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.

these students to return to their rural communities and help

was one of

his monthly allowance was

had been taking the money meant to support him, blowing it on parties and

speechless. Without hesitation, I messaged Alan. "Stop all of Dad's funding to him immediately. I'll explain everything

"Understood, sir," Alan replied.

I called

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

Dad meant was

exact statement at the beginning of the

issue, Dad. It's about Joshua. It turns out

been supporting through the foundation. But his behavior's terrible, and I don't think

money's basically your allowance. If that's your decision,

entering an entrepreneurship competition. I've figured out the project, but I need

"Starting a business in your first year of college? Alright, tell me about the project first. If it sounds

explained the idea to Dad, and after hearing me out, he immediately sent over profiles of some of his top employees to

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

held her. I've never been with a girl

walking in, but instead of stopping, he got even

know what the most shocking part is?"

played along

don't keep us hanging, Joshua!"

part is that Lina told

Didn't they get together right

William just can't perform! Look at him, he

body; she's destined to be a social media star. There's no way she'd stick around with a poor guy whose family runs a

already stopped caring about Lina, but they still

they were so

my laptop and continued working on

something to share. I've

I froze momentarily.

Wasn't that