The Super-rich Gerald Arnold

Chapter 7

Inside the grand Dalton mansion, the party was already in full swing. Golden lights bathed the massive interior in a warm glow, and framed posters of Mr. Dalton lined the walls with each photo capturing a different milestone in the man’s life—obviously Juliet's idea.

The DJ filled the space with mellow tunes that gave the entire party a touch of quiet elegance. Waiters floated past with trays of champagne, and laughter mingled with the soft clinking of glasses.

The guests, adorned in designer suits and glittering gowns, were all seated at beautifully arranged tables containing their name tags and intricate floral centerpieces. It was clear this wasn't just a birthday celebration—it was an event for the elite. And it made sense. Professor Julian Dalton wasn’t just the Vice Chancellor of one of the most prestigious universities in the country, he was also a prominent businessman and millionaire, with connections that stretched beyond academic circles.

Professor Dalton himself moved from corner to corner, exchanging pleasantries and handshakes with his distinguished guests, flashing the kind of smile only a man of his calibre could.

At Juliet’s table, Amara sat with her friends, basking in the attention that naturally followed her wherever she went. Her beauty and aura were magnetic, but her entourage of equally dressed-up friends added to the air of royalty around her, because of how they were constantly fawning over her.

Terry was at the table too, but he didn't concern himself with the likes of Amara, he and Juliet—who had no choice but to play dutiful hostess and ensure Amara was comfortable—kept drifting their eyes toward the entrance. They were both waiting for Gerald.

That was when Alex and Susan sauntered over. Their confidence irritatingly high and their smirks screaming mockery and mischief.

“Well,” Susan said, flipping her hair dramatically, “I can see you're both eagerly waiting for your lowlife friend. Alex and I have decided to do you one better and tell you not to bother. We knocked him and that piece of junk he calls a bike to the ground at Crimson & Crown.” Susan chortled at their shocked expressions, “Yeah, there's no way he's coming tonight.”

Juliet blinked in shock. “What is wrong with you!” She yelled, already springing to her feet.

“Relax,” Alex added with a shrug. “It was just a love tap. That’s the least of his problems now.”

Terry’s eyes narrowed. “What are you talking about?”

“Oh, nothing really,” Alex replied, clearly enjoying himself. “Your boy grew some balls and I called in the deputy manager, who is a family friend of mine, to handle his ass.” Alex chuckled at Terry’s expression. “Uncle Mike and the manager, Miss Steph, are handling the situation now. I’m sure your friend is somewhere crying and begging for mercy.”

He and Susan both burst out laughing before walking away.

Juliet and Terry didn’t spare a second. They rushed out immediately, worry etched across both their faces, to try and put a call through to Gerald.

On getting outside, there he was—Gerald. Standing outside the gate, looking a little disoriented as one of the security men stood in his path, interrogating him and sizing up his outfit like he’d just walked in from a homeless shelter.

“Gerald!” Juliet exclaimed, running to him and pulling him into a hug before the security guard could say another word.

“What happened? Are you okay?” she asked quickly, eyes scanning his face for bruises or signs of injury.

“I’m good,” Gerald said with a small smile. “Why do you guys look so worried?” He looked at Terry as well.

Terry scoffed. “Your girlfriend was just at our table, said something about getting you arrested or something like that.”

Gerald scoffed and patted Juliet’s shoulders.

“Honestly, it was just Susan acting up— hit my bike with Alex’s car, caused a scene. But nothing I couldn’t handle.”

Juliet sighed in relief. “Thank God. Come on, let’s go inside.”

“Hold on,” the security guard interrupted, his tone hesitant but firm. “He’s not dressed for the occasion.”

Juliet turned to him slowly, her expression cooling to ice.

“I said… he’s with me.”

The guard wilted under her gaze immediately and stepped aside.

With Terry beside them, the three made their way inside the house. Gerald followed Juliet toward the table, eyes darting over the elegant guests and the sparkling lights, trying not to feel out of place in his simple outfit that, ironically, was worth more than most cars parked outside.

At Juliet’s table, conversation paused as they arrived. Juliet smiled and introduced him. “Everyone, this is Gerald. One of my very close friends.”

There was a murmur of acknowledgment, some nods, but across the entire table, the common denominator was the look of barely disguised distaste. Gerald had long grown used to such treatment, so he didn’t care, what mattered to him was Amara.

