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?"

is usually empty, so we had to hire temporary staff like chefs, waiters,

People who work hard deserve respect. What gives you the right to look

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

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

working for a living is one thing, but being all about

am fake? Isn't that you

my phone buzzed, and I saw it was

look before stepping away to meet

as she saw me,

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

all that mattered. I couldn't care less

had a lot of help from some top talents. Without

without their help, I would've still won-just not by such a large

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

one is for all the top industry people

for your friends,

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

introduce you to the industry bigwigs first, then you can handle the younger crowd

Mom

aged incredible for her

much so that

an actress I'd

where Mom proudly introduced me

enough to indulge her, and

a little more small talk and red wine, Mom excused herself, claiming she couldn't handle any

wandered around the stables, greeted a few people, and

out. "Don't worry, guys! I'm bringing out my Koenigsegg. We'll take turns going

caught my attention. I wanted to see what

after, a car resembling Mom's Koenigsegg pulled up to