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

their group had arrived at the entrance of the makeup room by then. The assistant pushed the door open. “Miss Miller is here.”

opened, the sight that greeted them shocked Melora.

hair was pinned up, revealing a face with features

was leaning against a man who was dressed in a white shirt and black slacks. His

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

that made it obvious to everyone what

never expected to walk in on such

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

one astonished, for Alfred was just

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

kept mum.

trembling, she didn’t want to respond to

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

was amidst this awkward moment that Leslie

too, was equally blown away by

to Crystal. “Miss Lodge, I’m surprised to see you here! Mr. Lodge has missed you

situation, Crystal greeted her uncle respectfully.

tell what was going on. She quickly

a chuckle. “So, you’re Mr. Lodge’s niece. Why don’t I buy all of you dinner at the restaurant opposite? The food

releasing a pleasant fragrance

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

air of awkwardness descended upon the room, Leslie added, “I’ll medication for Miss Melora.”

obsequiousness drew a side-eye from Ingrid, who teased coyly, “Leslie, you have never

Leslie, she was complaining about Alfred

“Don’t you already

headaches have always been cured

caused Melora’s face

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

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

Crystal wasn’t particularly receptive

favor with Melora by serving

ribs couldn’t feel

of her childish feelings, Alfred remarked, “You should

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

younger than Alfred and had greeted the latter accordingly,

Melora couldn’t endure

headed to the restroom and splashed her face with running

to hold her tears for a second

knew she had no reason to be

suffer such humiliation? I

the restroom door was gently opened before being closed and

like snow and her

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

tender

responded by staring daggers

he didn’t do anything

but an old