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

Gerald’s presence. He knew it was because she was afraid

Gerald used to be the sort

same age. Gerald used to think he’d gotten the short straw in life, but Queta here had it so much worse: A young woman with no parents, caring for

across a woman like

moved

do you

an ordinary residential area, not

mind if I swing by for a

moment’s consternation, Queta

whole area was basically a collection of old

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 every day. That was why they were covered in

is Gerald Crawford.

knew that Gerald was a powerful man since

Rich Man Novel

would such a powerful man

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

was a soft-hearted man and held particular sympathy for people

course he could just solve their problems straight away: Find them a nicer place to stay in, put

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

understand this

he laid eyes on her… Just one look from the side

chance. How could

clue. All he knew was that, from the moment he met her, he’d felt like he’d

them began to talk, warming

noticing, an entire afternoon

few

light, his soul at

phone rang. It was

they’d last parted ways, Gerald had asked to exchange numbers with her.

of this gathering, and you’re going to be late for your first time?” Lilian’s voice was sharp with reprimand. “I said to meet at five. Where are

I was held back. On my

doot… Without another word, she’d

Gerald smiled wryly.

should have just stayed out of this ‘old schoolmates’

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

parked the car, and found

kept everyone waiting for you, you know?” Lilian’s face

patches on your clothes… have

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

us all about what you’ve been

friends’ who were in attendance this evening, including a handful of former high school classmates of his.

everyone, then spotted a girl at

in high school.

each had been harboring some measure

involved with someone

involved with someone from her sort

been too great a fault

more to each other than just

Sharon. Have you been well?” Gerald smiled at her. Sharon had changed tremendously. She’d learned how to use

first-class beauty

don’t you find a place to sit down!” Sharon replied with a smile and in a tone that was

without contact, anything they had

just strangers,

an empty seat, and

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

Rich Man Novel (Invisible

sit here? This spot is reserved for my boyfriend! Goodness gracious… it’s one thing to have

name anymore, and he couldn’t be bothered to pick a fight with her

seat by the door, where all the food would be

this had been everyone’s intention all along, Gerald simply

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

then turned and asked, “Sharon, when’s Murphy

say he’s almost there—but you’re

upset, in truth

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

everywhere. Now that he’s a Mayberry big shot, you’re full of complaints? Actually, you just want us to be jealous of

job? Gosh, sales manager at Mayberry

boyfriend than the whole table was abuzz about him. The air was thick

“When

opened,

the tall, thin man with warm

this was Murphy—Sharon’s current

and he casually took the seat that

check out who’s joining us today! Let me introduce

this is that penniless tramp, Gerald? Pleased to meet you!” Wearing a

in his seat and

point that he was really starting to get annoyed by

expecting this to be a simple reunion between old friends he hadn’t seen

craved the odd bit of socializing,

have had other motives behind inviting him here. Gerald had been brought here to be the party clown, the

about him, not even Sharon—Gerald

thing had turned out

interest

you are, Gerald! Sorry, I was only joking around. I heard from Sharon that the two of you used to

was offering to shake hands with

have to apologize to this guy at all! Just ask Sharon—he’s a

Man Novel (Invisible or Poorest) Chapter

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

wanted to get in

be colleagues! Let’s get along,

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

curious about what she’d seen in a penniless

it even made things awkward for

guy was introduced to him as Gerald, Murphy couldn’t resist having a bit of fun at his expense, just

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

Leave him alone, Murphy! For a guy like him to get a job in Mayberry Street, the boss

never told us how you scored

focus had been returned

long story—but I suppose it could be because this is my field of specialty. But my boss thinks I’m still kinda green, so my salary’s only 45k

“Whoa! That’s amazing, man!”

thing. What’s more, he could still climb

in terms of looks—but Lilian was more carefree, while Sharon was more reserved. The latter approach apparently made

moment, Sharon

gaze sought out Gerald, further down the

during those years, she’d succumbed to a moment’s sentimentality and had become an item

pretty well

Lilian nodded. “Yup, yup!”

now on, we can all continue to grow with the Mayberry family. I’m planning to get my own place in the district in a couple of years… and then,

your plans for after you graduate? Gonna apply for a government position? Have you got a job lined up

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

Murphy said all this, everyone

own counsel. The only thing he said in reply was, “We’ll see how it goes.

There’s that attitude, again… Can’t handle

won’t even listen to

in this way, unbeknownst to any of them, trouble was

were having a disagreement with one

a big group—it has to be this room!” snapped a crude sort of fellow. “Name your price, d*mn it, and then kick everyone out of

Crawford:The Secretly Rich Man Novel

Their

all I’ll give you—and if you can’t get it

I’ll give it a shot.” The waitress hurried inside and

and the others would have none

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

do you think you

them we’re not moving!” Lilian was

like to see just who that is hollering

doors to the private room opened, and the other

up toward a

their champion on this side. He had nothing to fear from your run-of-the-mill rich brats—especially not now that he was working for

friends, we did reserve this room first. Changing places now is simply not an option—that’s just unreasonable. How about this, next time, I make it my treat? We can have

and collected,

were

these days! You think just because I don’t work there myself, that means I don’t have any big friends in

doorway, strolling through with both

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

was a big kahuna attending Sunnydale University and had been

parties, where he was

was not your typical rich

who I

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

see… one of Ken’s boys, huh?” Yancy smirked. “I came here to have dinner… is switching tables for

offense, I swear, but… Mr. Ziegler, we’ve already started here, you

Yancy was done

did

Yancy Ziegler was not

One word to Aiden and he could kiss his precious job in

now, there was nothing for it but to grit his

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

she was still discussing the same matter as before, this

move everything over to our new table. Clear the room

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

meanwhile, froze

Gerard?

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

Yancy had first walked in here, he had glanced at that same guy

into

shrieked aloud. It

Yancy stammered, remembering

who had also met Gerard before were

Crawford:The Secretly Rich Man Novel

thought that Mr. Crawford would be here, hanging

Ziegler, you know this hobo, Gerard?” Murphy asked

Yancy Ziegler greeted Gerard Crawford by name, Murphy and many of the other guys present at the scene were overcome with jealousy. How was it that Yancy knew that guy but not

What was this?

the hell out of my sight!” Hearing what

out of Murphy’s