The Secretly Rich Man

Gerald Crawford:The Secretly Rich Man Novel (Invisible or Poorest) Chapter 401

“Huh? What’s going on, here?”

Staying out of the way by the side of the road, Leila and the others watched what was happening in shock.

A veritable fleet of expensive cars lined outside the karaoke bar. A throng of people swarmed about the place.

“Something must have happened! Gosh… could it be that rascal Gerald’s gotten in over his head?” Douglas wondered aloud.

“Must be. I mean, who else in Serene County could stir up this much of a fuss? I should’ve known better than to bring that guy here, no matter what anyone said. Now look at this mess: The moment something major goes down, we’re gonna get dragged into it—Mr Lourdes knows very well he’s with us!” The guys whispered amongst themselves, their outlook seemed bleak.

Cindy had gone pale, hearing their words. If what they said was true, then Gerald’s life might be in extreme danger!

No, she had to go in and see for herself. If things were really that bad, she’d call the cops! Thinking thusly, Cindy threw open the car door and ran for the karaoke bar.

Gerald had left a good impression on Cindy. They’d only just met, so it was still too soon to talk about any real feelings between them… but she just felt that he was a really nice guy, down-to-earth. What’s more, in order to save everybody, he’d taken the whole thing onto himself.

Abandoning him without a second thought, like Leila and the others had done… that was something Cindy simply couldn’t do. She couldn’t just sit this one out.

“Cindy, are you crazy? Get back here!” Leila had gotten out of the car as well, shrieking hysterically.

Cindy was her best friend. Leila couldn’t allow her to do this. Seized by terror, she chased after her, desperate to stop her.

As for Douglas and the rest, they remained right there inside the car, just smoking and keeping watch from afar.

“Holy hell, it’s a bloody mess in there! I don’t know who Mr Lourdes pissed off, but he’s been beaten to a pulp!”

“Anyone else wants to go next? Oh, the horror… but what a twist! Mr Lourdes thought he was the biggest cheese around—never imagined he’d bump into someone even more powerful than him… ahahaha!”

Some young men and women passed by in front of Cindy, chattering noisily about what had happened. Overhearing them, first she was shocked by the news of Mr Lourdes’ tragedy…

But what about Gerald?

Anxiously, Cindy stopped them to ask about the situation within. This allowed Leila to catch up.

Aroused by the sight of these two ravishing beauties, the guys scrambled to recount what had happened back at the bar.

“Hey, babes… I guess you weren’t there, so you wouldn’t know—but of course you’ve heard of Mr Louie Lourdes, the richest kid in all Serene County!” One of the guys was so excited he was sputtering. “Just now, a whole gang of black-clad bodyguards beat him within an inch of his life! Totally brutal, and I hear they’re from Mayberry City! Just take a look at all these cars they brought here! Incredible!”

The other guys were eager to contribute as well:

“As for Louie, when he started shouting for someone to get Big Dolph over here, I thought the tables had turned, you know? I was expecting Louie would clean all their clocks out! But when Big Dolph arrived, he was suddenly bowing and scraping for those two, offering them smokes and drinks… Mr Lourdes’ face was a nasty sight, then!”

“The other big players in the room all knew whose side to take, then!”

“But I’m not asking about Louie Lourdes!” Cindy wailed. “I’m asking if there was some other young man who also got hurt! Did Louie… hack up some other guy in there?”

“Huh? Some other guy? Well, Louie and someone he called ‘Uncle’ caught a bloody good thrashing… but no, no one else was hurt… Oh! Louie’s own bodyguards were knocked out cold instantly—but I wouldn’t have called any of them a ‘young man’…”

“How could this be? What about Gerald? Is there any possibility you might have made a mistake?” Leila blurted out in disbelief. “Are you absolutely sure the one who got roughed up was Louie Lourdes?”

“Of course! We’ve all seen his picture before!” Hooting and jeering, the group wandered off.

“Does this mean… Gerald’s alright?” A massive weight in Cindy’s heart was suddenly eased—but then she added, “But why would all these wealthy people suddenly turn on Louie? Leila… do you think Gerald might have summoned them to his aid?”

Thinking back, she’d just remembered how, as Gerald was clearing the way for them to escape, he’d also said something about calling his own people to come deal with Louie.

Gerald Crawford:The Secretly Rich Man Novel (Invisible or Poorest) Chapter 402

He’d meant summoning people to help fight Louie Lourdes.

At that time, Cindy hadn’t paid much thought about it. She’d assumed Gerald was just stalling for time.

