The Secretly Rich Man

Gerald Crawford:The Secretly Rich Man Novel (Invisible or Poorest) Chapter 191

Gerald looked up. “What’s up?”

“We’ve got a gathering between old friends tonight. It happens every couple of months. I’ve never mentioned it before—but since we’ve bumped into each other, this is me letting you know!

“Also, Sharon will be there.” Lilian stifled a little laugh. “Come to think of it: Back in high school, you’d come first place in grades, and she’d come second. The two of you were close—in fact, you were after her, weren’t you?”

Gerald didn’t reply.

Sharon Leslie, an old friend from high school. It was true that they got along well back then.

It was also true that Gerald had harbored feelings for her, but that had been before… all of this.

Had he pursued her? He hadn’t dared.

Early on, during their first year of high school, they’d chat together often. Later, even on those few occasions when he’d tried to strike up a conversation, she hadn’t replied. And so, they’d drifted apart.

Three years had passed in a flash.

“Tee-hee! Come on… you know, last month, Sharon’s boyfriend was treating us to some eats, and then the topic of you came up! Sharon wanted to know what Gerald was up to—no one could answer her at the time, but now… you free tonight?”

As she spoke, Lilian stole a peek at Gerald, searching for a hint of despair.

But no such expression was to be found in his features.

“Tonight? Yeah, I can make it!”

“Great, great. You have to come, then—let everyone have a look at you!” Surreptitiously, Lilian snuck out her handphone and stole a snapshot of Gerald, which she sent to the chat group for the gathering:

“Guess who this bozo is?”

“Who? Looks familiar… I’ve definitely seen him somewhere before!”

“Same here, but… he just doesn’t look like anyone worth remembering! Ring a bell with any of you?”

Sharon Leslie: “Is that Gerald?”

“Oh, yeah!” Lilian gushed. “You two were buddies back in high school, huh? Only took you one look—it’s Gerald!”

It’s exciting to be the one who brings up something that gets everyone excited. That was the main reason why Lilian had suddenly decided to invite Gerald to the gathering.

They had a lot of former schoolmates in Mayberry—there was a handful in her class alone. Perhaps they wouldn’t recognize Gerald, but they were guaranteed to have heard his name before.

If he showed up at the gathering, she was certain he’d be the hot topic of the night.

Just look at the uproar in the chat group right now…

Sharon Leslie: “Were we buddies in high school? I don’t recall anything like that! Hehehe…”

Lilian’s fingers flew over the keypad. “Alas! Found yourself a hunk in Sunnydale now, so your ex doesn’t matter anymore?”

Sharon Leslie: “Get out of here! What do you mean ‘ex’… How about you ask him along to our gathering? We should catch up—we’re all old friends, after all!”

“Alright!”

Lilian turned to Gerald. “Everyone’s eager to see you again—especially Sharon. She even said it herself. Since you’ve got time tonight, just come for the gathering! If you’re worried about whether you can afford it, I’ll cover you for the time being!”

Gerald had just been about to turn her down. Truth be told, he hadn’t made a lot of friends back during those years. He’d have nothing to talk about with everyone there.

But now that Lilian had said all that, he couldn’t very well say no anymore.

“Alright, tonight then!” Gerald nodded his agreement.

Lilian gave him the venue, then went on her way.

Gerald shook his head in exasperation. “Lilian’s teaching at my new school. It’s a small world after all!”

He’d been planning to take a stroll through town, but talking to Lilian had ruined his mood for that.

Well, it was noon, and he was hungry, so Gerald headed out anyway.

At the school gates, there were three children in tattered clothes, perhaps four or five-year-olds. They were peering inside.

“Is this a school, brother? It doesn’t look like what Ms. Queta was talking about…”

Gerald Crawford:The Secretly Rich Man Novel (Invisible or Poorest) Chapter 192

Her face smeared with dirt, the little girl was talking to the boy beside her.

“Maybe they haven’t started classes yet—that’s what’s missing!” The boy wiped away some snot. “I wanna go too!”

