Mavi reached up and brushed his forehead. The White House was the residence of the President of the United States—it was his official residence, and no amount of money could buy it.
"Aside from the White House, which is the most expensive mansion?" Mavi patiently asked Ivan.
"That would probably be in the northwest part of Washington, D.C... Bethesda? I've heard there are some extremely luxurious custom-built estates there. Plus, it's one of the most highly educated and highest-income areas in the U.S.," Ivan said, scratching his head. Fortunately, he happened to know about Bethesda.
"Custom-built estates, huh? That sounds pretty nice. We'll head over there tomorrow morning to take a look," Mavi ordered directly.
"Understood, Young Master. I'll arrange the itinerary right away." The efficiency of his butler, Ivan, was commendable—it saved Mavi a lot of trouble.
After Ivan left the room, Mavi let out a sigh. Over the past couple of days, he had been feeling a restless urge, a desire to destroy something with heavy weaponry.
Unfortunately, he was in the United States, where possessing heavy weaponry was illegal. Mavi wasn't reckless enough to challenge the law, so he had no choice but to suppress his impulses.
The next morning, accompanied by his butler and bodyguards, Mavi traveled in a convoy of Cadillacs, making a grand entrance into Bethesda.
Bethesda was a beautiful town with breathtaking natural scenery. It boasted crystal-clear rivers and a vast blue sky, making it one of the must-visit places for tourists in the U.S. The picturesque landscapes were so stunning they felt like something straight out of a postcard.
Such an attractive environment had drawn many overseas buyers looking to purchase property or settle in the United States.
Bethesda was ranked by Forbes as the second-best city to live in, making it a hotspot for wealthy individuals looking to buy homes. Even those who didn't live there year-round often purchased properties as vacation homes.
When the Cadillac convoy arrived at the Longwood Manor Estates in Bethesda, Ivan, seated in the front passenger seat, turned around and introduced the area to Mavi.
"Young Master, this is the most luxurious residential district in Bethesda. Every estate here is fully customized."
Listening to his butler's explanation, Mavi turned to look at the rows of picturesque mansions. He couldn't help but marvel at how extravagantly wealthy Americans lived. The architecture of these estates was truly a feast for the eyes, blending luxurious English designs with romantic French, charming Italian, and other stunning styles.
"Young Master, up ahead is the Longwood Manor sales center," Ivan informed him. He had done his homework beforehand, sparing Mavi the trouble of searching aimlessly.
Three sleek black Cadillac luxury cars pulled up impressively in front of the sales center. A blonde-haired, blue-eyed saleswoman, dressed in a fitted blazer and short skirt with black high heels, quickly stepped forward to greet them.
In a high-end housing market like this, salespeople needed an exceptional eye for discerning wealthy clients. Otherwise, they wouldn't be able to keep up with the demands of the elite.
"Good morning, sir! Welcome to the Longwood Manor Sales Center! Let me introduce myself—I'm Lisa. It's a pleasure to meet you!" The sharp-eyed saleswoman immediately identified Mavi as the most important figure among this group of Russians.
After all, while everyone else was dressed in formal suits, Mavi was dressed far more casually.
"Lisa, is it? How much is a single estate here?" Mavi asked casually.
"Well, sir, all of our luxury homes at Longwood Manor are fully customized, with an average price of around $1.2 million per property. If I may ask, what is your budget for this purchase?"
As she spoke, Lisa kept her deep blue eyes fixed on Mavi's expression. If he showed any sign of discomfort or hesitation at the price, she would have a rough idea of his financial situation.
After she finished speaking, Mavi simply gave a slight nod. However, what he said next left Lisa utterly stunned.
"$1.2 million? I'll take ten." Mavi's voice was calm as he spoke in English.
As soon as the words left his mouth, Lisa was visibly taken aback. She stood frozen for several seconds, looking as if she had just been struck by lightning. Her expression was one of utter shock—like a child who had just been completely dumbfounded.
"T-Ten...? Sir, you're not joking, are you?" Lisa stammered, struggling to find the right words. It took her a moment to compose herself enough to get her question out.
"Do I look like I'm joking?" Mavi asked with a smile. He wasn't just buying ten estates for himself—there was also an investment aspect to it.
The year 2000 was a prime time for real estate investment. Estates like Longwood Manor would likely double in value in just a couple of years. By 2018, the price of each estate would conservatively be around $20 million. That would be an astonishing 16.6 times return on investment!
Additionally, in the year 2000, it was incredibly easy for foreign buyers to purchase property in the U.S., without the complex procedures that would come later. With more than enough money in his accounts, Mavi didn't mind spending $12 million—it was nothing to him. In a few days, he even planned to visit Google to discuss an investment.
Lisa stared at Mavi in complete disbelief before suddenly snapping back to reality.
"Sir! Please, allow me to check the availability! Would you like to come inside with me?"
The sheer unexpectedness of the deal threw Lisa off so much that she completely abandoned her usual sales pitch. All she could think about now was closing this $12 million transaction. If she succeeded, she would receive an enormous commission!
Mavi relished the thrill of spending money. More importantly, this wasn't just an expense—it was a highly lucrative investment.
Not wanting to keep such a high-value client waiting, Lisa quickly led Mavi to a plush seating area and then hurried off toward the manager's office.
"Mr. John! There's a client outside—he… he wants to buy ten of our estates! Could you assist me with the transaction?" Lisa practically blurted out, barely able to contain her excitement.
John, the sales manager, was a rotund man in his fifties. His large frame stretched his oversized gray suit to its limits. He looked like the type of person who would be out of breath after climbing a single flight of stairs.
"Slow down, slow down—there's no need to be so anxious," John said, taking a leisurely sip of his coffee.
He found Lisa's excitement a little excessive. After all, Longwood Manor was one of the top luxury housing communities—having clients interested in purchasing estates was expected.
However, just as John was about to dismiss Lisa's urgency, she blurted out something that made his heart stop.
"Mr. John! The client outside wants to buy ten estates. Ten!" Lisa deliberately repeated the number to ensure there was no misunderstanding.
As soon as she finished speaking, John, who had been mid-sip, suddenly sputtered.
"Pfft!"
A mouthful of coffee sprayed out onto his desk, instantly making a mess.