The Secretly Rich Man

Chapter 1741

“Your move, Mr. Crawford!” said Xanry as he turned to look at Gerald once he was done.

It was now the start of the second round, and Gerald knew that he couldn’t afford to obtain zero marks again or the gap between his score and Xanry’s would become too large for him to turn the game around later.

With that, Gerald picked a bowling ball up before slowly walking toward the lane.

The second he got into position, however, Gerald heard Xanry yell out from behind him, “Just make some bold toss, Mr. Crawford! It’s fine if you don’t hit anything, just take it as practice! After all, you need a lot more of it to even be able to take on me!”

As roars of laughter ensued, Gerald simply closed his eyes… Before slowly opening them again.

Taking a step forward, Gerald then tossed the bowling ball!

Rather than swerving to the side this time, the ball instead rolled straight for the pins, momentarily surprising Xanry and the others.

While the sound of bowling pins getting knocked over could be heard, Gerald only managed to hit five pins. With that in mind, he was now twelve marks behind Xanry.

Since there were six more rounds before the game ended—with the game consisting of eight rounds in total—Gerald felt that being twelve marks behind Xanry wasn’t really a particularly large difference. After all, he simply needed to get a higher final score than him to win.

“…Not bad, Mr. Crawford! I guess you really do have some talent to be able to hit five pins!” said Xanry as he insincerely praised Gerald. Truth be told, the fact that Gerald had managed to hit five pins in the first place was truly vexing him. How lucky!

While that hit was certainly surprising, Xanry quickly summarized that Gerald still wasn’t a threat to him. He’d definitely still be able to win and obtain that hundred and fifty dollars!

With that, their little contest resumed and the third round began.

Using his usual tactic, Xanry tossed the ball as easily as the first two rounds… and following the clattering of falling pins, only a single pin remained standing!

Since he had managed to gain nine points, Xanry now had a total of twenty-six points and this led those surrounding him to instantly cheer.

Even before Gerald made his move, however, he could already tell that that same crowd was going to jeer at him no matter what score he got. Still, it was clear to him that those spectators were simply fools fawning over Xanry. With that in mind, their jeers meant little to Gerald. Gerald hadn’t even displayed his true capabilities yet.

Whatever the case was, Gerald then retrieved his third ball and tossed it skillfully without the slightest hesitation, a clear contrast to how he tossed his ball in the previous two rounds.

This was all according to plan, of course. Gerald had applied perfect amounts of force to his throws to display increasing amounts of strength and skill in each passing round. That way, not only would Xanry not be too quick to be suspicious of him, but he would also be able to ensure that he was making progress in the game.

If everything went smoothly, everyone would surely have a vastly different opinion of him by the end of the bowling match.

Regardless, as the ball rolled seamlessly on the lane, the familiar clatter of bowling pins could be heard… Gerald had managed to hit seven pins this time, and he now had twelve points, which meant that he was now only fourteen marks behind Xanry!

Seeing that Gerald had managed to hit even more pins this time, Xanry’s expression turned even more unpleasant. To think that Gerald would be able to progress so quickly! He knew he couldn’t afford to go easy on the youth anymore or their scores would just keep getting closer!

“…It appears that you’re getting the hang of the game extremely quickly, Mr. Crawford! I guess I can’t go easy on you anymore!” declared Xanry, making sure to make it obvious that he had been going easy on Gerald this entire time.

Upon hearing that, Gerald couldn’t help but chuckle in his mind as he thought, ‘I wonder who’s truly going easy on who now…’

Whatever the case was, the fourth round soon began…

Since Xanry was up first, he got his ball before concentrating hard on the pins before him…

Once he was ready, he tossed the bowling ball toward the pins extremely swiftly!

Chapter 1742

Xanry realized that he had made a miscalculation the second the ball hit the lane with a loud ‘thud’ before swerving right into the gutter! With that in mind, Xanry ended up getting no points for that round.

Seeing that, Xanry couldn’t help but frown. To think that he would actually make such a mistake at the worst possible time! How dissatisfactory!

Gerald himself wasn’t about to miss the chance to ridicule Xanry. Laughing aloud, Gerald then scoffed, “I guess you made a mistake just in time for me to catch up to you, Monitor! You have my thanks!”

Hearing that, Xanry grew immensely annoyed, though he didn’t really have anything to retort. After all, he was the one who had been careless.

Laughing bitterly in response, Xanry then replied, “…That’s right! I guess you do have a chance now!”

While Gerald didn’t say it out, in his mind, he was thinking, ‘Go on pretending! You’re still trying hard to put up an act even after I’ve given you a platform, huh?’

Now that it was Gerald’s turn again, he figured that it was high time he started closing the gap between their scores even more. As long as he remained a few points behind Xanry, he wouldn’t make his capabilities too obvious, and Xanry would surely continue being smug about it till the very last moment.

With that in mind, Gerald then got up and took yet another ball. Tossing it in one fluid motion, the ball rolled so steadily that by the time it got to the bowling pins, all ten of them ended up falling!

