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

Gerald’s presence. He knew it was because she was

the sort of person who never

gotten the short straw in life, but Queta here had it so much worse: A young woman with

you come across

moved with admiration

you

towards an

by for a

moment’s

was basically a collection of old squatter

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 day. That was why they were covered

Gerald

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

Man Novel (Invisible or Poorest) Chapter

such a powerful man be interested in

come out and say why,

held

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

control. Some subtle emotion was compelling him to get

understand this

laid eyes on her… Just one look from the side

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

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

talk, warming towards

entire

in a few days!” Gerald

his soul at peace for the first time in

phone rang. It was

had asked

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

held back.

Without another word, she’d hung up on

Gerald smiled wryly.

should have just stayed out of this ‘old

his word, so he had to keep it now. He returned to the car park, started up his car, and made for the hotel

arrived, parked the car, and found the

really kept everyone waiting for you,

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

Mayberry University? That’s a swanky place! How have you been doing lately? The internship is coming up soon—found

all about what you’ve been

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

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

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

been harboring some measure of affection

to get involved with someone

get involved with someone from her

great

so, they’d never been much more to

been well?” Gerald smiled at her. Sharon had changed tremendously. She’d learned how to use

beauty

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

anything they had had between

were just strangers,

Gerald spotted an empty seat, and he moved

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

Crawford:The Secretly Rich Man Novel (Invisible or

This spot is reserved for my boyfriend! Goodness gracious… it’s one thing to have

name anymore, and he couldn’t be bothered to pick a fight with

by the door, where all the

everyone’s intention all along, Gerald

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

and

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

sounded upset, in truth her heart

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

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

that job? Gosh, sales manager

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

laughed. “When he gets here, he can

cue, the doors opened, and two men

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

this was Murphy—Sharon’s current

was that other girl’s boyfriend, and he casually took the seat that Gerald had almost

joining us today! Let me introduce you… That guy over there? Meet Gerald!” Giggling, Lilian pointed out Gerald, who was sipping at

tramp, Gerald? Pleased to meet you!” Wearing a

Gerald remained in his

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

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

odd bit of

suspect that Lilian might have had other motives behind inviting him here. Gerald had been brought here

him, not even Sharon—Gerald didn’t even know who she

out to be

interest in

Sorry, I was only joking around. I heard from Sharon

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

right! Murphy, you don’t have to apologize to this guy at all! Just ask

Novel (Invisible

to Mayberry University, you know—after he graduates, he might very well find himself

wanted to get in

be colleagues! Let’s get

would often have to hear about everyone bringing up

about what she’d seen in a penniless guy

even made things awkward for

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

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

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

told us how you scored that Sales Manager job

been returned to Murphy,

be because this is my field of specialty. But my boss thinks I’m still

“Whoa! That’s amazing, man!”

What’s more, he could still climb further up

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

the moment, Sharon was

sought out Gerald, further down

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 with that

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

Lilian nodded. “Yup, yup!”

to hear. From now on, we can all continue to grow with the Mayberry family. I’m planning to get my own place in the district in a

for a government position? Have you got a job

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 don’t seem to be blessed with.

said all this, everyone

ate, keeping 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

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

heckling Gerald in this way, unbeknownst to any of them, trouble

of youths were having a

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) Chapter

Their food has already been

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 the others would have none

had gotten here first—they had even begun eating already! Now, you come in

do you

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

just who that is hollering in there,

room opened, and the other group

building up

run-of-the-mill rich brats—especially not now that he was working

simply not an option—that’s just unreasonable. How about this, next time, I make it my treat? We can have a

was cool and collected,

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

from Mayberry these days! You think just because I don’t work there myself,

strolling

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

a big kahuna attending Sunnydale University and had been

parties, where

not your typical rich brat at

know who I am?”

you!” Murphy was in total doormat mode now. Gone was the cool champion from

came here to have dinner… is switching tables for my

no offense, I swear, but… Mr. Ziegler, we’ve already started here, you see… Couldn’t you just see

you any favors.” Yancy was done playing nice. “Enough

swallowed hard. So did everybody else at

not someone to be

Aiden and he could kiss his precious job

it but to grit his teeth and say,

but there are so many dishes on the table… How shall we do this?”

as before,

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

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

meanwhile, froze

Gerard?

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

told, when Yancy had first walked in here, he had glanced at that same guy

into action, hurrying

nearly shrieked aloud. It

you were here!” Yancy stammered, remembering what Aiden

those henchmen who had also met Gerard

Crawford:The Secretly Rich Man Novel

would be here, hanging with this sort

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

by name, Murphy and many of the other guys present at the

What was this?

hell is 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

blood drained out of Murphy’s