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.

though her radiance was being obscured

He knew it

used to be the sort of person who never felt he was

think he’d gotten the short straw in life, but

across a woman like this,

moved with admiration

you

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

mind if I swing by for a bit?” he asked with

moment’s consternation, Queta

a collection of old squatter

to go get a bath. The children had been trying to do their part, collecting some refuse to

is Gerald Crawford. Shall

was a powerful man since he had been able to

Crawford:The Secretly Rich Man Novel (Invisible

such a powerful man be

why, either. Today was just a chance

and held particular sympathy for people

Find them a nicer place to stay in, put all the kids in school… all it would

had been racing wildly out of control. Some subtle emotion was compelling him to

understand this

laid eyes on her… Just one look from the side

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

that, from the moment he met

to talk, warming

noticing, an entire afternoon had gone

I’ll visit again in a few days!” Gerald waved goodbye to the girls and

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

phone rang. It

asked to

a part of this gathering, and you’re going to be late for your first

I was held back. On

Without another word, she’d

Gerald smiled wryly.

of this ‘old schoolmates’ trouble. What a d*mned

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

arrived, parked the car, and found

you,

After all these years! No patches on your clothes…

place! How have you been doing lately? The internship

a seat first. Gerald, tell us all about what you’ve been

of ‘old friends’ who were in attendance this evening, including a handful of former high school classmates of his. It was a crowded

then spotted a girl at the

his best friend in high school. They used to study together all

fact, each had been

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

involved with someone

too great a fault in

so, they’d never 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

first-class beauty

sit down!” Sharon replied with a smile and in

without contact, anything they had had between them

were just strangers,

Gerald spotted an empty seat, and he

actually do so, however, another

Crawford:The Secretly Rich Man Novel (Invisible or Poorest)

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

couldn’t be bothered to pick a fight with her

where all the food would be brought

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

too. However, she’d left her handbag on there, indicating that she was

turned and asked, “Sharon, when’s Murphy

he’ll say he’s

she sounded upset, in truth her heart sang with

Murphy who graduated and immediately became sales manager of an upmarket business

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

tell us how he landed that job? Gosh, sales manager at Mayberry Street… I

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

that!” Sharon laughed. “When

on cue, the doors opened, and two

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

this was Murphy—Sharon’s current

boyfriend, and he casually took the seat that

who’s joining us today! Let me introduce you… That guy over there? Meet

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

in his seat and

only at this point that he was really

to be a simple reunion between old friends he

odd bit of

have had other motives behind inviting him here. Gerald had been brought

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

turned out

had no interest in this Murphy

you are, Gerald! Sorry, I was only joking

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

have to apologize to this guy at all! Just

Novel (Invisible or Poorest)

to Mayberry University, you know—after he graduates,

to get in on

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

often have to

about what she’d seen in a penniless guy like

even made things

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

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

him to get a job

you

focus had been returned to

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

“Whoa! That’s amazing, man!”

What’s more, he

was her equal in terms of looks—but Lilian was more carefree,

the moment, Sharon

out Gerald, further down the

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

Lilian, you and the others have done pretty well for

Lilian nodded. “Yup, yup!”

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

plans for after you graduate? Gonna apply for a government position? Have

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,

The only thing he said in reply was, “We’ll

There’s that attitude, again… Can’t handle the

bad enough how hopeless you are, but you won’t even

this way, unbeknownst to any of

were having a disagreement with one of the

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

Man Novel

just no way! Their food has already been

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 me!” the man

I’ll give it a shot.” The waitress

the others would have

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

you think

moving!” Lilian was glaring, her temper

who that is

the private room opened, and the other group

building up

brats—especially not now that

Changing places now is simply not an option—that’s just unreasonable.

was cool and

payloads: They were

from Mayberry these days! You think just because I

the doorway, strolling through with both

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

Sunnydale University and had been painting the town red

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

big. Yancy was not your typical rich

know who I am?”

friends with Ken, and he’s always going on about you!” Murphy was in total doormat mode now. Gone was the

boys, huh?” Yancy smirked. “I came here to have dinner… is switching tables for my sake

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

owe you any favors.” Yancy was done playing nice. “Enough horse crap—will you

did everybody else at

not

word to Aiden and he could kiss his precious job in

nothing for it but to grit his teeth and say,

dishes on the table… How shall we do this?” Lilian suddenly chirped sweetly. Just

discussing the same matter as before, this time, she

everything over to our new table. Clear the room for

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

meanwhile, froze in

Gerard?

peered down at 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

name had been spoken, Yancy burst into action, hurrying

shrieked aloud. It was

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

had also met Gerard before were too stunned to

Crawford:The Secretly Rich Man Novel (Invisible or

would be here,

you know this hobo, Gerard?” Murphy asked

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?

I happen to know? Get the hell out of my sight!” Hearing what

blood drained out of Murphy’s