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!”
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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.
What a phenomenally beautiful woman she was, though her radiance was being obscured by long hardship.
And she was being very reserved in Gerald’s presence. He knew it was because she was afraid he would tire of her.
Queta wouldn’t know that Gerald used to be the sort of person who never felt he was good enough, either.
The two of them were about the same age. Gerald used to think he’d gotten the short straw in life, but Queta here had it so much
worse: A young woman with no parents, caring for three kids on her own.
How often did you come across a woman like this, these days?
Gerald was deeply moved with admiration for her.
“Where do you stay?” he asked.
“Over there!” All three children pointed towards an ordinary residential area, not far from the school.
“Would you mind if I swing by for a bit?” he asked with a chuckle.
After a moment’s consternation, Queta nodded.
The whole area was basically a collection of old squatter shacks.
When they reached her 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 in

grime.
“Queta Smith, my name is Gerald Crawford. Shall we be friends?”
“Friends?” She was taken aback. Queta knew that Gerald was a powerful man since he had been able to order around that
manager person.
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Why would such a powerful man be interested in her friendship?
Gerald wouldn’t just come out and say why, either. Today was just a chance meeting.
He was a soft-hearted man and held particular sympathy for people who were suffering.
Of course he could just solve their problems straight away: Find them a nicer place to stay in, put all the kids in school... all it
would take was a few words from him.
However, from the moment Gerald 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 know her better.
He didn’t understand this feeling.
Yet, thinking back now, he’d known from the first time he laid eyes on her... Just one look from the side and her face had been
burned into his memory.
A girl he’d met purely by chance. How could he be feeling this way about her?
He didn’t have the slightest clue. All he knew was that, from the moment he met her, he’d felt like he’d known her forever.
The two of them began to talk, warming towards each other with each passing moment.
Without noticing, an entire afternoon had gone by.
“Queta, Yasmin, I’m going now. I’ll visit again in a few days!” Gerald waved goodbye to the girls and took his leave.
After spending the day with them, his heart felt light, his soul at peace for the first time in an eternity.
Then his phone rang. It was Lilian.

When they’d last parted ways, Gerald had asked to exchange numbers with her. Reluctantly, she’d agreed.
“I 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 are you?”
“Oh, something came up, so I was held back. On my way now, maybe ten minutes!”
Doot... doot... Without another word, she’d hung up on him.
Gerald smiled wryly.
He should have just stayed out of this ‘old schoolmates’ trouble. What a d*mned headache!
But he had already given 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 made.
He arrived, parked the car, and found the table.
“Took you long enough, Gerald! You’ve really kept everyone waiting for you, you know?” Lilian’s face contorted hideously at the
sight of him.
“My God, it’s really Gerald! After all these years! No patches on your clothes... have you started dressing like normal people?”
“Hahaha! Oh, Gerald, I hear you’re in Mayberry University? That’s a swanky place! How have you been doing lately? The
internship is coming up soon—found yourself a spot somewhere, yet?”
“Have a seat first. Gerald, tell us all about what you’ve been through, these past few years.”
They were in a private dining room, with 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 was a crowded and cozy
affair.
Gerald smiled at everyone, then spotted a girl at the head of the table: Sharon Leslie!
The prettiest girl in class, and his best friend in high school. They used to study together all the time.
As a matter of fact, each had been harboring some measure of affection for the other.

However, Sharon hadn’t wanted to get involved with someone from his sort of background.
Likewise, Gerald hadn’t dared to get involved with someone from her sort of background.
There had been too great a fault in their stars.
And so, they’d never been much more to each other than just friends.
“It’s been a 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 he remembered.
A first-class beauty without question.
“I’m doing great. Why don’t you find a place to sit down!” Sharon replied with a smile and in a tone that was neither malicious nor
dismissive.
After three years without contact, anything they had had between them had long vanished.
They were just strangers, now.
“Alright!” Gerald spotted an empty seat, and he moved to take it.
“Who said you could sit there?” Before he could actually do so, however, another girl—another ex-classmate—snapped harshly
at him, giving him a fright.
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“Did anyone say you could sit here? This spot is reserved for my boyfriend! Goodness gracious... it’s one thing to have been a
loser back then, but after three years of university, you still haven’t improved one bit! Go, scram, get lost!”
Gerald couldn’t even remember her name anymore, and he couldn’t be bothered to pick a fight with her at the moment.
That left the seat by the door, where all the food would be brought in.
Realizing that this had been everyone’s intention all along, Gerald simply resigned himself to it.
Actually, there was an empty spot 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 offer it to him.

