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.”

assistant’s remarks, Melora felt a sudden urge to

room by then. The

gradually opened, the sight

a body-hugging gown while her hair was pinned up, revealing a face with features

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

moment, he held in his hand a golden hairpin that he was trying to put on for

gentle actions exuded an inexplicable intimacy that made it obvious to everyone what their relationship

in shock, Melora had never

the sort of stunning beauty

only one astonished, for Alfred was just

hairpin

kept mum.

didn’t want to respond to him.

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

moment

equally blown away by

“Miss Lodge, I’m surprised to see you here! Mr. Lodge has missed you and was planning a

situation, Crystal

the same page as Crystal, could also tell what was going on. She quickly

don’t I buy all of you dinner at the

her fan, releasing a pleasant fragrance

sooner had she spoken than Melora replied, “I’m not going. I have a headache.”

descended upon the room, Leslie

coyly, “Leslie, you have never shown me such attention when I

at Leslie, she was complaining about Alfred not being

you already have more than enough.

arm, Ingrid cooed, “My headaches have

face to lose all

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

Ingrid made an effort to treat Crystal warmly due to her desire to

particularly receptive to

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

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

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

her eyes, added, “That’s right. You’re still growing, so the

Alfred and had greeted the latter accordingly, Ingrid never suspected anything was going on

couldn’t endure

the restroom

to hold her tears for a second longer.

she had no reason to

should I suffer such humiliation?

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

face pale like snow and her nose red like an

until a short while later that she noticed Alfred had entered and locked the door behind him. Staring blankly into the mirror with tears rolling down her cheeks, she locked gazes with his

a tender tone. “Are you angry?”

by staring daggers

when he was with Ingrid. Even though he didn’t

but an