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 radiance was being

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

to be the sort of person who never felt he was good enough,

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

come across a woman

deeply moved with

you stay?” he

there!” All three children pointed towards an ordinary residential area, not far

mind if I swing by for a bit?”

a moment’s consternation,

whole area was basically a collection of old squatter

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

is Gerald Crawford. Shall we be

Gerald was a powerful man

Rich Man Novel

powerful man be interested

out and say why, either. Today was just a chance

held particular sympathy for people who

nicer place to stay in, put all the kids in school… all

control. Some subtle emotion was compelling him to get closer

understand

laid eyes on her… Just one look from the

he’d met purely by chance. How could he be feeling this way about

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

them began to talk, warming

an entire afternoon had

I’ll visit again in a few days!” Gerald waved

his soul at peace for

phone rang. It was

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

say, Gerald… I invite 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 to meet at five. Where are

so I was held back.

another word, she’d

Gerald smiled wryly.

have just stayed out of this

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

car, and found the

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

After all these years! No patches

I hear you’re in Mayberry University? That’s a swanky place! How have you been doing

Gerald, tell us all 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 attendance this evening, including a handful of former high school classmates of his. It was a crowded and

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

in class, and his best friend in

a matter of fact, each had been harboring some measure of affection for

wanted to get involved with someone from his

get involved with someone from her

great a

much more to each other than

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

beauty

down!” Sharon replied with

years without contact, anything they had

were just strangers,

empty seat, and he

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

Novel (Invisible

one thing to have been a loser back then, but after three years of university, you still haven’t

be bothered to pick a

the seat by the door, where all the food would

all along, Gerald simply

an empty spot beside Sharon, too. However, she’d left her handbag on there, indicating that she was saving the seat for somebody. Certainly, she’d made no move to offer

turned and asked, “Sharon, when’s Murphy

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

sounded upset, in truth her

yo! Is Sharon talking about Murphy, as in the Murphy who graduated and immediately became sales manager

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

that job? Gosh, sales manager at Mayberry Street… I wouldn’t trade it for a dozen

whole table was abuzz about him. The air was thick with the smell of

that!” Sharon laughed. “When he gets here, he

cue, the doors opened, and two

Everyone greeted the tall, thin man with warm

this was Murphy—Sharon’s

guy was that other girl’s boyfriend, and he

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

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

Gerald remained in his seat and ignored

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

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

odd

arrived that he began to suspect that Lilian might have had other motives behind inviting him here. Gerald had been brought here to be the party clown,

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

whole thing had turned out to be a

no interest in this

“Ahaha, what a character you are, Gerald! Sorry, I was only joking around. I heard from Sharon that the two of you used to be good

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

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

Man Novel (Invisible

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

to get in on

colleagues! Let’s get

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

about what she’d seen in a penniless guy

it even made things awkward for

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

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

get a job in Mayberry Street, the boss would

you never told us how you scored that Sales Manager job

been returned to Murphy,

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

“Whoa! That’s amazing, man!”

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

Sharon now. She was her equal in terms of looks—but Lilian was more carefree, while

Sharon was

sought out Gerald, further down the

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…

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

Lilian nodded. “Yup, yup!”

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

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 sales? Design? Perhaps

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 to be blessed with. No, it’s gotta be something less cerebral, a basic desk job where all you need

all this, everyone watched Gerald

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

yo! There’s that attitude,

you won’t even listen to good

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

of youths were having a disagreement with

understand? We’re 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

Man Novel (Invisible

Their

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,

I’ll give it a shot.” The

and the others would have none of

even begun eating already! Now, you come in here and say, what, switch tables?

you think you

way. Tell them we’re not moving!” Lilian was glaring,

see just who that is hollering

to the private room opened,

was building 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

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

cool and collected, smiling

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

just because I don’t work there myself, that

appeared at the doorway, strolling through with

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

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

where he was said to

was big. Yancy was not your typical rich brat

know who I

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

to have dinner… is switching tables for my sake really too

no offense, I swear, but… Mr. Ziegler, we’ve already started here, you see…

Yancy was done playing nice. “Enough horse crap—will you move or

hard. So did everybody else at

not someone to

to Aiden and

for it but to grit his teeth and

dishes on the table… How shall we do this?” Lilian suddenly

the same matter as before, this time,

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

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

meanwhile, froze in

Gerard?

sitting with his back toward him, just quietly

in here, he had glanced at that same guy and thought that he looked

burst into action,

nearly shrieked aloud. It was

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

had also met Gerard before were too stunned to

Rich Man Novel (Invisible or Poorest) Chapter

have thought that Mr. Crawford would be

know this hobo, Gerard?” Murphy asked in

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

What was this?

Get the hell out of my sight!” Hearing what Murphy had called Gerard, Yancy was roaring with

blood drained out of