Ch. 496..500: The Secretly Rich Man Chapter 496-500

Chapter 496

Gerald Crawford:The Secretly Rich Man Novel (Invisible or Poorest) Chapter 496 “Could something bad have happened to him?” said Michael Zeke warily.

“Normally, Mr. Crawford immediately hangs up my calls if he’s busy. However, he’s neither picking nor hanging up on me even though I’ve called dozens of times! If something was up, Mr. Crawford would definitely let me know beforehand!”

“Exactly, and if his phone isn’t with him, who was the one who had hung up on that last call before turning the phone off?”

Both Michael and Zack had a feeling that something wasn’t right.

At that moment, Leopold White—Michael’s subordinate—walked in with a group of people.

Leopold walked to their side before saying, “Mr. Zeke, I went to Mr. Crawford’s hotel and the hotel manager told us that he was last seen leaving the hotel this afternoon!”

“He went out?”

Michael and Zack looked at each other.

Several high-ranking VIPs at the banquet started gathering around the two of them.

The venue was divided into several large lounges, making the place quite huge. Those in the inner venue mostly consisted of VIPs. It was also where Michael and Zack currently were.

“Mr. Zeke, Mr. Lyle, is something wrong? Why isn’t Mr. Crawford here?” asked Mr. Harrison.

The VIPs had overheard them discussing the situation which led to them enquiring the two of them about the matter.

“We can’t seem to get in contact with him at the moment.”

“Mr. Lyle, I found him!” shouted Jaxon as he rushed over. He was panting and gasping for air when he finally got close.

He then went close to Zack’s side and whispered in his ear.

“…What?” Zack’s eyes widened.

Those who were aware of the situation immediately quieted down.

“Mr. Harrison, Mr. Zebriel, and Mr. Le! Mr. Crawford has been kidnapped and he was most likely set- up!” said Zack.

“Impossible!” said Mr. Le, shocked.

“Bring the witness over, Jaxon! Hurry!” ordered Zack.

Jaxon nodded and ordered one of his own men to bring her in.

Once she stood before them, she started telling them everything that she knew. About how the situation began with Xeno’s store being wrecked up to the point where Gerald and the others were ‘arrested’ by some shady looking men. She also explained the relationship between Quazzie and Grover.

Naturally, she wasn’t sharing all this information for free. Jaxon had paid her a lot of money to tell the truth during his interrogation.

Several of the VIPs there felt embarrassed.

After a brief silence, the chief slammed both his hands on a table.

“Investigate the matter immediately! I want answers and results!”

“Yes sir!”

“We’ll be going over as well to see if Mr. Crawford had really committed the crime!”

With that, the chief and his men immediately rushed out of the venue.

The people outside who were chatting among themselves were stunned to see such a big scene.

“What? What’s happening?” asked a middle-aged man to a driver.

“Oh, Mr. Jung! Something bad has apparently happened. From what I’ve heard, it seems that Grover has kidnapped Mr. Crawford! I’m not sure why either, but now the chief is personally going over to investigate the matter. Please don’t tell others about this!”

“Huh? Mr. Crawford was kidnapped? Grover?”

The Jung in person was Willie and he was startled by what he had heard.

After contemplating on the matter for a little while, he sent out a text message.

Grover and Quazzie were still chatting between themselves when Grover received a message on his phone.

After reading it, his face immediately turned pale.

“What’s wrong, cousin?”

“Oh god, I think I may be in big trouble!” shouted Grover as he rushed toward the building where the three were locked up in.

Chapter 497

Gerald Crawford:The Secretly Rich Man Novel (Invisible or Poorest) Chapter 497 Before they entered the room, both of them straightened their clothes and put on a calm façade.

“So, what’s it going to be, Xeno? My bros have their eyes on your store. Besides, you’re the one who messed with my brother’s cousin anyway. Why don’t you just sign the d*mn paperwork already?” said Grover as he entered before pointing at the papers on the table.

Quazzie entered next and he immediately slapped Xeno’s face.

