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.

she was, though her radiance was being obscured by long

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

to be the sort of

he’d gotten the short straw in life, but Queta

come across a

was deeply moved with admiration for

you

pointed towards an ordinary residential area, not far from the

if I swing by for a bit?” he asked with

a moment’s

whole area was basically a collection of old

a bath. The children had been trying

Smith, my name is Gerald Crawford.

that Gerald was a powerful man since he had been able to order around that

Secretly Rich Man Novel (Invisible

such a powerful man be interested

come out and say why, either. Today was

was a soft-hearted man and held particular sympathy

place to stay in, put all the kids in school… all it would take was

racing wildly out of control. Some subtle emotion was compelling him to get

understand

now, he’d known from the first time he laid eyes on her… Just one look from the side and her face had

he’d met purely by chance. How could he be feeling this way

that, from the moment he met her, he’d felt

of them began to talk, warming towards

an entire afternoon had gone

I’ll visit again in a few days!”

spending the day with them, his heart felt light, his soul at peace for the first time in

rang. It was

ways, Gerald had asked to exchange numbers with

you’re going to be late for

I was held

doot… Without another word, she’d hung

Gerald smiled wryly.

out of this

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

the car, and found

You’ve really kept everyone waiting for you, you know?” Lilian’s face contorted hideously at the sight

it’s really Gerald! After all these years! No patches

That’s a swanky place! How have you been doing lately? The internship

seat first. Gerald, tell us all about what you’ve

easily seat two dozen. That was the number of ‘old friends’ who were in attendance this evening, including a handful of former high school classmates of his. It was a

everyone, then spotted a girl

prettiest girl in class, and his best friend in high school.

been

get involved with someone from his sort of

get involved with someone

been too great

they’d never been much more to

Sharon had changed tremendously. She’d learned how to use make-up, and her appeal

beauty without

Why don’t you find a place to sit down!” Sharon replied

three years without contact, anything they had

were just

an empty seat, and he moved to take

there?” Before he could actually do so, however, another

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

it’s one thing to have been a loser back then, but after three years of university, you still haven’t improved one bit! Go,

he couldn’t be bothered to pick a fight with her at

left the seat by the door, where all

been everyone’s intention all along, Gerald

that she was saving the

turned and asked, “Sharon, when’s Murphy gonna get

say he’s almost there—but you’re still gonna have to wait

truth her heart

sales

Back when he was still a student, Sharon clung to him everywhere. Now that he’s a Mayberry big shot, you’re full of complaints? Actually, you just want us to be jealous

tell us how he landed that job? Gosh, sales manager at Mayberry Street… I wouldn’t

the whole table was abuzz

Sharon laughed. “When he gets here,

cue, the doors opened, and two

greeted the

was Murphy—Sharon’s current

and he casually

Let me introduce you… That guy over there? Meet Gerald!” Giggling, Lilian pointed out Gerald,

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

Gerald remained in his

at this point that he was really starting to get annoyed by

be a

odd

he began to suspect that Lilian might have had other motives behind inviting him here. Gerald had been brought here to be the party clown,

here really cared about him, not even

thing had turned out to

no interest

the other hand, was beaming at him. “Ahaha, what a character you are, Gerald! Sorry, I was only joking

to shake hands with you, just now! Where

right! Murphy, you don’t have to apologize to this guy at all! Just ask Sharon—he’s a

Novel (Invisible or

say that! He goes to Mayberry University, you know—after he graduates, he might very well find himself a job along Mayberry Commercial

to get

we’d basically be colleagues! Let’s get along, Gerald!”

keep this conversation going. He would often have to hear about everyone bringing up this old friend of

made him curious about what she’d seen in a penniless

it even made

couldn’t resist having a bit of

Gerald had no social skills to speak of whatsoever. Once he started working life, it would be

to get a job in

never told us how you scored that Sales Manager

been

be because this is my field of specialty. But my boss thinks I’m still kinda green, so my

“Whoa! That’s amazing, man!”

level of pay was a rare thing. What’s more, he could still climb further up the coveted Mayberry

now. She was her equal in terms of looks—but Lilian was more carefree, while

moment, Sharon was beaming with

her gaze sought out Gerald, further down

she’d succumbed to a moment’s sentimentality and had become an item

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

Lilian nodded. “Yup, yup!”

now on, we can all continue to grow with the Mayberry family. I’m planning to get my own place

apply for a government position? Have you got

be a tough fit for you. Speaking as someone working in sales, honestly, you’d be terrible at this sort of thing, Gerald. As for design, it sounds great on paper, but the reality is a nightmare! It takes a sharp, logical mind… another talent you don’t seem to be blessed with. No, it’s gotta be something less cerebral, a basic desk job where all you need to know is how

said all this, everyone watched

on the table. Gerald ate, keeping his own counsel. The only thing he

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

enough how hopeless you are, but you won’t even listen to good advice?

unbeknownst to any of them, trouble was brewing outside their

group of youths were having a disagreement with one of

understand? We’re a big group—it has to be this room!” snapped a crude sort of fellow. “Name your price, d*mn it,

Novel (Invisible

Their food has already

Three minutes, that’s all I’ll give you—and if you can’t get it done for me, your manager will do it in your place.

The waitress hurried inside and

others would have

had gotten here first—they had even begun eating already! Now, you come in here and say, what, switch

do you think

we’re not moving!” Lilian was glaring, her temper suddenly

who that is hollering

opened, and the

building up

nothing to fear from your run-of-the-mill rich brats—especially not now

just unreasonable. How about this, next time,

was cool and

They were standing their ground,

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

strolling through

sir?” Seeing this man, Murphy’s stern countenance instantly gave way to effusive fawning. Even Sharon had to avert her eyes from

a big kahuna attending Sunnydale University and had been painting

a recurring fixture at cruise parties, where he was said to have

was big. Yancy was not

who I am?” Yancy

could I not? I’m friends with Ken, and he’s always going on about you!” Murphy was in total doormat mode

Yancy smirked. “I came here to have dinner… is switching tables for my sake really too much to

but… Mr. Ziegler, we’ve already started here, you see…

owe you any favors.” Yancy was done playing

swallowed hard. So did everybody else at

Yancy Ziegler was not someone

were worthless here. One word to Aiden and he could kiss his precious job in

there was nothing for it

dishes on the table… How shall we do this?” Lilian suddenly chirped sweetly. Just a moment ago, she had been

as before, this time, she had become

to our new table. Clear the room for Mr. Ziegler!” one

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

meanwhile, froze

Gerard?

with his back toward him, just quietly eating away without another care in the

when Yancy had first walked in here, he had glanced at that

name had been spoken, Yancy burst into action, hurrying over to Gerard for a

very nearly shrieked aloud. It was Gerard

Yancy stammered,

who had also met Gerard

Novel (Invisible

Crawford would be here, hanging with this sort of

you know this hobo,

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

What was this?

business whom I happen to know? Get the hell out of my

out of