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.”

Melora

at the entrance of the makeup room by

the door gradually opened, the sight that greeted them shocked

her hair was pinned up, revealing a face with features so

in a white shirt

his hand a golden hairpin that he was trying to put on

intimacy that made it obvious to everyone what their relationship

had never expected to

that he fancies the sort of stunning beauty that Miss Hopper is. Together, both

for Alfred

the hairpin in his hand and

kept mum.

she didn’t want

her gaze toward Melora. As far as she knew, both of them barely knew each other, but the

was amidst this awkward moment that Leslie suddenly

equally blown away by the sight.

hand, he deftly defused the situation by speaking to Crystal. “Miss Lodge, I’m surprised to see you here! Mr. Lodge

escalate the situation, Crystal greeted her uncle

could also tell what was going on. She quickly broke into a smile and commented, “What a

Ingrid interjected with a chuckle. “So, you’re Mr. Lodge’s niece. Why don’t I

opened her fan, releasing a

spoken than Melora replied,

descended upon the room, Leslie added,

side-eye from Ingrid, who teased coyly, “Leslie, you have never shown me such attention when I

comment was directed at Leslie, she was complaining about

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

“My headaches have always been cured by your

words caused Melora’s face to lose

for all of them to eat inside

Ingrid made an effort to treat Crystal warmly due

Crystal wasn’t particularly receptive to

Ingrid attempted to curry favor with Melora by serving her some ribs, Alfred unexpectedly did the

of ribs couldn’t feel any

feelings, Alfred remarked, “You should

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

Melora was much younger than Alfred and had greeted the latter accordingly,

then, Melora couldn’t endure it any more.

herself, she headed to the restroom and splashed her face

unable to hold her tears for a second longer.

was broken-hearted but knew she had no reason to be

I suffer such humiliation? I hate

was gently opened before

was still crying, her face pale like snow and her

while later that she noticed Alfred had entered and locked the door behind him. Staring blankly into the mirror with tears rolling down her

a tender tone. “Are you angry?”

responded by staring daggers at

with Ingrid. Even though he didn’t do anything particularly suggestive, it

but an