First Investments

The excitement of the lottery win hadn't died down, but James knew they had no time to waste. His mother was still adjusting to the life-changing news, while he was already focused on the future. The money was a tool, a key to unlock the empire he intended to build.

The first step was ensuring they didn't squander it. Too many lottery winners burned through their fortunes within a few years, making reckless choices. That wouldn't happen here—not under his watch.

"Mom, I was thinking… we should talk to someone before making any big decisions," James said as they sat at the kitchen table, a fresh stack of financial documents from the lottery office spread between them.

His mother sighed, rubbing her temples. "I know, honey. I just don't even know where to start. A lawyer? A banker? I don't even know what questions to ask."

"We need a financial advisor first," James said confidently. "Someone who understands investments and taxes. That way, we don't get stuck paying more than we should. And we need to be smart about where we put the money."

She looked at him curiously. "You've really been thinking about this, huh?"

James nodded. "I read a lot about this kind of stuff. If we're careful, this money won't just help us live well—it'll grow. We can make sure it lasts forever."

His mother exhaled deeply, then gave him a small smile. "Alright, kiddo. If you're this serious about it, let's do it right."

The next day, they met with a highly recommended financial advisor. James let his mother take the lead in conversation, acting like a curious but uninformed child. Inside, he was scrutinizing every word, every suggestion. He already knew where he wanted to invest, but he needed this meeting to set the stage.

As the discussion progressed, the advisor leaned forward with a thoughtful expression. "Since you're a single mother, we should also discuss inheritance protections. If something were to happen to you, this money could become a legal mess. The best course of action is to place the winnings in James' name, with you maintaining custodial control until he turns eighteen. That way, no external claims can touch it."

James stole a glance at his mother, seeing the gears turning in her head. She nodded slowly. "That… actually makes sense. I hadn't thought about it."

The advisor continued, "It ensures that no relatives can make claims on it, no court disputes, and no excessive taxation in case of inheritance changes. You retain full control, but legally, the money belongs to James, protecting it in the long run."

His mother smiled, looking at James. "I trust you, sweetheart. This money is for our future. We'll make sure it's safe."

James kept his excitement hidden, only giving her a grateful nod. This was perfect.

The advisor then suggested diversifying—bonds, mutual funds, and safe investments. James nudged the conversation toward technology stocks. "What about companies like Apple? They're growing fast, right?"

The advisor chuckled. "Oh, those tech companies are risky. Nobody knows if they'll last."

James kept his face neutral but internally smirked. That's exactly what he wanted to hear. If people still thought tech was a gamble, it meant shares were cheap. It was the perfect time to get in.

His mother glanced at him, then at the advisor. "Would putting some money into those be a bad idea? I mean, just a little?"

The advisor hesitated but then nodded. "If it's a small portion of the portfolio, it wouldn't hurt. But I wouldn't put too much faith in those companies."

James hid his satisfaction. He would push for a modest investment now, then ramp it up later when his mother saw early gains.

After their meeting, James convinced his mother to invest a portion of their winnings—just enough to get their foot in the door. Within the next few months, he'd ensure they increased their holdings.

The next step was real estate. Certain locations in California were still relatively cheap but would explode in value in the coming decades. He nudged his mother into purchasing a few properties, framing it as "setting up security for the future."

By the time the dust settled, James knew they were positioned perfectly. They had cash reserves, growing investments, and valuable assets.

That evening, as they sat in the living room, his mother sighed, looking at the phone that hadn't stopped ringing all day. "I don't even know how to handle this, James. Everyone is suddenly calling, asking for help, for loans, for gifts. I want to help, but…"

James leaned forward, his expression serious. "Mom, I get it. But we can't be everyone's bank. You hear all the time about lottery winners going broke because they gave too much away. We have to be careful."

His mother frowned. "But they're family. I don't want to seem selfish."

"It's not selfish, it's smart," James countered. "We help only when it's something truly serious—like medical emergencies. If someone needs surgery or is really in trouble, then sure, we step in. But we don't give out handouts just because people ask."

She bit her lip, considering his words. "I guess that makes sense. We worked hard to get here, even if it was luck that got us the money."

"Exactly," James nodded. "We invest, we grow, and we make sure this money lasts. That's the priority."

His mother sighed, but there was a look of resolve in her eyes. "Alright, sweetheart. No handouts—only real emergencies."

James allowed himself a small smile. Another step in securing their future.

He sat in his room that night, staring at his reflection in the mirror. This was only the beginning. He had laid the foundation for financial security, but his real goal was Hollywood.

Money was power. And soon, he would have enough to start making serious moves.