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 her radiance was being obscured

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

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

of them were about the same age. Gerald used to think he’d gotten the short straw in life, but Queta

did you come across a woman like this, these

was deeply moved with

you stay?”

pointed towards an ordinary residential area, not far from

if I swing by for a bit?” he

moment’s consternation,

area was basically a collection of

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,

Smith, my name is Gerald Crawford. Shall we be

Gerald was a powerful man since he had

Rich Man Novel (Invisible or Poorest) Chapter

such a powerful man be interested in

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

man and held particular sympathy for people who were

he could just solve their problems straight away: Find them a nicer place to stay in, put all the kids in school… all

Gerald saw Queta again, his heart had been racing wildly out of control. Some subtle emotion was compelling him to

understand this

he’d known from the first time he laid eyes on her… Just one look from the side and her face had been burned into his

chance. How could

was that, from the moment he

to talk, warming towards each other

noticing, an entire afternoon had

few days!” Gerald

his

rang.

parted ways, Gerald had asked to exchange numbers with her.

Gerald… I invite you to be a part of this gathering, and you’re going to be late for your first time?”

so I was held

another word, she’d hung up

Gerald smiled wryly.

out of this ‘old

already given his word, so he had to keep it now. He returned to the car park, started up his car, and made for the hotel where the

the car, and

you,

years! No patches on

How have you been doing lately? The internship is coming up soon—found yourself

all about what you’ve been through, these

table that could easily seat two dozen. That was the number of ‘old friends’ who were in attendance this evening, including a handful of former high

spotted a girl at the head

in

of fact, each had been harboring some

Sharon hadn’t wanted to get involved with someone from his sort of

to get involved with someone from her sort of

great a fault in

they’d never been much more to

Gerald smiled at her. Sharon had changed tremendously. She’d learned how to use make-up, and her appeal was now far

beauty

you find a place to sit down!” Sharon replied

three years without contact, anything they had had

were just strangers,

spotted an empty seat, and

he could actually do so, however, another

Man Novel (Invisible or

reserved for my boyfriend! Goodness gracious… it’s one thing to have been a loser back then, but after three years

be bothered to pick a fight with her at the

left the seat by the door, where

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

spot beside Sharon, too. However, she’d left her handbag on there, indicating that she was saving the

grinned at Gerald, then turned and asked, “Sharon, when’s

Every time, he’ll say he’s

in truth her heart sang with

who graduated and immediately became sales manager of an upmarket business along Mayberry Commercial Street? Are the two of you not getting along,

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

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

whole table was abuzz about him. The air

know about that!” Sharon laughed. “When he gets here, he can tell

the doors opened, and two men walked

you’re here!” Everyone greeted the tall, thin man with

this was Murphy—Sharon’s

he casually took the seat that Gerald

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

you!” Wearing a look of awe, Murphy came

his seat and ignored

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

expecting this to be a simple reunion

odd

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

about him, not even Sharon—Gerald didn’t even know who

had turned out to be a

had no interest in this

I was only joking around. I heard from Sharon that the two of you used to be good

was offering to shake hands with you, just now! Where are your

right! Murphy, you don’t have to apologize to this guy at all!

Novel (Invisible

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

get

be colleagues! Let’s get along, Gerald!”

often have to hear

she’d seen in

even made things awkward for

couldn’t resist having a bit of

to speak of whatsoever. Once he started working life,

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

you never told us how you scored that Sales Manager job

been returned to

But my boss thinks I’m still kinda green, so my salary’s only 45k per year for

“Whoa! That’s amazing, man!”

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

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

moment, Sharon

sought out Gerald, further down the

pang of sorrow arose in her heart, followed immediately by horror—imagine if, during those years, she’d succumbed to

and the others have done pretty well for yourselves too—I hear you’re an elementary

Lilian nodded. “Yup, yup!”

continue to grow with the Mayberry family. I’m planning

what are your plans for after you graduate? Gonna apply for a government

that last one for you. A government office would 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

this,

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

attitude,

but you won’t even listen to good advice? Alas, your future looks

this way, unbeknownst to any of them, trouble

a

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

Man Novel

Their food has already been

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 in your place. Try me!” the man blustered

The waitress hurried inside and explained

would

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

do you think

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

that is hollering in

the private room opened, and the other group

was building up toward

nothing to fear from your run-of-the-mill rich brats—especially not now that he was working for the Mayberry

Changing places now is simply not an option—that’s just unreasonable. How about this, next time, I make it my treat?

and collected,

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

Mayberry these days! You think just because

strolling through with both

stern countenance instantly gave way to effusive fawning. Even Sharon had

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

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

big. Yancy was not your typical

you know who I am?” Yancy said

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

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

no offense, I swear, but… Mr. Ziegler, we’ve already started here, you see… Couldn’t you

any favors.” Yancy was done playing

So did everybody else

was not

usual routines were worthless here. One word to Aiden and he could kiss

for it but to grit his teeth and say, “Understood! We’ll

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

as before, this time, she had become

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

do it, then!” Everyone

froze in

Gerard?

toward him, just quietly eating away without another

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

into action, hurrying over to Gerard for

shrieked aloud.

here!” Yancy stammered, remembering what Aiden had said last

henchmen who had also met Gerard before

Secretly Rich Man Novel (Invisible or Poorest)

thought that Mr. Crawford would be here, hanging with

Mr. Ziegler, you know this

other guys present at the scene were overcome with jealousy. How was it

What was this?

the hell out of my sight!” Hearing what Murphy had

drained out