Some years back, Gerard had made a fortune selling illegal CDs. Hence, he managed to buy a house


    and


    a car in the county.


    Although he hasn’t been making much for the past few years, he still had a hefty saving of several tens


    of


    thousands.


    He wasn’t considered wealthy, but he was also slightly above the middle ss


    Gordon could tell from the shock in Gerard’s eyes that Carlisle had guessed correctly.


    Gerard had made a fortune!


    It just so happened that he had lost his job recently. Who knows? His brother might even allow him to


    work for him.


    Although the chances were low, he knew he had to sumb during times of need for the sake of his


    family.


    Gerard picked up the cup and took a sip. “I didn’t make much, just enough to afford two Santanas!”


    Two Santanas were equivalent to almost 500 thousand dors!


    Gordon’s eyes shone brightly. “What are you doing to earn so much money? Why don’t you let me join


    you?


    Gerard smiled. “Didn’t you also earn a small fortune? You hadn’t bought a car when we met back in our


    hometownst year!”


    Gordon sighed and downed down a ss.


    Then, he confessed the truth with a small grin. “I borrowed this car from my supervisor!”


    Maria couldn’t help but burst out inughter. “So it was all an act, wasn’t it?”


    At first, she thought Gordon had earned a healthy amount, so she held back with her snarky remarks.


    But


    who would have thought that he had borrowed the car?


    *Gordon, you should own up to your reality if you’re in a tight spot. What’s the use of acting and


    pretending like you do? Don’t act so prideful. You might mislead your son!” Maria said mockingly.


    Hilda’s cheeks were burning as she red at Gordon. Gordon could be shameless and forgo his pride


    if


    he wanted to! But what about her and their son?


    Gordon touched his nose andughed.


    “Gerard, is there any way for us to work together? We can go big and grow our wealth together. That


    way, we’ll be able to shine. The people from our hometown would also stop looking down on us!”


    “Gordon, I think you’ve misunderstood something Those people don’t look down on us. They only look


    down on you!” Gerard said with a smile. The disdain in his eyes was strong while he sipped his drink.


    “We are brothers. Can’t you just help me?” Gordon said with a shy smile.


    “Your fate is in your own hands!” Gerard said calmly. He had no intention of helping Gordon.


    “So Carlisle guessed correctly, didn’t he? You’re just here to gloat, aren’t you?‘ Gordon asked with a


    forced smile.


    Carlisle felt ufortable as he watched his father’s disheartened state.


    His father had always been a man of integrity.


    He always taught him that one can be poor. But one can never give up in life. Moreover, Gordon had


    always said one should help himself rather than ask others for help.


    But when his family was now in a financially challenging situation, all of his father’s dignity seemed to


    have disappeared.


    At that moment, Carlisle swore to himself that he would work hard to earn arge fortune.


    He would allow his parents to stay in a mansion and drive luxurious cars. He’ll ensure they can raise


    their


    heads high when they see Gerard and his family.


    He would also make everyone in their hometown envy his family’s fortune.


    “I’m not here to gloat. I was just hoping that I’ll be able to inspire you!” Gerard said with a smile.


    Hilda could not listen any further. She put down her cutlery and returned to her room.


    On the other hand, Gordon gulped down his beer.


    After dinner, Gerard brought his family to a hotel to stay.,


    Gordon and Carlisle dropped them off at the entrance of theirplex.


    Gerard lit up a cigarette and patted Carlisle’s shoulders.


    “Don’t worry if you can’t get into a university. I have some contacts with a few factories. You always go


    over there to train and gain some experience!”


    “Uncle Gerard, you don’t need to worry about me. I’ll definitely be able to enter Rivend University!”


    He had learned to control his emotions well after experiencing too much in his past life.


    This belongs to N?velDrama.Org - ?.


    He had been nothing but an ipetent bipr man, as he had often failed to keep his emotions in


    check despite having nothing to his name.


    “Do you know that even if you managed to get into Rivend University, you might still fail to make a


    name for yourself?


    “Have you ever thought about that? Don’t tell me that you believe everyone who goes to university will


    be able to make it big in the real world.”


    Gerard’s words were slightly controversial. However it was also the truth. Carlisle knew that because


    he had seen a lot of things in his past life.


    In other people’s eyes, it was important for their children to further their education.


    But knowledge could change one’s destiny.


    “As you said, my fate is in my own hands. Hence, no one has a say in how I live my life! So, Uncle


    Gerard…”


    “Yes?” Gerard! was shocked to hear Carlisle say such words. But when he turned to look at Carlisle, he


    realized Carlisle was looking directly at him.


    “Have you ever heard the saying of never undervaluing a youth?” Carlisle asked with a smile.