Another somewhat chubby boy piped up, “You need money to go to school. We don’t have any money. Ms. Queta is already working several jobs to feed us. We can’t ask her for any more!”

“I’m hungry!” the little girl whined.

“I’ll find you some bread in a bit!”

“Why are you urchins crowding the gates? Get lost!” A security guard came out, hollering in fury.

The three children leaped up in fright.

The guard was in his fifties, the sort you might find at a construction site.

The children were visibly terrified by him, and on the verge of fleeing—but they kept on gazing at the school, just a little longer…

Gerald spoke up: “They’re only looking. That’s fine, isn’t it? It’s not like you paid for this school.”

“Kid, I didn’t say anything about you going inside earlier, but don’t be putting on any airs with me! You don’t own this school any more than I do… now, get lost!”

The man was red and blustering. He had clearly had a few pints to go with his lunch—his breath reeked of alcohol.

“Here, buy yourself a real drink.” With a little smile, Gerald reached into his wallet and tossed him a hundred bucks.

This money obviously wasn’t being offered as a compliment. Gerald made a note to recommend the man to be fired later. A lousy old drunkard in charge of security, probably hustled in by a friend in the company.

“Yo! Alright, alright! Thanks a lot, man!” Then the guard left.

Gerald knelt down and smiled at the children. “You kids wanna go to school, too?”

The girl in the middle nodded vigorously. “I do!”

The other two were more cautious and watched him wordlessly.

Truth be told, seeing these three young children, yearning to go to school like this… it tore at his heart.

No one understood that feeling better than him.

That was why he couldn’t resist the urge to do something for them.

“Anyone hungry? How about I take you guys out for lunch?”

“Ms. Queta says we shouldn’t talk to strangers—and we absolutely mustn’t follow them anywhere!” The two boys stepped out in front of the girl.

Gerald laughed and nodded. “Alright… then I’ll buy some stuff and bring it to you here!”

With that, he ran off to the KFC opposite and procured a pile of burgers, fried chicken, and drinks.

“You don’t have to follow me anywhere. Just take it and eat it. Besides, I’ll help you go to school, too!” Gerald patted the girl on the head and handed the food to them.

“Thank you!” The children’s eyes came alight.

The moment they received the food, they began gobbling it down.

“Why are you just eating something that he gave you?”

It was the dulcet sound of a woman’s voice—pleasant, yet anxious.

“I can’t apologize enough, sir. How much was all that food? I’ll pay for it!” the woman babbled nervously.

However, when Gerald saw who she was, his eyes shone.

“It’s you!”

Gerald Crawford:The Secretly Rich Man Novel (Invisible or Poorest) Chapter 193

Gerald recognized her straight away.

He had met her in Homeland Kitchen just a few days ago. Jane had been scolding her—back when she still worked for them.

She’d left an impression on him. Even just seeing her from the side, he had known that she was an extraordinary beauty. Seeing her again now, she’d immediately seemed familiar to him, and then he’d placed her.

“You know me?” she whispered, gathering up the three children protectively.

She was evidently frightened of him. What if he was involved in human trafficking?

“Yes, we bumped into each other in Homeland Kitchen. Have you forgotten me?” Gerald smiled at her.

The woman spent a moment in recollection, then brightened up. “Oh, it’s you, sir! Thank you for helping me out, that time!”

That time, she was being scolded so hard she didn’t dare look up from the floor. It was only when she was leaving that she had stolen a brief glance at Gerald.

Meeting him again now, what she recognized was his voice.

He had saved her that time.

Also, he was rich!

“Don’t mention it. At least you won’t have to keep your guard up around me. Have you been looking after these three children?” Gerald inquired curiously.

“Yup, yup!” Queta Smith nodded, bringing over the three kids.

As they walked along together, she told him the story: It turned out that these three children had been wandering urchins who had managed to escape after being kidnapped by slavers.

With such muddled circumstances, no orphanage had been willing to take them in, and so they’d been wandering the city on their own, begging for scraps… until Queta found them, and took them all under her care.

She mainly worked as a kindergarten teacher and also did some other work on the side, thereby earning enough to keep them all fed. She had even been saving up money to send them to school.

