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.

woman she was, though her radiance was

in Gerald’s presence. He knew it was because

sort of

in life, but Queta here had

did you come across

deeply moved with

do you stay?” he

All three children pointed towards an ordinary residential area, not far from

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

moment’s

basically a collection of old squatter

a bath. The

is Gerald Crawford. Shall

Gerald was a powerful man since he had been able

Novel (Invisible

a powerful man be

say why, either. Today was

held particular sympathy for people

stay in, put all the kids in school… all it would take

saw Queta again, his heart had been racing wildly out of control. Some subtle emotion was compelling him to get closer to her, to get to

understand this

on her… Just one look

purely by chance. How could he be feeling this way

was that, from the moment

two of them began to talk, warming towards each other with each

entire

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

his soul at peace

phone rang. It was

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

I was held back.

word,

Gerald smiled wryly.

should have just stayed out of this ‘old schoolmates’ trouble. What

to the car

parked the car,

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

God, it’s really Gerald! After all these years! No patches on your clothes… have you started

Oh, Gerald, I hear you’re in Mayberry University? That’s a swanky place! How have you been doing lately? The

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

dozen. That was the number of ‘old friends’ who were in attendance this evening, including a handful of former high school classmates of his.

spotted a girl at the

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

fact, each had been harboring some measure of affection for the

to get involved with someone

Gerald hadn’t dared to get involved with someone from

had been too great a fault

much more to each other than

Have you been well?” Gerald smiled at her. Sharon had changed tremendously.

beauty

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

anything they

were just

empty seat, and he moved to take

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

Rich Man Novel (Invisible or Poorest)

spot is reserved for my boyfriend! Goodness gracious… it’s one thing to have been a loser back then, but

he couldn’t be bothered to pick a fight with her at the

the door, where all the food

everyone’s intention all

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

then turned and

everything. Every time, he’ll say he’s

truth her heart

became sales manager

he’s a Mayberry big

sales

mentioned her boyfriend than the whole table was abuzz

Sharon laughed. “When he gets

cue, the doors opened, and

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

was

other girl’s boyfriend, and he casually took the seat

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

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

his seat and ignored

was only at this point that he was really

to be a simple reunion between old friends

craved the odd bit of socializing,

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

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

turned out to

had no interest

are, Gerald! Sorry, I was only joking around. I heard from Sharon that the two of you used to

shake hands

Murphy, you don’t have to apologize to this guy at

Rich Man Novel (Invisible or Poorest)

he graduates,

get

basically be colleagues! Let’s get along,

He would often have to hear about everyone bringing

she’d seen in

made things awkward for

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

speak of whatsoever. Once he started working life, it would be a carnival

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

told us how you scored that Sales

been returned

suppose 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 per year for now. Ahh,

“Whoa! That’s amazing, man!”

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

green with envy toward Sharon now. She was her equal in terms of looks—but Lilian was more carefree, while Sharon was more reserved. The latter approach

moment, Sharon was beaming with

her gaze sought out Gerald, further

immediately by horror—imagine if, during those years, she’d succumbed to a moment’s sentimentality and

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

Lilian nodded. “Yup, yup!”

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

for a government position? Have you got a job lined up for

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 to know is how to work a simple calculator—that’s perfect

Murphy said all this,

thing he said

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

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

to any of them, trouble was brewing outside their

a disagreement

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 of

Man Novel (Invisible

way! Their food has already been

you—and if you can’t get it done for me, your manager will do it in your place.

The waitress hurried inside and explained the

others would have

They had gotten here first—they had even begun eating already! Now,

you

moving!” Lilian was glaring, her temper

that is hollering in there, thinking

opened,

building up toward

their champion on this side. He had nothing to fear from your run-of-the-mill rich brats—especially not now that he was working for the Mayberry group. Everyone looked

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

and collected,

They were standing their ground, and he had connections

days! You think just because I don’t work there myself, that means I don’t have

someone appeared at the doorway, strolling through with

gave way to effusive fawning. Even Sharon had to avert her

a big kahuna attending Sunnydale University and had been painting the town

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

Yancy was not your typical rich brat

I am?” Yancy

and he’s always going on about you!” Murphy was in total doormat mode now. Gone was the cool champion

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

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

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

hard. So did everybody else at

Ziegler was not

to Aiden and he could kiss

there was nothing for it but to grit his teeth and

shall we do this?” Lilian suddenly chirped sweetly. Just a moment ago, she had been a raging

was still discussing the same matter as before, this time, she had become a mewling

new table. Clear the room for Mr.

it, then!” Everyone else

meanwhile, froze

Gerard?

his back toward him, just quietly eating away without another care in

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

had been spoken, Yancy burst into action, hurrying

shrieked aloud. It was

here!” Yancy stammered, remembering

him, those henchmen who had also met

Novel (Invisible or Poorest)

have thought that Mr. Crawford would be here,

know this hobo, Gerard?” Murphy asked in

the other guys present at the scene were

What was this?

I happen to know? Get the hell

blood drained out