Lilian grinned at Gerald, then turned and asked, “Sharon, when’s Murphy gonna get here?”
“That guy... Hmph! Always wishy-washy about everything. Every time, he’ll say he’s almost there—but you’re still gonna have to
wait a while!”
Although she sounded upset, in truth her heart sang with pride.
“Yo, yo, yo! Is Sharon talking about Murphy, as in the Murphy who graduated and immediately became sales manager of an
upmarket business along Mayberry Commercial Street? Are the two of you not getting along, then?”
“Right? Back when he was still a student, Sharon clung to him everywhere. Now that he’s a Mayberry big shot, you’re full of
complaints? Actually, you just want us to be jealous of you, right?”
“Honestly speaking though, could you tell us how he landed that job? Gosh, sales manager at Mayberry Street... I wouldn’t trade
it for a dozen state appointments!”
No sooner had Sharon mentioned her boyfriend than the whole table was abuzz about him. The air was thick with the smell of
envy.
“Hah, I wouldn’t know about that!” Sharon laughed. “When he gets here, he can tell you himself!”
Right on cue, the doors opened, and two men walked in.
“Murphy, you’re here!” Everyone greeted the tall, thin man with warm smiles.
So this was Murphy—Sharon’s current boyfriend.
The other guy was that other girl’s boyfriend, and he casually took the seat that Gerald had almost stolen.
“Speak of the 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 Gerald, who was sipping at his drink.
“Oh? So this is that penniless tramp, Gerald? Pleased to meet you!” Wearing a look of awe, Murphy came over to shake hands.
Frowning, Gerald remained in his seat and ignored him.
It was only at this point that he was really starting to get annoyed by all this.

He had been too naïve, expecting this to be a simple reunion between old friends he hadn’t seen in years.
He craved the odd bit of socializing, too.
However, it was only after he’d arrived that he began to suspect that Lilian might have had other motives behind inviting him
here. Gerald had been brought here to be the party clown, the evening’s amusement.
No one here really cared about him, not even Sharon—Gerald didn’t even know who she was anymore.
This whole thing had turned out to be a huge disappointment.
Gerald had no interest in this Murphy guy.
Murphy, on the other hand, was beaming at him. “Ahaha, what a character you are, Gerald! Sorry, I was only joking around. I
heard from Sharon that the two of you used to be good friends.”
“Hmph! Gerald, Murphy was offering to shake hands with you, just now! Where are your manners?”
“That’s right! Murphy, you don’t have to apologize to this guy at all! Just ask Sharon—he’s a total deadbeat!”
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“Ahaha, don’t say that! He goes to Mayberry University, you know—after he graduates, he might very well find himself a job
along Mayberry Commercial Street, too!”
Everyone wanted to get in on the merriment.
“Oho? Then we’d basically be colleagues! Let’s get along, Gerald!” Murphy chortled.
He wanted to keep this conversation going. He would often have to hear about everyone bringing up this old friend of Sharon’s.
It had made him curious about what she’d seen in a penniless guy like Gerald.
Sometimes it even made things awkward for him.
That was why, the moment this guy was introduced to him as Gerald, Murphy couldn’t resist having a bit of fun at his expense,
just to see how he’d respond.

