleep after watching the circus performance, went back to her room early with 2B and was soon snoring softly on the fluffy princess bed.
The others, however, were led by Stark to the restaurant to enjoy the late-night snack specially prepared by the chef.
Everyone was eating happily, but Stark, as the big boss, ignored the chef's efforts to please him and turned his attention to Bayonetta.
"Boss, you didn't see it.
Bayonetta was simply incredible this afternoon."
As soon as this was mentioned, Happy couldn't help but get excited.
He not only interrupted Bayonetta but also had a mouthful of food that he hadn't yet swallowed.
Fortunately, Stark had been with this guy for a long time and was extremely familiar with him.
If it had been anyone else, Stark would have surely shown an expression of extreme disgust, shooing him away like a fly.
"What's the situation, tell me about it."
Stark raised an eyebrow as he forked a piece of steak into his mouth.
"This is what happened, this afternoon Rhode asked me to go to the casino to play…"
Happy gesticulated animatedly as he enthusiastically recounted the story.
Although he didn't have the rapping talent of a black person, Happy was quite good at storytelling.
Coupled with the exaggerated expressions he made out of excitement and Rhode's supplementary remarks, the whole incident was told in a very interesting and complete way.
"…Boss, you didn't see it.
When Justin Hammer lost that round, his face, hehe, it was so sour, it was as if his house had caught fire."
"Honestly, that was the funniest scene I've encountered this year."
Rhode also laughed and chimed in.
"That's definitely Hammer's style."
Stark also laughed: "Let me guess, he must have seen Bayonetta, wanted to show off his wealth to strike up a conversation, and then invited her to join the gambling game, right?"
"Exactly, that's right."
Rhode gave a thumbs up: "Locke had just gone to the restroom at that time, hehe, you can't imagine what his expression was when he saw Locke return."
"What other expression could it be?"
Stark said, and then, based on his impression of Justin Hammer, vividly imitated an expression that mixed contempt with disgust, yet also had a touch of envious jealousy.
"Exactly, exactly, that's it, hahahaha~!"
They treated the accidental encounter with Justin Hammer as a joke, chatting and laughing excitedly.
No one, including Stark, the host, had considered why Justin Hammer would appear in this hotel or why he would so coincidentally meet Happy and the others.
Thinking about it carefully, Justin Hammer certainly wasn't just there to play around.
You see, long before Tony Stark was reborn as Iron Man, Hammer had always viewed him as a rival.
In fact, he had more than once, at press conferences held by Hammer Industries, said things like, 'Tony and I are the same kind of people; we're both cool'...
Whether or not it implied 'Tony and I are like-minded and have been good friends for a long time' is beside the point; in his words, he clearly showed his attitude of placing himself on an equal footing.
Perhaps he had a sense of propriety and was merely putting on a show to save face; or perhaps he truly lacked self-awareness and genuinely thought that way.
Regardless, after Stark became Iron Man, this assertion completely fell apart.
How to regain the advantage?
The most direct and effective way was to cooperate with Stark Industries.
That's right, at this moment, the timeline had not yet advanced to "Iron Man 2."
Although the two corporations were in competition, they hadn't yet reached the point of drawing a clear line and completely cutting off all contact.
As a pure businessman, Justin Hammer naturally believed that as long as he offered sufficient conditions, Stark would certainly not refuse cooperation.
Therefore, to increase the likelihood of successful negotiations, he specifically investigated Tony's movements and flew to Las Vegas immediately after Tony checked into the hotel.
As for why he didn't directly contact Stark after arriving, but went to the casino first...
He thought Stark was a playful person and would definitely go to the casino to play a round once he was on his turf.
He also thought that an 'accidental encounter at the casino' would be more natural, and that the chances of success would be higher if he talked to Stark when he was in a good mood after playing.
So, Justin Hammer, feeling very clever, arranged such a plan.
He just didn't expect that Stark didn't go to the casino at all, but instead locked himself in his room, spending his strength and time on an endurance race with Pepper.
Unable to find Stark at the casino, he was a bit annoyed.
When anger flared up, his mind was also affected.
It was at this moment that Hammer spotted Shi Xiaolei and his group.
Recognizing Happy and Rhode, and knowing that they were both close to Stark, he suddenly had the idea of contacting Stark through these two.
Coupled with Bayonetta's undeniable beauty, and Hammer himself being in a fit of pique, having lost his composure and being far less calm than usual... in short, he acted on impulse, went up to them, and struck up a conversation.
And then... everyone knows the outcome.
Let's turn our attention to another hotel.
That's right, because he subconsciously didn't want to be inferior to Stark, Justin Hammer didn't check directly into the Golden Coin, but instead booked a room in another hotel of the same caliber.
"FxxK ~! Fxxk ~!"
The more he thought about it, the angrier he got.
Justin Hammer, as if having a fit of rage, picked up a vase and smashed it hard on the floor.
The sound of shattering porcelain startled the bodyguards waiting outside the door.
Worried that their employer was in trouble, one of them pushed the door open and walked in.
"Boss, are you alright?"
"Get out~!
Who told you to come in, get out~!"
While yelling, Hammer casually picked up another item and threw it at the bodyguard without holding back his strength.
It was just an apple, so it wouldn't cause much harm.
Not wanting to lose this well-paying job, the bodyguard stood still and honestly took the hit.
Afterward, he nodded and bowed, retreating to the doorway: "Yes, I'll go out now."
"Come back~!"
For some reason, Hammer suddenly called out again.
"Boss?"
"Go and find out what's going on with those two.
Shit, they actually dared to win a hundred million from me.
I want to see what they're really relying on."
He wanted to retort, 'Aren't they relying on Tony Stark?'
But considering the current situation, the bodyguard, being perceptive, swallowed his words: "Okay, boss."