From the private balcony suite, Hyde sat with a wine glass in hand, gazing down over the entire venue through a tall pane of crystal-clear glass.
The hall was built on a base of cream-white granite. Both the floor and walls were polished to a mirror shine—simple in design, but elegant in effect.
Above, magical crystal chandeliers glowed with a soft, dazzling brilliance.
Colorful silks stretched across the ceiling like a gentle canopy, diffusing the light and blending into a vibrant interplay of hues. The contrast of the colors made the outfits of the guests pop even more, making the hall feel like a living, breathing oil painting.
On the northern side of the hall stood a modern stage typical of contemporary theaters. But uniquely, a rectangular runway extended from its center, stretching all the way into the middle of the hall, where it ended in a round platform with a podium.
Anyone standing at the end of that walkway would be the undisputed center of attention.