He was lucky that Xeno’s arms had been tied together, otherwise, he would have received a swift punch to the gut!

“Fck off you sons of btches! Have you no balls? Fight me one-to-one like real men, cowards!”

Xeno’s eyes were bloodshot.

This time, it was Grover’s turn to slap him. He was going to make sure that all three of them suffered for putting him in such a situation. Though to get caught, the police would still need evidence! There was no way they’d be able to find such an obscure building, right?

Quazzie himself hadn’t received any explanation on why Grover thought they were in trouble. Thus, he simply shrugged it off before thinking of calling his brothers over to gang up on Xeno.

The angry woman, on the other hand, walked toward Gerald and stared down at him with icy-cold glares. She was going to enjoy beating Gerald up.

Before she could land her first slap, however, one of Grover’s men burst into the room.

“Grover! Quazzie! This is bad, we’re in big trouble!”

The man was in such a panic that he fell after taking a few steps forward.

“Oh god… what is it?” asked Grover as he turned to face his fallen subordinate. He hoped what he was thinking of wasn’t true.

“Armed… police… and several luxury cars… They’ve surrounded the entire god d*mn building!”

Grover knew that it was all over for him. He had been arrested before this. This time, however, he was aware that he was clearly in much hotter water.

Not only had he kidnapped three people, he had also posed as a fake cop. He thought these were nobodies!

Quazzie began panicking as well. He just wanted to teach Xeno a lesson and push him out of the second-hand car market! He didn’t expect so many big shots to be involved!

Shaking his head, Grover rushed to the nearest window to peek out. Surely enough, there was a sea of people surrounding the building.

The headlights outside shone through the initially dark, night sky.

“F*cking! Not many people know about this rotten building! How the hell did they sniff us out so quickly?!”

By this point, Quazzie’s face was probably the palest it had ever been in his entire life.

“We’re done for… There’s nothing we can do to clear our names off this!”

The mother and daughter were terrified as well.

The man who had fallen earlier gulped as he got up, his legs quivering.

“Grover? Quazzie? What are we to do?”

“Hell if I know!” yelled Grover as his heart thumped rapidly.

At that moment, all of them in the room could hear people barging into the building.

Several armed police were swiftly ascending the stairs.

As soon as the police saw them, they immediately raised their guns.

“Freeze! Don’t move!”

By the time Gerald and the others were free from their restraints, Grover, Quazzie, and their men were already pinned on the ground.

When they got outside, Michael, Zack, and a few other VIPs rushed toward Gerald.

“Mr. Crawford, you must be terrified! Thank god we managed to track you down!”

“I’m fine! Don’t worry!” replied Gerald.

What a huge commotion this had become.

As Grover and Quazzie stared wide-eyed at the scene before them, both of them began sweating profusely, their wrists now in cuffs.

All those present were big shots that could usually only be seen on television… And why were they calling Gerald Mr. Crawford?

He couldn’t really be that Mr. Crawford, right? He couldn’t be Mr. Crawford of Mayberry… Right?

Both of them gulped down hard at the realization of how big a mess they were in. Now that they knew better, they could safely say that their entire operation had been a suicide mission!

However, the mother and daughter were even more shocked.

“Gerald…? What the hell is going on here?” asked Xeno, confused as to why so many big shots were comforting Gerald.

“I’ll… explain it to you once we get back!”

He might as well use this opportunity to tell his good brother who he really was. There was no need to hide his true identity from Xeno anymore.

Chapter 498

Gerald Crawford:The Secretly Rich Man Novel (Invisible or Poorest) Chapter 498 Due to the chaotic chain of events, there was no way that they could continue with the banquet tonight.

Gerald and Xeno both had to go make a statement. As Mr. Le had said, the matter would be investigated strictly.

Quazzie and Grover may even have to face a maximum of twenty years’ worth of jail time.

“This incident has caused too big an impact on Serene County! It could affect the future of the county negatively! As a demolisher, how dare you do this to us, Grover? The only way he’ll be able to atone for this is through harsh punishment!” shouted Mr. Le furiously.