Good thing Queta often worked with kids. She’d taught these three well.

What a mess. And the three children were all siblings.

His heart wrenching terribly, Gerald asked, “What about your family?”

“I don’t have one—I grew up in an orphanage.” As she told him this, Queta hung her head and picked at her clothes.

phenomenally beautiful woman she was, though

was being very reserved in Gerald’s presence. He knew it was because

know that Gerald used to be the sort of person who never felt he was

straw in life, but Queta here had it so much worse: A young

did you come across a woman like

moved with admiration

do you stay?” he

pointed towards an ordinary

if I swing by for a

a moment’s consternation, Queta

area was basically a collection

place, Queta brushed off a stool and offered it to him. Then she shooed the three kids away to go get a bath. The children had been trying to do their part, collecting some refuse to sell

my name is Gerald Crawford. Shall

Gerald was a powerful man since

Novel (Invisible or Poorest)

man be interested

wouldn’t just come out and say why, either. Today was just

soft-hearted man and held

away: Find them a nicer place to stay in, put all the kids in school… all it would take was a

the moment Gerald saw Queta again, his heart had been racing wildly out of control.

didn’t understand this

laid eyes on her… Just one look from the side

girl he’d met purely by chance. How could

slightest clue. All he knew was that, from the

talk, warming

an entire afternoon had

few days!” Gerald waved goodbye to the

heart felt light, his soul at peace for the first time

rang. It

had asked to exchange numbers

you to be a part of this gathering, and you’re going to be late for your first time?” Lilian’s voice

so I was held back. On my way

Without another word, she’d hung up

Gerald smiled wryly.

have just stayed out of this ‘old schoolmates’

he had to keep it now. He returned to the car park,

car, and found

enough, Gerald! You’ve really kept everyone waiting for you,

Gerald! After all these years! No patches

you’re in Mayberry University? That’s a swanky place! How have you been doing lately? The internship is coming

seat first. Gerald, tell us all about what you’ve been through, these past few

friends’ who were in attendance this evening, including a handful

everyone, then spotted a girl at

and his best friend in high school. They used to study together

matter of fact, each had been harboring some measure

Sharon hadn’t wanted to get involved

hadn’t dared to get involved with someone from her sort of

too great a fault

never been much more

at her. Sharon had changed tremendously. She’d learned

beauty without

a place to sit down!” Sharon replied with a smile and in a tone

anything they

just strangers,

Gerald spotted an empty seat, and he moved to take

there?” Before he could actually do so, however, another girl—another ex-classmate—snapped harshly at

Rich Man Novel (Invisible or Poorest)

thing to have been a

and he couldn’t be bothered to pick a fight

door, where all

intention all along, Gerald

left her handbag on there, indicating that she was saving the seat for somebody. Certainly, she’d made no move

grinned at Gerald, then turned and

Hmph! Always wishy-washy about everything. Every time, he’ll say he’s

sounded upset, in truth her heart sang

Murphy, as in the Murphy who graduated and immediately became sales manager of an upmarket business along Mayberry Commercial

student, Sharon clung to him everywhere. Now that he’s a Mayberry big shot, you’re full of complaints?

sales manager at Mayberry Street… I wouldn’t trade it for a dozen

had Sharon mentioned her boyfriend than the whole table was abuzz about him. The air was thick

I wouldn’t know about that!” Sharon laughed. “When he gets here, he can tell you

on cue, the doors opened, and two

Everyone greeted the tall, thin man with

was Murphy—Sharon’s current

boyfriend, and he casually took the seat that Gerald had

you! Anyway, check out who’s joining us today! Let me introduce you… That guy over there? Meet Gerald!” Giggling, Lilian pointed out Gerald, who was sipping

that penniless tramp, Gerald? Pleased to meet you!” Wearing a look of awe, Murphy

remained in his seat and ignored

only at this point that he was really starting

been too naïve, expecting this to be a simple reunion between

odd bit of socializing,

only after he’d arrived that he began to suspect that Lilian might have had other motives behind inviting him here. Gerald

here really cared about him, not even Sharon—Gerald didn’t even know

thing had turned out to

no interest in

a character you are, Gerald! Sorry, I was only joking around. I heard from Sharon that the two

offering to shake hands with you,

to this

Man Novel (Invisible or

that! He goes to Mayberry University, you know—after he graduates,

to get

basically be colleagues! Let’s

often have to hear about everyone bringing up this old

she’d seen in a penniless

even made

Gerald, Murphy couldn’t resist having

far, it appeared that this Gerald had no social skills to speak of whatsoever.

