While Charlie and his wife were dining with Tawanna and Trevor, Don Albert was rarely seen without his phone, incessantly scrolling through it. The news about Tawanna’s visit to Aurous Hill had taken over all major social media platforms tonight, and he was surprised to see that Heaven Springs was also frequently mentioned across these platforms.
He kept scrolling and noticed the name of his own restaurant repeatedly popping up. This brought to mind what Charlie had just told him. With such a strong reputation now, opening a new branch seemed like a natural progression. Outside the restaurant, a large group of reporters was waiting.
They were eager for Tawanna to agree to an interview after dinner. Even if they couldn’t secure an interview, they still hoped to capture some exclusive photos and videos to publish. The media representatives expressed to the waiter their desire to interview the owner of Heaven Springs. When the waiter relayed this request to Don Albert, he became quite anxious. In the past, Don Albert had been the underground king of the city, relishing in his pride and feeling like he had reached the pinnacle of success. However, since meeting Charlie, he began to understand that he had come from humble beginnings, and his current circumstances were similarly modest.
The identity he once took pride in—the underground emperor—had now transformed into a source of deep insecurity. He felt that someone of his background should not flaunt his successes in front of someone like Charlie, a Young Master from a prominent family. Nevertheless, Charlie had not only refrained from looking down upon him, but he had also consistently offered his encouragement.
To help Don Albert establish a new business, Charlie had even invited a major celebrity to dine at his restaurant, leaving him feeling increasingly grateful yet inadequate. What worried him was not Charlie’s opinion, but the potential consequences if his past came to light once he gained notoriety. If that were to happen, not only could Heaven Springs be adversely affected, but it could also tarnish Charlie’s reputation as a celebrity friend.
Thus, Don Albert was reluctant to grant interviews to the media and instructed the waiter to turn down their requests. At the same time, he wanted to find an opportunity to ask Charlie if his past might hinder the future growth of Heaven Springs. If it would, perhaps it would be best not to pursue the endeavor at all; after all, he was already quite content to follow Charlie.
More than an hour later, Charlie, his wife, and Tawanna wrapped up their dinner. Tawanna delicately wiped her mouth and remarked, “The food here is exquisite. Thank you, Mr. Wade, for your generous hospitality.” Charlie smiled back, saying, “You’ll be in Aurous Hill for a few more days. If you have time, feel free to visit again.
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Joseph
A lovely novel