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.”

the assistant’s remarks, Melora felt a sudden

group had arrived at the entrance of the makeup room by then.

door gradually opened, the sight that greeted them shocked

had already put on a body-hugging gown while her hair was pinned up, revealing a face with features so exquisite that she would mesmerize anyone who

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

his hand a golden hairpin that he was

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

never expected to walk in on such

seen this side of him. It turns out that he fancies the sort of stunning beauty that Miss Hopper is. Together, both of them look like they’re a

Alfred was

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

Melora kept

she didn’t want to

As far as she knew, both of them barely knew each other, but the familiarity in Alfred’s tone

was amidst this awkward moment that

was equally blown away by

Crystal. “Miss Lodge, I’m surprised to

escalate the situation, Crystal greeted her uncle respectfully.

also tell what was going on. She quickly

you’re Mr. Lodge’s niece. Why don’t I buy all of you

opened her fan, releasing a pleasant fragrance into the

spoken than Melora replied, “I’m not

of awkwardness descended upon the room, Leslie added,

his obsequiousness drew a 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

you already have more than enough. people to

his arm, Ingrid cooed, “My headaches have always been cured by

caused Melora’s face to lose all

arranged for all of them to eat inside a private

meal, Ingrid made an effort to treat Crystal warmly due to her desire to marry Alfred.

wasn’t particularly receptive to the former.

favor with Melora by serving her some ribs, Alfred unexpectedly

two pieces of ribs couldn’t feel

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

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

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

Melora couldn’t endure it

the restroom and splashed her face with running

hold her tears

broken-hearted but knew she had no reason to be angry at him.

should I suffer such

opened before being closed and locked from the inside.

like snow and

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 reflection.

tender tone. “Are you

staring

couldn’t forget the lustful look in his eyes when he was with Ingrid. Even though he didn’t do anything particularly suggestive,

but an