Chapter 9

I bit my lip, clenching my fits without realizing it while trying to calm myself down. Getting angry wouldn't help. I had to talk it out, hold on, and communicate. After a moment, I finally calmed down. After taking a deep breath, I tried to keep my voice steady. "Tom, I just wanted to ask if I could switch dorms. If it's possible, I'd appreciate your help. If not, that's fine too." "Is that how you ask for help?" Tom's face was full of displeasure as he grumbled. "And besides, you've been like this before. Your roommates haven't even complained about you. Now that you've won an award, you suddenly want to switch dorms? Isn't that a bit too much?" Tom asked. I wanted to ask what he meant by "like this before", but I held my tongue. I had no intention of arguing over something so trivial, so I nodded. "Alright, if you don't want to help, that's fine. I'll head back to my dorm." "Stop right there!" Tom said as he stood up in a huff. "As your counselor, I'm saying this for your good. You don't have the life of a rich kid, but you sure have the attitude of one! You can just go back and wait for my updates. I'll see if I can switch things around for you in the next few days. If it works out, I'll let you know. I'm sure plenty of people are willing to move into Joshua's dorm." Hearing this, I finally felt a little relieved. Even though Ton tended to favor the wealthy, he was not particularly biased. I gave him a small bow before leaving his office. Despite Zack and Louis constantly mocking me that night, I wasn't bothered at all. After all, I wouldn't be living with them much longer. Just before I entered class the next day, I heard an uproar inside. It sounded like a full-on party. "Joshua! Seriously, can we all go?" "Of course! I have invited not only you guys but lots of other people, including other alumni, Tom, and even some of the professors. Everyone can come." "That's awesome! Do you think your place is big enough to hold all of us?" Joshua laughed proudly. "Come on, it's Imperia Manor. It can fit a few hundred more people if we need it to." I hadn't planned on paying any attention to their fawning over Joshua, but when I heard the words "Imperia Manor", I stopped in my tracks and stared at him. Noticing my gaze, Joshua gave me a smug thumbs-down. "Don't even think about it, William. I'd invite a stray dog before I'd invite you." Everyone around him burst out laughing, throwing mocking glances my way. I frowned but held back my irritation and asked, "Joshua, which Imperia Manor are you having the party at?" Joshua immediately burst into exaggerated laughter. "Caught you! Pretending to be rich every day, and you don't even know the Imperia Manor? There's only one Imperia Manor in the Welsington City. Which one do you think it is?" The others laughed too. "Always pretending to be a rich kid? I guess William convinced himself at this point." "You think Imperia Manor is like a local park or something? There's more than one?" "You don't know about it? Go search it up online! Even Wikipedia has it. Honestly, I'm embarrassed by your intelligence. Either your brain's broken, or your ears are." I was starting to think there was something wrong with my ears too, because Imperia Manor was my manor! As a graduation gift, Mom transferred ownership of the manor to me. I rarely stayed there, so I had Vincent's family look after it. How on earth had it suddenly become a venue for rent? It was ridiculous! Before I could make sense of it, Joshua dropped another bombshell. "And tomorrow night, I'm taking my V8 Koenigsegg out to give you guys a ride. We'll snap some photos too." "A Koenigsegg? Isn't that a luxury car that only appears in Cellar?" "I heard even a second-hand one costs at least 20 million! Joshua, I thought you were just rich, but now I think you're one of the richest guys in Welsington City." "Joshua, can I get a ride too? I've never seen that car in real life." I was even more confused. Wasn't that Mom's car? Before the semester started, Mom had someone bring it to the manor in Welsington City, saying I could use it to take my girlfriend for a ride if I ever got one. I had considered taking Lina for a drive, but it felt too showy, and I figured someone as quiet and modest as her wouldn't be into that. How had it become Joshua's car? I pulled out my phone, intending to call Vincent outside the manor, but Joshua stopped me before I could leave. "William, you've been eavesdropping this whole time, and now you're just going to walk away? If you really want to go, get on your knees, apologize, and admit who you are. Maybe then I'll consider giving you a chance," Joshua said. I didn't even bother responding and walked off. "Forget about him, Joshua! Having him at the party would just ruin it." "Exactly! William would probably sneak into the manor, take pictures, and post them on social media, pretending it's his." I found a seat in the back and was about to call Vincent when Mom called me. "William, I've got some great news! To celebrate your recent win, I'm coming to Welsington City to host a party at Imperia Manor. I'll invite many friends, and I want you to meet them." I blinked in surprise and quickly asked, "Imperia Manor? You didn't rent it out for someone else's party, did you?" Mom chuckled when she heard my words. "What are you talking about? That's your manor! Why would we ever rent it out? Besides, we don't need the money." So, it wasn't rented out? So Joshua was lying? But with the party tomorrow, how did he plan to keep up the charade without getting caught? I couldn't figure it out, so I asked, "Mom, where is your Koenigsegg?" She replied, "I sent it for maintenance. Why are you asking this? Do you want to use it? If so, I can have it sent back tomorrow." "I don't need it," I replied. "Alright, the main car key is with you. If you ever want to drive it, call Sophia. Anyway, William, I'm now in the saloon with my friend and about to get my hair done, so I'll talk to you later." Hanging up the phone, I felt like I had uncovered part of the truth, but there were still things I didn't understand. How was Joshua planning to host the party there after all that boasting? I hadn't been too interested in Mom's party, but now I couldn't wait to see what would happen. That evening, as I was reviewing my notes, Zack and Louis were already dressed and ready to go. Leaning on the desk, they whispered, "Do you think we should ask Joshua for the money back after the party? Do you think he'll pay us?" "Why wouldn't he? He's loaded. Plus, he promised to pay it back this week." "Then you ask first." "Why me? You ask!" As they bickered, their phones rang, and the moment they saw Joshua's name, they snapped to attention like soldiers before their general. "Yes, Joshua! We're heading over right now!" As soon as they left, I got a call from Kate. "Mr. White, this is Sophia. Mrs. White asked me to pick you up at the school gate."