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 a

their group had arrived at the entrance of the makeup room by then. The assistant pushed the door open. “Miss Miller

door gradually opened, the sight that greeted them

put on a body-hugging gown while her hair was pinned up, revealing a

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

he held in his hand a golden hairpin that he was trying to put on for Ingrid.

inexplicable intimacy that made it obvious to

the spot in shock, Melora had never

fancies the sort of stunning beauty that Miss Hopper is. Together, both of them look like they’re a match made in

wasn’t the only one astonished, for Alfred was just as stunned as

hairpin in his hand and called out,

Melora kept mum.

trembling, she didn’t want to respond

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

moment that

blown away

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

the situation, Crystal greeted her uncle

also tell what was going on. She

chuckle. “So, you’re Mr. Lodge’s niece. Why don’t I buy all of you dinner at the restaurant opposite? The food

speaking, Ingrid opened her fan, releasing a pleasant fragrance into the air.

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

an air of awkwardness descended upon the room, Leslie added,

teased coyly, “Leslie, you have never

was directed at Leslie, she was complaining about Alfred not being attentive enough.

he replied, “Don’t you already have more than enough. people to fuss about you?”

cooed, “My headaches have always been cured

words caused Melora’s face to

arranged for all of them to eat

treat Crystal

particularly receptive

on, when Ingrid attempted to curry favor with Melora by serving her some

sight of the two pieces of ribs couldn’t feel any more disgusting to

feelings, Alfred remarked, “You should have more meat to help

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

was much younger than Alfred and had greeted the latter

couldn’t endure

she headed to the restroom and

was unable to hold her tears for a second

to be angry at him. The fact that

should I suffer such humiliation? I hate him!

opened before being

her face pale like snow and her nose red like

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

a tender tone.

staring daggers at him.

eyes when he was with Ingrid. Even though he didn’t do anything particularly suggestive, it was obvious that he enjoyed having

but an old