Crystal's One Night of Love

Crystal quickly and firmly placed Lara’s number on Henry’s blacklist.

The task was accomplished, but her feelings still felt a little bruised. She was somewhat absent-minded when Henry tried to converse with her.

Their car finally rolled to a stop at the mansion.

Unbuckling his seatbelt, Henry turned toward Crystal, his voice laced with tenderness as he asked, “Why are you so quiet?”

Men always like to compare.

Henry pondered for a while. “Did I hurt you just now?”

Crystal shook her head.

She opened the door and got out, sidestepping the topic. “They’re waiting for us.”

They hadn’t gone far when Henry looped his arm around her waist, pulling her close from behind, and she fell into his embrace.

The snow fell all around them, wetting their coats, but neither of them seemed to mind. It was rare for them to warmly embrace each other like this on a cold winter night.

“Crystal, I’m thinking I could actually become a good husband to you,” he whispered, his breath a gentle. caress against her ear.

He decided to discard any preconceived notions about her, aiming to accept her completely.

No matter if it was due to his desires as a man or her kind nature, he believed she’d make an exceptional lover, wife, and mother.

Leaning against his shoulder, Crystal murmured, “Really? What is it that you like about me?”

Henry patted her back. “I’ll tell you tonight!”

“This is all going a bit too fast…”

Henry’s fingers glided along the curve of her spine. Her entire body felt soft to the touch, and he was happy to stay this way with her.

At the entrance of the mansion stood David and Alfred, who were puffing away on cigarettes.

David’s eyes widened as he asked, “Do you see that couple embracing each other over there? Is that Henry and Crystal?”

Lowering his head, Alfred lit his cigarette and took a long drag from it. He was the embodiment of rugged charm.

Casting a glance their way, he confirmed, “There’s no doubt about it!”

David grew anxious.

With the cigarette hanging from his mouth, he marched through the falling snow and shouted, “Henry, have you lost your marbles? Why are you frolicking in the snow on a freezing day like this? Even if you and your thick skin can handle it, your wife just gave birth two months ago. How could you drag her out in the snow with you?”

Alfred’s cigarette came close to searing his fingers.

Crystal gently removed herself from Henry’s embrace, feeling embarrassed. “Dad’s coming over!”

Henry, realizing the inappropriateness of standing in the snow like this, slipped off his coat and draped it over her shoulders. He pulled her into his embrace and said, “Okay, let’s head inside. I told you that Dad loves you to bits.”

David had come over right then.

He handed a large black umbrella to Crystal and launched into a tirade against his wayward son.

Henry fished a cigarette from his pocket, ignited it amidst the delicate snowfall, and then threw Crystal a smirk.

He was clearly teasing her with that smirk.

Truth be told, this version of Henry appealed to Crystal. However, with the elders around, she didn’t dare to flirt with him, so she quickly walked into the living room.

David proceeded to lecture his son about taking proper care of women who had just given birth.

In the end, he waved his hand dismissively and said, “Go on and attend to your wife. Looking at you gets on my nerves!”

Henry nonchalantly finished his cigarette, then followed Crystal indoors.

As he stepped inside, he saw Crystal taking off her coat and drying her hair with a towel.

Clad in a delicate dress made from wool that set off her fair skin, she radiated softness and elegance.

Henry’s voice took on a tender tone as he said, “We’ve got half an hour until dinner. How about upstairs for a shower? I’ll go check on Remi!”

Skyler, holding his hand, said eagerly, “I’ll go with you, Daddy!”

Bending down, Henry lifted the little one and planted a kiss on her forehead.

Skyler beamed as she wrapped her arm around his neck with happiness.

Crystal’s gaze softened at the sight of the father and daughter.

Julia took the towel from her hand and said gently, “He’ll settle down eventually. You two have such a deep bond.”

murmured an acknowledgment.

whether or not he could remember the past.

mattered was their future.

the ground floor of the Miller

festive air of Christmas After checking on Remi, Henry descended the stairs

seven in the

had begun illuminating the

her pretty little dress, Skyler ran around Henry, whose heart melted. He scooped up his daughter in his arms

would wander from his financial magazine to her delicate and fair little

resembled Crystal a lot.

with her fingers. “Daddy, you’re good-

patted her on

flushed. Skyler leaned on Henry’s shoulder.

with David right then, looking

wasn’t as close

that moment, Melora and Berthold came down the stairs.

parents helping her take care of

he understood his place.

and said to the two children. “Come here

forward, and she was rewarded with a large

He always perceived Alfred as a stern man. “Go on!” Melora reassured him with a pat

summoned his courage and approached Alfred. “Great-Uncle

a little

hint of embarrassment crossed Alfred’s face, but he tenderly patted the boy’s head and handed over the gift. He said

seemingly understanding yet not

uncle Alfred. But Great-uncle Alfred and Aunt Melora

ruffled Skyler’s

She takes after her father.

to open

descended the

from his pocket, then presented it to

to

from your elder! Take it. I rarely come over, and I’ll be leaving tomorrow. Who knows when I’ll be back again?”

accepted the box

the box lay a pearl necklace that looked expensive at first glance.

but Alfred shrugged it off, downplaying

piece was a cherished heirloom of the Lodge family that was passed down through generations to each

faced an uncertain future, yet at this moment,

emotion, Henry

and knew the true value of that pearl necklace, but he didn’t expose it. At this moment,

was unfamiliar to him.

to answer it. The voice on the other end was filled with desperation. “Mr. Miller, please, you have to help Lara! She lost her financial support, so she went back to her hometown to work. It’s snowing today, and her hometown is situated in the mountains. She slipped off a cliff, and rescue is near impossible now… Mr.

on the line

clutched the phone.

that, Crystal blacklisted the number.

He asked for details about the situation and assured Emily

to find Crystal coming midway down the

relaxed after her shower, but her face

heading

gaze met his as he donned

Henry nodded.

do with us, Crystal. I’ll be back after dealing with

ready! Uncle Alfred

clutched the banister and descended

only she knew how

ask Uncle Alfred to arrange a helicopter through his connections. I don’t

to Alfred.

smile tugging

gaze shifted

it’ll be fine. Henry, you promised not to get involved with Lara anymore. Let

She wasn’t naïve.

much of a

playing the

herself in such a perilous situation. After all, if the helicopter didn’t arrive, she

but she did care

stared at Henry.

Alfred comes here. Let him enjoy dinner with you guys. I’ll go take a

that, he turned to leave.

caught his hand. “Are all these loved ones and this festive atmosphere not enough to keep you here? Or

faint frown crossed

I didn’t think so.”

her gaze, not wanting to alarm Skyler. She didn’t want to

now, just a short while later, you’re off to find a woman who is clearly interested in

it. She finally spoke

serious. “Crystal, stop it.”