Crystal's One Night of Love

Two weeks later, Clementine’s husband’s coal mine ran into deep trouble.

The tragedy from four years ago that resulted in the loss of five lives had been exposed for all to see. Thus, the once mighty coal magnate found himself behind bars, facing a minimum of twenty years in prison.

Clementine’s world came crashing down.

She wanted to see Alfred, but Leslie intercepted her.

His tone was grave. “Miss Dynah, Mr. Lodge had long-term plans for cooperation with you, but it turns out your husband has a shady past, so we’ll have to reconsider.”

Even Clementine, slow to catch on, sensed something amiss.

However, given her status, she couldn’t challenge Alfred. She could only plead for leniency.

Leslie remained calm. “Miss Dynah, have you ever thought about who you might have offended?”

Clementine was taken aback. After a long pause, she murmured, “It’s Crystal!”

Leslie didn’t directly respond to that. He only said, “Mr. Lodge’s sister passed away at a young age, so he poured all his affection onto Miss Lodge. Think about the depth of that love, Miss Dynah. Since you acted without doing thorough research beforehand, you merely brought trouble upon yourself!”

With that, he left.

Clementine sat alone in the room, feeling utterly defeated.

She held a cup of coffee, trying to steady her trembling hands. In truth, she couldn’t believe that after years of hard work, she was still defeated by Crystal.

Crystal didn’t take direct action, yet she had defeated Clementine easily.

No, this can’t go on. Jerry mustn’t fall. Even if I have to humbly plead with Crystal, I’ve got to protect Jerry!

As Clementine stepped out, she found that it was raining. The early autumn day, which had felt stifling just a while ago, was now cool and refreshing.

Outside the mansion, the rain was a gentle drizzle.

Crystal sat in the gazebo in the backyard, arranging a vase of flowers she had personally grown.

The housekeeper approached, speaking softly. “Mrs. Miller, Miss Dynah would like to see you.”

Crystal blinked lightly.

-She had already seen the news today and had anticipated Clementine’s visit, but she hadn’t expected it to

be so soon.

Smiling faintly, she said, “Tell her I’m not in.”

The servant nodded and left.

At the villa’s entrance, Clementine paced anxiously with her umbrella.

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She sought Crystal out of necessity.

We were old classmates, after all. For the sake of an old friendship, her helping me shouldn’t be too difficult as long as I’m willing to set aside my pride.

From a distance, she saw the housekeeper walking over with an umbrella.

“Miss Dynah, I’m sorry, but Mrs. Miller isn’t home. Please come back another time.”

Clementine knew it was just an excuse. Crystal was clearly inside.

Unwilling to give up, she abandoned her dignity and screamed, “Crystal! I know you’re in there. Why won’t you see me? Yes, it’s my fault for revealing your secret, and I’m sorry, but it doesn’t really affect you, does it? Do you have to force me into a corner to be satisfied?”

The housekeeper’s face soured. “Miss Dynah, please don’t make things difficult for us.”

Mrs. Miller is quite lenient, but if Mr. Miller comes home and finds out, he’ll surely question me.

Furious, Clementine dropped her umbrella and clung to the ornate black gate, shaking it desperately. Her ugly words poured out relentlessly. “Crystal, come out! What’s with this act? Do you think you’re better than me? Have you forgotten how you pursued Robert back in the day? You said you’d love Robert forever! Hah, just like me, you only love power!”

affection for Henry in you! Crystal, this is your

Crystal wouldn’t help. Thus, she decided

heard it all..

“Have the security drive

raged like a shrew in the rain, spewing harsh

being a woman! I bet even sleeping with Robert would

golden Bentley pulled up slowly before the window

stoic and devoid of expression, heard every word Clementine

and rushed toward the car, ignoring the rainwater pouring into her mouth. She pleaded desperately, “Mr. Miller, please help me! Can you get Crystal to spare my Jerry?

her charms, hoping to evoke some

felt that the man before her wasn’t finding satisfaction in his marriage, and she believed she

a halt, its wipers swiping back and forth.

sat in the car, exuding an air of icy sophistication as

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she was being despicable.

many men, she still found allure in a man who was clean

She envied Crystal.

exhaled smoke from his cigarette, glancing at Clementine. One look from him was

“Help me.”

“All along, your husband’s troubles are entirely my doing. Miss Dynah. I’m

1

her track

extinguished his

security and said, “Why are you still standing there?

way.”

was taken

it suddenly stopped once more when it passed her.

car, his profile was strikingly handsome, but his words were frigid and unfeeling. “I care about Crystal a great deal! If you persist in making her

person Clementine held most dear was Robert.

him

to hit rock bottom, that, Henry believed, would be

window rolled up.

aloof man in the car drove into the mansion, likely to

help but

luck, yet why was the whole world rushing

Bentley came to a stop.

car, quietly

words from earlier still echoed in his

Crystal! You’ve lost the joy of being a woman! I bet even sleeping with

shouldn’t have cared,

a man, especially one born into privilege like him, he cared a great deal about not

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his wife happy.

that Robert couldn’t forget Crystal.

had four years of memories

or bad, they had been in love

he finished the cigarette, he stepped out of the car and walked straight toward

still arranging that vase of flowers.

seeing Henry enter, she asked softly, “Is she

took off his jacket, and gently draped it over her slender shoulders. “It’s getting chilly. Why

smiled. “It’s quite comfortable

down to

happy, she clung to his shoulders. Later,

shoulders to the ground as his hand slipped

bit his shoulder and murmured, “Let’s

waist, teasing her, “What are you thinking, Mrs. Miller? Skyler and

was on his mind.

parents took them away. They said they wanted to give us some time

held her

them fell into silence.

got along well. He was attentive, and she was gentle. However, it was lacking passion, and their life was more mundane than a

confirmed guilty and faced a solid twenty years behind bars.

Divorce was inevitable.

in cash. It was quite a long way off from her expected high-society