He was in his office with a large stack of documents on his table. The other employees present were thoroughly startled.

“Mr. Le, Grover is an outlaw. He’s done similar things before and he’s managed to wiggle himself out every time! Not this time though! We have sufficient evidence to convict him of kidnapping three people!”

“It’s time for him to pay for his crimes. Also, did anyone back him up? Is there anyone particularly close to him?” asked Mr. Le.

“We haven’t found anyone directly aiding Grover in this particular event, but we do know that he’s quite close to Mr. Jung from the Investment Promotion Bureau. Both of them have had dinner together several times!”

“Mr. Jung? Willie Jung?” replied Mr. Le, his eyebrows raised.

“That’s the one. However, from what we can tell, he’s clean. He’s probably dealt with these kinds of people just because of the nature of his job”

“Hmph, that won’t do. Even if Willie wasn’t directly aiding Grover, Grover still knows him and works for the Investment Promotion Bureau. Now that Grover’s stirred up such chaos, Willie Jung has to be held responsible for this disaster. Transfer him out of this department! Which department is still vacant?” huffed Mr. Le.

“The publication department seems to be lacking a deputy section chief to write materials… But, this is Willie Jung…”

“Just let him be a clerk! Didn’t they say that he’s good at writing articles? Might as well put that ability to good use!”

His decision was final and he left the office with his hands behind his back.

Moving back to Gerald’s side, the matter could only be resolved after an entire night had passed.

It was close to dawn when Gerald fumbled tiredly behind Xeno to his second-hand car shop.

Both Xeno and Sienna were left bemused after learning of Gerald’s true identity.

They began an onslaught of questions and Gerald replied each of them honestly.

“So… it’s actually true? Gerald, you’re Mr. Crawford from Mayberry?” asked Xeno, rightfully surprised. Sienna was in shock as well.

“Yep, that’s me!”

“And you’re also the one handling the Dream Investment Group?”

Xeno was pleasantly surprised by this turn of events.

“I meant every word I said earlier, when I told you that I was going to help you expand your business. Once things have calmed down, I’ll have my people come over to help you with the handover procedures!” said Gerald, smiling.

“Really?” replied Sienna, her eyes wide open in shock and joy.

“What, you want me to lie and say I won’t?” said Gerald with a grin.

Gerald had already made the arrangements with Zack the night before. It wasn’t too difficult for him to handle.

This was also the reason why Gerald followed Xeno back to his shop.

After both of them chatted for a while, Gerald finally got up and returned to the hotel.

Since it was so early in the morning, there weren’t any taxis around yet. He didn’t have a car anymore either, so he simply got on an Ofo bicycle.

Xeno stood by the entrance as he watched Gerald leave. “Hey, buddy! You’re really too humble, you know? If I had as much money as you, I’d have a fleet of Maybach cars clearing the road for me, followed by at least a dozen chicks and bodyguards wherever I went!”

“Also, while you’re still here, I’m going to vow right here and right now. I’m going to make sure Quazzie’s entire family regrets ever being born!” growled Xeno with resentment.

“…Hmm? What was that?” said Sienna as she raised a slight brow.

“I said I’m going to make Quazzie and his family regret ever being born!”

“No, no, a little before that.”

“I think I said that I’d have at least a dozen chicks and bodyg- ah. Sienna, wait! I can expl-”

Before he could finish his sentence, Sienna was already pinching Xeno’s shoulder!

Gerald simply smiled while shaking his head as he headed back for his hotel.

Upon arriving, he was just about to park his bicycle when he saw a girl limping out of a taxi that had stopped right in front of the hotel.

Gerald sighed before covering his face with his hand in an attempt to avoid looking at her. However, before he could go past the automatic doors, she called out to him.

“Gerald?”

Gerald froze and sighed before lowering his hand. Of course she had spotted him…

Chapter 499

Gerald Crawford:The Secretly Rich Man Novel (Invisible or Poorest) Chapter 499 The girl in question was Leila Jung.

Gerald honestly didn’t hate her, nor was he as irritated toward her compared to her parents.

