Robert and Albert walked calmly inside the grand hall, where the dazzling lights reflected off the polished marble floor, which appeared like a giant mirror reflecting the wonder and admiration emanating from every corner. In the center of the hall, a massive chandelier made of transparent crystal hung elegantly, casting its warm light that filled the space with a soft and balanced illumination, creating an atmosphere of warmth and comfort. The light beams emanating from the chandelier danced on the smooth surfaces, creating a magical scene that added a sense of luxury and opulence.
The walls were adorned with neutral, calm colors that harmonized beautifully with the modern furniture, which featured warm and comfortable tones. The luxurious leather sofas were carefully arranged along the sides, inviting visitors to sit and relax, while the reception staff greeted them with smiling faces and warm smiles. Every piece of furniture was meticulously chosen to complement the overall design of the place, highlighting its elegance and modernity.
On one of the walls, the reception desk stood out with its elegant design of dark wood and glass, reflecting sophistication and luxury. The staff worked behind it with efficiency and professionalism. Behind the desk, subtle details of modern artwork were scattered, adding a touch of elegance and modernity to the overall atmosphere of the hall. There were contemporary paintings and decorative drawings, reflecting unique creativity and dedication in choosing every detail of the place.
In the corners of the hall, green indoor plants were placed, adding a touch of nature and life to the ambiance and easing the intensity of the city’s bustle outside, as if silently inviting people to enjoy moments of tranquility and contemplation. The plants were carefully distributed, some in large, luxurious ceramic pots, while others climbed wooden supports that harmonized with the design of the walls and floors.
The atmosphere in the hall was not just a blend of luxury and comfort; it also reflected a profound attention to detail and innovation, making every visitor feel as if they were part of an extraordinary experience. The modern design seamlessly blended with a sense of comfort and functionality, creating an environment that embraced everyone who entered with open arms and a warm welcome.
As Robert approached his designated table, he realized that this hall had been carefully designed to be more than just a meeting place; it was a symbol of status and luxury, a living scene of art and modernity, and a part of an unspoken language of opulence.
Looking ahead, he spotted a middle-aged man with brown, graying hair sitting at the end of the hall. His eyes were sharp and hawk-like, focused and intense. Robert walked steadily towards the man, and when he got close enough to see his face clearly, he spoke in a low voice but with a tone full of confidence:
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"Feinstein, it seems you've put in some real effort to renovate the museum. But tell me, aren’t you afraid this might harm your political reputation?" There was a hint of sarcasm in his voice and a sly look in his eyes.
Feinstein smiled and replied in a cool tone with feigned interest, "Oh, Senator Voight... three years have passed quickly. I heard you deliberately avoid being present when I’m in the Senate."
Robert chuckled lightly and replied with matching sarcasm, "Haha, Senator Feinstein really does have a knack for joking. Strangely, I heard the same thing about you... I haven’t seen you throughout my new term in the council."
The two men exchanged a formal handshake, but there was an invisible force behind that handshake. Each hand tried to squeeze the other, and each eye looked deeply into the other, as if reading the opponent's thoughts and preparing for the next round of their hidden struggle.
At that moment, a short, bald, and stout man with peculiar eyes gleaming with a strange sparkle burst onto the scene, laughing loudly and said, "Hahaha, you two really haven't changed! No need to embarrass yourselves further in front of the audience..."
At that moment, both Robert and Feinstein coughed, as if this cough was an unspoken signal between them, before Feinstein turned to the bald man, saying with a slight smile, "Commander Dorie, thank you for the reminder."
Commander Dorie nodded to the senator respectfully, a wide smile spread across his face. "I hope both of you will be seated. I have reserved a place for both of you at the three main tables in the hall," Lord Feinstein informed them before turning to Albert, extending his hand enthusiastically for a handshake, saying, "Aha, Albert, you’ve grown so much since I last saw you at your graduation party! I’ve heard a lot about your achievements; it seems your father did an excellent job teaching you." Feinstein’s look carried multiple meanings, and he cast a meaningful smile towards Robert.
Albert responded with a humble smile, "I am still far from Senator Feinstein's level in this field..." Then he returned Feinstein's smile gently.
Feinstein nodded in agreement, saying, "Good, good... I hope you continue to progress, young man." Then the senator quietly left to continue greeting the other guests.
Robert sat next to Albert and Commander Dorie, and said calmly, "Martin, I’d like to introduce you to Commander Dorie. I believe you've already heard of him; he is currently the Chief Commander of the Crime and Corruption Patrols in California."
Martin smiled warmly before greeting Commander Dorie and pouring him a glass of wine from the table, saying, "My father told me a lot about you; he always spoke of your impressive track record."
Robert added with some detail, "Dorie has extensive experience in managing the department's daily operations and has an impressive track record in enhancing officer safety and training." The smile remained on his face, while he glanced at Albert to confirm his words.
Dorie laughed lightly, jokingly saying, "Haha, you really are overpraising me... I’m going to become conceited because of this soon."
The three of them were well aware of each other's status, but they knew that some well-chosen words and compliments were necessary to build future relationships and strengthen alliances. Those small moments of politeness and diplomacy were crucial in such gatherings, where power and authority intersected with politics and personality.