But right here right now, were a whole horde of people whom, sure enough, had attacked and vanquished Louie.

What Cindy was suggesting sent a tremor through Leila’s entire body.

“Impossible! That guy? I don’t know much about him, but isn’t he just some penniless loser? How could he have so many rich and powerful friends? Don’t you fall for his nonsense, Cindy!”

Heaven’s sake! If it turned out to be true… Leila might as well just ram her head against the nearest wall.

But no, haha, it was simply not possible!

Leila turned to gesture for everyone back in the car to come over and join them, where she then shared with them what had been learned. Everyone was gobsmacked by the news that Louie had been wiped out clean. They gazed with admiration at the magnificent cars lining up along the street outside the karaoke bar.

“Look! Isn’t that Gerald?” Glancing around, Leila suddenly spotted him in the Western restaurant next door, dining at the window seat.

For a moment, she doubted her own eyes.

“It can’t be… no, but it really is him!” Douglas was every bit as stupefied.

Everyone had been convinced that Gerald was dead meat. Instead, he was in a fine restaurant nearby, sitting at their premier table?

This… how… what…

“Gerald’s okay after all! Leila, maybe he was really telling the truth! Maybe all these guys really did come here to back him up! Maybe Gerald really is friends with lots of rich people!” Cindy seemed delighted by this.

“No way, no way! I refuse to believe it!” Leila was stamping her feet in agitation. “Douglas, we’re going over there to get to the bottom of this. Anyway, can you believe that tramp can afford that class of fine dining?”

Someone she held so much contempt for, turned out to be someone so amazing? That would be a right slap to the face!

“Right! Let’s get over there! You, send the drunk ones home first!” Douglas issued this command to one of the boys, ignoring the fact that he wasn’t completely sober himself.

Earlier, quite a few of the guys had downed an entire bottle. Now the alcohol was running its course, and some were no longer able to stay on their feet.

Douglas himself had quite a high tolerance—and anyway, he couldn’t bear to walk away from such a momentous affair, so he would just grit his teeth and bear it.

Leila and Cindy were by his side as he walked straight into that restaurant.

In the grip of a terrible rage, Leila stormed across the floor. “Gerald, do my eyes deceive me? So it really is you… Huh! You came into a place like this, but ordered nothing, just sitting here… Don’t tell me you just slipped out from there, and just needed some place to sit down?”

She’d been a little worried—worried that Gerald might actually turn out to be someone of wealth and influence. However, now that she was standing at his table, she was able to breathe a sigh of relief.

Most likely, he’d only ducked in here to find shelter.

“Leila, perhaps you’re not aware of how exclusive this restaurant is. It’s considered a first-class establishment, with their main branch based in Mayberry. Common folk generally don’t dare to trespass in here—so you could hardly have found a safer hiding place, Gerald! Hahaha!” Douglas added his own mocking comments to the mix.

Gerald just sat there mutely.

Back in that karaoke room, when his bodyguards were giving it to Louie and his grunts, Gerald had watched for a while, but then lost interest.

It was enough just to teach that fool a lesson. There was no reason for him to hang around. That sort of thing wasn’t his style.

Anyway, he hadn’t had much to eat for lunch earlier, so by now he was starving, and had come out looking for a bite to eat.

But after he’d placed his order, and was taking a moment to contemplate how he’d handle things from here on out…

… Unexpectedly, Leila and company had come charging back into the fray.

What was this? Hadn’t he gotten rid of them already? Gerald couldn’t even begin to imagine how he’d explain himself now.

At the corner of his eye, he saw six restaurant staff form into a line, trays of food in their hands. And then, they began making their way towards Gerald…

Gerald Crawford:The Secretly Rich Man Novel (Invisible or Poorest) Chapter 403

“Excuse me, miss!” The waitress in the lead smiled at Leila, who stared with mouth gaping wide as a feast was laid out upon the table before Gerald.

“Huh? What?” Leila stuttered for a moment, then exclaimed, “Hey, hey, hey! There must be some mistake—you’ve got the wrong table!”

Anyone could tell that it was a sumptuous meal worth a small fortune—at least five hundred dollars or more—and it was meant for Gerald?

Leila had always held him in contempt as a man with nothing to his name. One time, she’d let slip that their fathers had been arranging for them to be married, and it had made her a complete laughing stock.

“Hey, Leila! Somewhere on a far away farm, your fiancé’s waiting for you!” She could still see those mocking grins vividly at the back of her mind.

