roccoschili Chapter 834: Strict Protocol
Chapter 834: Strict Protocol
Villain Ch 834. Strict Protocol
Emma laughed, raising both hands in a playful gesture of surrender. "Oops, we got caught red-handed."
Azura, trying to hide her embarrassment, quickly took a sip of her drink and glanced out the window, avoiding eye contact. Allen returned to his seat, a smirk playing on his lips as he looked at the two of them.
"Why are you all silent? I’m not angry," Allen said, his tone light. "Go on, continue your conversation. I’m actually curious to know what you think about me. Besides, our food hasn’t arrived yet."
The girls were silent for a moment, exchanging glances filled with both amusement and a touch of awkwardness. Emma finally broke the silence, looking at Allen with a mixture of curiosity and concern. "Since when have you been listening?"
Allen leaned back, his expression thoughtful. "From ’They think he’s a bad person or a villain.’ Sorry for acting like one. I’m really not a bad guy.
Azura, still staring out the window, whispered under her breath, "But the way you followed me and suddenly guessed that I was going to Goldborne Mansion made you look like a bad guy."
Emma, hearing Azura’s muttered words, nudged her cousin gently. "Speak louder, Azura."
Allen chuckled, turning his gaze to Emma. "I heard that," he said, then looked back at Azura. "In my defense, it was my sister who asked me to keep it a secret."
Emma glanced to the side, her smile turning awkward. "Oops..."
Emma smiled apologetically. "Let them try the food first. It’s the procedure."
Allen frowned, taken aback by the strictness of the protocol. "Why wasn’t it like this when we last met at the restaurant?"
Emma cut into her beef tenderloin and explained, "We were in the VIP room at that time. The bodyguards would mostly try the food before it even entered the room. Now, since we’re in a public area, they need to do this here."
Allen nodded slowly, understanding dawning on him. "Makes sense," he murmured. He hadn’t realized the extent of the precautions taken to ensure their safety. Having power and wealth meant living with certain dangers he hadn’t fully comprehended until now.
The bodyguards used a separate spoon to taste each dish. They sampled a bit of the salmon, the beef tenderloin, and the chicken Caesar salad, ensuring that everything was safe before allowing Allen and the others to proceed.
Once the bodyguards gave a subtle nod of approval, Allen picked up his fork again, feeling a mixture of relief and resignation. "Alright, let’s eat," he said, trying to shake off the unease.
They dug into their meals, the earlier tension slowly dissipating as they focused on the food. The salmon was cooked to perfection, the lemon butter sauce adding a rich, tangy flavor that complemented the roasted vegetables. Emma’s beef tenderloin was tender and juicy, and Azura’s chicken Caesar salad was crisp and fresh.
Azura decided to save her questions about Evan for another time. She could see how much Allen was enjoying his food, and it felt wrong to disrupt this moment of peace. Earlier, she had caught a fleeting glimpse of melancholy in Allen’s expression while he was on the phone. It wasn’t overt, just a subtle shadow that crossed his face for a brief moment, but it was enough to make her pause.
She could tell that whatever Allen had discussed with Geralt had stirred up old memories and emotions. There was a heaviness there, just beneath the surface, that she didn’t want to bring to the forefront over lunch. The atmosphere at the table was light and pleasant now, and Azura didn’t want to be the one to change that.
Instead, she focused on her own meal, savoring the fresh, crisp flavors of her chicken Caesar salad. The rich, creamy dressing was perfectly balanced with the tangy Caesar dressing and the crunchy croutons. It was delicious, and she allowed herself to enjoy it, letting the food and the company soothe her own curiosity for the time being.
Azura glanced at Emma, who seemed to sense her decision and gave her a small, supportive smile.@@@@