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 obscured by long

very reserved in Gerald’s presence. He knew it was

Gerald used to be the sort of

about the same age. Gerald used to think he’d gotten the short straw in life, but Queta here had it so

often did you come across a woman

was deeply moved with admiration for

do you

All three children pointed towards an ordinary residential area, not

for a

moment’s consternation, Queta

was basically a collection of

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

Gerald Crawford. Shall we

powerful man

Man Novel (Invisible or

powerful man be interested in

and say why, either. Today was just

held particular sympathy for

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

Queta again, his heart had been racing wildly out of control. Some subtle emotion was

didn’t understand this

her… Just one look

chance. How could he

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

them began to talk, warming

noticing, an entire

in a few days!” Gerald waved goodbye to the girls and took his

spending the day with them, his heart felt light, his soul at peace for the first

his phone rang. It

ways, Gerald had asked to exchange

gathering, and you’re going to be late for

so I was held back. On

Without another word,

Gerald smiled wryly.

out of this ‘old schoolmates’ trouble. What

had to keep it now. He returned to the car park, started up his car, and made for the hotel where the reservation had

parked the car, and found

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

patches on your clothes… have you

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

Gerald, tell us all about what you’ve been

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

smiled at everyone, then spotted a girl at the

in class, and his best friend in high school. They used to study together all the

been

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

dared to get involved with someone from her

great

never been much more to

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

first-class beauty

to sit down!” Sharon replied with a smile

they had

just

seat,

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

Novel

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

seat by the door, where all the food

intention all along, Gerald

that she was saving the seat for somebody. Certainly, she’d made no move to offer

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

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

in truth

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

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

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

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

laughed. “When he gets here, he can tell

doors opened, and

you’re here!” Everyone greeted the

this was Murphy—Sharon’s

that other girl’s boyfriend, and he

check out who’s joining us today! Let me introduce you… That guy over there? Meet Gerald!” Giggling, Lilian pointed out Gerald,

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

Gerald remained in his

point that he was really starting

naïve, expecting this to be a simple reunion

the odd

had other motives behind inviting him here. Gerald had been brought here to be the party clown,

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

thing had turned out to be

had no interest in this

I was only joking around.

Gerald, Murphy was offering to shake hands with you, just

apologize to this

Secretly Rich Man Novel (Invisible or

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

to get in on

Then we’d basically be colleagues! Let’s get along, Gerald!” Murphy

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

about what she’d seen in a

made things awkward

why, the moment this guy was introduced to him as Gerald, Murphy couldn’t

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

alone, Murphy! For a guy like him to get a job

you scored that

been

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!”

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

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

Sharon was

her gaze sought out Gerald, further

horror—imagine if, during those years, she’d succumbed to a moment’s sentimentality and had become an item with that guy… what

well for yourselves too—I hear you’re an elementary school teacher now? Is that

Lilian nodded. “Yup, yup!”

Mayberry family. I’m planning to get my own place in the district in a couple of

for a government position? Have you

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

said all this, everyone

ate, keeping his own counsel. The only thing he

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

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

heckling Gerald in this way, unbeknownst to any of

of youths were having a disagreement with

be this room!” snapped a crude sort of fellow. “Name your

Secretly Rich Man Novel (Invisible or Poorest) Chapter

Their food

still don’t 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

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

the others would have none of

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

do you think

we’re not moving!” Lilian

like to see just who that is hollering in

the private room opened, and the

was building up toward

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

throat and stood. “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 at Homeland

and

statement bearing multiple payloads: They were standing their ground,

just because I don’t

someone appeared at the doorway, strolling through with both hands in his

this man, Murphy’s stern countenance instantly gave way to effusive fawning. Even Sharon had to

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

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

not your typical rich brat at

who I am?” Yancy said

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

of Ken’s boys, huh?” Yancy smirked. “I came here to have dinner… is switching tables for my sake really too much

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

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

swallowed hard. So did everybody

not someone

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

there was nothing for it but to grit his teeth

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

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

the room

it, then!” Everyone else nodded in

meanwhile, froze

Gerard?

the young man, sitting with his back toward him, just quietly

he had glanced at that same guy and thought

had been spoken, Yancy burst into action, hurrying over to Gerard for a

very nearly shrieked aloud.

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

who had also met Gerard before were too

Secretly Rich Man Novel (Invisible

would be here, hanging with

Ziegler, you know this hobo, Gerard?”

name, Murphy and many of the other guys present at the scene were overcome

What was this?

your business whom I happen to know? Get the hell

out of