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.

was, though her radiance was being obscured by long

knew it was because she was

used to be the sort

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

often did you come across a woman like

moved with admiration for

you stay?”

an ordinary residential area, not far

for a bit?” he asked with a

a moment’s consternation, Queta

basically a collection

the three kids away to go get a bath. The children had been trying to do their part, collecting some refuse to sell

Smith, my name is Gerald Crawford. Shall we

Queta knew that Gerald was a powerful

Man Novel

man be interested in

say why, either. Today was just a

soft-hearted man and held particular sympathy for people who were

problems straight away: Find them a nicer place to stay in, put all

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

didn’t understand

back now, he’d known from the first time he laid eyes on her… Just

purely by chance. How could he be

clue. All he knew was that, from the moment he met

to talk, warming towards each other with each

an entire afternoon

again in a few days!”

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

phone rang. It was

they’d last parted ways, Gerald had asked to

and you’re going to be late for your first time?” Lilian’s voice was sharp with reprimand. “I

was held back. On my way

Without another word, she’d hung up on

Gerald smiled wryly.

out of this ‘old schoolmates’ trouble.

he had 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 reservation had been

the car, and

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

After all these years! No patches

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

about what you’ve been

in a private dining room, with a massive table that could easily seat two dozen. That was the number of ‘old friends’ who were in

girl at the head of the table:

in class, and his best friend in high school.

each had been harboring some measure

get involved with someone from his sort of

involved with someone from

been too great a fault in their

been much more to each

while, Sharon. Have 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

first-class beauty

down!” Sharon replied with a smile

years without contact, anything they had had between

just strangers,

an empty seat, and he moved to

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

Secretly Rich Man Novel (Invisible or

my boyfriend! Goodness gracious… it’s one thing to have been a loser back then, but after three years of university, you still

couldn’t be bothered to pick a fight with her

the seat by the door, where all the food would be brought

had been everyone’s intention all along, Gerald simply

she’d left her handbag on there, indicating that she was saving the seat

then turned and asked, “Sharon, when’s

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

in truth her heart

became sales manager of an upmarket

everywhere. Now that he’s a Mayberry big shot, you’re

that job? Gosh, sales manager at Mayberry Street…

boyfriend than the whole table was abuzz about him.

I wouldn’t know about that!” Sharon laughed. “When he

the doors opened, and two men walked

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

was Murphy—Sharon’s

that other girl’s boyfriend, and he casually

joining us today! Let me introduce

meet you!” Wearing a look of awe, Murphy came over

Gerald remained in his seat and ignored

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

been too naïve, expecting this to be a simple

the odd bit of socializing,

that he began to suspect that Lilian might have had other motives behind inviting him here. Gerald had been

him, not even

whole thing had turned out to be a huge

interest

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

Gerald, Murphy was offering to shake hands with you,

apologize to this guy

Novel (Invisible or

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

to get

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

He would often have to hear about

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

made things

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

to speak of whatsoever. Once he started working life, it

him to get a job in

told us how you scored that Sales Manager job

been returned to

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 per year for now. Ahh, I still have

“Whoa! That’s amazing, man!”

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

looks—but Lilian was more

Sharon was beaming

out

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 guy… what would

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

Lilian nodded. “Yup, yup!”

to grow with the Mayberry family. I’m planning to get my own place in the district in a couple of years… and

added, “Oh, yes—Gerald, bro, what are your plans for after you graduate? Gonna apply for a government position? Have you got a job lined up for yourself? Interested in

sounds great on paper, but the reality is a nightmare! It takes a sharp, logical

this, everyone watched Gerald

only thing he

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

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

Gerald in this way, unbeknownst to

of youths were having a disagreement with one of the

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

Man Novel (Invisible or Poorest)

Their food has already

talking to? Three minutes, that’s all I’ll give you—and if you can’t

give it a shot.” The waitress hurried inside

others would have none of

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

do you think you

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

who that is hollering in

the private room opened,

building up

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 him in

“My 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 a meal together

and collected, smiling

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

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

at the doorway, strolling through with both hands in his

way to effusive fawning. Even Sharon had to avert her

and had been painting the town

fixture at cruise parties, where he was said

was big. Yancy was not

know who I am?”

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

came here to have

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

I owe you any favors.” Yancy was done

So did everybody

not someone to be

Aiden and he could kiss his precious

cheeks were burning now, there was nothing for it but to grit his

the table… How shall we do this?” Lilian

the same matter as

can move everything over to our new table. Clear the

That’s the way we’ll do it,

froze in

Gerard?

sitting with his back toward him, just

told, when Yancy had first walked in here, he had

Yancy burst into action, hurrying over to Gerard for a better

shrieked aloud.

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

henchmen who had also met Gerard before

Secretly Rich Man Novel (Invisible or

that Mr. Crawford would be here, hanging with this

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

other guys present at the scene were overcome

What was this?

business whom I happen to know? Get the hell out of my sight!” Hearing what Murphy had called Gerard, Yancy was roaring with

drained out of Murphy’s