Chapter 12

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 class

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 succumb 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 dollars!

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

hometown last year!”

Gordon sighed and downed down a glass.

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

Maria couldn’t help but burst out in laughter. “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 glared 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 and laughed.

“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 uncomfortable 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 a large 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 their complex.

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 Riverland University!”

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

He had been nothing but an incompetent bipolar 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 Riverland 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 placed 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 or later!”

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

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

competent

person.”

“Dad, who said you’re incompetent? In the future, I’ll show them how competent 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 would last

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 become much more mature and sensible lately?”

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 claiming 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 glasses 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 a lab 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 exclaimed 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 glare 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 accepted 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 dollars 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 had come to

visit him one last 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 must come a day before to register for the exams!”

Chapte–11