NBA: Warrior godfather.

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Liam and Lickliter had been chatting for a long time when Liam suddenly felt the urge to use the restroom. He quickly stood up:

"Coach, I need to go to the bathroom."

He walked out of the ward, gently closed the door, and turned around to see Markbaum standing by the window, facing outside and talking on the phone.

"…Mr. Lippman, I have no interest in shorting CDOs (collateralized debt obligations). If CDSs (credit default swaps) are exactly as you described, they are indeed high-yield and low-risk, but that's based on the assumption of a real estate market collapse. I don't think that will happen. On the contrary, I believe the real estate market will continue to prosper. Last year, my company made several mortgage-backed securities, and the yield was impressive. Anyway, I have something else to attend to. Thank you for your recommendation."

Although he spoke in a low voice, the corridor was very quiet, and Liam could still hear everything clearly.

Markbaum hung up the phone, turned around, saw Liam, smiled, and went back into the ward.

Liam looked thoughtfully at Markbaum's upright back, then turned and went to the bathroom.

When he returned to the ward, Markbaum was deep in conversation with Lickliter.

Liam's mind raced, and an idea gradually formed.

He waited patiently until the two of them finished their conversation. Then he asked tentatively:

"Mr. Baum, I'm sorry, I overheard your call. Are you going long on real estate subprime mortgage securities?"

"Yes, I am long on CDOs. Do you know anything about the financial industry?" Markbaum's eyes flashed with a hint of displeasure, but he remained composed.

Liam chuckled. He had actually met a wealthy man in the financial world. Coach Lickliter was indeed a benefactor.

Even though Liam had made $40 million from football betting, that amount wouldn't make a big impact in the financial markets. He didn't even have a way to enter the subprime mortgage securities market and could only watch the financial tycoons turn the tide.

Now, the opportunity was right in front of him, and he had to seize it.

"I heard that a hedge fund manager, Michael Burry, created a credit default swap (CDS) product in the subprime mortgage market and shorted it," Liam said, choosing his words carefully.

"Really? I haven't heard about this, but just now, a trader from Deutsche Bank strongly recommended CDS to me and suggested that I short subprime mortgage securities. That's simply nonsense. How could the real estate market collapse?" Markbaum shook his head and laughed.

Lying on the bed, Lickliter looked at Liam in surprise:

"Liam, you actually know something about the financial industry?"

In his eyes, Liam was someone entirely devoted to basketball.

"I've always been interested in the financial industry," Liam explained.

"Then you should have a good talk with Mark. He's a big shot in the financial market," Lickliter laughed. "But in college, he was just my substitute."

"Todd! Let's have a game of one-on-one. Oh, sorry, I forgot you can barely walk," Markbaum shot back.

"Mark, if you really want to challenge me, I'll come to your house in three months," Lickliter smiled.

"Heh, forget it. I don't want to bully someone who's been injured... Liam, what do you think of the real estate market?" Markbaum quickly changed the subject.

Liam pondered for a while, then said seriously, "I think the real estate market has become a big bubble. I suggest you stop going long on mortgage-backed securities."

Markbaum frowned slightly. He didn't like being told what to do, especially by someone young.

But this young man had saved his old friend's life, and Lickliter admired him greatly, so Markbaum responded tactfully:

"I've heard from Todd that you're very talented in coaching. Maybe you've invested most of your energy in basketball and don't have a deep understanding of the real estate market. You might have some misconceptions. The real estate market won't collapse. I suggest you buy a few houses; the appreciation should be swift."

He turned to Lickliter and said:

"Todd, I have something else to do, so I'll be leaving now."

"Mr. Baum, if you have time this weekend, could we have dinner together?" Liam saw that Markbaum was firm in his stance and tried a more moderate approach.

"Sorry, I don't have time this weekend," Markbaum replied, even more displeased, and refused directly.

Liam looked to Lickliter for help.

Lickliter didn't disappoint Liam and said:

"Mark, didn't you say earlier that you'd have a rare break this weekend?"

Markbaum looked a little embarrassed but quickly recovered:

"I just received a message; there's some work I need to handle at the company."

He trusted his own judgment very much when it came to financial matters and didn't like this young man challenging him.

