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?"

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

staff, so what? People who work hard deserve respect. What gives you the right to look down

was just making a

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

for a living is one thing,

scoffed. "I am fake?

I saw it was Mom calling. I shot

before stepping away

soon as she saw me, she immediately

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

face. As long as Dad was happy, that was all that mattered. I couldn't care

lot of help from some top talents. Without them, my project wouldn't have been nearly

even without their help, I would've still won-just not by

her arm with mine as we walked. "Anyway, I've arranged three separate party areas for you

one is for all the top industry people from Welsington City, near

your friends, right by

front courtyard, which Sophia is in charge of. It's for your classmates

first, then you can handle the younger crowd on your own. I'm too old to keep up with you

almost laughed. Mom looked

aged incredible for her

much so

an actress I'd

we reached the winery, where Mom proudly introduced me

her, and before long, I'd exchanged numbers with several

more small talk and red wine, Mom excused

around the stables, greeted a few people, and headed toward

voice ring out. "Don't worry, guys! I'm bringing out my

my attention. I wanted to see what he

Koenigsegg pulled up to