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

knew

wouldn’t know that Gerald used to be the sort of person who never felt he was good enough,

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

you come across a woman like this,

was deeply moved with admiration for

do you stay?” he

pointed towards an ordinary residential area, not far from

by for

a moment’s consternation, Queta

a collection of old squatter

they reached her place, 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, collecting some refuse to sell every

is Gerald Crawford.

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

Secretly Rich Man Novel (Invisible or

a powerful man be

just come out and say why, either. Today was

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

a nicer place to stay in, put

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

didn’t understand this

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

by chance. How could

that, from the moment

to talk, warming towards

an entire afternoon had gone

visit again in a few days!” Gerald waved goodbye to the

light, his soul at peace for the first time in

rang. It

asked to exchange numbers

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

I was held back. On

Without another word, she’d

Gerald smiled wryly.

this ‘old schoolmates’ trouble. What

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

parked the car, and

enough, Gerald! You’ve really kept everyone waiting for you, you know?” Lilian’s face

Gerald! After all these years! No patches on your clothes… have you

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 spot

all about what you’ve been through, these past

could 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.

girl at the head of the table:

friend in high school. They used to study together

fact, each had been harboring some

involved

get involved with someone from her sort

been too great a fault

so, they’d never been much more to each other than

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

first-class beauty

to sit down!” Sharon replied with a smile and in a tone that was

years without contact, anything they had had

were just strangers,

an empty seat, and

could actually do so,

Secretly Rich Man Novel (Invisible or Poorest)

you 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

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

the door, where all the food would be brought

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

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

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

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

sounded upset, in truth her heart

immediately became sales manager of an upmarket business along Mayberry Commercial Street? Are the two of

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

speaking though, could you tell us how he landed that job? Gosh, sales manager at Mayberry

her boyfriend than the whole table was abuzz about

wouldn’t know about that!” Sharon laughed. “When he gets here, he

opened, and two

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

was Murphy—Sharon’s

girl’s boyfriend, and he

the devil… Murphy, we were just talking about you! Anyway, check out who’s joining us today! Let me introduce you… That guy over there? Meet Gerald!” Giggling, Lilian pointed out Gerald, who was sipping

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

his seat

that he was really starting to

too naïve, expecting this to be a simple reunion between old friends

the odd bit

Lilian might have had other motives

one here really cared about him, not even Sharon—Gerald didn’t even

whole thing had turned out to be a huge

interest in

what a character you are, Gerald! Sorry, I was only joking around. I heard from Sharon

offering to shake hands

to this guy at all!

Crawford:The Secretly Rich Man Novel (Invisible

don’t say that! He goes to Mayberry University, you know—after he graduates, he might

to get in on the

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

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

what she’d seen in a penniless

it even made things awkward for

to him as Gerald, Murphy couldn’t resist having a

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

For a guy like him to get a job in Mayberry Street, the boss would have to be

how you scored that Sales

been returned

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

“Whoa! That’s amazing, man!”

that level of pay was a rare thing. What’s more, he could

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

the moment, Sharon was

her gaze sought out Gerald, further

in her heart, followed immediately by horror—imagine if, during those years, she’d succumbed to a moment’s sentimentality and had become an item

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

Lilian nodded. “Yup, yup!”

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

added, “Oh, yes—Gerald, bro, what are your plans for after you graduate? Gonna apply for a

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,

Murphy said all this, everyone watched

his own counsel. The only thing he said in reply was, “We’ll see how it goes. Whatever works. No need for your

attitude, again… Can’t

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

way, unbeknownst to any of them, trouble was brewing outside their

were having a disagreement

snapped a crude sort of fellow. “Name your price, d*mn it, and

Novel (Invisible or Poorest)

there’s just no way! Their food has already

give you—and if you can’t get it done for me, your manager

give it a shot.” The waitress hurried inside and

and the others would have

was the meaning of this? They had gotten here first—they had even begun eating

do you think you

moving!”

to see just who that is hollering in there, thinking she’s

opened, and the other group

building up

to fear from your run-of-the-mill rich brats—especially not now that he was working for the Mayberry group. Everyone looked toward

unreasonable. How about this, next time, I make it my treat?

cool and collected,

payloads: They were standing

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

at the doorway, strolling through with both hands in his

way to effusive fawning. Even Sharon had to avert her eyes from

attending Sunnydale University and had

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

big. Yancy was not your typical rich brat

know who I am?” Yancy said

always going on about you!” Murphy was in total doormat mode now. Gone was

boys, huh?” Yancy smirked. “I came here to

started here, you see… Couldn’t you just see this as doing

any favors.” Yancy was done

So did everybody

not

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

burning now, there was nothing for it but to

shall we do this?”

as before, this time,

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

way we’ll do it, then!” Everyone

meanwhile, froze

Gerard?

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

be told, when Yancy had first walked in here, he had glanced at

burst into action, hurrying over to

shrieked aloud. It

stammered,

who had also met Gerard before

Man Novel (Invisible or

Mr. Crawford would be here, hanging with this sort

you know this hobo, Gerard?”

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

What was this?

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

out of