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.

though

Gerald’s presence. He knew it was because

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

two of them were about the 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 three kids on

come across a woman like this,

deeply moved with admiration for

do you

pointed towards an ordinary residential area, not far

mind if I swing by for a bit?”

moment’s consternation,

whole area was basically a collection of old squatter

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

Gerald Crawford. Shall we be

was taken aback. Queta knew that Gerald was a powerful man since he had been able

Secretly Rich Man Novel

a powerful man be

and say why, either. Today was just a chance

and held particular sympathy

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

heart had been racing wildly out of control. Some subtle emotion was compelling him to

understand

on her… Just one look from

met purely by chance. How

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

them began to talk, warming towards each other with each passing

noticing, an entire afternoon

again in a few days!” Gerald waved goodbye to

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

phone rang. It was

had asked to exchange numbers with her. Reluctantly,

late for your first time?” Lilian’s voice

so I was held

another word, she’d

Gerald smiled wryly.

have just stayed out of this ‘old schoolmates’ trouble.

the car park, started up his car, and

arrived, parked the car,

you, you know?”

it’s really Gerald! After all these years! No patches on your clothes…

hear you’re in Mayberry University? That’s a swanky place! How have you been doing lately? The internship is coming up soon—found yourself a

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

was the number of ‘old friends’ who were in attendance this evening, including a handful of former high

smiled at everyone, then spotted a girl at the head of the table: Sharon

friend in high school. They used

each had been harboring some measure of affection for

hadn’t wanted to get involved

to get involved with someone from her

been too great a fault

more to

you been well?” Gerald smiled at her. Sharon had changed tremendously. She’d learned how to use make-up, and her appeal was now far beyond what he

beauty without

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

they had had between them

were just

spotted an empty seat, and he moved to take

so, however, another girl—another ex-classmate—snapped harshly at him, giving

Secretly Rich Man Novel (Invisible or

could sit here? This spot is reserved for my boyfriend! Goodness gracious… 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, scram, get

and he couldn’t be

seat by the door, where all the

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

However, she’d left her handbag on there, indicating that she was saving the seat for somebody.

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

Always wishy-washy about everything. Every time, he’ll say he’s almost there—but you’re still gonna

upset, in truth her heart

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

Back when he was still a student, Sharon clung to him everywhere. Now that he’s a Mayberry

tell us how he landed that job? Gosh, sales manager at Mayberry

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

laughed. “When he gets here, he can

the doors opened, and two men

greeted the tall, thin man

this was Murphy—Sharon’s

was that other girl’s boyfriend, and he casually took the seat that Gerald had

just talking about you! Anyway, check out who’s joining us today! Let me introduce you… That guy over there? Meet Gerald!”

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

his seat

he was really starting to get annoyed by all

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

odd bit of

have had other motives behind inviting him here. Gerald had been brought

really cared about him, not even Sharon—Gerald didn’t even know who she was

whole thing had turned out to be a

interest in

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

shake hands with you, just now! Where are your

to apologize to this guy

Secretly Rich Man Novel (Invisible or Poorest) Chapter

to Mayberry University, you know—after he graduates, he

wanted to get in

we’d basically be colleagues!

He would often have

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

made things

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

had no social skills to speak of

to get a job in Mayberry Street, the boss would have to be deaf

how you

focus had been returned to

field of specialty. But my boss thinks I’m still kinda green, so my salary’s

“Whoa! That’s amazing, man!”

was a rare thing. What’s more, he could still climb further up the

now. She was her equal in terms of looks—but Lilian

moment, Sharon

out Gerald, further down the

those years, she’d succumbed to a moment’s sentimentality and had become an item with that guy… what would

I just got lucky. Lilian, you and the others have done pretty well for yourselves too—I

Lilian nodded. “Yup, yup!”

all continue to grow with the Mayberry family. I’m planning to get my own place in the

a government position? Have you got a job lined up for yourself? Interested

As for design, it sounds great on paper, but the reality is a nightmare! It takes

all this, everyone

thing he said in reply was, “We’ll see

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

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

to any of them, trouble was brewing outside

having a disagreement with

We’re a big group—it has to be this room!” snapped a crude sort of fellow.

Secretly Rich Man Novel (Invisible or Poorest) Chapter

no way! Their food has already been

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 in your place. Try

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

the others would have none

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

you

them we’re not moving!” Lilian

to see just who that is hollering in there, thinking

doors to the private room opened, and the other group strode right

building up toward a

your run-of-the-mill rich brats—especially not now

reserve this room first. Changing places now is simply not an option—that’s just unreasonable. How about this, next time, I make

cool and

were standing

think just because I don’t

the doorway, strolling through with both hands in

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

Sunnydale University and had been painting the town red regularly

to be a recurring fixture at cruise parties, where

big. Yancy was not your typical rich brat

who I am?” Yancy

Ken, and he’s always going on about you!” Murphy

here to have dinner… is

offense, I swear, but… Mr. Ziegler, we’ve already started here, you see… Couldn’t

any favors.” Yancy was done

hard. So did everybody else at the

not someone to be taken

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

it but to grit his teeth and say,

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

she was still discussing the same matter as before, this time, she had become

the room for Mr. Ziegler!” one

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

froze in

Gerard?

peered down at the young man, sitting with his back toward him,

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

into action, hurrying over to Gerard for

very nearly shrieked aloud. It was Gerard

S-s-so you were here!” Yancy stammered, remembering what Aiden had

those henchmen who had also met Gerard before were too stunned to

Secretly Rich Man Novel (Invisible or

would have thought that Mr. Crawford would be here, hanging with this sort

Ziegler, you know this hobo, Gerard?” Murphy

Gerard Crawford by name, Murphy and many of the other guys present at the scene were overcome with jealousy. How was

What was this?

is it any of your business whom I happen to know? Get the hell out of my sight!” Hearing what Murphy had called Gerard, Yancy

out of Murphy’s