It had been the greatest source of misery in her life. She never spoke of it, but it was always on her mind. As a symbol of her humiliation, she utterly despised Gerald Crawford.

And yet, Gerald was eating so well right now…

“How could there be any mistake? Mr Crawford here ordered our most expensive menu, prepared by the hand of a master chef from France! It costs a thousand dollars in total!” The waitress offered her another sunny smile, then bowed to Gerald, and left him to his meal.

“What? One thousand dollars!” Leila stood stunned. Never had she ever indulged in such luxury!

“Gerald, what are you up to? No one’s poorer than you, and yet you’re burning money like nobody’s business… French cuisine? Are you out of your mind? Have you never thought about taking that one thousand bucks and doing something useful with it?” Leila harangued him acidly.

“That’s right, that’s right,” Douglas joined in. “The poor sure like to act like they’ve got money to spend! Who am I, and who are you? My handphone costs as much as this meal you’re eating here! Did what happened just now scare the wits out of you?”

Truth be told, here in Serene County, a five-hundred-dollar smartphone was a substantial status symbol—but Douglas was one step up: With his thousand-dollar phone, it showed that he was really somebody.

But now, it was nothing more than the price of one meal for Gerald. No one would take this without comment.

“Gerald, it’s not that we’re trying to make you feel bad… But wouldn’t it be better to take this money and buy yourself some nice clothes, or a decent phone, or maybe some kind of makeover… Instead, you’re just… urgh!” Leila shook her head at him in disgust.

Compared to Douglas, whether in terms of manners or intellect, Gerald fell far short.

Bzzt! Gerald’s phone was vibrating. He pulled it out for a quick glance. It was an unknown number calling.

stared with eyes as

didn’t take the call. Terminating the connection, he

the day, she was still Uncle Jung’s daughter, and

there! Let me see that phone!” Seized by a sudden frenzy, Leila snatched it over, and murmured, “This

hit the market, four thousand and five hundred dollars apiece. This is

borrowed that from a classmate! Just for appearances, you know!”

else!” Cindy rolled her eyes at him. “Don’t you think I can’t tell that this

was no longer able

The man she hated so… how could he be… Did this mean all those guys back there had truly been summoned here

just a phone. You guys were only drinking back there—you haven’t had anything to eat… How about I treat you all to some French cuisine?” Gerald attempted to change the topic with everything

good! I’m famished—and I’ve never had a thousand-dollar French banquet before! Hahaha! This will be

Secretly Rich Man Novel (Invisible

Cindy giggled.

“Of course!”

you came here to ask about? And, and… weren’t you so worried about Gerald, just a moment ago? Aren’t

I quite forgot. Gerald, tell us. How are you still in one piece? And are all those guys outside your

how am I still in one piece?” Gerald answered

Leila frowned, glaring at

to blows with Louie, the patrons from next door burst into the room,

mad that words

out of the karaoke bar… and into the restaurant next door, for a spot of fine

forget it! She was too angry now, too

stay for dinner, too? It’ll be my

feast that had been served, Leila felt extraordinarily tempted. All girls are gluttons,

things were between

What about her pride?

wanted to eat, we’d order something ourselves!” Folding

how she wanted to

earlier, to the tune of a whopping one thousand and two hundred dollars. There was

held influence—but not

time, Leila. My treat! It’s just… I’ve

could also tell that it was

sighed wretchedly. Douglas felt

leave, but as they turned to go, they ended up knocking over a vase of flowers

the vase shattered

A moment later, a waitress

she began in a

looking at. I’ll pay for them, alright? Here, one hundred.

How’s that for cool?

woman. “Leila,

of a sudden, Leila

“Hold a moment, sir!”

“What’s the matter?”

Rather than a hundred dollars, it’s worth a thousand five hundred!” The waitress declared with a

on the spot. “What? A thousand

Crawford:The Secretly Rich Man Novel (Invisible or

thousand and

to behold. At first, he’d thought to just toss down a hundred bucks, and then swagger out of there. He’d never expected

father over to make

wouldn’t do. This restaurant chain was owned by a powerful figure over at Mayberry. Whatever clout his family

thousand five

a thousand five, so what? No big deal!” Leila sneered. She was this close to slapping the money

watching. No matter what, she had to have the

Douglas. He’d definitely be able to do something about

his pockets, he leaned in close to whisper to her, “I’ve only got a few hundred left on

be able to pool their money

Now, this was embarrassing…

to get involved, until he saw them whispering furtively amongst themselves, and realized that Douglas was probably broke. “Hey, waitress! Add it to my bill! I’ll pay in their stead for

an absolutely hideous expression on her

Leila caught in such a plight. Anyway, when they’d encountered each other again earlier, he’d mentioned something about

