It was evening by the time Gerald arrived at the headquarters building in Mayberry City. At the time, there were two deputy general managers in the economic area, Zack being one of them and the other being a person by the name of Winson Zaito, commonly known as Chairman Zaito. Gerald knew for a fact that both men had always been loyal to the Crawford family, and this was especially the case for Zack. Even so, since Peter had mentioned that there was a possibility that the duo could be involved in certain matters as well, Gerald knew he had to personally investigate them sooner or later. “Apologies, sir, but both Chairman Zaito and Chairman Lyle aren’t present tonight! You’ll have to wait till morning if you still wish to meet them! However, please note that even if you do wish to meet them then, they aren’t people you can just ask to meet up with just because you want to!” said the receptionist at the front desk as she looked at Gerald. Though she appeared polite, she wasn’t
Turning to look at who had called out to him, he saw that it was a rather pretty young girl whom he didn’t recognize… “… ‘That guy?’” asked Gerald in a casual tone. “Yeah! You’re a graduate of Mayberry University, right? Do you know Harper?” asked the girl. “Indeed! He was my roommate, but before that… Have we even met before?” replied Gerald. Nodding with a smile, the girl then laughed before saying, “So I wasn’t mistaken! It really is you! No wonder you looked so familiar!” “Who is he, Westlyn…?” asked the other girls from the group—who were each carrying their own handbag—as they curiously began scanning Gerald from head to toe, arms crossed. ‘While he does look pretty handsome, judging from his clothes alone, he’s probably not even anywhere close to being wealthy!’ Thought the girls to themselves. “Oh, him? He’s just the roommate of one of my hometown friends! I remember him rather distinctly since he used to be willing to do just about anything to obtain a little mo
Glaring back at her, he then headed off to Wayfair Mountain Entertainment. He really couldn’t be bothered with such a woman. Naturally, he wasn’t going there to sleep or attend to accommodation matters. He was simply headed there since he knew the people there knew who he was. Following that, he could tell them to call Zack on his behalf. At the very least, he wanted Zack to know that he was here. Thankfully, things went smoothly this time, and Zack—upon finding out that Gerald was the one on the other end of the line—instantly exclaimed in a voice brimming with respect, humility, and excitement, “You’re fine, Mr. Crawford?! That’s great news!” “I am indeed. I’d like to hear your explanation regarding some matters, so I’ll be waiting for your return,” replied Gerald rather casually. “Affirmative, Mr. Crawford! I’ll be returning right this instant to personally report the matter to you!” said Zack without the slightest hesitation. From what Zack had said, it seemed that Peter’
Naturally, Gerald didn’t feel the need to give this group of people any face at all. After all, he wasn’t even well acquainted with any of them. Layla herself was now feeling exceedingly surprised. Finding it harder and harder to breathe by the second, she eventually managed to shout, “…G-Gerald…?!” While she hadn’t personally met up with him for the longest time, she had heard that he was now a very powerful person. With him having such a high social position, how could she ever dare to claim that she once had ties with him? It was due to that, that the poor girl was shocked speechless the first few seconds she noticed that Gerald was present. While Layla didn’t even dare to say another word now, Westlyn, on the other hand, was now equally surprised as she was mad. “Good god! How absolutely frustrating! Is Wayfair Mountain Entertainment truly still the best mountain villa in Weston? After all, not only did they hire a blind waitress, but I guess any tom, dick, or harry can jus
“My friend here doesn’t wish to see this person, Mr. Zealey. Could I trouble you to kick him out of this place? The longer he stays here, the lower the standard and quality this villa has!” said Jerome, his subtle smile still on his face. “Not a problem, Mr. Crawford! After all, you’re high school classmates with Chairman Lyle’s son! With that in mind, your words are the law here! Now excuse me as I kick this young lad out of this place!” replied Mr. Zealey, a triumphant smile on his face. Turning to look at Gerald, he then sneered, “Now them… Are you going to leave on your own accord or do I have to get my men to kick you out?” Watching as Westlyn and the others smugly crossed their arms while watching, Gerald simply retorted, “Me? Get lost? Mr. Zealey, was it? You’ve just arrived in Mayberry City not too long ago, correct?” “…What’s your point?” asked Mr. Zealey as he narrowed his eyes. “Let me ask you. Do you know who the owner of Wayfair Mountain Entertainment is?” asked
After saying that, Gerald began walking toward the entrance as well. By the time he got there, the other Mr. Crawford—who had been taking in deep breaths in preparation of greeting Mr. Lyle—quickly ran over to face Zack before excitedly saying, “Good day, Uncle Lyle! I’m Mateo’s classmate, Jerome, and I wonder if you still remember me?” “M-Mr. Crawford…!” shouted Zack, his voice brimming with admiration as he looked upfront. “Y-you’re being too courteous, Uncle Lyle!” stuttered the nervous Jerome, unsure of what to even say. Westlyn found herself biting her lower lip as well. For Chairman Lyle to refer to Jerome as Mr. Crawford… Wasn’t Mr. Lyle giving him a bit too much respect? Whatever the case was, Jerome now looked extremely cool to the other girls. As for Mr. Zealey, even he was rather surprised by Chairman Lyle’s behavior. Regardless, he now knew that he truly couldn’t afford to offend Mr. Crawford. After all, even Chairman Lyle was referring to him as Mr. Crawford!
Nobody could have imagined that someone who used to be a pauper would turn out to be the actual Mr. Crawford, the man with the greatest reputation on the planet! Hell, even Chairman Zack knelt before him! Watching as Gerald left the area, all of them had horrified expressions on their faces, knowing that there was zero chance that they would ever be able to get into Gerald’s good books anymore. Fast forward to inside the study room, Zack was the first to break the silence. His eyes now teary and reddened, Zack said, “To think that you were fine, Mr. Crawford… What great news…! We previously thought that you had… Well…” “You thought something had happened to me too, right? Zack, what exactly happened throughout this period? Are you guys transferring the company’s assets?” “That’s right, Mr. Crawford! You should have a look at this first!” replied Zack with a heavy nod before opening his briefcase and carefully retrieving something wrapped in yellow cloth… Before Zack was eve
According to Wes, he had witnessed the murderer assaulting and capturing those from the Crawford Manor. However, when looking at the time the text message had been sent over, Gerald realized that Lyra had sent it in the afternoon. In other words, the time when his family should’ve by right been completely dealt with. With that in mind, Lyra could’ve only sent that message by avoiding the initial capture! Maybe she could’ve momentarily escaped. Or perhaps she was outside and hadn’t returned when the catastrophe happened. Whatever the case was, Lyra must have only given Zack those instructions due to having a premonition that she would soon be in danger. ‘What exactly happened…? And what’s that person’s motive…?’ Gerald thought to himself as he held on tightly onto the token of the holy water. Peter had told him that the one responsible for all this was a person who had been stalking him this entire time… What was that person even after…? Looking at Gerald’s puzzled expressio