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 urge to leave.

of the makeup room by then. The assistant pushed

door gradually opened, the sight

up, revealing a face with features so exquisite that she would mesmerize anyone who saw

leaning against a man who was dressed in a white shirt and

that very moment, he held in his hand a golden

an inexplicable intimacy that made it obvious to everyone

had never expected to walk in on such

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

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

put down the hairpin

kept mum.

she didn’t want

both of

amidst this awkward moment

equally blown

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

to escalate the situation,

page as Crystal, could also tell what was going on.

niece. Why don’t I buy all of you dinner at

her fan, releasing a pleasant fragrance into the air.

had she spoken than Melora replied, “I’m not

descended upon the room, Leslie added,

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

the comment was directed at Leslie, she

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

cooed, “My headaches have always

caused Melora’s face to lose all color.

in and painstakingly arranged for all of them to eat inside

an effort to treat Crystal warmly due

Crystal wasn’t particularly receptive to the

attempted to curry favor with Melora by serving her some

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

Alfred remarked, “You should have more meat to help

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

than Alfred and had greeted the

endure it any

herself, she headed to the restroom

hold her

she was broken-hearted but knew she had no reason to be angry at him. The fact that

should I suffer such humiliation? I hate

before being closed and

face pale like snow and her nose red

the door behind him. Staring blankly into the mirror with tears rolling down her cheeks, she locked gazes with his reflection.

spoke in a tender tone.

by staring daggers at

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

nothing but an