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.”

remarks, Melora felt a sudden

entrance of the makeup room by then. The assistant pushed

opened, the sight that greeted them shocked Melora.

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

a

in his hand a golden hairpin

inexplicable intimacy that made it obvious

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

Nevertheless, I’ve never seen this side of him. It turns out that he fancies the sort of stunning beauty that Miss Hopper

the only one astonished, for Alfred was just as stunned as she was.

put down the hairpin in his hand

kept

want to

knew, both of them barely knew each other, but the familiarity in Alfred’s tone when.

was amidst this awkward moment that

equally blown away by the sight.

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

to escalate the situation, Crystal greeted her

could also tell what was going on.

Why don’t I buy all of you dinner at the restaurant opposite? The food

her fan, releasing a pleasant fragrance into the air.

Melora replied, “I’m not

of awkwardness descended upon the room, Leslie

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

at Leslie, she was complaining about Alfred not being attentive

already

have always been cured

words caused Melora’s face to

and painstakingly arranged for all of them to

the meal, Ingrid made an effort to treat Crystal warmly due to her desire to

wasn’t particularly receptive to the former.

to curry favor with Melora by serving

of the two pieces of ribs couldn’t

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

against him with a gentle look in her eyes, added, “That’s right.

and had greeted the latter accordingly, Ingrid never

Melora couldn’t endure it any

excusing herself, she headed to the restroom and splashed her face

hold her tears for a

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

such humiliation?

restroom door was gently opened before being closed and

her face pale like snow and

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

in a tender

by staring

Even though he didn’t do anything particularly suggestive, it was obvious that he enjoyed

an