Charismatic Shoemaker Lloyd

Chapter 8

**Charismatic Shoemaker Lloyd**

As soon as Benton entered the suites, Old Charles stood up, and the manager could not help but follow.

He quirked his brow and simply returned his gaze to the floor. “We have been expecting you.”

The Pendergast manager rushed toward Benton, nearly knocking his chair backward in haste. Despite being a man who commanded respect from all elites, his powerful aura immediately transformed to deference, his sharp, commanding presence melting in the presence of the Lloyds.

“Young Master Lloyd,” he called in a calm voice unlike his usual demeanor, bowing his head slightly, a gesture he rarely offered to anyone. “You are a spitting image of your father when he was in his prime, no need for DNA!”

Old Charles chuckled. “You see what I was telling you? You have nothing to fear,”

The old man who had managed the almighty Pendergast kept his hands glued to his sides, as any wrong movement might irritate Benton.

All this was strange and bizarre to Benton. He batted an eye at Old Charles, his light smirk a sharp reminder of everything he had told Benton about the influence of the Lloyd family. If they could bring the almighty Pendergast manager to his feet, then their net worth and influence were not merely fickle.

The thought alone made him gulp harder than he could imagine.

Benton returned the nod but wasted no time with pleasantries. He took his seat at the table, his aura unreadable.

The manager waited until Benton was fully seated before cautiously lowering himself into his chair, paying attention to Old Charles as his throaty cough brought him back to the essence of the meeting.

“Benton will be managing our company in the southeast of the town.”

Benton’s fingers tightened slightly on the stem of his glass. “But I have not given my reply.”

Old Charles chuckled ever so slightly. “Of course. Coming here means you've made your decision.”

For years, Benton had searched for his identity. He had always been labeled a street dog, but something had never felt right. His father’s disappearance that night and everything he had attempted to uncover the truth had led to dead ends, as if someone had erased the truth. He concluded he was being delusional until last night.

There was finally a lead.

“Your father’s shoe designing skills were beyond ordinary. His designs could not be apprehended or duplicated,” Old Charles said, clenching his jaw at the reminder of Mr. James Lloyd. “He was a shoe lord. His shoes could do many miracles.”

Old Charles reached into his briefcase and brought out a folder.

Inside were papers, reports, notes, and a photograph of a man he could barely recognize, his body dreadfully mutilated.

Old Charles gestured toward the picture. “This was the last image of James Lloyd, who we thought had met such a dreadful demise.”

“Along with Pendergast, we searched for you, but it was fruitless.”

The manager straightened in his seat, finally speaking after carefully observing the expression on Benton’s face. “This man was in town the same period your father disappeared, but here is where things get interesting.”

Old Charles carefully flipped to another page with strict attention. “He came as a foreign company to invest with the Lloyd company. Your father was wary. He signed the document but didn’t hand it over. Benton, while we were digging, we found he was a con artist.”

Benton’s gaze sharpened. “Signed agreement?”

“Yes, and he’s been looking for it since your father died that night.”

Benton’s eyes were sharp, and his throat suddenly became dry. “So you mean to say someone is after me?”

Old Charles nodded, pulling the Amex card towards Benton. “After the Lloyd family.”

Benton froze, his gaze remaining on the documents sprawled on the table before him.

Everything was foreign to him. First, he’s the heir to a super-rich family, and now he’s threatened at the same time. “I’m sure you saw things in your trance.”

Pendergast shocked Benton, and his gaze flew to Pendergast. “How did you know?”

“Your father was a very careful person. If he left the shoe design incomplete, he did it for a reason. Tell us, Benton, what did you see in your trance?”

Benton could not clearly piece his old memories together, but he knew what he saw from touching the shoe were his memories.

“Yes, you’re right, but I was only able to recall that night, the injury… the blood,” he struggled with every thought. The metallic stench of the blood registered at the back of his head, making him dig his fingers into the seat.

Pendergast inclined his head. “We’re already working on finding the bastard that did that to your family.”

Old Charles and Pendergast noticed the uneasiness in Benton’s eyes and managed to switch the conversation to other matters while digging into their meals, but throughout the meeting, Benton’s mind remained glued on the only harsh memory he had of his father.

There was finally a crack in the wall about his identity that had left him in the dark.

And with the lead they had gathered, he would tear it down no matter what.

After the meeting, Old Charles hurriedly arranged the documents into the portfolio and sighed, smiling at Benton as he headed out.

He walked through the empty halls of the three-star hotel and admired the extent of power Lloyd had to dismiss all elites from the premium suites just for a meeting that barely lasted an hour.

Surprisingly, he heard an all-too-familiar voice. “The street pig strayed too far.”

Benton turned his head and exhaled casually. Wine splashed Benton as he turned to look at Avery.

She stood there, veins rippling through her shoulders, eyes red.

Benton wiped the drink off his face and said nothing as he stepped forward. “How dare you walk out on me?”

Benton raised his brow. “Why would I waste my time talking to you?”

Avery scoffed. “First, you accepted the divorce quietly, and now you suddenly showed up at the restaurant my parents chose to celebrate their first global recognition. Stop being petty.”

Benton’s gaze flickered to Harris. He scoffed, looking at the two siblings. “I came here to eat,” Benton replied flatly. “About your dinner, your mother was unnecessarily rude.”

“You really expect me to buy that, huh?” She rolled her eyes. “Someone might have let you in through the back door; otherwise, you have no qualification to dine here. You see, it’s people with class that frequent these particular suites.”

Avery smirked. “Henry and I don’t need to sneak in through the back door because he’s friends with the Pendergast’s only heir and son.”

Harris chuckled beside Avery, shaking his head. “I feel bad for you, Benton.” His voice was laced with mockery. “What? Did you crawl on the floor, crying to the security head to at least let you wash their toilets for a few pennies?”

Avery smirked. “You know, you’re right; he could be useful with a mop.”

Benton let them talk and rant, clenching his jaw at the humiliation.

Then, finally, he exhaled softly, tilting his head slightly to loosen his clenched jaw.

“You’re right. The second floor is for minor figures who think they’re important but are actually lowlifes trying to climb the pyramid.”

Avery furrowed her brow. “Excuse me?”

Henry scoffed. “You’re just bluffing. The Lloyd family manager and Pendergast three-star hotel owner are having a meeting on the top floor right now. They’re distinguished guests, man.”

His eyes flared with arrogance as he elaborated. “Only those with real power can breathe the same air as them.” He shook his head, moving inches closer to him. “But you wouldn’t know that, would you? Street pigs like you aren’t even fit to clean their shoes, let alone pour their drinks.”

Avery chuckled, nodding in agreement. “No one would be as generous as us. We took you in, but now you want to bite the hand that fed you? You’re lucky they’re still busy while you find your way, if you know what's best for you, run for your life before they lay their eyes on a filth like you.”

“She's advising you out of concern.” Harris let out.

There was a beat of silence.

Benton chuckled, a low, menacing chuckle that sent them thinking for a while.

Henry smirked in anger. “What is so funny?”

Benton looked around and hand over the Amex card to the receptionist. “I believe this settles for tonight bills.”

Violently his hand was yanked backwards and a huge slap landed on his face accompanied by a loud squeak. “Mother was right, you did not only sneak in here, you have the audacity to steal an Amex card, you’re not only a street pig but a street rat!”