to get a job in

how you scored that Sales Manager job

focus had been returned to Murphy,

suppose it could be because this is my field of specialty. But my boss thinks I’m still

“Whoa! That’s amazing, man!”

level of pay was a rare thing. What’s more, he could

She was her equal in terms of looks—but Lilian was more carefree, while Sharon was more reserved. The latter approach

moment, Sharon

out Gerald, further down

arose in her heart, followed immediately by horror—imagine if, during those years, she’d succumbed to a moment’s sentimentality and had become an item with that

others have done pretty well for yourselves too—I hear you’re an elementary school teacher now? Is

Lilian nodded. “Yup, yup!”

grow with the Mayberry family. I’m planning

after you graduate? Gonna apply for a government position? Have you got a job lined up for yourself? Interested in sales?

on paper, but the reality is a nightmare! It takes a sharp, logical mind… another talent you don’t seem

all this, everyone

only thing he said in

yo! There’s that attitude, again… Can’t handle the

but you won’t even

heckling Gerald in this way, unbeknownst to any of them, trouble was brewing outside their

of youths were having a disagreement with

a crude sort of fellow. “Name your price, d*mn it, and

Novel (Invisible

no way! Their food has

get it? Don’t you know who you’re talking to? Three minutes, that’s all I’ll give you—and if you can’t get it done for me, your manager will do

it a shot.” The waitress hurried inside and explained the

others would

had even begun eating already! Now, you come in here and say, what, switch tables? Just

do you think

Tell them we’re not moving!” Lilian was glaring, her

to see just who that is hollering in there,

to the private room opened, and the other group

building up toward a

on this side. He had nothing to fear from your run-of-the-mill rich brats—especially not now that he was working for the Mayberry group. Everyone looked toward

an option—that’s just unreasonable. How about this, next time, I make it my treat? We can have a

was cool and collected,

was a statement bearing multiple payloads: They were standing their ground, and he had connections

mother claims to be from Mayberry these days! You think just because I don’t work there

the doorway, strolling through with both hands in his

Ziegler! So it was you, sir?” Seeing this man, Murphy’s stern countenance instantly gave way to effusive fawning.

a big kahuna attending Sunnydale University and had been painting the town

fixture at cruise parties, where he was said to have made friends with

was not your typical rich

know who I am?”

and he’s always going on about you!” Murphy was in total doormat mode now. Gone was

“I came here to have dinner… is switching tables for

already started here, you see… Couldn’t

you any favors.” Yancy was done playing nice. “Enough horse crap—will you

did everybody else at the

Ziegler was not someone to be taken

to Aiden and he could kiss his precious job

there was nothing for it but to grit his teeth and say, “Understood!

table… How shall we do this?” Lilian suddenly chirped sweetly. Just

she was still discussing the same matter as before, this

can move everything over to our new table. Clear the room for Mr. Ziegler!” one of

way we’ll do it, then!” Everyone else nodded in

meanwhile, froze

Gerard?

young man, sitting with his back toward him, just quietly eating away without another

walked in here, he had glanced at that same guy and

been spoken, Yancy burst into action,

aloud.

stammered, remembering what

him, those henchmen who had also met Gerard before were too stunned

Crawford:The Secretly Rich Man Novel

would have thought that Mr. Crawford would

Mr. Ziegler, you know this hobo,

Yancy Ziegler greeted Gerard Crawford by name, Murphy and many of the other guys present at

What was this?

know? Get the hell out of my sight!” Hearing what

drained out of