So far, it appeared that this Gerald had no social skills to speak of whatsoever. Once he started working life, it would be a
carnival with him!
“Haha... Leave him alone, Murphy! For a guy like him to get a job in Mayberry Street, the boss would have to be deaf and blind!”
“Oh, yeah—Murphy, you never told us how you scored that Sales Manager job over there!”
The focus had been returned to Murphy, anyway.
“Oh, that’s a long story—but I 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, I still have such a long way to go!”
“Whoa! That’s amazing, man!”
A fresh graduate commanding that level of pay was a rare thing. What’s more, he could still climb further up the coveted
Mayberry corporate ladder.
Lilian was 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 apparently made a woman more desirable.
At the moment, Sharon was beaming with pride.
Unbidden, her gaze sought out Gerald, further down the table.
A quiet pang of sorrow arose 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 guy... what would her fate have been?
“Ahah, I just got lucky. Lilian, you and the others have done pretty well for yourselves too—I hear you’re an elementary school
teacher now? Is that for real?”
Lilian nodded. “Yup, yup!”
“That’s wonderful 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 couple of years... and then, I shall marry Sharon!”
Chuckling merrily, Murphy added, “Oh, yes—Gerald, bro, what are your plans for after you graduate? Gonna apply for a
government position? Have you got a job lined up for yourself? Interested in sales? Design? Perhaps admin work?

“I’d recommend that last one 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. 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 for you!”
After Murphy said all this, everyone watched Gerald contemptuously.
The food was already on the table. Gerald 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 concern.”
“Yo, yo, yo! There’s that attitude, again... Can’t handle the truth?”
“That’s it! It’s bad enough how hopeless you are, but you won’t even listen to good advice? Alas, your future looks bleak!” Lilian
moaned.
As they went on heckling Gerald in this way, unbeknownst to any of them, trouble was brewing outside their private room.
A group of youths were having a disagreement with one of the staff:
“I said we’ll pay extra, 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 there!”
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“Sir, there’s just no way! Their food has already been served!”
“You still 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 blustered arrogantly.
“Alright... I’ll give it a shot.” The waitress hurried inside and explained the situation.
Lilian and the others would have none of it.
What was the meaning of this? They had gotten here first—they had even begun eating already! Now, you come in here and say,
what, switch tables? Just like that?
Who do you think you are!

“No way. Tell them we’re not moving!” Lilian was glaring, her temper suddenly flaring.
“Oho? I’d like to see just who that is hollering in there, thinking she’s hot stuff!”
The doors to the private room opened, and the other group strode right in.
It was building up toward a brawl.
Murphy was 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 toward him in anticipation.
Murphy cleared his throat and stood. “My friends, we did reserve this room first. Changing places now is simply not an option—
that’s just unreasonable. How about this, next time, I make it my treat? We can have a meal together at Homeland Kitchen along
Mayberry Commercial Street!”
He was cool and collected, smiling amicably.
It was a statement bearing multiple payloads: They were standing their ground, and he had connections to Mayberry.
“Gods! Everyone and their mother claims to be from Mayberry these days! You think just because I don’t work there myself, that
means I don’t have any big friends in Mayberry?”
Saying this, someone appeared at the doorway, strolling through with both hands in his pockets.
“Mr. Ziegler! So 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 sight of this.
Yancy Ziegler was a big kahuna attending Sunnydale University and had been painting the town red regularly with the Bakers!
He also used to be a recurring fixture at cruise parties, where he was said to have made friends with someone of note!
This was big. Yancy was not your typical rich brat at all!
“Oh, you know who I am?” Yancy said pleasantly.
“How could I not? I’m friends with Ken, and he’s always going on about you!” Murphy was in total doormat mode now. Gone was
the cool champion from a moment earlier.

