Chapter 29: Purchasing an Estate
Jake, driving the armored truck away from the Limitless world, completely disregarded the impact his sudden disappearance would have on that reality, since people from that world couldn't travel back to cause him trouble anyway.
Back in the real world, after parking the truck in his garage, he grabbed a large duffel bag, retrieved about forty pounds of crisp US currency from the truck, stuffed it into the bag, and traveled to another world.
The forty-odd pounds of fresh hundred-dollar bills, worth several million, emitted a faint smell of ink through the bag—not pleasant, but humans are naturally drawn to it.
For example, the lawyer named Silas sitting across from Jake was currently savoring that distinctive scent.
"So, about my question, Mr. Silas?" Jake reached out and took the stacks of bills back from the worn desk, returning them to his side of the table.
As soon as the money moved away, a displeased expression appeared on Silas's weathered face, but he quickly forced a smile, making his already wrinkled face crease even more. "Of course, sir, I can certainly handle what you've requested."
Jake was currently at a small private law office in the San Francisco Bay Area, where Silas, a solo practitioner, was barely keeping his practice afloat.
Silas wasn't exactly a top-tier attorney—greedy, not particularly eloquent, and tight-fisted. He had almost no natural talent for the profession.
Yet Jake chose to approach him because he had a valid bar license, numerous connections, and especially his greed.
As long as someone was greedy, Jake could find ways to get them to work for him; he didn't particularly trust idealistic types.
This time, Jake had brought over forty pounds of cash to The Princess Diaries world to resolve his identity issues. Mia's role was important, but he needed a base of operations, which the real world obviously couldn't provide, and only this relatively low-tech world was suitable.
Having secured Silas as his personal attorney, Jake's first request was for him to establish legitimate documentation.
Every year, tens of thousands of undocumented immigrants arrive in the United States, including people fleeing prosecution, victims of trafficking, and many laborers seeking opportunity.
The relevant agencies have their own methods for handling these individuals' documentation.
Corruption isn't unique to any particular era or place.
Seeing Silas confidently assuring him, Jake stated his other purpose: "I want to purchase a large property to develop an estate."
"Of course," Silas replied, his eyes still fixed on the stack of bills in front of Jake. "You'll get a substantial property."
"No, Silas," Jake tapped the table firmly, bringing the greedy attorney back to focus. "I want a large parcel of land, understand?" He gestured broadly. "Rural area, at least a square mile in size."
"You're not planning anything illegal, are you?" Silas asked tentatively.
"Of course not."
"Good." Silas breathed a sigh of relief. "But the price might be..."
"As long as you can handle it." Jake interrupted Silas. Although this attorney had some capability and connections, his obsession with money was also quite obvious.
He was even greedier than Old Tony from Léon: The Professional.
Actually, Jake was overthinking the land issue. Property was relatively affordable in certain areas, especially rural land in Northern California around the year 2000. As long as you had money, that was usually enough.
Silas quickly found a sizable estate—roughly a square mile. In this early information age, attorneys still had their networks.
The two parties began discussing the transfer.
An unexpected bonus was that this was a historic property. Its owners were descendants of a prominent family from the 1940s, but they'd fallen on hard times in recent decades, and the current generation was seeking a buyer for the estate.
However, the price wasn't cheap; the asking price was $40 million.
"Although this estate is expensive, the owner knows several state representatives, and I believe he could be helpful to you."
Jake could roughly picture a large estate belonging to an old-money family from the World War II era. However, $40 million was no small sum.
In reality, a square mile of developed property with buildings would be worth at least $20 million.
"Silas, I'm not interested in knowing any politicians," he said casually, settling into his chair. "But I am interested in the estate. If you can negotiate the price down to below $25 million, I'll give you a substantial bonus." He patted his large duffel bag as he spoke.
"Of course, boss!" Silas immediately assured him that he would definitely succeed in completing the task.
Jake wasn't entirely comfortable trusting the shrewd attorney like Silas. A meticulously crafted contract, written while Jake was using the enhanced NZT-48, now lay on the lawyer's desk.
Although Silas grumbled about the contract's ironclad terms, he couldn't resist signing when he saw the stacks of cash.
Silas, a calculating man, hadn't made much money over the years, but he'd developed good instincts about people. When he looked at his new client, he knew this young man wasn't ordinary.
Money? The boss never haggled, as if the amount didn't matter to him. Even getting him legal documentation seemed almost like an afterthought. For a moment, Silas wondered if the boss was testing whether he'd honor the contract.
He absolutely didn't dare cross this mysterious young client, especially since he didn't want to lose this lucrative arrangement. He'd had enough of struggling; even if it was a risky deal, he was going all in.
"By the way, if the deal goes through, tell Mr... um... Ketter, that we'll only pay in cash."
Cash—Silas immediately thought of one word: money laundering!
Perhaps his new client really wasn't ordinary, especially with a potential $15 million cash transaction. Had he really gotten involved in something serious?
Regardless of the attorney's wild speculations, Jake returned to the real world immediately after leaving the law office. He then paid off the entire mortgage on his house and his business loan.
All his debts were settled. He also checked in on the bubble tea shop's performance. If he weren't so reluctant to dedicate time to it, Jake would have considered buying multiple locations near campus and turning them into a small chain, guaranteeing solid daily revenue.
After everything was finished, a substantial amount of cash still remained in the truck.
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