Chapter 19: Bellemere Mansion

Liam took his time, enjoying the meal he ordered. The restaurant really deserve their name and title as an upscale establishment, as the meal was simply delicious.

Though there was something Liam noticed as he ate. Unlike before—when he would just shovel food into his mouth without much thought—he now carried himself with quiet grace. With each bite, he could casually identify ingredients and cooking techniques, as if he'd been trained in a Michelin-star kitchen. Even his posture, gestures, and the way he held his cutlery felt instinctively proper.

It felt strange at first but he quickly got used to it. Though he has no idea what he will use the knowledge he's getting about the meal to do, but he appreciated it nonetheless.

After he was done with his meal, he called the waitress and paid his bill. With that settled, he stood and left the restaurant.

Stepping out of the restaurant, he looked up at the sky and smiled. The sun was already up and shining bright in the sky, indicating that it's going to be a wonderful day for him.

Well, the day was already going excellently well for him. He wondered if it could get any better.

Bellemere Mansion, here I come.

He walked to his car and slid into the driver's seat, started the engine with a low growl of power, and began the drive toward Holmby Hills.

The roads slowly shifted from high-end suburban comfort to the refined opulence that only the most exclusive neighborhoods could afford. Designer homes gave way to sprawling gated estates, each one a fortress of wealth and history.

After nearly half an hour, he turned onto the quiet, tree-lined street where Bellemere Mansion was located.

He slowed down, admiring the stretch of tall hedge-lined walls that bordered the property. The hedges were immaculate—dense, dark green, and trimmed to a perfect six feet. Their towering uniformity gave the estate a secluded, almost regal feel, broken only by soft rustling in the breeze and the occasional glint of sun through the leaves.

As he approached the mansion's front gates, they began to open automatically with a soft mechanical sound.

Liam smiled.

The system had already logged his car's number plate into the estate's security grid. And so, there was no need for a remote or buzzer. It was like his arrival was expected.

He drove through the gates slowly, eyes sweeping across the wide stone-paved driveway and the expansive green lawns that flanked it on either side. The gates slid shut behind him sealing him inside his newest prize.

It took a moment to drive to the entrance of the mansion as the driveway was long, with a large open field on each side.

He parked near the front of the mansion, directly before a curved portico supported by tall white columns. The building's facade was a masterpiece of modern European design—grandeur without gaudiness. Cream-colored stone, soft-edged archways, bronze fixtures, and wide panelled windows lined with smart tint glass.

Liam stepped out of the car, the air around him tinged with citrus from the manicured lemon trees lining the path.

He took a moment to admire the sheer scale of the structure before him. Then, with a quiet breath, he approached the front entrance.

A glossy panel was set into the stone beside the large oak doors. He tapped in the six-digit passcode and placed his thumb against the biometric scanner. A brief moment passed before the device beeped, followed by the quiet click of the smart-lock disengaging.

The heavy door unlocked and gently eased open on its own.

Liam reached out and gave it a small push. It swung open fully, revealing a portion of the grand interior—marble floors, sweeping staircase with a brass rail, high ceilings with inset lighting, and polished black-and-gold fixtures that gleamed in the morning light.

He smiled and let out another lengthy sigh, before taking a step into the mansion.

The moment Liam stepped through the grand entrance of Bellemere Mansion, a wave of chilled, lightly scented air greeted him—cool eucalyptus and faint lavender mixed into the atmosphere, piped discreetly through the high-end HVAC system.

He stood in a vast two-story foyer, flooded with natural light streaming through towering windows and a glass-panelled skylight far above. The polished marble flooring stretched out beneath his feet in a checkerboard pattern of ivory and champagne hues. In the center sat a circular inlaid design, delicate yet imposing—a stylized crest of the estate carved into the stone itself.

To his left, a twin staircase spiraled upward in a wide curve, both sides joining at a broad mezzanine above. The handrails were made of polished brass, paired with dark walnut steps that matched the ornate crown molding running along the ceiling's perimeter.

Everything sparkled—from the chandelier overhead, made of custom Venetian crystal, to the door handles coated in brushed platinum.

Liam exhaled quietly. "This place is insane."

He took slow steps into the grand foyer, soaking it all in. He turned right and found himself in a formal sitting room—expansive and bright. It held an oversized curved sectional in soft cream, centered around a circular stone table. Floor-to-ceiling windows opened directly to the outdoor pool and garden, but were currently shaded by automatic smart-blinds that adjusted with the sun's position.