“I see... one of Ken’s boys, huh?” Yancy smirked. “I came here to have dinner... is switching tables for my sake really too much
to ask?”
“Meaning no offense, I swear, but... Mr. Ziegler, we’ve already started here, you see... Couldn’t you just see this as doing me a
favor?”
“Pah! Like I owe you any favors.” Yancy was done playing nice. “Enough horse crap—will you move or not?”
Murphy swallowed hard. So did everybody else at the table.
Mr. Yancy Ziegler was not someone to be taken lightly.
Murphy’s usual routines were worthless here. One word to Aiden and he could kiss his precious job in Mayberry Street goodbye.
Though his cheeks were burning now, there was nothing for it but to grit his teeth and say, “Understood! We’ll move!”
“Gosh, but there are so many dishes on the table... How shall we do this?” Lilian suddenly chirped sweetly. Just a moment ago,
she had been a raging tigress.
Though she was still discussing the same matter as before, this time, she had become a mewling kitten.
“Gerard can move everything over to our new table. Clear the room for Mr. Ziegler!” one of the other girls suggested.
“Right! That’s the way we’ll do it, then!” Everyone else nodded in agreement.
Yancy, meanwhile, froze in place.
Gerard?
He peered down at the young man, sitting with his back toward him, just quietly eating away without another care in the world.
Truth be told, when Yancy had first walked in here, he had glanced at that same guy and thought that he looked familiar.
Now that his name had been spoken, Yancy burst into action, hurrying over to Gerard for a better look.
He very nearly shrieked aloud. It was Gerard Crawford!
“Gerald! S-s-so you were here!” Yancy stammered, remembering what Aiden had said last time.

Behind him, those henchmen who had also met Gerard before were too stunned to move.
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Who would have thought that Mr. Crawford would be here, hanging with this sort of crowd?
“Oh? Mr. Ziegler, you know this hobo, Gerard?” Murphy asked in surprise.
For some reason, when Yancy Ziegler 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 guy but not them?
What was this?
“How the 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 roaring with rage.
The blood drained out of Murphy’s face.
Gerard set down his chopsticks before calmly replying, “Ah, it’s you, Yancy. I remember you from my last visit to Sunnydale. Oh,
yes—did you find yourself a ticket after all?” He had deliberately modified past events slightly.
“Oh, yes! I did indeed! Thank you so much, Gerard! Really, thank you!”
Yancy bent over in a deep bow. Considering how he was always bowing and scraping in Aiden Baker’s presence, what more
Gerard Crawford?
“Thank you, Gerard!” All the men behind Yancy followed suit.
And that was hello.
“No problem. If I could ask something in return, Yancy... Let me keep this room?”
“Of course, of course!” Yancy didn’t know what business Gerard had here, but if he said jump, Yancy would only need to know
how high. After exchanging a few more quick pleasantries, he grabbed his people and withdrew without delay.
Peace returned to the private dining room.
Silence reigned as everyone stared at Gerard with mouths agape. This guy wielded that sort of clout?

How could this be possible?
“Gerard, how... How do you know Mr. Ziegler? What was he thanking you so much for?” Her stomach churning horribly, Lilian
anxiously spoke first.
“Oh, he misplaced a bus ticket one time—but I found it for him!”
What?
Everyone stared with eyes as wide as the dinner plates on the table.
Who was he trying to kid? All that just now, for a bus ticket?
Gerard himself had only just realized that this off-handed lie might have come off as a bit of a stretch.
“Hmm... Maybe it was a plane ticket. Can’t remember anymore.”
“Huh?” Both Lilian and Sharon were still flabbergasted. Not even a plane ticket would account for this!
Scratching his head, Gerard tried to figure a way out of this. “I honestly don’t remember what sort of ticket it was, but he was
really grateful for it. Hahaha!”
That should do it—and Gerard felt that he had just about had his fill now. He didn’t see any point in hanging around for much
longer. Making up some excuse about having things to do, he made his escape.
Following his departure, everyone in the room stared at one another. Obviously, Gerard had been hiding something... but how
could he possibly have anything to do with Yancy Ziegler?
Why couldn’t it have been them, instead? Why, if it had been them, then...!
Some were seething with envy. Others, like Sharon and Lilian, were wrestling with complicated emotions.
It occurred to them that Gerard could quite possibly experience a complete reversal of fortunes through his acquaintance with
Yancy. It seemed completely plausible.
In that event, both girls felt as if they now understood the true meaning of regret.
The thought of seeing that day arrive filled them with abject horror.