Liam walked over to Markbaum and said sincerely:

"Mr. Baum, I know you have a unique and profound understanding of the financial market, which has made you very wealthy, but I'm not speaking nonsense. I'd like to take just two days of your weekend for a small investigation that might change your view of the real estate market."

"I don't think I need to do that to make the right judgment," Markbaum said, feeling Liam's sincerity but still rejecting his proposal.

Liam frowned. He hadn't expected Markbaum to be so difficult. He immediately changed his approach and looked at Lickliter:

"Coach, has Mr. Baum always been so stubborn?"

Lickliter chuckled, "Of course, I always thought he wasn't from Indiana, more like those hard-headed folks from Texas."

"Unfortunately, he's missing the only chance to save his company," Liam shrugged, with a mocking tone.

Markbaum's anger flared up:

"Kid, are you provoking me? Don't think you can talk to me like this just because you saved Todd!"

"Mr. Baum, I'm not provoking you. I'm just saddened that an investor has lost the vigilance he should have," Liam said slowly.

"Lost my vigilance? Kid, the data reports I read weekly are probably thicker than all the newspapers you read in a year. I've never let my guard down!" Markbaum sneered.

"Really? Then why refuse to do a survey when I suggest it?" Liam pressed.

"Because it's a complete waste of time. I make tens of thousands of dollars a minute; I don't have time for such boring things."

"How do you know it's useless if you haven't even tried it? You can ask the coach—I never do anything without purpose!"

Lickliter interjected at the right moment:

"Mark, I know Liam. He's a very steady person. I don't know how well he understands the financial market, but he wouldn't make such a joke. If you have time, you should go with him."

His words cooled down the tense atmosphere between Liam and Markbaum. Neither spoke for a moment, and the room became slightly stagnant.

After a while, Markbaum finally said:

"Fine, I'll do Todd a favor. I'll meet you outside the gate of Butler University at 8 a.m. on Saturday."

His voice was firm, clearly still angry.

Hearing this, Liam finally relaxed and said apologetically,

"I'm sorry, Mr. Baum. I was too harsh just now. My words were a bit too much."

Seeing Liam's sincere attitude, Markbaum's expression softened, but he just snorted and left the ward.

Lickliter watched his old friend leave and asked:

"Liam, do you really know anything about the real estate market?"

"Of course, Mr. Baum is a wealthy man; how dare I mess around with him?" Liam replied.

"Is this really important to you? Important enough to risk angering Mark to meet with him?" Lickliter was sharp and saw through Liam's thoughts.

"Yes, it's very important to me. Thank you for your help, Coach," Liam nodded firmly, "but it's also crucial for Mr. Baum."

"Even though he has a bad temper, he's a good guy. If he decides not to go, mention my name—he owes me a lot of favors." Lickliter trusted Liam's character and gave him an additional assurance.

"Thank you, Coach!" Liam was overjoyed.

"You rascal, leading the Bulldogs to better results is the best reward for me."

"No problem, I'll definitely lead the team to March Madness."

"That's not enough. We need to at least win the NCAA championship."

"It's not impossible. Give me two more years, and I'll bring a championship trophy to Butler."

"You're so confident. What gives you that belief?"

"Stephen Curry."

"Who's that?"

"Just the best recruit our team landed this year, a true talent!"

...

Two days later, on Saturday, Liam woke up early, put on his Zegna suit, and neatly combed his hair. He learned from Lickliter that Markbaum hated people who dressed sloppily and wouldn't cooperate with such people.

"Well, it's okay. He's a wealthy man, after all; it's normal to have a bit of a dominating personality," Liam thought to himself, checking his outfit once more. He grabbed a briefcase from the table and left his apartment.

He arrived at the school gate at 7:40. After waiting under a tree for a short while, a black Ford Mustang roared over and slowly stopped in front of him.

The driver's window rolled down, and Markbaum's stern face appeared. He glanced at his watch, saying, "At least you're punctual."

"Punctuality is the most basic rule when meeting an investor," Liam replied, opening the car door and sitting in the passenger seat.

"Well, now tell me where we're going."

End of this chapter

Note: This novel as you see I changed the name and nationality, as such is more complicated translate it I hope you support.