An alcove wall held built-in shelves filled with rare books, sculptures, and commissioned art. A fireplace was set into the far wall, with a marble mantle and a discreet touchscreen to control temperature and flame height.

He wandered deeper into the mansion, heading left down a corridor where recessed lighting and elegant sconces lit the way. Every hallway had its own signature aesthetic—one in deep navy tones with brass trimmings, another in soft gray with floor-length gallery pieces on either side.

The dining room was next: a room fit for royalty. A custom dining table made from a single slab of Carpathian elm stretched twelve feet long, surrounded by ergonomic leather chairs with gold frames. Above the table floated a sculptural lighting fixture—dozens of thin glass shards suspended like falling snow, all individually lit.

Adjacent to it was the show kitchen—double island layout, all wrapped in honed Calacatta marble. Top-of-the-line appliances: Sub-Zero fridge, La Cornue range, built-in espresso bar, and even a concealed walk-in pantry that looked like another wall at first glance. Off to the side was the chef's kitchen, just as large but entirely separate, perfect for catering or private staff.

A quick exploration led him to the wine cellar—tucked beneath the main level through a temperature-controlled glass door. Rows upon rows of vintage wine rested horizontally in custom racks, each bottle softly illuminated with its own tag display. It even had a tasting corner with a small bar, two stools, and a marble tasting slab with a rinse sink.

Liam then walked to the entertainment wing. Yes, wing.

The theater was fully equipped with ten luxurious recliners, soft blue ambient lighting on the walls, soundproofing panels, and a 13-foot cinema screen. It had 7.2.4 surround sound, invisible ceiling speakers, and velvet blackout drapes for maximum immersion.

Across from it, a gaming and recreation room—a fusion of classic and modern: billiard table, retro arcade corner, and an entire wall lined with screens for console and PC gaming.

Liam stood there for a while, grinning.

As he explored the backyard via the large glass sliders, the sound of a soft waterfall filled the air. The centerpiece pool sparkled under the morning sun, complete with underwater LED lighting, a swim-up bar, and a sunken lounge with a fire pit in the middle. There was a detached spa area, with a hot tub covered by a canopy and ambient mist system for warm nights.

Next to the pool sat the cabana and outdoor kitchen. Marble counters. Ice machine. Teppanyaki grill. Built-in smoker. Multiple fridges. And a twelve-seater curved outdoor dining table with heating coils underneath for cooler evenings.

Returning indoors, Liam made his way upstairs via the right spiral staircase. On the second floor, each hallway had art lighting and hardwood underfoot softened by Persian runners.

The guest rooms were more like mini suites—each one with king-sized beds, custom millwork closets, ensuite bathrooms with heated floors, and private balconies that overlooked either the gardens or the city skyline beyond.

Then he reached the master wing.

The master bedroom was massive—larger than his entire penthouse. Vaulted ceiling with floating panels, hidden lighting, a fireplace built into a slate wall, and floor-to-ceiling windows with a panoramic view of LA. A soft chaise lounge sat by the windows, next to a telescope mounted on a marble base.

The bed was a custom platform king, framed in leather and wrapped in soft gray Egyptian cotton. On either side, nightstands with gold trim and voice-activated smart hubs.

The walk-in closet? It wasn't a closet. It was a boutique showroom. Glass-front wardrobes, rotating accessory displays, mirrored islands with built-in velvet-lined drawers, and even an integrated scent-diffusing wardrobe for long-term storage.

The master bathroom was an experience in itself. Dual vanities. A rain shower as big as a bedroom, with programmable water flow settings. A soaking tub made of hand-carved stone. Mood lighting controlled by app or panel. And a retractable skylight directly above the tub.

Liam didn't even realize how long he had been touring the property until he made his way back downstairs.

He passed by a private library, a fully equipped home gym, and a hidden door that led to a secured vault and panic room.

Finally, he returned to the living area.

With a content sigh, he lowered himself onto one of the ultra-soft velvet sectionals, sinking into the cushions like a king returning to his throne.

He leaned back, arms stretched along the backrest, head tilted slightly upward as he took in the room once more. Sunlight filtered gently through the smart-glass panels, casting warm gold across the marble floor.

Liam chuckled softly to himself, then broke into a bright, satisfied smile.

He hadn't even lived a full week with the system... and yet here he was—sitting in a crown jewel of Holmby Hills, with millions in his account and an insane level of wealth.

And this was only the beginning.

He exhaled again and closed his eyes.

"I could get used to this."