The Forgotten Heir Of Pendragon

Chapter 5

 “Now, are you sure about this? Because if you're lying or that pendant turns out to be fake, trust me, you'll have serious problems leaving this building.”

Adrian swallowed nervously at the man's threatening words but still reached into his pocket and brought out the pendant. “I don't know whether it's fake or real. All I know is that I have a pendant with your family's crest on it.”

Mr. Bennett's eyes widened as soon as he saw the pendant. He took it from Adrian and examined it carefully, even running his fingers over the engraved crest to confirm that his eyes weren't deceiving him.

“It's the real one... It's the real one...” he muttered excitedly. “Could this young man be the missing heir? No, I need to conduct a test first.”

He looked up at Adrian, his expression suddenly filled with interest. “Young man, who are you?”

Adrian couldn't help noticing the sudden change in the man's tone. Only moments earlier, he had been treated like a criminal, but now Mr. Bennett was addressing him like an honored guest.

“My name is Adrian Cole,” he replied.

“Adrian Cole...” Mr. Bennett repeated thoughtfully. “That name sounds familiar, but I can't quite remember where I've heard it.”

He turned toward the security guard. “Take Mr. Cole to my office.”

“Yes, sir,” the guard replied, still confused but unwilling to question his superior's orders. He had no idea what was happening or why the pendant had caused the managing director to change his attitude toward the shabby young man so suddenly.

“And as for you...” Mr. Bennett said, turning toward the receptionist, “cancel all my appointments for today and reschedule them for another day.”

“But... but, sir—”

“No buts!” he snapped. “Do as I say!”

“Yes, sir,” the receptionist replied, lowering her head in embarrassment. Even as she obeyed, she couldn't stop wondering who Adrian Cole was and why he was suddenly receiving such special treatment from the managing director.

THE MANAGING DIRECTOR'S OFFICE

“So, Mr. Cole...” Mr. Bennett began, standing in front of Adrian with his arms folded across his chest while the young man sat in a chair opposite his desk. “Where exactly did you say you found this pendant?”

“I was going through my sister's belongings,” Adrian replied.

“Who is your sister?” Mr. Bennett interrupted, seemingly more interested in getting to the point than in hearing the full explanation.

Adrian lowered his eyes briefly before answering. “She's the woman who raised me. Her name is...”

“Hmm...” Mr. Bennett showed little reaction to Adrian’s words. He merely narrowed his eyes and motioned for him to continue.

“I found it among my sister’s belongings,” Adrian explained promptly. “I don’t know how she got it, but I vaguely remember someone giving it to me when I was little and saying something about an heir. I’m not even sure I remember it correctly.”

“You! Go and get that machine on top of my table,” Mr. Bennett ordered, turning toward the security guard.

The guard immediately left the office and returned a moment later with a small black box. Mr. Bennett took it from him and instructed Adrian to place his hands on top of it. Adrian followed his instructions, and the moment his palms touched the box, it beeped and glowed green.

Mr. Bennett struggled to contain his excitement. He lifted the box, positioned it in front of Adrian, and asked him to face it. Adrian obeyed, allowing a ray of light to scan his face. Once again, the device beeped and glowed green.

The security guard stared at the scene in bewilderment before quickly slipping out of the office, unwilling to remain and witness something he could not understand.

Mr. Bennett could no longer contain his happiness. He suddenly dropped to his knees before Adrian and exclaimed, “Welcome home, young master!”

Adrian stared at him in confusion, struggling to understand what was happening. “Young master? What does that mean?”

Mr. Bennett raised his head and looked at him with a smile. Adrian noticed that his eyes were filled with unshed tears, although he could not tell whether they came from joy or relief.

“You are the missing heir of the Pendragon family,” Mr. Bennett declared.

“Missing heir? What are you talking about?” Adrian asked, beginning to wonder whether the man had lost his mind. As far as he knew, he was merely a young man who had grown up in poverty and struggled to survive. How could he suddenly be the missing heir of one of the most powerful families in the city?

“Years ago, you were the sole heir to this family,” Mr. Bennett explained, his voice trembling with emotion. “You were entitled to the entire proceeds and revenue generated by the family business. Everyone loved you, and they all expected you to take over the company when you grew older, even though you were barely six years old at the time.”

He paused briefly before continuing. “Unfortunately, our enemies noticed how important you were to the family and began plotting to eliminate you, leaving the Pendragon family without an heir. They arranged a terrible car accident, and the wreckage was so badly burned that we believed you and your parents had perished in the flames.”

Mr. Bennett’s expression darkened as he recalled those painful years. “We were devastated, but Old Master Cain refused to give up hope. He always insisted that you were still alive somewhere and that one day you would return to claim what belonged to you. I didn't believe him back then, but seeing you standing here today, alive and well, I can hardly hold back my emotions.”

Adrian remained speechless as he tried to process everything he had just heard. All those years he had struggled and suffered, never knowing who he truly was or where he came from, he had been the heir to the Pendragon family all along.

Before he could ask another question, the office door suddenly burst open, and an elderly man dressed in a black suit hurried inside. He looked around anxiously before rushing toward Mr. Bennett.

“Bennett, is it true? Is it true that the heir has returned?” he asked urgently.

Mr. Bennett nodded softly, his eyes still fixed on Adrian.

The elderly man immediately turned toward Adrian and hurried over to embrace him. Adrian was still struggling to believe Mr. Bennett’s explanation, but the moment he saw the old man’s face, he froze. He recognized him instantly. This was the same man who had given him the silver pendant in his childhood memory.

“Adrian... I can’t believe it. Adrian, thank goodness you survived,” the old man murmured through his tears, holding him tightly as though he feared the young man might disappear if he let go.

“You know me?” Adrian blurted out, staring at the elderly man in disbelief.

“Of course I know everything about you,” the old man began, but his words trailed off when he noticed Adrian’s shabby clothes and bandaged body. His expression changed as he examined the young man more closely. “Why are you in such a terrible condition?”

Adrian gave a sad chuckle before replying, “I haven’t exactly been living a good life.”

“Don’t worry about that. Starting today, your life will change for the better,” the old man assured him enthusiastically. “We will make up for all the hardships you endured while growing up. If you want to travel abroad and shop for the finest clothes, then so be it! You will never have to live like this again.”

“I think all of that can wait until later,” Adrian replied calmly.

The old man paused, clearly expecting Adrian to be overwhelmed with joy at the news of his true identity. However, the sorrowful expression on the young man’s face told him that something else was troubling him.

“What do you mean?” he asked.

“Since you said I’m the heir to the Pendragon family, I’m sure you wouldn’t mind lending me some money to pay my sister’s hospital bills, would you?” Adrian asked expectantly.

The old man fell silent for a moment, and the cheerful expression on his face slowly faded. When he finally spoke, his voice carried a hint of uncertainty.

“Your sister? Do you mean Eleanor?”

“Yes...” Adrian replied.

The moment he heard the name, the old man’s countenance changed abruptly.