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 urge to leave.

of the makeup room by then. The assistant pushed

the sight

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

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

in his hand a golden hairpin that he was trying

actions exuded an inexplicable intimacy that made it obvious to

spot in shock, Melora had never expected to walk in on such a

It turns out that he fancies the sort of stunning beauty that Miss Hopper is. Together, both of

for Alfred was

down the hairpin in his hand and called out, “Melora!”

kept mum.

want to respond to him.

gave Alfred a curious look before shifting her gaze toward Melora. As far as she knew, both of them

this awkward moment that Leslie

was equally blown away by the

“Miss Lodge, I’m surprised to

situation, Crystal greeted

was going on. She quickly broke into a smile and commented,

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

opened her fan, releasing a pleasant fragrance into the

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

room, Leslie added,

“Leslie, you have never shown me such attention when

comment was directed at Leslie, she was complaining about Alfred not being

he replied, “Don’t you already have more than enough.

cooed, “My headaches have always

Melora’s face to lose all

in and painstakingly arranged for all of them to eat

meal, Ingrid made an effort to treat Crystal warmly

wasn’t particularly receptive to

to curry favor with Melora by serving her some

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

feelings, Alfred remarked, “You should have

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

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

endure it any

she headed to the restroom and splashed her face with running water.

hold her tears for

reason to be angry at him. The fact that they had been

should I suffer such humiliation? I hate him!

before being closed and locked from the

snow and her nose red

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

spoke in a tender tone.

responded by staring daggers at him.

Ingrid. Even though he didn’t do anything particularly suggestive, it was obvious that he enjoyed having hist way

but an old