CHAPTER 57: MONEY MAKES THE WORLD GO ROUND

Meanwhile, while Liam was racing on Angeles Crest Highway, the internet and the car world was already ablaze with discussion about the sightings of an unknown hypercar in Beverly Hills.

Forums like Reddit (r/cars), FerrariChat, McLarenLife and Supercar Blondie’s page had already blown up with speculations.

Their speculations was just as the same as the two spotters’:

"Is this a secret McLaren Special Operations project?"

"Could it be a prototype for a never-released track car?"

"Is this some Saudi prince’s commission?"

It didn’t help matters that no one has heard about the car before. Normally, even though information about one-offs are classified, there are usually at least whispers about them.

But not so much as a breath was heard about this car before it made its appearance. And that made it even crazier.

The forums weren’t the only ones speculating and talking about the car, as the media also reacted, as outlets like Top Gear, Car Throttle, Bloomberg Auto, Carwow and Robb Report, all ran articles like:

"Mystery McLaren hypercar appears in Los Angeles. Is this a one off?"

They also immediately started chasing McLaren for comments, but unfortunately for them, they will only be chasing after the wind.

Due to the agreement between McLaren and the system, no information about the car, not even a breath of it can be made public.

This leaves the public with no other option but to continue speculating even more.

***

It was already noon by the time Liam pulled back into Rodeo Drive. He slowly drove down the high-end shopping street, not bothering to pay attention to the phones and cameras that were brought and pointed at him immediately he was spotted.

"I only wanted to take the car for a ride," Liam muttered slowly, as he glanced at the groups around him.

He sighed and focused on the road ahead, enjoying the slow drive after the thrilling high speed racing he just had.

The next moment, the car’s integrated system buzzed, announcing an incoming call through the speakers.

Liam looked at the caller ID and he saw that it was an unknown number, but he decided to pick it anyway. He felt that whoever was definitely calling for something important.

"Hello," he said as he picked the call.

"Hello, Mr Liam. This is Janelle from JP Morgan’s Investors Relations," an unfamiliar female voice came from the other end.

Liam wasn’t surprised when he heard that the person was from JP Morgan. He remembered that someone called him the first day he received his first shares of the company.

It’s someone different this time. Is she maybe a senior staff in the investor relations team? Higher in position than Marianne?...

"What do I owe the pleasure of this call, Miss Janelle?" He asked.

The question was more of a courtesy as they both already knew the reason for the call.

"I’m calling to congratulate you. Your latest acquisition has made you one of JP Morgan’s largest individual shareholders. On behalf of the company, we want to extend our gratitude for your confidence in us," she paused briefly, then continued.

"I will also like to inform you that you’re now a priority investor and now have access to the company’s list of bespoke private clients services. All at the highest tier. You now have dedicated bankers just for you. You have access to investment opportunities before they’re public and also access to special hedge funds, even co-investment deals alongside JPMorgan itself. The highest tier of estate planning, tax optimisation and security services. You will also receive private briefings, early access to reports, and even personal calls about company direction," Janelle said, listing out all of the perks Liam now have access to as one of the company’s top investors.

Liam listened to all this with a smile on his face. It did feel nice hearing that he will be receiving even personal calls about the directons of a multi-billion dollars company like JP Morgan.

It’s only something that money can achieve.

But while it did feel nice to hear, something like that wasn’t something Liam wants to bother himself with.

"Thank you but there’s no need for the briefings and the calls," he said.

"No problem, sir. But if you do need anything, please contact the head of your private banking team, Mr Daniel Conley," Janelle said and continued, "Also, the creation process of your trust has been expedited and will be completed tomorrow. We are very sorry for the delay so far."

"Thank you," Liam said, smiling from ear to ear.

"The pleasure is ours, Mr. Liam. And thank you again for choosing JP Morgan," Janelle said, and politely ended the call.

Liam chuckled softly as he processed everything Janelle had told him.

"I now have a private banking team and the trust has been expedited ahead of time, and it will be ready by tomorrow," he muttered to himself.

Well, it was supposed to be ready during this week, so that’s not much. But the fact that I will receive briefing about the company is a lot.

Who would had actually thought that the same person from two weeks ago that his former employers always worked him to death and still rip him off by paying him pennies, would become the same person that is now qualified to receive briefing about a company that’s top 15 most valuable in the world? Who? No one in their right mind.

It’s just as they say, money makes the world go round.

Liam smiled to himself, his attention on the road ahead.

Barely a minute later, the car’s integrated system buzzed again, announcing an incoming call through the speakers.

He looked at the caller ID and it was another unknown number, but he picked the call nonetheless.

"Hello," he said, as he picked the call.

"Hello, Mr Liam. This is Rachel from Applē’s Investor Relations," an unfamiliar female voice came from the other end.

Liam smiled as he already knew the reason what she was calling, and he decided to say nothing and allow her talk instead.

Rachel noticed Liam’s silence and pressed on.

"Mr. Liam, I’m calling to first congratulate you. With your most recent acquisition, you’ve become one of Applē’s largest individual shareholders. On behalf of the company, we want to extend our warmest welcome and our gratitude for your confidence in us."

She paused briefly, then continued.

""As a priority investor, you’ll have direct access to our executive team, with tailored updates and one-on-one briefings at your discretion. In addition, we’ll be extending invitations to all of our private shareholder events — both here in Cupertino and internationally."

Her voice softened slightly as she continued.

"You’ll also have access to a dedicated liaison — myself, in this case. My role is to ensure your questions are answered promptly, and that your position as a shareholder is supported with all the resources you need. Should you wish to schedule private meetings with our leadership team, including the CFO, or attend closed product showcases ahead of the public, those arrangements can be made as well."

Liam couldn’t hold himself back from smiling from ear to ear, as he listened to Rachel.

"And finally," Rachael added, "given the size of your position, you’re entitled to priority voting rights notifications and private advisory sessions regarding governance issues. Of course, participation is optional, but Applē values the input of stakeholders like you."

She drew in a measured breath. "Mr. Liam, I know that was a lot of information all at once. Would you like me to forward a formal briefing document to your office? Or, if you prefer, I can arrange a private meeting here at Apple Park."

"No. No meeting or briefing. I’m not interested in those things," he simply replied.

"Okay. Please contact me if you need anything."

"I will," Liam said and hung up.

The smile on his face had widened it so much that it was almost giving him wrinkles. Only that wasn’t possible with the nanites in his body.

I could had asked for an iPhone 17 pro max and have it delivered to me ahead of its release date.

Again, money makes the world go round.

Liam slowly pulled into Holmby Hills, with a few cars discreetly following behind him. He didn’t pay attention to them as his thought was on the two calls he had received today.