Riches in Disguise

Chapter 4

"No need for it, thanks, Mr. Hopkins." Joshua said as he grabbed the recommendation letter, then swaggered over to me with a smirk.

"William, you didn't have startup capital, and now you don't have a mentor's recommendation either. How exactly do you plan to compete with me? Or are you just waiting for a miracle to fall from the sky? Honestly, you're such a failure at life. What's even the point of you being here?"

With that, Joshua and his crew strutted out of the office, leaving behind his smug words.

I had no interest in engaging with him. Instead, I turned to Roger and asked, "Mr. Hopkins, you mentioned earlier that I have poor character. You heard what Joshua said to me just now. How would you judge that?"

Roger barely glanced up from what he was doing, and his tone was icy. "William, if one person looks down on you, it might be their problem. But if everyone does, shouldn't you start reflecting on yourself?"

He continued, "Why do you think Joshua singles you out? He doesn't treat anyone else this way. He seems to get along just fine with others."

I laughed dryly. "So that's how you see it. Well, Mr. Hopkins, you certainly live up to the ripple of a teacher. I've learned a lot."

Roger suddenly spun around and glared at me. "What do you mean by that?

William, it's exactly because of your attitude that people find you annoying. Let me tell you—"

Only an idiot would stick around and let Roger finish ranting. I walked out of the office, not bothering to listen to the clatter of whatever he was throwing in frustration behind me.

On the way back, I got a message from Alan.

"Mr. Wilson, I've gathered the information on Joshua. Would you like me to send it

to you now? Interestingly, there's quite a connection between the two of you."

A connection between us?

I immediately replied to Alan's request to send it over. Finding a bench, I sat down

to read, and what I saw left me completely stunned.

It turned out Joshua was the one of the beneficiaries of a charitable foundation my dad had set up in my name.

The foundation supported students, focusing on those with good grades and strong character and grooming them to join our family business and eventually become key figures.

their rural communities and help boost the local economy by starting

one of the

allowance was higher than

could have ever imagined was that Joshua had been taking the money meant to support him, blowing it on parties and girls, and

messaged Alan. "Stop all of Dad's funding to him

"Understood, sir," Alan replied.

I

pocket money? No worries, business has been great this year. I'll wire you

that Dad meant was five hundred

at the beginning of the semester, triggering the nightmare my

speechless. "Money's not an issue, Dad.

his behavior's

foundation money's basically your allowance. If

competition. I've figured out the project, but I

"Starting a business in your first year of college? Alright, tell

after hearing me out, he immediately sent over profiles of some of his top employees to choose from. I didn't hold back

only to hear Johsua loudly boasting as soon as I walked in. "You guys have

never been with a girl that

in, but instead of

what the most shocking part is?"

played along eagerly. "What

don't keep us hanging, Joshua!" Zack

that Lina told me she

way! Haven't Lina and William been dating forever? Didn't they get together right when

him, he always looks so

doesn't even like him! I mean, with her looks, a cute face and a killer body; she's destined to be a social media star. There's no way she'd stick around with a

they still thought using

felt that they

opened my laptop and continued working

at me and casually said, "Oh, by the way, I've got something to share. I've officially secured

I froze momentarily.

Harvest Agro-Tech? Wasn't