**Charismatic Shoemaker Lloyd**
Avery rushed forward, stumbling slightly in her expensive heels, her father Tyson just a few steps behind her, breathless and visibly shaken.
They both stopped in front of Benton, who stood still, composed… unreadable.
With eyes wide and heart pounding, Avery slowly dropped to her knees.
“Benton,” she whispered, shame thick in her voice. “We’re sorry… We didn’t know you were a Lloyd. We didn’t know you mattered.”
Tyson, clinging to whatever pride he had left, took a step forward. His voice cracked under the weight of desperation.
“Benton, listen to me… we’re family, aren’t we? We've always had a strong relationship. You’ve dined at our table. You were married to Avery. That counts for something, we even fed and clothed you.”
Benton said nothing. His g