While gasps could be heard from the audience, Xanry’s frown only deepened. Now that Gerald had twenty-two points, he was only four marks behind Xanry. If he wasn’t careful, Gerald was surely going to surpass his score in the next round!

“Looks like I’m about to catch up to you, monitor!” said Gerald with a chuckle.

Forcing a laugh, the awkward Xanry then moved to take his fifth ball.

He now understood that due to him wanting to win so much in the previous round, he had gotten impatient, which led to his terrible performance. As the saying went, ‘slow and steady wins the race’. With that in mind, Xanry made sure to calm himself before tossing his next shot.

Naturally, now that he was much more focused, Xanry was able to get a strike as well!

Seeing that, his classmates instantly began cheering once more!

“Hell yeah!”

“Awesome, monitor! You got a strike again!”

Now that he had returned to his normal performance, Xanry couldn’t help but flash a smile. He was going to triumph over Gerald if it was the last thing he did!

Gerald, on the other hand, simply retained his poker face. Standing there calmly, it almost seemed like he didn’t even care about Xanry’s performance…

The truth was, however, that Gerald was cooking up a plan in his head. In his mind, he was thinking that instead of simply winning the competition by a landslide, wouldn’t it annoy Xanry even more if he won with only a single point higher than Xanry?

Just as Gerald was thinking how interesting that outcome would be, his train of thought was cut short when Xanry scoffed, “It’s your turn now, Mr. Crawford! Could it be that you’re getting frightened of me?”

The fact that Gerald still hadn’t made his move made Xanry delighted to no end. His humiliation earlier was definitely being redeemed now!

Chapter 1743

Nodding slightly, Gerald then picked up another bowling ball before tossing it almost nonchalantly. Even so, he ended up getting yet another strike! How astonishing!

“I’m sorry, monitor! It appears that I’ve hit all of them again! I guess I’ve already mastered bowling!” replied Gerald as he smiled while looking at Xanry.

Currently, while Xanry was still ahead with thirty-six points, Gerald was only four points behind him. With only three rounds left, the competition was going to end soon. Who was going to be the victor?

“…A bit too early to celebrate, wouldn’t you say, Mr. Crawford? After all, we still have three rounds to decide the victor!” scoffed Xanry as he picked yet another bowling ball to start the fifth round.

After positioning himself, Xanry then aimed for the pins before swiftly tossing the ball toward them!

When tossing a bowling ball, the route the ball ended up landing in would alter the ball’s strength as well as the number of pins it could hit. With that in mind, not everyone could just hit a strike as they pleased. If they were really unlucky, then the bowling ball would even end up rolling into the gutter!

Even so, Xanry had made use of this knowledge—as well as his aiming skills—to perfectly calculate the direction and strength of the ball. With how straight the ball was now rolling, Xanry was more than certain that he had secured himself another strike!

As the ball crashed into the pins, everyone held their breath as they watched the ones at the sides wobble to and fro… Until eventually, only one pin remained standing! With nine pins knocked over, Xanry now had forty-five points in the bag!

Even so, Xanry felt that the results weren’t ideal. After all, now that he had missed one pin, Gerald was one point closer to catching up to him!

Regardless, it was now Gerald’s turn. As long as he managed to hit all the pins, there would only be a three-point difference between their scores!

Picking the ball up before Xanry even had a chance to taunt him, Gerald then casually tossed it down the lane… only to end up getting another strike! How stupefying!

Due to that, there was now only a three-point difference between the two. With only two rounds left in the game, the winner of the competition was soon to be announced…

Looking dead serious now, Xanry was worried out of his mind. After all, if he didn’t perform well in the final two rounds, missing a single pin would result in Gerald winning the competition!

“Ah… Sorry monitor, but it seems that I got another strike! Lucky me!” said Gerald in an apologetic tone as he put on an innocent façade.

Hearing that, Xanry was so infuriated that he wanted to pummel Gerald to bits! However, he knew better than to do that. After all, that would surely make him look like a sore loser!

sixth round

knew that being defeated by Gerald

the ball forward… However,

knew that the results wouldn’t look pretty. Fortunately, he still ended up

appears that you’ve made another mistake, monitor!” said Gerald who wasn’t

mad, Xanry thought to himself, ‘Like I’m blind… I can see

could now only hope that Gerald would also make a mistake. If that happened, then Xanry would still have one

Chapter 1744

about

lane… Without even having to look where he was

was now Gerald’s turn to do the mocking. After all, he was simply doing the same thing that Xanry had done to

no pins remained standing, signifying yet another strike from Gerald.

over, the start of the seventh and

anymore. If he didn’t

get yet another strike… If that happened, then Xanry would still lose the competition, regardless of whether he managed to get that final strike or not… With that in mind, he could only pray that Gerald made a mistake

the thought off, Xanry then picked his final

Xanry heard as his classmates

come on, you can do

You’ll definitely win,

felt his confidence

had recovered his strength, he glared at the pins before tossing the ball forward in a

in

in joy and excitement. At

was over,

performance in this final round would decide who won the battle. If Gerald got another strike, then it would officially be Xanry’s loss. However, if Gerald flubbed his roll,