    *So, are you telling me that you’ll make it big in the future? That I should start buttering up to you?”


    “The sky’s dark. You should head to the hotel for an early rest. Otherwise, the hotel might not h


    rooms left!” Carlisle smiled impassively as he ced his hands into his pockets.


    пу


    There was no point in engaging in a verbal argument with them. He’ll show them what he was made of


    when he made it big.


    Gordon also took out a cigarette and inhaled deeply. Then, he said guiltily, “Son, I’m sorry for


    embarrassing you and your mother today.”


    Carlisle was five feet eight and almost half a head taller than Gordon.


    With one hand in his pockets, he put his other arm around his father’s shoulders and said, “You were


    doing it for our family. We’ll pay them back for the humiliation sooner orter!”


    Gordon grinned and faked a solemn expression as he said, “Carl, do you understand it now?


    Ipetent people will only be looked down upon. That’s why you must enter university and be a


    competent


    person.”


    “Dad, who said you’re ipetent? In the future, I’ll show them howpetent and capable my dad


    is!”


    The father and son chatted happily as they disappeared into the distance under the night..


    Carlisle put all of his focus on his studies after Gerard and his family left.


    He would wake up every day at five in the morning. He would then revise for an hour before eating


    breakfast and heading to school.


    When he came home, he would start his revision immediately after dinner. His study session wouldst


    until 11:00pm to 12:00am before showering and heading off to sleep.


    Hilda was worried about Carlisle. “Gordon, do you think your brother’s visit had triggered something


    within Carl? He’s been studying non–stop ever since. Can his body handle it?”


    Gordon sat by the balcony and lit up a cigarette. His voice was heavy as he said, “Did you realize that


    our


    son seems to have be much more mature and sensibletely?”


    Hilda froze as her eyes widened in shock. “I think you’re right. I feel he’s been talking and acting like a


    grown–up recently!”


    Hilda seemed to have thought of something as she suddenly shuddered.


    Her voice trembled slightly as she asked, “Do you think something is possessing our son? I’ve heard


    from one of our neighbors iming that people who have been possessed would start acting out of the


    blue!”


    Gordon flicked Hilda’s forehead gently and said, “Stop overthinking things. Our son has just grown up!”


    Time passed in the blink of an eye.


    Every high school studegt in their senior year was studying hard as time slowly passed.


    Soon, it was five days away from their SATS.


    Lucy stood on stage with a solemn expression. “All of you are five days away from your SATS. I that all


    of you are working hard. I believe that all of you will be admitted to the school of your dreams.”


    She adjusted her sses and looked at Carlisle, who sat before her. “I would like to use this


    opportunity to praise and affirm Carlisle Zahn. His test scores in the past few mock tests were


    outstanding!”


    It wasn’t just outstanding. It was near perfect.


    Lucy didn’t even dare to announce Carlisle’s mock scores.


    Who would have thought Carlisle, whose test scores had always been near the bottom, would get a


    near- perfect score in each subject with only a month’s revision?


    She was even afraid that Carlisle would be taken to ab to be investigated if people found out about


    him.


    “Carl has b


    been studying hard for the past few months. He’s even studying during break time.


    “That’s nothing. He’s even going as far as reading while pooping!”


    “What the heck? Are you being serious?”


    A few students turn to look at Carlisle with envious eyes.


    Sean pressed his heart against his chest and eximed in pain. “Carl, do you even remember the oath


    we took in the past? You said you wanted to work in a factory with me!”


    Carlisle turned to re at Sean. “When did I ever say that?”


    “You did! I’m telling you that you did!” Sean pursed his lips cheekily.


    Carlisle’s lips twitched. Why was he friends with such an idiot?


    Although Sean was always cheeky, he had to admit that Sean was a good friend.


    In his past life, Sean had managed to enter a Tier 2 university. But Sean had set aside his studies and


    joined a factory with him due to his failure in getting epted into a university.


    But after working for about three to five months, Sean’s father, Rory Woodsen, forced him to return to


    school


    After Sean graduated, he relied on the 100 thousap dors given by his father to start a small business


    and became a small tycoon.


    Chapte


    After that, he rarely had the opportunity to meet Sean.


    Fortunately, he had the opportunity to meet Sean one more time before his death. Sean hade to


    visit him onest time in the hospital.


    Sean had bawled as he promised to take good care of his parents. He even promised to treat his


    parents


    as his own.


    It was also after hearing those words that Carlisle could rest in peace.


    “It’s the final five days. All of you can go home and rest well. The exams will be held on the 7th of June.


    All of you muste a day before to register for the exams!”


    Chapte–11