However, he really hoped that she hadn’t seen him right now.

At that moment, he recalled his time as a seven or eight-year-old kid. His father had brought him out, and it was then that he had met Leila for the first time.

Back then, he thought that she was really beautiful and that he would definitely have her as his wife when he grew up.

Gerald couldn’t blame his younger self for thinking that either. After all, young Leila was always clean and pretty. She wore nice clothes all the time as well.

However, the thing that hadn’t changed was her arrogance. She didn’t like the fact that Gerald wasn’t a city dweller.

Young Gerald had tried getting closer to her on multiple occasions, but she would always turn him down.

Gerald remembered how optimistic he was to make her his wife, even though he was still a little afraid of her back then.

Fortunately, his feelings for her faded once Gerald entered middle school.

Now that they had met again, however, Gerald knew that if he ever exposed his true identity to her, Leila would be head over heels for him.

He shook his head before looking back at her.

But things were much different now.

Rather than wanting to chase after her, he was trying his hardest to avoid her. Sadly, as the saying goes, you attract what you fear!

“Were you trying to ignore me? Didn’t you clearly see me earlier? I even got off the taxi because I just so happened to see you cycling down the road!” asked Leila in an angry tone. She seemed to have broken her foot.

“Oh, Leila! Sorry, didn’t manage to see you there!” replied Gerald awkwardly.

“Well, now that you have, I was planning to take a bus to Mayberry today. Unfortunately, I broke my foot so I won’t be able to go alone!”

As she said that, she limped closer toward Gerald.

“Ah, that’s a pity! I hope your foot heals soon! I’ll be taking my leave now!” said Gerald hurriedly before trying to get past the automatic doors again.

“Hey! I’m injured here! Why are you trying so hard to leave? You aren’t showing any concern at all!” grumbled Leila. His indifference toward her situation was somewhat disappointing.

She considered the fact that Gerald could just be afraid of her at that moment. Thinking back, however, she remembered when she had first met Gerald at her home. Back then, he would obey everything that she ordered him to do, just like a dog.

She also recalled how she never used to take his words and actions seriously. That all changed when she found out that Gerald was rich.

Leila herself was now caring about the way Gerald thought of her. She was also finally willing to take his words and actions seriously.

Yet what was Gerald doing? Why was he showing indifference to her now?!

She wouldn’t have batted an eye if he treated her this way in the past but not now!

Everything about their relationship was going topsy-turvy and that made Leila really displeased!

“Ah. Oh no, your foot looks hurt. Are you okay?” asked Gerald reluctantly.

“Humph! It’s fine!” shouted Leila angrily.

She could remember that event clearly. That day, Gerald had withdrawn ninety thousand dollars before her very eyes. What more, Gerald had helped Auntie Lacy achieve her work target. She was even made the vice president! Leila knew about this because her mother had cried a lot over the incident. Leia was still deeply upset about the matter.

Leila herself was shocked after hearing that. She felt as though she was losing control of everything!

“Glad to hear! Well, I’ll be returning to my room now. Need to get some beauty sleep after such a busy night!” Gerald replied with a yawn.

He wasn’t kidding either. He really just wanted to get some rest now.

“So, this is where you’ve been staying?” asked Leila, startled again.

“Yep,” he replied before finally making it past the automatic doors.

“Gerald you’re being so cold! I’ve injured my foot and I just want to go home! Can’t you at least give me a ride back?” yelled Leila, her eyes growing slightly red.

This person who had been pampering her all this time was now treating her like she was nothing!

“With what? A car? A car that I sold so that your dad could get some ‘donations’?”

“That… Well, I saw you park that Ofo bike! You can give me a ride on a bicycle! Also! My mom fell sick with anger last night because of what you did! This will be a prime opportunity for you to visit her!” replied Leila, frustrated.

“F*ck you and you mom! Glad that she is! Now leave me alone, both of you are none of my business!” cursed Gerald who had already lost his patience.

Chapter 500

Gerald Crawford:The Secretly Rich Man Novel (Invisible or Poorest) Chapter 500 “Fine! Alright, I’m the one wrong here! Just relax already!” shouted Leila who was so aggrieved that she was already on the brink of tears.

