Chapter 1051: Red Carpet
Villain Ch 1051. Red Carpet
Allen gave a half-hearted chuckle, shaking his head. "Yeah, I can handle my liquor, but trust me—this isn't the perfect time for that. I know how I get when I've had too much." He thought back to the few times he'd let loose at parties, and while nothing too crazy had happened, it wasn't the kind of mindset he wanted walking into something this important. "A soda would've been perfect."
Kai glanced into the mini-bar, his brow furrowing slightly as he surveyed the options. "Unfortunately, sir, the car's only stocked with wine, cocktails, and water."
Allen blinked, surprised. "No soda?"
"None," Kai confirmed with a slight shake of his head.
Allen leaned back in his seat, exhaling. "Fine, water will do. I'll take that."
Kai swiftly reached for a bottle of chilled water and handed it to Allen, along with a glass. Allen poured the water, the cool liquid calming his hands as he took a sip. It wasn't what he had hoped for, but it was enough to bring some clarity to his mind. Allen began to feel a little more in control. The nerves were still there, but now they felt manageable, like background noise.
"Would you like some music, sir? It might help with the nerves," Kai asked.
Allen thought about it for a moment, then nodded. "Yeah, sure. Why not?"
Kai leaned forward and pressed a few buttons on the car's built-in sound system. A moment later, the soft strains of classical music filled the cabin. Allen couldn't help but smile. He hadn't expected that. It wasn't that he didn't like classical music; it just wasn't something he had thought about in years. The last time he'd really listened to it was when his grandparents were still alive.
They used to play it all the time, filling their estate with the gentle melodies. Now, hearing it again, it brought a nostalgia.
A small chuckle escaped him. "Classical, huh?"
Kai glanced over, a faint smile playing on his lips. "I thought it might be calming."
Allen nodded, still smiling. "It is. Just... hasn't been my vibe for a while." He turned his gaze back to the window, watching the afternoon light bathe the streets. The music, surprisingly, did relax him. His fingers stopped tapping restlessly on his leg, and his thoughts slowed just a little.
About twenty minutes later, the car slowed, pulling up in front of the first venue—Crownhall.
Allen leaned forward, catching sight of the building. Crownhall was an imposing structure, sleek and modern but with a touch of old-world grandeur. Its tall, glass facade reflected the sky, while the wide stone steps leading up to the entrance were flanked by ornate pillars. The kind of place that screamed prestige.
Before Allen had the chance to fully take it in, one of the waiting servants opened the car door for him. Kai and the other staff stepped out first, with Allen following behind. His polished shoes touched down on a rich red carpet, rolled out specifically for his arrival. A group of well-dressed individuals, clearly high-profile staff, stood at attention near the entrance, waiting to greet him.
"Good afternoon, sir," one of the staff members said, bowing slightly as Allen approached. The others followed suit.
Allen had to admit, this was a first for him. He wasn't used to it—not like this. But now, standing here, it was like stepping into a new role. The young master of the Goldborne family.
One of the senior staff stepped forward, extending his hand. "We're honored to have you here today, sir. If you'll allow us, we'd love to show you the hall and its amenities."
Allen nodded, shaking the man's hand. "Lead the way."
They guided him through the grand entrance. "If we may ask, what is your name, sir?" the staff asked politely since what they knew was a Goldborne would come, so they thought it would be either Jordan Goldborne or Emma Goldborne. Instead, it was Allen and they never saw him before.
"I can't give you my name. I'm Mr. Goldborne's trusted man. That's all I can say," Allen stated without breaking his steps.
Despite his confusion, the staff nodded.
The doors swung open with a quiet hush. Inside, the Crownhall was every bit as impressive as its exterior. The ceilings soared above them, adorned with intricate chandeliers that sparkled like stars. The walls were lined with marble, polished to a gleam, and the floor beneath his feet felt impossibly smooth. Every inch of the place screamed wealth and exclusivity.
"This hall is one of our finest," the senior staff member began, his voice smooth and practiced. "It's perfect for conferences, galas, or high-profile events. It can seat up to 500 guests comfortably, and our state-of-the-art AV system is equipped for any presentation needs."
They walked. Allen's eyes scanned the space. It was beautiful, no doubt. The main hall was vast, with tall windows that flooded the room with natural light. It had that air of sophistication that would impress even the most discerning guests.
But as Allen continued to listen, his eyes caught a few details that didn't sit right with him. The stage seemed a bit too small for what he had in mind. And the layout, though elegant, didn't allow for much flexibility—something he knew he'd need for his event.
They moved from the main hall to the smaller adjoining rooms, where catering and other services would be held. The building staff continued explaining, pointing out various features, but Allen's mind was already processing the potential shortcomings.
When they finished the tour, the senior staff turned to Allen with a polite smile. "So, sir, are you interested in proceeding with Crownhall? We'd be delighted to host your event."
Allen hesitated for a moment, his thoughts still on the things that weren't quite right. He knew that certain aspects of the venue were nonnegotiable, and that was a problem. Still, he kept his expression neutral.
"My assistant has already taken notes," Allen said smoothly, glancing at Kai, who gave a small nod of confirmation. "I'll need some time to think it over before making a decision."
The staff member gave a respectful nod. "Of course, sir. Take all the time you need. If you have any further questions, don't hesitate to reach out."
Allen offered a polite smile in return. "Thank you. I'll be in touch."
With that, the formalities ended, and Allen turned to leave, Kai following closely behind. Crownhall wasn't the right fit—it was clear to him now. But there was still another venue to see, and he wasn't ready to make any decisions just yet.
"Kai," he said as they headed back to the car, "let's get to the next one."
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