Riches in Disguise

Chapter 10

Sophia? The name rang a bell, but I couldn't quite place it.

"No need for that, I'll make my way there myself," I told her.

There were already too many rumors flying around about me being some kept man by a sugar mommy. If another flashy car showed up for me, driven by a female chauffeur who wasn't even the same one as last time, people would have even wilder things to say.

I hailed a cab and headed straight to the estate. As I approached the gate, I noticed a group of familiar faces standing by the roadside-they were Joshua and his crew.

Joshua spotted me first and let out a mocking laugh. "William? What, did you change your mind and come to beg me to let you in?"

Lina frowned, her expression full of disdain. "William, please have some self- respect."

I wasn't in the mood to argue, so I walked straight toward the entrance.

Zack's voice called out from behind, "Wait, is William trying to sneak in by pretending to be Joshua's roommate?"

"How can he be so shameless? Unbelievable!"

I was speechless after hearing that. I needed to use Joshua's name to get into my manor? What kind of backward logic was that?

Without a word, I pulled out my keycard and swiped it at the gate.

This card was one of only three in existence-one for me, one for my mom, and one for Sophia, Vincent's daughter.

I was curious about how Joshua had gotten in, so I lingered near the gate to find out.

About ten minutes later, the gate opened again, and I saw clearly that Joshua was holding a keycard! He had swiped his way in!

I was stunned. Where did he get that card from? Could it be that after I stopped financially supporting Joshua, Mom secretly stepped in again?

As I stood there, lost in thought, Joshua and his group approached me.

"Well, I didn't expect that you made it inside. But let me guess you're working as part of the staff for tonight's event, right?"

"This manor is usually empty, so we had to hire temporary staff like chefs, waiters, and

speechless. "And if I were working as a staff, so what? People who work hard deserve respect. What gives you the right to look down on them,

laughing. "Calm down, William. I was just making a guess, so you don't need to get so

what I said, he looked sternly at me. "William, let's be clear-we don't look down on hard work. We look down

is one thing, but being all about appearances

fake? Isn't

phone buzzed, and I saw it

stepping

as she saw me, she immediately hugged me

of you! Carmen told me you not only came in first but completely dominated the competition. Dad couldn't

smile to my face. As long as Dad was happy, that was all

wasn't that impressive, Mom. I had a lot of help from some top talents. Without them, my project wouldn't

I would've still

modest in front of me." Mom linked her arm with mine as we walked. "Anyway, I've arranged three separate party

for all the top industry

one is for your friends,

which Sophia is in charge

bigwigs first, then you can handle the younger crowd on your own. I'm

almost laughed. Mom

aged incredible for her

much so

was an actress I'd

Mom proudly introduced me to everyone, singing

guests were gracious enough to indulge her, and before long, I'd exchanged numbers with several

red wine, Mom excused

greeted a few

out. "Don't worry, guys! I'm

wanted to see what he was

car resembling Mom's Koenigsegg pulled up to the estate's main