No one had ever scolded her like this and when she heard Gerald cursing at her, she felt as though she had done something terribly wrong. She immediately started blaming herself for it.

It didn’t take much longer for her tears to start flowing down her cheeks.

She just wasn’t used to so much self-reproach coupled with the shame of being scolded.

When Gerald saw her crying, he felt a slight pang of guilt in his heart. Maybe he had been a bit too rough on her.

After all, the main reason why he had shouted profanities at her was because Willie and Leia’s names struck a nerve in him.

He softened his tone a little before saying, “I really need some rest, I’ve been up all night. I can hail a taxi for you if you want!”

“I’m not leaving!” said Leia as she tried to stomp her hurt foot. Now it was her turn to start losing her temper.

She then slowly limped toward the Ofo bike that Gerald had parked before standing there with her arms crossed.

This girl…

Gerald wasn’t going to get any sleep at this rate! And it was too awkward for him to scold her a second time! Gerald sighed as he considered her earlier suggestion to send her back on the bicycle.

“…Alright, fine. If you really don’t mind, I’ll give you a lift home with the bicycle,” said Gerald as he nodded in resignation.

“Yes!” shouted Leila victoriously

She sat on the bicycle’s back seat and held on to Gerald’s clothes with one hand.

“I never knew that you knew how to ride a bicycle, Gerald! I still don’t know how to cycle yet!” said Leila.

“Heh, weren’t you the one who mocked me back then? Saying that only hillbillies rode bicycles? ” said Gerald with a laugh.

“I…”

Leila blushed, remembering how Gerald used to ride a bicycle to her house when they were still kids.

Back then. It was Uncle Dylan who had brought Gerald to her house with his bicycle.

Now, it was her turn.

The funniest thing was, it was more comfortable than sitting in Douglas’ Sedan. She felt so perplexed!

Seeing her reactions from the side mirrors, Gerald was reminded of a saying.

It was better to cry in a BMW than to laugh on a bicycle.

To Gerald, the vehicle itself didn’t matter much. The important thing was who maneuvered it.

After chatting while cycling for a while, both of them eventually arrived at their destination.

Upon entering, Gerald was surprised that Willie Jung’s house was already very crowded even though it was just nine in the morning.

Willie himself was sitting on one of the couches, his palms placed against his forehead. Something was definitely worrying him.

The expression that Leia was making only solidified Gerald’s assumption.

Sitting opposite of Willie were a few middle-aged people, whom Gerald assumed were his colleagues. They seemed to be trying to advise him on something.

Even that b*stard Douglas was there. Beside him, sat a middle-aged man that resembled Douglas a lot.

When he turned to look at Leila, she looked arguably more confused than he was.

After sticking around for a little while more, Gerald heard enough to somewhat make sense of what was happening.

Apparently, Willie had gotten himself into trouble again, and he didn’t even know what he had done wrong! However, the more pressing issue was that he had been transferred to another department as a clerical section chief! He was devastated.

“Um… Mom, dad, look who’s here!” said Leila at that moment.

Gerald was a different person now, so she held him in high regard.

“Heh, hey dad, look over there. That’s Gerald, the one I told you about before. Look how close he is to Leila! And don’t let his appearance fool you, I saw him withdrawing ninety thousand dollars from the

bank in cold hard cash the other day! Guess there’s no reason for us to stay any longer! Not that we’re able to help Mr. Jung anyway. Let’s go!” said Douglas as he glared at Gerald coldly while tugging his father’s sleeve.

“Alright, we’ll be taking our leave. You should be able to figure all of this out on your own, Mr. Jung,” said Douglas’s father before getting up with a nod.

“Please don’t leave, Mr. Lindt! He’s no guest of ours, you are!”

Willie then turned to look at his daughter, his eyes fierce as a tiger’s. He glared at her like she was a total disappointment before shouting angrily, “What were you thinking, Leila?! Why did you bring this son of a b*tch home?!”