"Hello," Liam said, as he picked the call.
"Hello, Mr Liam. This is Marianne from JP Morgan Investors Relations," a female voice from the other end of the phone said, introducing herself.
"Ohhh." Liam was a bit surprised as he didn't expect someone from JP Morgan to call him almost immediately or even at all.
But he felt that it was only natural since he now has a percentage stake of the company, which is worth more than $100m.
"What do I owe this call?" Liam asked.
"I'm calling to congratulate and thank you for investing in the company. Would you be open to discussing your investment goals and how we can assist with infrastructure or services?" Marianne asked.
Hmmm... Infrastructure and services... Liam thought about what she said. He was quite curious about these two.
"Tell me more about the infrastructure and services," Liam said, his tone composed but curious.
"Of course," Marianne replied warmly. "As a significant shareholder, Mr. Liam, you now have access to our Private Banking Division, which offers a comprehensive suite of wealth infrastructure and concierge services. These include—but are not limited to—private wealth management, real estate sourcing, ultra-secure estate management, luxury asset procurement, custom insurance packages, personal staff sourcing, security detail acquisition, and lifestyle concierge options tailored to ultra-high-net-worth individuals."
Liam raised his brow slightly at the mention of staff sourcing and estate management. That sounded like exactly what he needed right now.
"As part of the infrastructure," Marianne continued, "our private clients are assigned a dedicated banker and advisory team. You'll also receive assistance with legal and tax structuring, family office solutions, art and collectible advisory, and global mobility support."
"Wait," Liam interrupted gently. "Did you say staff sourcing and security detail acquisition?"
"Yes," she said, not missing a beat. "We maintain partnerships with premier service firms across the globe. Whether you need a full household staff—maids, butlers, chefs, assistants—or a tailored executive protection unit, we handle everything discreetly and efficiently."
That was all Liam needed to hear.
He didn't even hesitate. "Alright. Let's proceed with the conversion. I'd like to become a private client."
"Wonderful. Thank you, Mr. Liam. I'll process the request immediately," she said, her voice carrying a genuine tone of respect. "A private client banker will be assigned to you and should be reaching out very soon to begin the onboarding. They'll also be available for any immediate support you require."
"Appreciate the quick response," Liam said. "This is actually very helpful."
"The pleasure is ours, Mr. Liam. And thank you again for choosing JP Morgan."
The call ended with polite goodbyes. Liam sat there for a second, phone still in hand, smiling.
Finally.
He'd been meaning to sort out the staffing for the mansion, but now he could do so with the backing of one of the most reputable institutions in the world. He wouldn't need to use those risky online applications or sketchy middlemen but have real professionals handling everything top to bottom.
The maid issue would be resolved soon. That alone took a weight off his shoulders.
He stood up and stretched, still grinning faintly, and walked toward the bathroom to prepare for the day.
***
Fifteen minutes later, he stepped out of the bathroom, towel still hanging around his neck, when he heard his phone buzzing on the nightstand.
He walked over, picked it up, and saw an unfamiliar number.
Another unknown number? Could be the banker, he thought.
"Hello," he answered, voice even.
"Good morning, Mr. Liam. This is Daniel Conley from JP Morgan Private Banking. I've just been assigned to your account."
Liam nodded, even though the man couldn't see him. "That was fast."
"Efficiency is a point of pride for us," Daniel replied, his voice smooth and professional. "Would you prefer to speak over the phone, or should I arrange a visit to your location?"
"In person. Come to my place—Bellemere Mansion in Holmby Hills."
There was a moment of silence.
Then Daniel said, "Understood. I'll be there shortly."
"I'll be expecting you."
Liam ended the call and tossed his phone gently on the bed. There was no sense waiting around in his room. He dried off, got dressed in a relaxed but sharp outfit—charcoal slacks and a white Cuban-collar shirt—and made his way downstairs.
He figured he had a little time, so he made a quick breakfast. Nothing too complex. A couple of sunny-side-up eggs, toasted sourdough, and sliced avocado with sea salt and olive oil drizzle.
Just as he was finishing the last bite, the gentle chime of the gate intercom echoed from the kitchen panel.
Liam turned and walked to the small touchscreen beside the refrigerator. On the screen was the image of a middle-aged man in a fitted navy suit, standing next to a sleek black BMW parked just outside the gate.
"This is Daniel Conley," the voice came through. "Private Banker."
Liam tapped the screen and pressed the gate button and the massive iron gate began to part.
He watched the vehicle glide down the driveway, come to a gentle stop, and Daniel stepped out. The man adjusted his tie slightly, then walked up the front steps and rang the doorbell.
Liam opened the door a few seconds later.
Daniel looked composed, with a calm expression and the confident posture of someone who spent decades around wealth.
But even he blinked in surprise for a fraction of a second when he saw Liam.
The boy in front of him looked no older than twenty.
"You're Liam?" Daniel asked, recovering quickly.
"I am," Liam said, extending a hand. He noticed some resemblance between Daniel and one of Stacy's friends, Harper.
Father or brother?
Daniel grasped it firmly. "Pleasure to meet you, Mr. Liam."
"Come in," Liam said, stepping aside.
Daniel entered and looked around as subtly as possible.
They walked to the living room and took their seats.
"I'll be brief," Daniel said, pulling out a sleek leather folio from his bag. "As a shareholder of your standing, you now qualify for Priority Tier access within our private bank. This includes a dedicated support team and exclusive access to bespoke services."
"I heard that earlier," Liam said. "But I'm mainly interested in staff sourcing and security. The house is… well, big. And I can't manage it alone."
"Understood," Daniel said with a nod. "We can arrange an estate manager to oversee the household. We'll begin by assigning a vetted team of maids and personal assistants. You can review their profiles and conduct interviews if you'd like, or trust our recommendations entirely. For security, we offer private patrol units, on-site close protection, and remote surveillance support."
"Perfect. Let's start with that."
Daniel scribbled a few notes on a tablet. "I'll begin sourcing profiles and submit the first recommendations to you before the end of the day. Once you make your selections, we'll arrange contracts and background verification. You'll also receive access to our Client Portal app to track staff performance, billing, and requests."
"Anything else I should know?" Liam asked.
"You'll be contacted soon by a relationship manager to discuss trust structures and asset consolidation. If you're open to it, we can begin forming a private holding company for your new assets to simplify management."
"I'll consider it," Liam replied. "Let's focus on the staff first."
"Of course."
They continued chatting a few more minutes, confirming preferences, timelines, and scope. When it was done, Daniel stood, shook Liam's hand again, and said, "You'll hear from me before sunset."
"Looking forward to it."
Liam watched from the window as Daniel got into his BMW and drove off. He exhaled a long breath and sat back down, staring at the ceiling for a moment and thinking about what had just happened this morning.
Exactly as they say; money makes the world go round.