Suddenly, I Am Rich

”So you’re... setting me up with your granddaughter?”

”Yeah,” Conrad grinned before nodding. ”I’m just a man who believes in gratitude. And a little matchmaking.”

Gray stared at him.

”And you don’t think this is a little... much?”

”Maybe,” the old man admitted. ”But I’m old, Gray. I also want to watch my granddaughter be happy. Don’t you pity this old man?”

Gray frowned slightly, unsure of what to say. But before he could respond, something clicked in his head. The name Conrad Everett wasn’t unfamiliar. And the more he thought about it, the more he began to remember something from years ago.

It was a headline of a tragedy.

His eyes slowly widened when it hit him.

Years ago, a devastating car accident shocked the whole country. It was a high-speed collision on a rainy highway. Conrad Everett’s only daughter and her husband, who were both prominent figures in the business industry, had died on the spot.

It was one of those tragedies that were too sudden.

Fortunately, Conrad’s granddaughter had been staying with him at the time. If she hadn’t... who knew what might have happened to the entire family?

Because of it, a slight pity surged in Gray’s hear. He became more unsure of what to say.

”I know I’m asking too much, Gray.” Conrad took a slow sip from his glass of water. His eyes suddenly became dull and lifeless. It was as if he remembered the accident, just as the way Gray remembered them/

”Maybe this is too much. Maybe I’m being selfish.” His eyes met Gray’s. ”But when I saw you that day, I saw a kind of man I’d be proud to have around my granddaughter. That’s all I want, Gray. Someone good.”

Gray let out a slow breath.

Conrad let out another heavy sigh, this time even more dramatic than the last. He looked down at his water like it held the meaning of life itself.

”You know, Gray,” he said, his voice quieter now, almost trembling, ”she’s all I have left.”

Gray blinked.

”My granddaughter,” Conrad continued on. ”After my daughter and her husband died... she became my everything. The only thing that makes waking up in the morning worth it. I don’t ask much from life anymore—just that she’s happy. That she’s safe. That she finds someone good.”

He paused and looked up at Gray. His eyes looked sad. They were filled with tears, that it was almost heartbreaking to see.

”You don’t have to love her or impress me. Just... one lunch. That’s all I ask. If it doesn’t work out, I won’t bother you again.”

Gray stared at the man. Honestly, the guy looked so pitiful. And despite how ridiculous the situation was...

”...Just one lunch, right?” Gray asked warily.

Conrad nodded slowly, like it physically pained him to ask more.

Gray let out a long sigh, running a hand through his hair.

”Fine,” he muttered. ”One lunch.”

After all, what could go wrong with just one lunch, right?

In a split second, Conrad’s entire expression changed. The gloom in his face vanished almost instantly. His back straightened, and the life in his eyes came back.

”Wonderful!” he clapped his hands together. ”That’s what I wanted to hear!”

Gray’s eye twitched.

’Don’t tell me...I got scammed by an old man.’

Conrad turned to Edward, looking smug. ”Didn’t I tell you he’d say yes?”

Edward just sighed and shook his head in disbelief. He couldn’t believe what he was seeing with his own eyes,

Then, with a huge grin on his face, Conrad looked back at Gray.

”And lucky you, I already called her.”

”Wait, what?” Gray’s eyes widened almost immediately.

”She should be arriving soon.”

”Wait—what do you mean soon?” Gray leaned forward, voice rising in disbelief.

”You said one lunch. So... why not now?” Conrad just smiled, his eyes twinkling.

Gray slumped back in his seat, exhaling through his nose.

”Unbelievable...” he muttered under his breath. ”I really got played.”

Conrad just laughed out loud, not denying the allegations that Gray uttered.

The three of them became silent after a while. Conrad and Edward talked about something that Gray couldn’t quite understand because the two were just whispering.

However, after a few minutes, the silence was broken when the door leading to the patio suddenly opened.

Gray didn’t notice it at first. It wasn’t until Conrad sat up straighter in his seat, his grin returning in his face as a second passed by.

”There she is, Gray,” Conrad uttered as he pointed in front. His voice was laced with so much pride.

Gray sighed and turned his head slowly.

His breathing hitched when he saw a young woman step onto the patio. She had a quiet and composed expression on her face, like she was used to being watched. Her hair was blonde. It was loosely tied behind her back, while a few loose strands of it fell in front of her face.

She wore a cream blouse that was tucked neatly into her tailored trousers. It was the kind of outfit that looked expensive even without trying.

The woman had long legs, her skin was smooth, and her eyes looked sharp but kind. Her heels clicked softly against the tiled floor. Her steps were steady, and she kept her head up high as she walked. She was graceful.

Gray blinked.

’Of course she’s gorgeous.’

Conrad waved his hand over. Now he looked like a fool in front of his grandkid.

”My dear! Come, come. This is Gray! The man that I told you about!”

The woman’s eyes flickered to Gray. Suddenly, she smiled. A kind and wide smile.

In an odd situation, Gray just smiled back.

’So this is his granddaughter, huh?’

He couldn’t lie—she was beautiful. Too beautiful. But more than that, there was something unreadable in her face.

On the other hand, Conrad was still smiling like a proud matchmaker.

”Why don’t you sit down and get to know each other?” he said, already waving at the waiter to bring another glass of water and a menu.

Gray sighed under his breath.

’Here we go.’