Becoming Super Rich

Chapter Three: Time to Buy a Watch

"630 Fifth Avenue, New York City."

As a genuine 27-year-old struggling professional, Liam Thorne wasn't particularly obsessed with luxury watches.

According to articles he'd read online, collecting watches was supposedly even more expensive than collecting high-end cars. Those who owned top-tier timepieces were often wealthier than those who merely drove sports cars.

He was buying the watch because he needed it for tomorrow's business meeting. It was a tool for projecting status.

With the Patek Philippe address saved on his phone, and seeing his cab stuck at another intersection, Liam didn't feel the usual knot of frustration. He had so much to look forward to now.

Having just become an ultra-rich tycoon, a new life was waiting to be explored!

Everything he could only dream about before, he could now execute.

Liam opened a home-buying app and started browsing luxury properties for sale in Manhattan and the surrounding boroughs. This was what truly energized him.

He didn't know what other newly rich people did first. But with secure funds now in his pocket, what interested him most was real estate.

He'd been living in this city for five years since college, yet he was completely rootless. He had no favorite haunts, no deep connections, and certainly no affection for the city beyond the dream it represented.

But what young professional working in a major city doesn't dream of buying a place and finally settling down?

* "The Seasons at Shoreline, New Jersey suburbs, average price $980 per sq ft (average)."

* "Eastside Towers, Midtown East, average price $1,100 per sq ft, two-bed/one-bath, 1,550 sq ft, priced at $1.75 million."

* "The Grand Vista, Tribeca, new development for sale, average price $1,500 per sq ft, four to five bedrooms, 4,800 to 5,600 sq ft units."

Liam slowly browsed the app, sending inquiries to the sales consultants listed for the properties.

According to the basic logic of the ultra-rich: as long as the house is exceptional, money is not the constraint.

But the real problem in New York was the purchase limitations!

Given Liam's current situation as an individual, he could only purchase one residential property without incurring heavy taxes and restrictions.

Wait. Companies currently had fewer restrictions on purchasing commercial and even some residential properties. Setting up a shell corporation needed to be a priority.

He looked at houses and chatted with sales consultants until his cab arrived at the entrance of his old, inexpensive neighborhood in Queens. It was almost 10 PM.

Liam paid the $45 fare, which felt trivial, and went back to his shared apartment to shower and rest.

Lianhua Village (Queens) was a typical high-density neighborhood, home to no fewer than 20,000 "New York strivers" due to its relatively cheap rent.

Liam slept until past eight in the morning. His two roommates had already left for work.

After washing up and grabbing a breakfast burrito from a local food cart, the black Toyota Camry he had booked via Uber arrived.

"Driver, 630 Fifth Avenue, please."

Liam's plan for the day was simple: buy a power watch first, then head downtown for the meeting with Vanguard Pharmaceuticals.

The driver was a tall, thin man in his forties, dressed casually. It was obvious he was driving his own car as a side hustle. He tried to start a conversation: "Hey, young man, are you heading to Patek Philippe to buy a watch?"

Liam offered a polite but reserved smile. "Yes, I am."

He generally avoided small talk. Perhaps it stemmed from years of lacking self-confidence.

The driver smiled, didn't press, and continued driving with focused attention.

Liam first sent Manager Luo a brief text message asking for a sick day. As for how angry Luo would be in the office, Liam genuinely couldn't care less.

People who are about to quit their job are entitled to be a little reckless.

His phone rang right after he sent the text.

Liam answered. A clear, pleasant female voice came from the other end. "Hello, Mr. Thorne. I'm Chloe from The Grand Vista."

Chloe? Liam paused, then realized this was the real estate agent he had been chatting with about the Tribeca listing the night before. "Oh, hello."

"You mentioned having time to view the property today, Mr. Thorne. I’d like to schedule a specific time with you."

Liam thought for a moment. The Vanguard business should be wrapped up by noon. "Noon, then. I have a brief appointment in Midtown this morning."

"Mr. Thorne, how about this: I accompany you to your appointment this morning, and then take you directly to see the properties afterward?"

These salespeople were truly aggressive in chasing leads. Liam considered it—the voice alone was worth the meet-up—and agreed. "Okay. Let’s meet at the entrance of 630 Fifth Avenue."

The Grand Vista was located in the wealthy Tribeca district. The community featured spectacular views, and all units for sale were ultra-luxury residences.

Inside the sales office, Chloe Chen asked her supervisor for an hour off, then smiled, gracefully picked up her handbag, and left, clicking her high heels across the marble floor.

The automatic glass doors closed behind her. Whispers erupted from her colleagues.

A flicker of a mocking smile crossed Chloe’s lips. She didn't need to listen to know they were complaining about her chasing after a client outside normal protocol.

If you don't seize the opportunities, how can you succeed? You can't hit a target by just gossiping.

That's why she had sold two multi-million dollar luxury homes within three months, earning a commission that far exceeded their performance targets.

Based on their late-night chat, this "Mr. Thorne" had a very strong desire to close a deal.

Chloe settled into her red BMW X1 in the parking garage, sent a new contact request on w******p, started the engine, and drove toward Midtown.

When Liam arrived at the Patek Philippe boutique, he stepped out of the Uber and immediately saw a tall, beautiful woman waiting for him. He had just exchanged texts with "Chloe" while in the car.

She had stylish, choppy blonde hair, wore a silky pink long-sleeved blouse, and sharp white trousers. She had a slender figure and long, straight legs. She was the epitome of a fashionable, polished, and yet approachable city professional.

"Hello, Mr. Thorne!"

Chloe approached, a faint, expensive perfume wafting from her, and extended her hand to Liam. At the same time, she subtly took in the man before her, a flicker of suspicion crossing her mind.

That suit looks... cheap.

Liam, preoccupied with the upcoming purchase, simply nodded. "Pleased to meet you. I'm in a bit of a rush. Can we go look at the watches first?"

"Of course, Mr. Thorne. This way." The Patek sales associate, a woman named Anne, smiled gently—a soft, professional expression that complemented her own beautiful features. She had already correctly deduced that this gentleman was the genuine buyer. Her professional demeanor shifted slightly into high-gear.

Chloe followed Liam a half-step behind, showing professional deference. She had to quicken her pace in her high heels to keep up.

Seeing Liam’s confident and composed attitude as he walked into the boutique, any initial hesitation Chloe had about his appearance vanished.

The watches in this store started well into the six figures and went up to seven figures. On her own income, she would tremble just walking into a Patek Philippe.

Mr. Thorne... he must be able to afford the down payment for The Grand Vista, right?

She was now

intensely eager to see Liam’s "performance" inside the store.