Taking the first step

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A Billionaire's Playground

The stretched Lincoln glided smoothly through the city, weaving through towering skyscrapers and bustling streets.

As the driver, Jack, had claimed, he truly knew the city inside and out.

One by one, Thomas Blackwell visited newly constructed and under-development buildings, carefully inspecting each location.

After much deliberation, he finally settled on a promising residential community.

The neighborhood was strategically located—near a prestigious high school, middle school, elementary school, and kindergarten.

A prime location. The kind of property that guarantees value appreciation.

Thomas personally inspected the main buildings and found no signs of poor construction or cost-cutting.

Each apartment came fully furnished, ready to be rented out immediately.

It was a solid investment with high returns.

Even better, the development was brand new, and the sales office had just been set up.

No units had been sold yet.

If he wanted to, Thomas could purchase the entire community in one transaction.

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Stepping into the sales office, Thomas approached a staff member.

A few well-placed questions later, he was given the direct contact number of the property developer.

For an average buyer, this would have been impossible.

But Thomas wasn't just another buyer.

Arriving in a stretched Lincoln, dressed in a custom-tailored suit, and inquiring about purchasing an entire community?

The staff knew better than to treat him lightly.

Especially when he wasn't asking about a single unit—he was after the whole thing.

Thirty minutes later, the developer himself arrived in a hurry.

As soon as he saw Thomas, he extended his hand with a warm smile.

"Mr. Blackwell, it's an honor! We just spoke over the phone—I'm Leonard Carter, but you can call me Leo. My apologies for keeping you waiting."

Leo wasn't just being polite—he was genuinely eager.

The real estate market had cooled. Prices weren't skyrocketing anymore, and many buyers were hesitant, waiting for better deals.

Even in prime locations, properties weren't selling as fast as before.

If he had to sell units one by one, it could take years to offload the entire development.

And who knew if the market would drop further during that time?

A bulk sale? That was every developer's dream.

No more waiting. No more risks.

Just a massive, immediate cash infusion.

And Thomas was offering him exactly that.

The enthusiasm in Leo's eyes was undeniable.

For him, this wasn't just a deal—it was a lifeline.

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Thomas smiled at the developer's eager handshake.

"I didn't wait long," he replied casually. "Let's talk price."

Leo chuckled. "No rush, no rush! Why don't we discuss it over dinner?"

Thomas glanced at him but didn't refuse.

Business deals were often settled over meals. It was part of the culture, the unspoken rules of negotiation.

As they exited the office, Thomas climbed into the stretched Lincoln while Leo got into his own luxury Mercedes.

The convoy made its way through the city, eventually stopping in front of Riverside Prime, an upscale restaurant with a panoramic view of the Thames River.

The setting was nothing short of spectacular.

Floor-to-ceiling windows offered an unobstructed view of the shimmering water.

In the distance, the city's most iconic landmarks stood proudly against the evening sky.

Once seated, Thomas ordered a few dishes at random.

Leo, on the other hand, went all out—fifteen extravagant dishes in total.

A move like that would've instantly impressed a gold-digging socialite.

But Thomas?

He remained unfazed.

As the meal progressed, Leo carefully steered the conversation.

He was trying to learn more about Thomas—his background, his wealth, his connections.

After all, who could casually decide to purchase an entire real estate development?

But Thomas never took the bait.

He gave nothing away, only responding with vague, indifferent remarks.

Leo, realizing he wouldn't get any answers, wisely changed the subject.

After three rounds of wine, the real negotiations finally began.

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Leo initially quoted $800 per square foot.

Thomas, ever the strategist, pushed him down to $700 per square foot.

It seemed low, but Leo still had a comfortable profit margin.

After some back-and-forth, he finally relented—but under one condition.

Thomas had to pay the full amount upfront.

That was no issue.

$2.07 billion.

The total cost for all 24 buildings in the community.

Finalizing the paperwork would take time, but Thomas had no intention of handling it personally.

A high-priced legal team would take care of that.

With the deal verbally locked in, Leo visibly relaxed.

His excitement was palpable.

To celebrate, he insisted on taking Thomas to an exclusive private club.

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A Glimpse Into the Billionaire's World

For Thomas, this was new territory.

The club was one of Leo's personal establishments—strictly invitation-only.

No outsiders. Only the elite.

Located on the top floor of a luxury high-rise, the moment Thomas stepped inside, he was greeted by an unexpected sight.

A massive, lavishly designed indoor pool, surrounded by stunning women in designer bikinis.

Each one was a flawless beauty.

A minimum 8.5 out of 10, without exception.

Long, slender legs. Perfect curves. Smooth, flawless skin.

The kind of women who only existed in the dreams of ordinary men.

Thomas raised an eyebrow.

"So this is the kind of life the rich live…"

As he took it all in, Leo clapped a hand on his shoulder.

"Come on, brother! Let me introduce you to some important people."

And with that, Thomas took his first step into the world of the ultra-wealthy.

A world of power, influence, and unimaginable luxury.

One that he was about to dominate.

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