Chapter 469: Could They Be Going to the Tidal Pavilion?

Chapter 469: Chapter 469: Could They Be Going to the Tidal Pavilion?

Tidal Pavilion sat directly across from Seaview Tower, occupying the most prime real estate in Crestfall. Tidal Pavilion had been built first, long before Seaview Tower came into existence. In layman’s terms, Seaview Tower had capitalized on Tidal Pavilion’s popularity by adopting a similar name.

However, Tidal Pavilion hadn’t accepted public reservations for years. Only the rich and powerful, or those personally acquainted with its owner, were qualified to host banquets there. It was safe to say that simply being able to host an event at Tidal Pavilion was a status symbol in itself.

Henry Kendrick gathered his thoughts. "Estelle, you’re saying you booked a banquet hall at Tidal Pavilion?"

Estelle Lockwood raised an eyebrow. "I did."

Henry couldn’t help but clap his hands. "Then I absolutely have to see Old Mrs. Yeats’ expression later. It’ll be priceless."

Old Mrs. Yeats and Claire Yeats had schemed to steal Estelle’s thunder, but what would be the result?

The banquet was about to begin.

Outside Seaview Tower, the owner rushed forward obsequiously. "Old Mrs. Yeats! Miss Yeats!"

Claire smiled gently. "There will likely be many guests arriving soon. We’ll be imposing on you."

"Not an imposition at all!" The Seaview Tower owner was too busy currying favor to find anything troublesome.

When no one was around, Old Mrs. Yeats grumbled, "Quentin is too much! To think he actually said he was going to Estelle’s side to celebrate her birthday. Isn’t this just a slap in my face?! No matter what, he’s your brother. What kind of brother does something like that?"

Claire shook her head hypocritically. "Quentin probably just feels that since it’s Estelle’s birthday today, it wouldn’t look good if he didn’t at least make an appearance."

Old Mrs. Yeats instantly felt smug. "Claire, you’re right. Quentin is probably just dropping by to take a look. Once he realizes Estelle doesn’t have a single guest, he’ll come right back here."

A flash of triumph crossed Claire’s face, though she feigned demure modesty. "Grandma, don’t say that. It’s fine if he stays over there. Estelle is all alone... Sigh."

Yes, Estelle was ultimately the one being ostracized. She would be humiliated soon enough; there was no need to rush.

Just then, Claire caught sight of someone out of the corner of her eye. She stiffened momentarily before a thought seemed to strike her, and she quickly went over to greet the person.

"Estelle? What are you doing here?"

Old Mrs. Yeats turned around as well, her contempt plainly written across her face. "What are you doing here? Are you still trying to snatch Seaview Tower away from our Claire?"

Seeing no one behind Estelle, the owner of Seaview Tower immediately stepped forward, acting as if he were a beacon of justice. "Miss Lockwood, we have already made ourselves very clear. As the owner of Seaview Tower, I have the right to decide who to rent the banquet hall to. Please do not make things difficult for us, Miss Lockwood!"

Estelle’s lips curled up. She looked the place up and down, noting that the decorations and arrangements Mrs. Kendrick had prepared for her were still intact. "Miss Yeats also likes the venue’s setup?" she asked meaningfully. "Ah, it seems we have similar tastes."

Eager to prove his loyalty, the Seaview Tower owner spoke up before Claire could. "Miss Lockwood, please stop causing a scene. Today is Miss Yeats’ celebration banquet! If you continue to be unreasonable, I’ll have you thrown out!"

He placed heavy emphasis on "Miss Yeats." Looking at his obsequious demeanor, Estelle suddenly thought the owner of Seaview Tower resembled a lapdog.

Claire offered a helpless smile. "Estelle... I know how you feel... Sigh. I didn’t know at first that the venue you originally booked was Seaview Tower. If I had known, I definitely wouldn’t have fought you for it.

"But the invitations have already been sent out, and this was Grandma’s good intention. So... Estelle, you are also part of the Yeats family. We’re all relatives, so let’s not make things awkward for each other, okay?

"If you want to come as a guest, I would be more than welcoming, but as for anything else..."

As she spoke, Claire even shook her head in resignation, making it seem as though she cared deeply for Estelle and was firmly on the side of righteousness.

The guests Claire had invited were arriving one after another. Overhearing the conversation, they instinctively looked toward Estelle.

They had heard that this Miss Lockwood, unable to outbid the other party, had come to Seaview Tower to cause a scene. Yes, Seaview Tower was being unscrupulous, but that was because the Yeats had offered more money. A business had to make a living, after all. Furthermore, everyone knew that hosting an event at Seaview Tower or Tidal Pavilion was a status symbol in itself. If Seaview Tower felt Claire’s status was more prestigious and chose her, what was the problem?

If Estelle really threw a tantrum now, it would be far too unseemly!

"Miss Lockwood is being a bit unreasonable..."

"Exactly. The guests are here, and the banquet hall is already set up. Yet she’s still trying to snatch it away. Is she a bandit?"

Claire smiled helplessly. "Estelle, you see how it is..."

"Hmph, what’s there to say to her!" Old Mrs. Yeats interjected triumphantly. "Estelle, if you apologize to Claire—no, if you get on your knees and apologize to Claire, I’ll allow you to hold your birthday banquet at Seaview Tower.

"However, you’ll only be allowed to use the worst private room. After all, today is Claire’s big day. A jinx like you shouldn’t come and ruin her good fortune."

She finished with a condescending sneer. "I heard no other banquet hall was willing to take your reservation. Getting Seaview Tower to spare a room for you is already doing you a massive favor!"

Estelle merely shot her a cool glance.

Old Mrs. Yeats instantly lost her composure. "What is that supposed to mean, Estelle—"

"It means, Old Mrs. Yeats, that you’re in my way," Estelle replied pointedly.

Old Mrs. Yeats had been standing at the entrance of Seaview Tower, but upon seeing Estelle approach earlier, she had marched right out and planted herself in the middle of the road.

Claire struggled to maintain her expression. "Estelle, Grandma is just concerned about you..."

"Miss Yeats, you sure have a lot to say." Estelle looked amused. "You want to meddle in everything, even when I’m just passing by?"

Claire feigned dismay. "Estelle, that’s not what I meant..."

"This is hilarious!" Old Mrs. Yeats burst into laughter, placing her hands on her hips. She looked down at Estelle with utter disdain. "You’re passing by? Who doesn’t know you’re jealous that Claire gets to host her banquet at Seaview Tower? Besides, what business do you have passing by a place like this?"

Old Mrs. Yeats glanced around. This was a private road that only led to two places: Seaview Tower and Tidal Pavilion.

Her confidence swelled. "If you’re not here for Seaview Tower, are you trying to tell us you’re going to Tidal Pavilion?

"What a joke! That’s Tidal Pavilion we’re talking about! Even if I were to host my own birthday banquet, I wouldn’t necessarily be able to book it. Are you trying to fool us with an excuse like that? Do you think everyone here is an idiot?!"

Taking the moral high ground, Old Mrs. Yeats continued, "Estelle, a person needs to stay grounded. Just because you’re jealous of Claire doesn’t mean you should go around spouting lies. You’re only making yourself a laughingstock!"

Claire sighed and shook her head as well. "Estelle... maybe wandering outside all these years has caused you to pick up some bad habits. Jealousy and lying are truly terrible traits..."

"Old Mrs. Yeats," Estelle suddenly interrupted, turning her head with a placid expression.