He spotted her at the far side of the table. She hadn’t even looked up when he arrived. But before he could say anything, Juliet gestured toward her and added, “By the way, this is Amara Lockhart—my friend and our new neighbor. She and her family just moved here because she’s about to sign a huge deal with the Pentagon Talent Agency.”

Gasps and applause rippled through the table. The PTA was a very prestigious and difficult agency to sign with. All of their talents were extremely famous and made six to seven figures.

“A multimillion-dollar deal,” Juliet finished proudly.

Glasses clinked, murmurs of congratulations went around the table, and Amara smiled proudly and nodded, not even bothering to thank anyone. Gerald raised his glass, directing a toast toward Amara. “Congrats, Amara. You deserve it.”

She barely spared him a glance, leading to stifled laughter across the table. Gerald gritted his teeth. Why was Amara acting this way?

Juliet, trying to break the tension, decided to do a proper introduction—especially since she’d had plans to set Gerald and Amara up. She leaned closer to Amara and whispered, “I want to personally introduce you to Gerald. I’m positive you’ll like him.”

Then aloud, she smiled. “Gerald, meet Amara. I feel like you both will have quite a few things in common.”

Gerald grinned wide. “Actually, Amara and I already—”

But before he could finish, Amara interrupted loudly, eyes gleaming with petty cruelty.

“Oh… You’re the guy who lost his girlfriend to Alex Lambert and got beat up for it too, right?” Amara couldn’t stand anyone knowing that she had ever in any way been affiliated with Gerald. 

She found herself completely repulsed by him. His cheap, under-a-hundred-bucks clothes, his dirty bike, the unhidden news that he’s a pauper; and the fact that he wasn’t even man enough to keep a woman. Hell no, being friends with him would ruin her reputation.

The table fell silent for a bit, then exploded in laughter.

Juliet’s mouth parted slightly in disbelief. She couldn’t believe what she had just heard. She had just made friends with Amara, and when their parents introduced them a few weeks back after Amara and her family came to the city, she had thought Amara was a kind and friendly person. But with the way she’d been acting towards Gerald since he came to the table made her begin to rethink her judgment.

Terry looked at Amara with a face full of disgust and then to Juliet with disappointment. Juliet felt extremely embarrassed.

Gerald, on the other hand, didn’t flinch. He just stared at Amara, calm but disappointed.

“You’ve got it all wrong Amara, Gerald is completely over Susan and can definitely do better than her.”

Amara gave a breezy taunting laugh, “That’s not the story I heard Juliet.”

Everyone at the table gave murmurs of agreement as they continued to laugh at Gerald.

Amara pointed to one of her friends. “Diana was there that day and she filled me in on how he practically begged Susan to not leave, grovelling and all that. I mean who does that? I definitely can’t be around a man who doesn’t have what it takes to keep a woman.”

More murmurs of agreement rent the table.

Juliet’s mouth hung open, her face completely red with shock and annoyance, “Amara.. How can you—”

Amara continued, lips curling. “Seriously, Juliet, what are you thinking? Friends like him? You’ve got to aim higher. People might start questioning your judgment. I’m very sure you don’t want to soil your father’s name.”

Another round of laughter echoed around them.

Juliet looked like she was about to explode.

But just as she opened her mouth, Gerald placed a gentle hand on her arm. “Let it go,” he said quietly.

Amara was no longer the sweet girl he had admired in high school. She had changed. Her beauty was undeniable, her success obvious, but her pride and arrogance ruined everything else. It was kind of hard for him to come to terms with it given the history they shared, but the fact that she’d dragged Juliet into it sealed the deal for him. He was done with her. She could insult him all she wanted—he was used to it. But insulting Juliet, who had been nothing but loyal and kind to him? That crossed a line.

Still, this wasn’t the time to fight.

At that moment, Freddy Blanks who happened to be the designated MC for the evening took the microphone.

“Ladies and gentlemen,” Freddy called out, his voice booming. “It’s time for the highlight of the evening! Please prepare your gifts and step forward as we celebrate the man of the hour, our very own VC— Professor Dalton!”

All eyes turned toward the center of the room where a long gift table stood, waiting to be filled.

Gerald sat up straight, his fingers moving to pat his pocket where the gift he’d brought rested. A gift he was sure would make everyone speechless.

This night was far from over.