Argh, what was there to be done!
“Haha, I don’t think Yancy will have that much to do with Gerard. Gratitude is only worth a couple of favors, after all. How much
could a tramp like Gerard ask for from someone like Yancy? Basically nothing!” Sensing the agitation in the room, Murphy
declared this with a smile.
At this, everyone was able to relax a little.
Gerard had simply walked away although he could very well have wrung them all out on the spot. For the sake of the affection he
once held for Sharon, he had stayed his hand. No matter what she was like now, he wouldn’t forget that she had helped him out
before in the past.
This made them even.
Rubbing his belly in satisfaction, he began to wonder if Queta and the kids had eaten yet. Perhaps he would bring them
something.
And so, he ended up at Queta’s place once again... and again, for the next seven days in a row. He headed there whenever he
had any free time, chatting with her and playing with the kids... it was a blissful haven for him, and he was always in a good
mood there.
Even better than hanging around in school.
Moreover, he was growing closer to Queta every day.
Having secured her contact information, they messaged each other often as well.
Had he fallen in love? Not even he could say... but he certainly liked her enough.
This whole week spent chatting with Queta, he was occasionally slow in responding to Mila’s own messages. One night, Mila
abruptly sent him the following:
‘Gerard... have you been chatting with other girls besides me?’
Gerald Crawford:The Secretly Rich Man Novel (Invisible or Poorest) Chapter 199
At present, Mila and Gerard were in a relationship one level beyond friendship. However, Gerard had yet to pursue her in earnest
—all they really did, for the most part, was chat.

Mila kept joking about how Gerard was her pretend-boyfriend, giving him the impression that she had never thought about going
any further with him.
And yet, she was always throwing these little tantrums.
Basically, their relationship status was unclear.
Mila’s latest message to him: “I’m asking you a question. Why aren’t you replying? Have you been chatting with another girl
these days?”
Girls are sensitive creatures, able to detect the slightest change in the wind.
Recently, Gerard’s behavior had become highly suspicious. Back then, he would always reply to her instantly. Nowadays, a full
minute could pass without any answer.
It was a disconcerting situation for Mila.
Gerard didn’t want to lie to her. Anyway, there was no point.
“Yup. Just chatting.” That was his reply.
“Heh. You didn’t have to add that last bit. Even if you weren’t just chatting, it’s not like I’d know. You’re an amazing guy. I already
expected lots of pretty girls to be after you. The one you’re talking to must be quite the looker. What’s her name? Do I know her?”
A whole barrage of text tumbled out from Mila.
“I doubt it. Myself, I’ve only known her for a week. As for her looks... perhaps it’s her heart that’s beautiful.”
All this while, Mila had been playing all sorts of games with Gerard.
It made him feel like she didn’t see him romantically in the slightest.
She only saw him as a friend, even knowing that he was positively loaded!
Gerard, in turn, had no ulterior designs for Queta. She was just a friend he got along with easily. More than that... he hadn’t
given the matter much thought.
“Oho! An angel with a beautiful heart? That’s really something! So the great Mr. Crawford has been ignoring his girlfriend
because he’s already found another one!”

“I haven’t been ignoring you! Anyway, aren’t you always calling me your fake boyfriend? And she’s not my girlfriend!” That should
clear things up.
Mila sent him an emoji.
“Tell me who exactly she is to you, then: Your best friend? Your lil sis? Help me understand!”
Seeing this message from Mila—especially that ‘lil sis’ part—Gerard’s heart clouded over.
He had thought that they were growing closer. He’d imagined that they were one step away from falling in love.
So... the truth was that Mila had only seen him as a brother. It made sense, of course—although he had wealth, in terms of
charisma, he was probably nowhere near Mila’s boyfriend standards!
“Nothing like that. We’re just friends. I like her gentle nature and I admire her bravery! I truly respect the way she goes through
life!”
“Wow! She sounds amazing! One day, I shall simply have to meet her. You must introduce her to me!”
“Sounds great. Once you’ve met her, I’m sure you’ll like her too. She’s just swell,” Gerard told her. “One more thing, Mila!”
Eh?
He’d just been about to ask if she was free tomorrow, but before he could finish typing, a bright red exclamation mark suddenly
popped up next to the chat bar.
‘You are not Friends with this person!’
What was going on, here?
Hadn’t they been chatting away merrily? Why had she deleted him?
Panicking, Gerard called Mila directly.
An automated recording informed him that her phone had been turned off.
What in the world was going on? Gerard scratched his head.
He wouldn’t know that up until just now, Mila had just been lying in bed, chatting with him.

