Editing Jim (section)

=== Stepping into the underworld ===
It was during this period that Jim met [[Billy McBardigael]], a Dutch construction contractor with subtle but deep ties to the criminal underworld. The two became fast friends. One day, Billy offered Jim a chance to do some "zwart werk"—illegal work, off the books, within his construction business. Jim hesitated. The weight of the decision pressed down on him. He knew once he crossed that line, there was no turning back. But the law had failed him too many times, dismissing Hanae's case as too complicated and without leads. If he was going to find out what really happened, it would have to be through the criminal underworld itself. With a heavy but resolute heart, Jim accepted Billy’s offer.

Jim’s slow descent into the criminal world began here. He helped Billy move illegal goods, carefully and quietly. It was through Billy that Jim was introduced to [[Alexa Morrison]]—the CEO of [[Liberty Exports]], a logistics and property management company based in Hawick. Though legitimate on the surface, Liberty Exports was the operational front for a sophisticated underground network. Alexa was no ordinary executive; she was a syndicate leader.

Together, Jim, Alexa, and Billy formed a regional alliance called [[the Locals]]. Operating primarily from a hub on Route 68, the Locals coordinated smuggling runs and protection activities across San Andreas. As business expanded, Jim’s wealth grew. With it came smarts investment—into both criminal and legal enterprises.

He purchased and renovated the [[Videogeddon Arcade]] in La Mesa, outfitting it with a hidden basement used for heist planning. He also acquired a salvage yard in Murrieta Heights and a custom auto shop on Popular Street. But his biggest investment—and eventual pride—was The Palace, a luxurious nightclub in Del Perro.

[[The Palace]] quickly became one of the most popular nightspots in Los Santos, attracting youth, middle-class partygoers, and even the elite. Its most frequent DJ was the Blessed Madonna, a celebrated icon who elevated the club’s reputation. Jim operated primarily from this location, while continuing to live in his house on Sustancia Road, on the other side of the city. The Palace was more than a business—it was a symbol. A monument to everything Jim had built, and everything he had survived.

In late 2023, [[Edward McHaggis]] arrived in Los Santos, summoned by his cousin Billy McBardigael. He showed up with a half-packed duffel bag, casually clothed, seemingly ready for a party and carrying a head full of ideas. Jim and Alexa were already waiting for him at a private house in Vinewood Hills, where the introduction was made. Jim immediately offered him a drink—an act Edward instantly appreciated. The gesture sparked an immediate liking for Jim. Despite the good vibes, the atmosphere in the room remained skeptical and tense—who was Edward really, and what were his intentions? Edward cleared the air by revealing that he had previously been a member of both the Yakuza and the Cosa Nostra. He wasn’t a rookie, and it showed. While Alexa remained reserved, Jim stayed quiet but attentive, feeling a kind of familiarity in Edward’s ambitions. Edward had moved to Los Santos to build a better life for his wife—a hope Jim once carried, but now could no longer offer.

Edward soon joined the Locals and began building his own businesses. Jim got along with everyone, largely due to his neutral stance. He never passed judgment without reason and often acted as a stabilizing force, bridging the gaps between differing perspectives within the group.

Just as the Locals began growing into a real presence, tragedy struck—Billy passed away from terminal lung cancer. His death left a deep void. Jim mourned his friend but chose to honour his legacy through work. He closely supported Billy’s longtime business partner, [[Tony (Billy replacement)|Tony]], who stepped in to continue what Billy had started.

With Edward, Alexa, and Tony, Jim helped formalize their collective operations into a structured alliance. This new collaboration became known as the Big Four. Jim believed in its necessity—if they were going to grow and influence the region, they would need to do it together, united in purpose.