Thinking about Victoria Braun, Aiden James couldn't help but sigh.
He shook his head, smiled wryly, then picked up his phone and typed out a message to MiaStar, the TikTok streamer he'd just dropped a mountain of donations on.
> "Awesome! Mia, if you really come to Manhattan for a trip, I'll be your personal guide. I'll make sure you have the best time!"
> "Deal, Aiden!"
> "Just tell me when!"
> "This Saturday! How's that?"
> "Perfect."
> "Then send me a selfie first! I might not recognize you when I see you!"
> "No need. You'll know me when you see me."
After setting the date, Aiden leaned back on his bed, still half in disbelief.
Was it really that easy?
A top-tier streamer agreeing to fly all the way from California to Manhattan. just to meet him?
Guess money really could make anything happen.
He grinned, tossed his phone onto the desk, then reopened the TikTok app. He wanted to check if Beatrice, another big streamer, had messaged him. She was gorgeous, had a killer voice, and definitely knew how to pull in viewers, another potential "investment opportunity."
He'd already spent the money.
Might as well see if something came of it.
Sure enough, there was a private message waiting for him.
> "Thank you, Mr. James, for being my number one supporter! Please add me on Insta!"
Right below that, another DM popped out at him.
> "Hey, Mr. James, this is Dragon Emperor. Let's connect, I run a private Discord for big donors and sponsors across the platform. Everyone in there's an investor or business owner. Great for networking. Would you like an invite?"
The sender's profile badge flashed Level 120, top tier. Definitely another whale.
Aiden thought for a moment. Expanding his circle wasn't a bad idea.
He replied with his Discord tag and added both Beatrice and Dragon Emperor as contacts.
Moments later, he got the invite link.
Inside the "Titans" group chat were about thirty people, each with donation records that could make your head spin.
The moment Aiden joined, the chat exploded:
> "Holy crap, it's The Aiden James himself?!"
"Dragon Emperor, you legend! You actually invited him?"
"This group just leveled up tenfold!"
"Mr. James, big fan! Please take care of us small fish!"
l
Even among whales, there was a food chain.
And Aiden, who could casually drop fifty grand in an evening, sat comfortably near the top.
> "Hey everyone, just Aiden's fine. Glad to be here."
> "Mr. James, don't be so modest! None of us can compete with your generosity!"
"Yeah, seriously, respect!"
Then someone new chimed in.
> "Mr. James, you're based in Los Angeles, right? I've got a villa up in Beverly Hills I'm trying to offload. Interested?"
> "Oh come on, GentleBreeze, don't bother him with that. Like Mr. James needs your house!"
> "Hey, I'm desperate, alright? I own a few boutique hotels. Ever since the travel crash last year, business has tanked. My cash flow's a disaster, so I'm selling one property just to stay afloat."
The chat went quiet for a moment. Even among rich hobbyists, that hit home.
Here's your U.S.-adapted rewrite of that chapter section — set in Los Angeles, with English names and smooth, natural dialogue that fits the American setting and tone you requested:
"You know, man, every industry's hurting right now. Everyone's strapped for cash!"
"Yeah, no kidding. You should hit up Leon, he bought a mask factory back in '22, and he's been swimming in money ever since!"
"But Leon's not even in Manhattan . anymore!"
Aiden James leaned back in his chair, scrolling through the messages in the Titans group chat.
A villa for sale? In Manhattan?
He smirked.
If it was a fellow member selling it, maybe he could get a friendly discount.
Of course, Aiden didn't need a villa, not really.
But he could always buy one for someone else.
Emily, Ivy, Zoe…
Maybe even one of those streamers he'd been spending thousands on.
It wasn't about ownership, it was about the game.
He could put the house in someone else's name and still live there himself.
Classic "simp economics."
Thinking that, Aiden typed a quick message:
> "We're all in the same circle, no problem helping a brother out. Add me and let's talk privately."
Within seconds, the seller replied:
> "Thank you, Mr. James, you're unbelievably generous!"
In that group, Aiden was already seen as a legend.
Buying a villa from another member wasn't something they thought twice about, it was just him being kind.
To them, he wasn't showing off, he was networking.
And having someone like Aiden in your contacts was the kind of connection that could pay off later.
A notification popped up.
> "GentleBreeze has sent you a friend request."
"Accept," Aiden muttered, tapping the screen.
Almost immediately, a message arrived:
> "Mr. James, my name's Henry, but you can call me Hank. I'll be honest, things have been rough lately. Would you have time to come check out the house?"
> "Not today," Aiden replied. "Tomorrow or the day after works. Where's it located?"
> "Beverly Hills, near Coldwater Canyon. I bought it in 2018, it's a 10,000-square-foot place with a private pool, a home theater, garden, three-car garage, the works. Just finished renovations last year."
He sent a few pictures, interior shots, drone views, and a sunset panorama from the backyard.
Marble floors, glass walls, infinity pool. The kind of house that screamed status.
Aiden whistled softly.
Even in L.A., this was prime real estate, easily worth eight figures.
> "Not bad," Aiden replied. "Send me the address. I'll drop by tomorrow."
> "Of course, Mr. James. Anytime!"
Hank could barely contain his excitement. Mansions like his were luxury trophies, not quick sales. Even in boom years, they could sit on the market for half a year,.sometimes more.
But if Aiden James, the man who threw money like confetti, was even interested? That was a lifeline.
Meanwhile, the Titans chat started buzzing again.
> "Mr. James, seriously? You're buying a villa now?"
"Man, you give streamers millions in tips and then buy a house for fun,.that's insane!"
"I'm starting to think Aiden's actually Elon Musk's burner account."
"Hey! You know the rules, no asking about real identities!" warned Dragon Emperor.
The chat instantly quieted down.
Everyone knew the unspoken law among the elite:
You could talk about money.
Just never about where it came from.