Slade to Herondale: A Son-in-law's Rise to Power

CHAPTER 7: The Goons

“Herondale?” Macho whispered. The name was familiar. In fact, there was no one who had not heard of the most powerful family in the city. A smile crept to Allen's face as Macho’s hand slowly left his collar.

“You want me to believe that this fool is a Herondale?” Macho said, laughing loudly.

“You will address the young master correctly,” Calloway told Macho with a punch and he fell to the ground. His facial expression made excitement build up inside Allen.

Murmurs filled the room as the goons came to fight back.

“What punishment should we give to them young master,” Mr Calloway asked bowing.

“Beat them to a pulp. Make sure they never forget it,” Allen ordered.

Calloway and the other men charged towards the goons as they did the same. They threw blows at each other, some with weapons, and it escalated in seconds. However, Calloway and his men overpowered the goons and dragged them to an open space outside the shop while Allen, Jose and other people tagged behind. After minutes of beating and punching, Macho managed to speak.

“Please spare us. I promise, we will never bother you again!” Macho screamed with what seemed to be his last breath.

“We can't spare you until the young master orders,” Calloway said, giving him another punch. He screamed, gritting his teeth.

“Kneel and beg the young master,” Calloway ordered.

“Allen, I know I did a lot of bad things to you before but please don't send us to jail. Let us go and we will never come back here again!” macho announced loudly.

Allen’s chest thumped fast with excitement and fulfilment as a smile tugged at his lips. He wanted to report them to the police but amidst all of that he believed everyone deserves a second chance to change.

“Never show your miserable faces here again or I will make it harder than it is right now,” he told the goons, staring at them one after the other.

They nodded in unison agreeing with him.

“Kick them out,” Allen ordered again and the men chased them far until they were sure that they were completely gone.

Allen turned to the shop owner. “I will pay for damages,” he told him and his face lit up in excitement. “Don't worry everyone. From today onwards Macho and his goons will never bother any of you again.”

The quietness of the shop dissolved as it was now filled with murmurs and excitement.

“Allen is the definition of a true hero,” a man screamed and everyone agreed as they cheered in agreement.

Allen bade Jose goodbye and felt fulfilled for the rest of the evening. But amidst his feelings, he didn't forget about his visit to the company the following day. In fact, his stomach boiled with excitement that he couldn't even sleep properly.

Finally, the long awaited day had come. Allen quickly prepared as he put on the clothes he had prepared the previous night then went outside to start his journey to the company.

“Young master! What are you wearing?” Calloway screamed when he saw Allen in the worn out clothes he thought he had disposed of.

Allen knew he was expected to look presentable, clean and rich but he had other plans up his sleeve.

“Everyone seeing me in expensive clothes would make it too obvious. This way, I can observe a lot freely,” Allen told Calloway. Besides that, Allen still planned to reveal himself slowly but looking expensive would cost him that. What if he bumps into Katherine or her mother? It would ruin the surprise.

“Well, what are we still waiting for?” He asked, rushing into the car. He was accompanied by Calloway only. It was a long drive but they arrived soon enough.

Allen couldn't believe his eyes as they were engulfed in the shadow of a gigantic building. It was so high that he couldn't even see the top. Then, the beauty was fascinating and rare.

“Welcome to Silvercrest group of conglomerates,” Calloway announced, opening the door for him. Allen was speechless. He rushed out to observe the structure properly. Just then, he felt his body bump into something. He turned to see a person staring angrily at him.

“Have you lost your manners young man? How dare you touch me? Do you know who I am?” The large man’s questions poured all at once.

Calloway cleared his throat about to speak when Allen gestured for him to stop, with his hands.

“Are you deaf?”

“Who let this pipsqueak in here?” The man said turning around like he was searching for a person.

“I'm sorry sir,” Allen hastily apologized, trying to clean parts of his clothes.

“Don't you dare touch me. You don't know how much these clothes cost. You look like you could never afford them,” the man screamed again, even louder this time.

Allen thought the man unnecessarily rude and needed to be taught a lesson but he decided to keep playing and keep it cool.

Without wasting much time, the man stormed off proudly.

“Who is that man?” Allen asked Calloway quietly.

“That’s Charles Hemmington, our richest employee and the head of this branch,” Calloway responded clearly.

“An employee?” Allen scoffed. “And he is acting all high and mighty. I will see what to do about him.”

Calloway guided him inside the company. Allen beamed, excited to finally see the interior. He wasn't disappointed as it was even more beautiful than he had imagined.

Employees went about their work diligently and the whole place was in order. Calloway toured him round places they could reach until they got to a point and he got an urgent phone call. He spoke to someone on the phone inaudibly then came back to Allen.

“Young master, forgive me,” Calloway said bowing. “There is an emergency and I have to excuse myself for forty-five minutes exactly.”

“That's not a problem Mr Calloway. I will be fine for the next forty-five minutes.” Allen told him calmly.

After pondering around that area for some time, he got bored and decided to check out some other parts of the building when he heard a familiar voice.

He turned to see the man he had bumped into earlier—Charles Hemmington and another employee.