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?"

and turned to the teachers and classmates behind him. "This manor is usually empty,

working as a staff, so what? People who work hard deserve respect.

I was just making a guess,

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

thing, but

am fake? Isn't that

my phone buzzed, and I saw it was Mom calling. I shot

a look before stepping away to meet with

soon as she saw me, she immediately hugged me

Carmen told me you not only came in first but completely dominated the competition. Dad

a small smile to my face. As long as Dad was happy, that was all that mattered. I couldn't care less what others thought, but I never

I had a lot of help from some top talents. Without them, my project

I would've still won-just

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

the top industry people from Welsington City,

is for your friends, right by

in the front courtyard, which Sophia is in charge

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

thought she was an

the winery, where Mom proudly introduced me to everyone, singing my praises

and before long, I'd exchanged numbers

red wine, Mom excused

alone, I wandered around the stables, greeted a few people, and

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

my attention. I wanted to

resembling Mom's Koenigsegg pulled up