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

not he could

was their future.

her shower while the ground floor of the Miller residence

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

seven in the

begun illuminating

heart melted. He scooped up his

financial magazine to her delicate and fair little face.

Crystal a lot.

gaze. Skyler fiddled with her fingers. “Daddy, you’re good- looking, but I think Christopher

her on

cheeks flushed. Skyler

with David right then, looking pensive.

Berthold wasn’t as close as this. That

moment, Melora and Berthold came down the

making ends meet. With her parents helping her take care of the child, she regained her former radiance. There was an added

her, but he understood

to the two children. “Come here and get your Christmas

rushed forward, and she was rewarded with

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

his courage and approached Alfred.

a

but he tenderly patted the boy’s head and handed over the gift. He said in a gruff voice. “You should call

nodded, seemingly understanding yet not

voice, “Great-uncle Alfred is Mommy’s uncle, so I call him Great- uncle Alfred. But Great-uncle Alfred and Aunt Melora are a couple, and they gave birth to you.

Skyler’s hair.

child! She takes after her

tugged Berthold along to open their

descended

presented it

to accept

Uncle Alfred, so consider it a gift from your elder! Take

box and opened it.

the box lay a pearl necklace that looked expensive at first

it, but Alfred shrugged

of the Lodge family that was passed down through generations to each successive wife of the Lodge family head.

future, yet at this moment, he impulsively wanted

the air crackled with emotion, Henry looked

that pearl necklace, but he didn’t

unfamiliar

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. Miller,

on the line was

the phone.

calls… After that, Crystal blacklisted the number.

about the situation

he raised his gaze to find Crystal

her shower, but her

you heading out?”

as he donned his coat,

Henry nodded.

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

Alfred is

the banister and

but only she knew how much her hands were trembling.

a helicopter through his connections. I don’t think it’s that

to

a faint smile tugging at

gaze shifted

gentle as she said, “With Uncle Alfred’s help, you can trust it’ll be fine. Henry, you promised not to get involved with Lara anymore. Let me

She wasn’t naïve.

much of

playing the victim.

After all, if the helicopter didn’t arrive, she would really freeze to death in the mountains.

care about Lara’s life, but she did care about family harmony.

stared at Henry.

gentle voice, he said. “It’s not often that Uncle Alfred comes here. Let him enjoy dinner with you guys. I’ll

he turned

these loved ones and this festive atmosphere not enough to keep you here? Or is it that you don’t trust me? Do you think I blacklisted her on

faint frown crossed Henry’s face.

I didn’t

her gaze, not wanting to alarm Skyler. She didn’t want to create an awkward situation for

were just talking about being a good husband and about making things better… Yet now, just a short while later, you’re off to find

She finally spoke her mind.

“Crystal,