World Domination Begins With Getting a System in a Modern World-Chapter 157: Yacht Party Invitation

Before today, James had called Mr. Harrington earlier in the week to discuss his plans for the McCullens.

They spoke candidly, with James laying everything on the table — the evidence he had painstakingly gathered, the patterns he had uncovered, and the future he wanted to engineer.

Mr. Harrington, sharp as always, immediately understood what James was aiming for. And after a moment of processing the implications, the older man asked simply:

"How can I help?"

James hadn’t hesitated, as he replied.

"I want Cullen Corp investigated by the relevant authorities. Thoroughly and publicly."

A brief silence followed, as Mr Harrington processed what James had said.

Then Mr Harrington being a pragmatic person — something that James had no idea of — offered James a small warning.

"Mr. Zolomon... if the evidence you have is as damning as it seems — and I believe it is — things might not be as straightforward as you hope."

James said nothing, waiting for him to elaborate.

"There’s a high chance," Harrington continued, "that someone in high places — government, agencies, regulatory bodies — is benefiting from Cullen Corp’s activities. Directly or indirectly."

James’ expression didn’t change when he heard this, but internally he felt the sharpening of his instincts. He had considered that possibility but he had quickly dismissed it. But now that Mr Harrington has brought it up, what if?....

He knew that Mr Harrington was aware of the digging that Gregory, a private investigator in his law firm, did for him.

And this made James to feel that Mr Harrington’s warning wasn’t something just him trying to scare.

"If that’s the case," Harrington said, "you might find that instead of launching an investigation, they’ll try to bury it. Or worse... retaliate against you."

His voice wasn’t alarmist. He was just being realistic and giving James advice as his lawyer.

James appreciated Mr Harrington’s honesty, his concern and advice. But his decision was already made.

"I still want it done," James said calmly.

There’s no way that he will be backing down after doing so much. Not possible. Whatever comes, he will face it and he will make sure to keep Patty, and Leslie away from the heat.

Harrington smiled, though unseen, but it could be heard in his voice.

"Good. Because I agree with you."

He explained further, telling James that while direct channels could be risky, there was another way.

He had a contact — someone experienced at leaking sensitive information into the right hands — an insider who could nudge certain federal agencies into moving, without it ever being traced back to James or Harrington.

He called this person a "whistleblower," but in reality, the contact was far more potent.

They were tied to one of the three-letter agencies. The kind that struck fear even into hardened businessmen and politicians. And those degens... Ahem...

Of course, Harrington didn’t reveal that little detail to James. No need to worry him unnecessarily.

What was important was that if this contact moved, Cullen Corp would have no place to hide.

And if there were government hands dirty from Cullen’s activities? They would be forced into damage control, not open retaliation.

It was dangerous. But it was the right kind of dangerous.

Back to the present.

Before they ended the call, Harrington assured him:

"The wheels are already turning. You’ll see some results soon, Mr. Zolomon."

James hung up, feeling a deep sense of satisfaction. He had thrown the first match into the dry forest. Now, he just has to wait for the fire to spread.

He was still thinking about the inevitable downfall of the McCullens when his phone rang again.

He glanced at the screen: Logan Hawthorne.

James smiled faintly and accepted. He had been expecting it.

The two young men exchanged quick pleasantries, and Logan didn’t waste time as he formally extended the party invitation to James.

"About the yacht party I mentioned..." Logan said, his tone light but cautious. "It’s a yacht party and it’s happening Wednesday evening. At Marina Del Rey."

James’ eyebrow arched slightly in surprise when he heard this. A yacht party? How fitting.

He couldn’t help but have a strange feeling but he wants Logan to continue, and give him all the information.

Logan continued, with his voice tightening slightly.

"I figured you should know this. The party being co-hosted by three of us. Myself, Rachel Cobb... and William Howell."

James let out a soft breath through his nose. Of course it was. The instincts were right.

When Logan mentioned that the party is a yacht party, James remembered that William also mentioned something like that.

On the other end of the line, Logan chuckled dryly at James’ reaction.

"I know about the little... incident between you and William. I just wanted to give you the heads-up. You’re still welcome, obviously. But if you want to pass, I’ll understand."

James’ smile sharpened when he heard this. He knew that news travel fast in the elite circle and so, he wasn’t surprised by Logan already being in the know.

As for the yacht party? Of course he’s going to attend. He was looking for an opportunity to put the foolish William in his place, and this is it. Now, why the hell will he allow such opportunity to pass him by.

"I’m still coming. William isn’t a factor," he said, casually.

There was a beat of silence — then Logan laughed.

"I figured you’d say that."

Logan then gave him the full details: arrival time around 5:00 PM, light cocktails before boarding, full sailing into the sunset with private catering and live music.

The party would be a classic young elite event. And likely, an even better stage for certain... confrontations.

James and Logan shared a few more casual words before ending the call. As he set the phone down, his smile turned cold.

"I told myself I’d be seeing William soon and I was right."

The universe seems to be handing him opportunities faster than he could have asked for.

James smiled and leaned back in his chair, pulling up his schedule on his phone. He wanted to check if his Wednesday was free, to make sure he could attend the party.

And he quickly scanned through the country club’s weekly itinerary.

Wednesday morning: Open Range Practice & Short Game Clinics — 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM.

After that? Nothing else but a free day.

"Perfect," James smiled in anticipation of the expected surprises that Wednesday hold.

***

As those thoughts brewed, his mind wandered toward another project in motion: the crypto operation he and Ralph had launched.

Over the last few days, the memecoins they had carefully accumulated were skyrocketing in price.

James’ original $30 million investment had already ballooned to nearly $100 million — in less than forty-eight hours.

The velocity of the gains was staggering.

But James wasn’t naive. He knew better than anyone that in crypto, what rises quickly can fall just as fast.

He wasn’t blind to the risks and one thing he was clearly aware of, is that there would be dips. Possibly even brutal ones. But he trusted Ralph’s instincts — and their strategy was resilient.

Also, even if they suffered temporary losses, the structure they had built — the bait wallets, the tracking games, the liquidity surges — would protect the core capital.

And James still had plenty of dry powder* if he needed to reinforce their positions.

For now, though, the outlook was bright.

If the momentum held, they could easily hit — or surpass — their goal within a month.

***

James sighed lightly, shaking off the future-leaning calculations.

Today’s a Monday, one of the rare days that his schedule is actually free. And he wants to enjoy it.

He stood up from the dining table and headed toward the living room, where Patty and Leslie were waiting.

As he entered, he saw them setting up a board game on the coffee table, laughing over the instructions.

Leslie looked up and grinned brightly at him.

"Finally done with your call? Let’s play and let me destroy you," she smiled, teasingly.

James chuckled lowly as he sat beside them.

"You know you don’t stand a chance against at all. Utter annihilation," James chuckled, as he took his seat.

Patty wagged a playful finger at him.

"No. Just because you’re good at winning doesn’t mean you get to steamroll us. Go easy on us."

James laughed and nodded, as he picked up his piece.

Of course, he wasn’t going to go easy. He’s never giving Leslie a chance to one up him.