Douglas doesn’t need your money! He’s

more, his dad

way out. He’d be

me

problem—but you’ll have to write me

waitress produced pen and paper

portrait of misery, Douglas nevertheless wrote

back that hundred-dollar bill on the side table, and stuffed it back into his wallet, before making his escape with

“Hmph! Leila, it would have been silly not to take advantage of that fool, back there! I’ve been disgraced in front of him this time, but heh! When he comes calling for me to pay

Leila felt like she didn’t even know who he was anymore. Was this really the man she’d taken as

a piece of

important thing. Having been raised in the lap of luxury, she’d never wanted for money herself. As such,

so he’d been her preferred choice. After all, everywhere he went, people looked

after what had happened today in that restaurant, Leila’s

once in a while? Forget that! Without money, they wouldn’t even be able to get

Gerald right now, partaking in that sumptuous feast—but

to pay for a broken vase

now he was plotting revenge

this her type of

I’ll drive you

Secretly Rich Man Novel (Invisible or

me. I’ll find my own ride home!” With that, she hailed a

wrong—and he blamed

later, Gerald and Cindy finished their meal together, and exchanged their

next door to have a look. Everyone had

to be such an

to the hotel where he was staying. The moment he stepped into his room, his phone rang

be? Curious, Gerald took

didn’t you pick up?” It was a lovely, feminine voice. Gerald was taken aback

was you

hospital looking after Mr Winters. Perhaps because of what had happened on the first day of term break, Giya hadn’t spoken to him

that it was just as well. And so,

been expecting to get a call from

I’m calling you from the landline phone in my room. So what am I to make of you not contacting me all

that… I’m just shocked that you

what’s wrong with me calling you?”

I’m not some rich guy… just a

won’t allow you to talk about yourself like that!” she

true! Most girls

you—if anything, I think more of you than all those rich brats. I know you were only treating me that way for the sake of your girlfriend. If not for her, you’d be much nicer to me, isn’t

like that…” For lack of anything better to

like Giya, gorgeous and charismatic, with a heart

Mila. Though he admired Giya…

there some reason you

can’t call you without a reason? Well then… No, no reason! Hang up, won’t you?”

Doot… doot… doot…

Gerald hung up. A moment later, she called

do that? You’re killing me, here! Look, something’s come up, alright?

“What is it?”

you a visit tomorrow at your place—and then I’ll need to stay for a few

Secretly Rich Man Novel (Invisible or Poorest) Chapter

was that?” Gerald couldn’t believe

a few days, at his place? How would he be cool with that? He talked to Mila every day, and on that note: He was spoken for right now—just that his girlfriend was abroad at present—and yet he’d be living together

was cool with it, Gerald certainly wasn’t! What madness

forget

haha, it’s alright… I thought someone would be willing to help me, but I get it now…” Giya’s voice was barely more than

happened over

Giya was hardly the sort of girl to suddenly run off to crash at some guy’s place for a few days without

As though Gerald thought that highly of himself… He was only asking out of

pause, Giya suddenly announced, “I’m getting

this, he suddenly realized there had been something odd in her tone. Changing tack, he instead tried, “That’s wonderful news! Who’s

rough waters, so he’s hoping to win the patronage of the Lincoln family to help us get through this. Meanwhile, Yacob’s been after my hand, and when his dad brought up the subject of us getting married… well, Yacob’s dad helped save my

didn’t think I’d even consider marriage until I was thirty!

to find me through them—that’s why

felt he more or less understood, now. Indeed, it was a heavy burden for anyone to have to

Giya’s mother was saved, the one behind it had actually been Gerald. He’d

full credit for it, and had been holding it over Giya’s family. In that sense, it was

So, now what?

by running away from home, she hoped to

girl like Giya falling into the clutches of a guy like Yacob,

agreed to help her… how would

already knew that he’d never forgive himself for abandoning Giya now. He’d planted these seeds himself—now he had to reap

come stay with me,” Gerald said, “But I’m not at my family home—I’m

to him to resolve the problem. The solution was simple: He’d reveal

would be okay to let Giya come

best! Don’t worry, I’m only doing this to give my daddy a scare! Once he

had some thoughts about the

too late for regrets—he’d already

over—besides taking care of Mr Winters, he also

with Giya, and let her know who

Giya arrived by train. Gerald drove to the station in his Mercedes-Benz G500 to get