Chapter 22
Author: Snowpinch
last update2025-08-13 16:40:00

**Charismatic Shoemaker Lloyd**

Benton barely heard the rest of Harold’s words.

They hung in the air like smoke sweet on the surface, choking underneath.

Marry his daughter?

Become his in-law?

It wasn’t just a business arrangement; it was a chain disguised as a handshake.

Benton sat there, fingers drumming against the arm of the chair. Across the table, Harold’s smile stayed fixed, but his eyes… They were measuring him, weighing him like a piece of merchandise.

He felt Madam Lisa’s gaze on him too. A silent warning. A silent plea. He couldn’t tell which part of him wanted to say yes to play along, walk straight into Harold’s circle, and learn every move from the inside. The other part of him wanted to stand up, knock over his chair, and tell the man exactly what he could do with his offer.

But Benton knew this wasn’t about pride.

This was about power.

And the first rule of power was simple, don’t show your cards too soon.

He leaned back, eyes narrowing slightly, masking the storm insi
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  • Chapter 23

    **Charismatic Shoemaker Lloyd**Harold snickered grabbed his phone from the desk and stormed out of the room.Old Charles gave Benton a knowing look, Benton didn't say much, he grabbed the drink on the table and walked out leaving Old Charles and Lady Lisa in utter dispute oc their thought.When Benton arrived the workers laughed and tossed his somethings to bite but Benton neglected them he scurried over to his corner and started working, yet the gossip stirred like wildfire.Benton left Clairfair late in the afternoon, carrying his worn briefcase and the weight of the whispers still buzzing in his ears. The workers had mocked him all day, laughed at his plain cheap clothes, and asked again if he was truly “qualified” to be there. He had ignored them as best as he could, but their voices followed him like shadows even as he stepped out onto the quiet street.The sky was turning orange, and Benton squinted his eyes up at it, sighing. So this is what it means to start at the bottom, he

  • Chapter 22

    **Charismatic Shoemaker Lloyd**Benton barely heard the rest of Harold’s words.They hung in the air like smoke sweet on the surface, choking underneath.Marry his daughter?Become his in-law?It wasn’t just a business arrangement; it was a chain disguised as a handshake.Benton sat there, fingers drumming against the arm of the chair. Across the table, Harold’s smile stayed fixed, but his eyes… They were measuring him, weighing him like a piece of merchandise.He felt Madam Lisa’s gaze on him too. A silent warning. A silent plea. He couldn’t tell which part of him wanted to say yes to play along, walk straight into Harold’s circle, and learn every move from the inside. The other part of him wanted to stand up, knock over his chair, and tell the man exactly what he could do with his offer.But Benton knew this wasn’t about pride.This was about power.And the first rule of power was simple, don’t show your cards too soon.He leaned back, eyes narrowing slightly, masking the storm insi

  • Chapter 21

    **Charismatic Shoemaker Lloyd**Benton stacked the last of the files and carried them to the printer. The steady whir of the machine was a small comfort, machines didn’t judge, didn’t snicker, didn’t size you up and decide you weren’t worth respect.It hadn’t been long since Old Charles had fired the worker who mocked him. The scene replayed in Benton’s head, Charles's voice cutting through the room like a blade, the man’s face draining of colour, and the sudden, unnatural silence that followed.Benton didn’t feel satisfaction. Only unease.He set the files down and followed Old Charles into his office, closing the door behind him.“Will I actually learn anything here if you keep firing anyone who comes at me?” Benton asked. His tone was calm, but his eyes were sharp.Charles turned in his chair. “Young master Benton, I can’t stand you being bullied at Clairfair.”Most people think that Old Charles and Lloyd Company have a share but in reality, it was managed by both Old Charles and L

  • Chapter 20

    **Charismatic Shoemaker Lloyd**Benton stretched out on the couch after fourteen hours of sleep, every muscle aching from the restless night before. His eyes were dull with fatigue, he traced his hand and found the water jar on the low table. He poured himself a cup and drank slowly, hoping it might wash away the heaviness in his head.Checking the time, he pushed himself up. Today he’s supposed to be at Clairfair. He rolled the best suit in his closet onto his shoulders, a deep charcoal one that carried quiet elegance. On the counter by the right, next to his perfumes and hair care products, sat the slim black card. He stepped outside, scanning the familiar corner where his scooter should have been waiting. The space was empty. He blinked, then looked around, as if it would magically appear by the roadside or lean against a wall. Nothing. His thoughts ran quickly to last night, he’d parked it last night, in the same place as always.He pulled out his phone to call Old Charles, alrea

  • Chapter 19

    **Charismatic Shoemaker Lloyd**Charles rushed after Benton, his face flushed with a mix of shame and forced excitement.“Benton, you were amazing back there! I knew you’d hit that bastard right where it hurt most, his ego’s in pieces.”Benton slowly raised his eyes, the look in them cold.“You’ve had your fun. Now step back. I don’t ever want to see you again.”Charles gave a stiff, awkward laugh.“Come on, Benton… It’s been years since we saw each other. Don’t be like that.”Benton stopped, tapped him once on the shoulder, and spoke through clenched teeth.“Cut the act. I’ve always known you were never my friend.”Without another glance, Benton walked to his Bentley, the glossy black paint catching the light. He slid inside, started the engine, and with a deep purr the car rolled away.Behind him, the classmates stood frozen, their faces pale. The smooth roar of the Bentley’s engine faded into the night, leaving only the sting of humiliation. Benton’s sleek, effortless driving was t

  • Chapter 18

    **Charismatic Shoemaker Lloyd**Clinton smirked, pointing his index finger towards the window. “You think because the Bentley coincidentally parked outside the building means it belongs to you, cut me some slack.”Benton smirked he predicted that nobody would believe him after all their so-called achievement they can't afford the least model of Bentley so how would a dropout like him pull a massive car like that?“Come on Clinton is right about that, how are we sure the car is yours, this is a top-notch hotel, a day's rent of the car is worth your lifetime savings so I wouldn't think you rented it out to show off.”“You would be damned to smell such a car, Benton.”“Good as you are thinking outside the box aside from not renting it, why can't you think I bought it instead?” They glanced at each other with a grimace, the evening was getting along quite interesting as much as they could relate,“Benton you're not only broke but you've grown to be a comedian.” one of his classmates sho

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