Gerald Crawford:The Secretly Rich Man Novel (Invisible or Poorest) Chapter 200
With the speed of Gerard’s responses slowing down recently, Mila had spent the past few days in anxious speculation.
Then, she had ventured a casual inquiry—since it wouldn’t do for her to press too hard on such details.
Sure enough, Gerard had been chatting up another woman!
Mila’s heart was wracked with sorrow, as though something had been stolen right out of her own heart. In this short time, she’d
gotten used to having Gerard around, always being there for her.
Now, she had to share his attention with another girl.
She wasn’t happy about this, but she didn’t say so outright. Instead, she’d made inquiries as to who she was, how pretty she
must be... hints to let Gerard know that she was absolutely furious now!
What happened next? Gerard began talking about what a wonderful, gentle soul she was!
Grrr... Was she to stand there and take this?
Every message she had sent after that had been dripping with acid. Hinting that he was just a bro to her... she had only said that
to get back at him a little. Then she went on asking about the other woman, saying that she’d really like to meet her.
Then she had deleted him and vehemently slammed her handphone against the wall, so hard that it shut off!
“What’s wrong, Mila? Are you okay?” her roommate asked in worry.
“I’m fine! Good night!” Mila buried her head under the blanket.
“We’re sorry, but the device you’re trying to reach is currently offline...” Despite numerous attempts, Gerard still couldn’t get
through.
What on earth was going on with Mila?
He was just a little crestfallen. After all that hard work, he had almost been ready to believe that he really had a chance with Mila,
but then... sigh!
Time for bed. Forget about all this nonsense.

The next morning, Gerard went to the cafeteria to have breakfast with Harper and Benjamin.
The moment he stepped into the hall, Harper nudged him and pointed. “Gerard, dude... look who it is!”
Following his gaze, Gerard spied Mila having breakfast with two of her roommates!
Last night’s affair still weighed heavily on his mind. Why had Mila blocked him, all of a sudden?
Straight away, he walked over there and sat down across from her.
“Mila, why did you block me last night?” he asked.
“Huh? Did I? I don’t recall doing anything like that. Maybe I accidentally clicked something? No way, why would I block you?”
Mila dithered back and forth in a sing-song voice, but her eyes were smoldering with rage.
Gerard pulled out his handphone. “It’s true! Look... you’ve really blocked my number!”
Bam! Mila slapped her chopsticks down onto the table, and hissed, “Is everyone finished? Let’s get out of here!”
With one last baleful look at Gerard, Mila turned on her heels and marched off.
“What the hell happened last night, Gerard?” Harper exclaimed. “Mila always used to be so sweet to you—how did the two of
you become like this, now?”
“I don’t know... One moment we were just chatting as usual, next thing you know... Maybe she’s gotten tired of me...” Gerard
gave a short, disparaging little laugh.
“Impossible. Something like this doesn’t just happen for no reason. Girls crave attention. Go after her! Do you like her or not?”
Perhaps this was the problem with Gerard. Because he cared about Mila, he kept tip-toeing around her feelings. If anything
started to go wrong, he gave up straight away.
It also had something to do with his past experiences.
He had only just recently become able to talk to girls without blushing and stuttering too much. As for the subject of
understanding a woman’s heart... That was probably something he might still need to work on a little.

‘She clearly stated that she was only a little sister to me. If I try to pursue her, I might ruin our friendship too!’ Gerard wrestled
with his inner thoughts.
But Harper was right. Girls craved attention. Perhaps he ought to give her some?