Ch 198

[Chapter 198]

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?'