Crystal's One Night of Love

Chapter 319 You Are Out Of My League Part 1 

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?” Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDrâ/ma.O(r)g!

“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.”

After listening to the assistant’s remarks, Melora felt a sudden urge to leave.

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

As the door gradually opened, the sight that greeted them shocked Melora.

Ingrid 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 saw her.

Right then, she was leaning against a man who was dressed in a white shirt and black slacks. His face was handsome and elegant-looking.

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

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

Frozen to the spot in shock, Melora had never expected to walk in on such a scene.

Alfred has kissed me before… Nevertheless, I’ve never 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 match

made in heaven.

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

Despite Crystal’s presence, he put down the hairpin in his hand and called out, “Melora!”

However, Melora kept mum.

Lips trembling, she didn’t want to respond to him.

Meanwhile, Crystal gave Alfred a curious look before shifting her gaze toward Melora. As far as she knew, both of them barely knew each other, but the familiarity in Alfred’s tone when. he called out to Melora was unmistakable.

It was amidst this awkward moment that Leslie suddenly arrived.

He, too, was equally blown away by the sight.

Nonetheless, as Alfred’s old hand, he deftly defused the situation by speaking to Crystal. “Miss Lodge, I’m surprised to see you here! Mr. Lodge has missed you and was planning a visit.”

Not wanting to escalate the situation, Crystal greeted her uncle respectfully.

Madison, on the same page as Crystal, could also tell what was going on. She quickly broke into a smile and commented, “What a coincidence!”

At that moment, Ingrid interjected with a chuckle. “So, you’re Mr. Lodge’s niece. Why don’t I buy all of you dinner at the restaurant opposite? The food there is delicious.”

While speaking, Ingrid opened her fan, releasing a pleasant fragrance into the air.

No sooner had she spoken than Melora replied, “I’m not going. I have a headache.”

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

Nevertheless, his obsequiousness drew a side-eye from Ingrid, who teased coyly, “Leslie, you have never shown me such attention when I had a headache.”

Even though the comment was directed at Leslie, she was complaining about Alfred not being attentive enough.

In response, Alfred smiled faintly as he replied, “Don’t you already have more than enough. people to fuss about you?”

Holding his arm, Ingrid cooed, “My headaches have always been cured by your presence.”

The words caused Melora’s face to lose all color.

Thereafter, Leslie stepped in and painstakingly arranged for all of them to eat inside a private room in the restaurant.

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

Unfortunately, Crystal wasn’t particularly receptive to the former.

Later on, when Ingrid attempted to curry favor with Melora by serving her some ribs, Alfred unexpectedly did the same.

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

Cognizant of her childish feelings, Alfred remarked, “You should have more meat to help you grow!”

Ingrid, leaning against him with a gentle look in her eyes, added, “That’s right. You’re still growing, so the extra protein will do you good!”

Given that Melora was much younger than Alfred and had greeted the latter accordingly, Ingrid never suspected anything was going on between them.

By then, Melora couldn’t endure it any more.

After excusing herself, she headed to the restroom and splashed her face with running water.

She was unable to hold her tears for a second longer.

When Alfred left without saying goodbye two months ago, she was broken-hearted but knew she had no reason to be angry at him. The fact that they had been reunited under such. circumstances simply intensified her sorrow.

Why should I suffer such humiliation? I hate him!

Right then, the restroom door was gently opened before being closed and locked from the inside.

Melora was still crying, her face pale like snow and her nose red like an apple.

It wasn’t 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 his reflection.

Alfred spoke in a tender tone. “Are you angry?”

Melora responded by staring daggers at him.

She couldn’t forget the lustful look in his eyes when he was with Ingrid. Even though he didn’t do anything particularly suggestive, it was obvious that he enjoyed having hist way with her.

He’s nothing but an old pervert!

She turned around abruptly, eyes bloodshot.

“There’s nothing between us. Why should I be angry? Besides, someone like me will never catch your attention. You should just be with a woman who has fully matured!”

Melora was clearly throwing a childish tantrum.

Alfred might not have any intention of getting together with her, but he still felt like pacifying her.

On top of that, he wanted to hide his womanizing ways from her.

Hence, he smilingly remarked, “We’re just ordinary friends!”

Melora wasn’t blind to what he was trying to do. Since they were family, she calmed herself down in an effort not to make the situation any more awkward. Lowering her eyes, she said, “You should head out first. I’m going to wash my face.”

Meanwhile, Alfred couldn’t help but feel upset.

She’s still so young, and I had made up my mind not to go out with her. Yet, fate had other plans, and now I’ve run into her.

He then stroked her head. “There, there. Come back to dinner once you’re done.”

After he slipped out discreetly without alerting anyone, Melora tidied herself up before returning to the table. Her gloomy mood naturally made her lose her appetite, a reaction that didn’t escape Crystal’s notice.

After observing Melora, Crystal gave her uncle a thoughtful look.

Once dinner was over, everyone went their separate ways.

Alfred stood beside Ingrid, both of them looking perfect with each other.

Meanwhile, Melora got into her own car.

As she held onto the steering wheel, her head gradually slumped on top of it. Ever since she broke up with Robert, she had never imagined that she would feel so devastated over another man.

She could sense Alfred had feelings for her, yet he treated her like a child and seemed to prefer spending time with a woman like Ingrid.

Is it because women like her are gentle and understand him better?

Right then, the door of the Audi in front of her swung open. Leslie subsequently got in and drove away alone.

The turn of events caused Melora’s heart to race.

She figured that Alfred had other plans for the evening and might be heading to the luxury clubhouse. Will he take Miss Hopper with him? Perhaps also hug and kiss her in the restroom? Who knows, they might even go further than that…

For some reason, Melora thought that watching them do it might help alleviate the pain. within her.

An hour later, she brought her car to a stop.

The staff at the clubhouse recognized her as one of Alfred’s previous guests and let her in. Her stature was also bolstered by the limited edition sports car she drove.

When the staff opened the door for her, he remarked smilingly, “Mr. Lodge has just arrived. too!”

The moment she pushed the door open, she was greeted by the sight of Alfred playing cards. with a group of people.

Amidst the opulent surroundings, he looked as handsome and distinguished as ever.

His sleeves were rolled up to his elbows, while his cheeks had a reddish tint to them. Right between his pursed lips was a lit cigarette.

As for Ingrid, she was leaning against him with her soft breasts pressed against his arm. As if she was giving him pointers on his game, the tender look in her eyes was capable of melting anyone who saw it.

Consequently, Melora couldn’t bear the sight of them anymore.

When she turned around to leave, someone in the private room spotted her-Eras. “Hey, aren’t you the Miller girl? Are you here to see Alfred?”

Aher parting them down slowly, he lookend nowand idue