Crystal's One Night of Love

The next time Melora saw Alfred was two months later.

Julia was an opera buff.

Her favorite performer, Ingrid, had three performances that month.

Unfortunately, Julia fell sick, so she had no choice but to give Melora the tickets and have the latter present Ingrid flowers on her behalf. On top of that, she instructed Melora to get an autograph from Ingrid.

Since Melora had nothing better to do, she invited Crystal along to the opera.

Crystal readily agreed on account of the recent thaw in her relationship with Henry and the fact that she always doted on Melora. She also invited Madison to join them.

La Scala was the best opera house in the north.

On that particular day, Ingrid played the titular character of the opera Carmen. Her impressive performance was greeted with thunderous applause, yet Melora had mostly been yawning throughout the show.

If it wasn’t for the autograph she had to get for her mother, she would have already left. halfway. She just couldn’t fathom why the performers had to put on thick makeup and wear gaudy costumes.

Isn’t it uncomfortable?

Once the show was over, Ingrid left the stage in tears.

However, her expression changed completely the moment she went backstage. While removing her earrings, she instructed her assistant, “I’m not meeting any fans tonight. Tell them to come back some other time.”

As someone who came from a long line of opera singers, Ingrid naturally exuded an air of arrogance.

It wasn’t a big deal not to meet ordinary fans, but there was someone important in attendance that evening, a fact that put the assistant in a dilemma.

She explained, “It’s fine if you don’t meet the others, but I’m afraid there’s one person today you have to see no matter what.”

After taking off the outer layer of her costume, Ingrid asked curiously, “Who is this that I have no choice but to meet?”

“The daughter of the Miller family! She’s here to get an autograph on behalf of her mother, who couldn’t come due to feeling under the weather.”

Ingrid froze abruptly before breaking into a vibrant smile the very next second.

“The daughter of the Miller family? In that case, I must see her… Mrs. Miller has always been. a very generous patron. Bring her backstage. I’ll sign an autograph for her.”

The moment she finished, Ingrid swept the curtain aside and headed inside her room from. where a crisp male voice could be heard..

Meanwhile, Melora and her companions were led backstage by the assistant.

From the hundreds of flower bouquets that lined the corridor, it was clear how wildly popular Ingrid was.

Thirty-two among them were sent by someone named Mr. Lodge.

Mr. Lodge…

The name caused Melora’s heart to pound furiously.

Is it who I think it is?

Trailing Melora’s gaze, the assistant explained with a smile, “Mr. Lodge is an old friend of Miss Hopper. Whenever he is in Barnwood, he will definitely attend her performance. I heard he’s someone important who doesn’t spare his time for just about anyone. Only Miss Hopper has the honor of him gracing her performance with his presence.”

listening to the assistant’s remarks, Melora felt

the entrance of the makeup room by then. The assistant pushed the door open. “Miss Miller is here.”

gradually opened, the sight that greeted them shocked Melora.

had already put on a body-hugging gown while her hair was pinned up, revealing a face with features so

a man who was dressed in a white shirt and black slacks. His

his hand a golden hairpin that he was trying to put

gentle actions exuded an inexplicable intimacy that made

to the spot in shock, Melora had never expected to walk in on such

fancies the sort of

astonished, for Alfred was just as stunned as she was.

Crystal’s presence, he put down the hairpin in his hand and called out,

Melora kept mum.

want to respond

before shifting her gaze toward Melora. As far as she knew, both of them barely knew each other, but the familiarity in Alfred’s tone when. he called out to Melora was unmistakable.

awkward moment that

too, was equally blown away by the sight.

Lodge, I’m

to escalate the situation, Crystal

page as Crystal, could also tell what was going on. She quickly broke into a

don’t I buy all of you dinner at the restaurant

speaking, Ingrid opened her fan, releasing a

sooner had she spoken than Melora replied, “I’m not going.

of awkwardness descended upon the room, Leslie added,

side-eye from Ingrid, who teased coyly, “Leslie, you have

directed at Leslie, she

response, Alfred smiled faintly as he replied, “Don’t you already have more than enough.

“My headaches have always been cured by your

words caused Melora’s face to lose all color.

stepped in and painstakingly arranged for all of them to eat inside a private

treat Crystal warmly due to

particularly receptive to the former.

to curry favor with Melora by serving her some ribs, Alfred

of ribs couldn’t feel any more disgusting to Melora.

Alfred remarked, “You should have more meat to help you grow!”

him with a gentle look in her eyes, added, “That’s right. You’re still growing, so the extra protein will do you good!”

younger than Alfred and had greeted the

Melora couldn’t endure

she headed to the restroom and splashed

her tears for a second

no reason to be angry at him. The fact that they had been reunited under such. circumstances simply intensified

I suffer such humiliation? I

door was gently opened before being closed and locked from the inside.

pale like snow and her nose red like an apple.

noticed Alfred had entered and locked the door behind him. Staring blankly into the

spoke in a tender tone. “Are

responded by staring daggers at

look in his eyes when he was with Ingrid. Even though he didn’t

an old