In College Her Friends Mocked His Torn Clothes… 5 Years Later He Became a Millionaire—and Their Boss
Chapter 9
The acquisition became one of the largest deals in the industry that year.
Daniel didn’t become Sophia’s direct boss.
But Reed Systems now owned a controlling interest in her consulting division.
The new organizational structure placed Daniel on the board.
Sophia’s boss reported to him.
Her friends from college began whispering.
One of them, Megan, remembered everything.
“You know Daniel?”
Sophia nodded.
“He was in our class.”
Megan looked shocked.
“The jacket guy?”
Sophia frowned.
“Don’t call him that.”
Megan laughed.
“Why? He’s rich now.”
Sophia looked at her.
“That doesn’t make the joke okay.”
Megan shrugged.
“People change.”
Sophia replied quietly:
“Sometimes they don’t.”
The words stayed with her.
She started thinking about the person she had been five years earlier.
She had judged Daniel because his clothes were worn.
She had mistaken poverty for lack of ambition.
She had assumed wealth reflected character.
Now she knew better.
But knowing better didn’t erase the past.
One evening, Daniel found Sophia working late.
“You’re still here?”
“So are you.”
“I own the company.”
She smiled.
“That doesn’t answer the question.”
He laughed.
She looked at him.
“Do you ever think about college?”
“Yes.”
“Do you think about me?”
Daniel paused.
“Sometimes.”
She swallowed.
“Why?”
“Because you were part of my life.”
“That’s all?”
He looked at her.
“What do you want me to say?”
“I don’t know.”
Daniel sat down.
“I don’t hate you.”
“I know.”
“But I don’t want our past to become the reason you feel obligated to me.”
Sophia looked at him.
“What if I want to know you now?”
Daniel smiled.
“Then start by forgetting what you thought you knew.”