Xanry’s score of fifty-nine, Gerald knew that he only had to hit eight pins in order to surpass Xanry by a single point. Of course,

and adjusted the strength in

the clattering of pins could soon be heard as the bowling ball’s strike left only two

managed to hit exactly eight pins, and with his score being sixty, he had managed to win against Xanry by exactly one

himself could only stand there, completely flabbergasted. To think that he would be defeated by someone who hadn’t even

Gerald was no stranger to bowling, but Xanry didn’t know that,

embarrassed. After all, in the end, he was still Juno’s monitor. With that said, Gerald knew he had to

then smiled faintly before saying in a humble tone, “I guess I won, monitor! Sorry for that! However, I know how much of a pro you are in this game, so I’m pretty sure

do. Since Gerald was granting him a chance to lessen his shame, Xanry was

Chapter 1745

that, Xanry then got his wallet before fishing a hundred and fifty dollars out

say no to that money. After

that the game was over, Gerald then waved farewell to Xanry before

was prompted to ask,

played around for a while. Regardless, I got a bit tired

even if she was aware of it, she probably wouldn’t have thought much about it. Hell, she

of them watched as Xanry walked over to them with a few bottles of

much of a good time earlier, Mr. Crawford. With that in mind,

Juno couldn’t help but frown slightly as she looked at Xanry, wondering what

think, ‘So, come back to look for more trouble after I defeated you earlier? How reluctant to lose are you? I guess the only way to drill it into you is by showing you the grim reality of

to play properly to show Xanry just how powerless he truly was against him. Xanry was about to learn the hard way that Gerald wasn’t someone who

I wonder what you’re planning to play?” asked Gerald with a subtle smile after a slight

dice before Gerald before saying, “We’re playing a game of dice.

then replied, “Just

hear! I won’t be telling you the rules then. Regardless, what say we spice up the game by betting seventy-five dollars per round? I’m sure that that small amount won’t be an issue for you. Besides, you already gained a hundred and fifty dollars from me earlier!” suggested

earlier. Whatever the case was, he was a veteran when it

problem! I

been sitting at the side—couldn’t help but look at

on his sleeve, Juno then whispered, “Hey, don’t go acting all recklessly

know my capabilities!” replied

Juno! You should believe in Mr. Crawford, you know?”

Juno chose to remain silent. After all, she, of

Xanry then pushed the dice toward

them up, Gerald then began shaking the

confidence against Xanry. What more, he had a secret weapon that the others were

exclusive skill that ordinary people could never hope to achieve. Gerald, however, was

pretty much set in stone that Gerald was going to be the victor before the game

Chapter 1746

then began shaking their dice around for

Xanry immediately smiled as he said, “After you, Mr. Crawford!

then declared,

see! Four sixes then!” shouted Xanry

two sixes. Gerald

him for a few rounds. Allowing Xanry to be smug the first few rounds would definitely make

that in mind, Gerald then

Xanry couldn’t help

Xanry had chosen to open Gerald’s dice,

of the dice didn’t add up to five fives. Instead,

the loss was calculated, and Gerald was still perfectly under control

Crawford!” said Xanry as he looked at

all, it was only seventy-five dollars. In a way, he was simply

Gerald. It was almost as though he was worried that the money would disappear or something, and it clearly showed just how much Xanry

won some cash, Xanry immediately said, “Shall we continue, Mr.

by me!” replied Gerald as both of them

they stopped shaking, Xanry instantly said, “Since you lost in the previous round, you’ll start

his keen hearing—that Xanry had two threes and three fives, Gerald deliberately

exact opposite digits, with him having two fives and three

Xanry

a number that neither

he didn’t want Xanry to lose that quickly. In order to make Xanry’s defeat really sting, Gerald was

Chapter 1747

that in mind, after a brief pause, Gerald

Xanry almost

choose to open now, Gerald instead felt delighted. After all, he

then revealed his dice for Xanry

clearly sarcastic Xanry said in an apologetic tone, “Apologies, Mr. Crawford, but it appears that

power.

replied Gerald in a casual tone as he handed another seventy-five dollars to the overjoyed

at Gerald before muttering slightly worriedly, “Gerald, just forget about the game

losing, his monetary losses would surely stack up to dangerous

then said, “Don’t worry, Juno! The show has only begun! Besides, I haven’t lost a single cent! I won a hundred and fifty dollars from him earlier, so

simply chose to remain silent as the competition between

was high time Gerald

both of them

shaking his dice, Xanry immediately said, “After

was able to hear, Xanry’s dice showed four fours and one three. As for

that in mind, Gerald

Xanry yelled, “Three

Gerald, no longer planning to allow Xanry

Xanry was momentarily stunned. To think that Gerald would choose

anything about it, Xanry then opened his dice at the same time

that I only have one five! Sorry monitor, but it

that he had lost, the unwilling Xanry then fished out seventy-five dollars and handed it to Gerald while saying, “…Fine! You win some, you lose some!

had to return the

way, Gerald was naturally not done with Xanry yet. He wasn’t going to let Xanry off with a mere seventy-five-dollar

about it, monitor? Do

Chapter 1748

back anymore, Gerald naturally wanted