Crystal’s One Night of Love
Chapter 247

Chapter 247 Let Us Meet

At nine at night, Crystal finally returned to the villa.

The warm yellow light spilled from the hall, casting a cozy ambiance in the dim foyer.

Skyler sat playing the piano with Henry by her side.

He wore a classic three-piece suit, and when the jacket was taken off, his well-proportioned figure would be revealed. Upon seeing Crystal, he gently swirled his wine glass and inquired, "How was your outing?"

Crystal set down her bag and sat on the couch, gently massaging her sore legs.

At that, Skyler wanted to run over to her mother.

She had initially learned to play the piano to replace her mother, but now, it no longer mattered.

However, Henry put his hand on her chestnut-colored hair and solemnly said, "Play this piece five more

times."

Skyler turned speechless.

Daddy, you're so mean! You weren't like this when you wanted me to help you court Mommy!

Hence, Skyler continued playing the piano at a much faster rate than usual.

Crystal was both amused and exasperated. She said to Henry, "She's only around five years old. Why do you need to pressure her like this?"

Henry crouched down before her and massaged her feet. His voice was low and gentle as he said, "She's talented, Crystal. I've always wanted to apologize to you, but no matter how many apologies I make, your feet can never go back to how they were. So I want Skyler to have another option."

Crystal was silent as she stared at him.

She rarely looked at him like this. In the past, she had always avoided developing any romantic feelings. for him again..

After a long time, she whispered, "Even though that's the case, don't push her too hard. I want Skyler to live freely, and besides, with you around, she'll be fine in the future."

Henry smiled faintly. "It's rare to have some merits in Miss Winters' heart."

They then changed the topic and discussed Melora for a while.

Henry seemed to have thought about it a lot during the day. He held her fair foot and murmured, "I won't force you to do anything because of Melora's situation. They are them, and we are us." Crystal looked at him, who was illuminated by the lamp.

Her gaze held a touch of tenderness, genuine and unfeigned, as she looked at Henry.

Henry's heart skipped a beat.

His voice was husky as he asked, "Do you have any affection for me now?"

Crystal reached out to gently touch his attractive face. "Perhaps I do have a bit of affection for you." A soft chuckle escaped Henry's lips.

But before their emotions could fully envelop them, Skyler was done playing the piece five times and rushed over to her father, seeking a foot rub.

Henry, ever indulgent, embraced his daughter, attending to both her feet and her hands.

Skyler's jealousy subsided, replaced by a sense of bashfulness, as she nestled in her father's arms.

Crystal affectionately touched the little girl's head and remarked, "She really adores you."

With a playful tap on Crystal's nose, Henry teased, "Even though you're an adult, you still get jealous because of a child."

That night, Crystal slept with Skyler as usual.

Henry stopped urging her to move to the master bedroom, and neither did he ask her to sleep with him. She had not pushed him away despite what he did during the day in the walk-in closet, so that meant she was not as hostile toward him anymore.

He was in no rush.

This time, he was going to take it slow with her.

He was resolute in pursuing a genuine and proper romantic relationship with her.

Meanwhile, Melora was standing on the balcony.

Julia was taking care of Berthold, so perhaps that night was the most untroubled night she had for years. She should be happy, but after everything she had gone through, she could no longer be the carefree Melora she once was.

Right then, her phone, which was in her room, rang.

She went back inside to pick up the call. It was a call from an unfamiliar number.

Without dwelling much on it, she said, "Hello?"

The person on the other end of the line was silent for a long while before they hoarsely uttered, "It's me."

Melora's whole body froze.

It's... Alfred.

She never thought she would receive his call, especially since their breakup was unpleasant. If anything. she had left the relationship in despair and resentment.

Her lips moved slightly, but she could not think of what to say.

In contrast, Alfred seemed much calmer as he asked softly, "Your brother said you hadn't been home in two years. Is that true?"

Melora felt a lump in her throat.

It took her a long while to hold back her feelings enough to squeeze out, "Mr. Lodge, why are you calling? We made it clear that we wanted nothing to do with each other." Alfred's tone carried a hint of tenderness, like how he used to coax her. "Your brother said you were not. doing well."

Melora closed her eyes. "I'm doing fine."

Silence ensued.

After a long pause, Alfred softly continued, "I'm in Barnwood. Can we meet at the same condominium?"

At that, Melora flew into a rage.

"Meet? What do you take me for? A wonderful meal that you were once sick of but have regained the appetite for? Or am I just one of your flings? Do you see me as someone you should hide away?" Alfred's breath hitched, but his voice remained gentle.

"Melora, we're just meeting up for a meal."

Melora restrained herself

Then, she hung up the call.

Late in the night, she cried o

"uttered, "Mr. Lodge, I'm not coming

the balcony all by herself for a long time.

She couldn't put a finger on when exactly she started liking Alfred. Maybe it was when she spotted him. working at the hospital or catching him smoking all by himself late at night. Perhaps it could have been the loneliness she saw in him.

To her, he was Mr. Alfred.

Back then, she feared he might blame her brother, so she constantly stuck by him, doing her best to keep him content.

As time rolled by, he started letting her remain close.

He often burned the midnight oil, and whenever exhaustion caught up to her, she would sometimes doze off on the couch in his cramped office. One night, as she woke up, she discovered him tucking a blanket over her. His face glowed beautifully under the bright light, and she couldn't resist calling out, "Mr. Alfred."

After that, they kissed.

Alfred was much older than her-he was a mature man. He never had any trouble winning over a woman's heart.

That night, he had taken control of the situation, but he did not take her.

For the first time in her life, Melora learned that men could be that skillful. For days after that night, she avoided him, fearing to face him.

He did not come looking for her either.

It was only that night when Skyler was getting sent off and Alfred had gotten drunk did she go looking for

him, worried.

An intoxicated Alfred was a being of charm.

She could not help but kiss him. Then... they did it.

On that narrow couch, she kept calling him "Mr. Alfred" again and again as she indulged in worldly desires below him. At that time, she did not even know how much she liked him, only that everything

about him attracted her.

She thought they would only share a night with each other.

But after that, he kept going to Barnwood on business trips.

He invested in a beautiful condominium unit and transformed it into a delightful haven through thoughtful renovations. He made it a point to be there regularly, visiting her whenever he was on his business trips there.

In that house, they were intimate with each other.

He would make food for her to eat before he devoured her.

During that period of time, it was as if she had been bewitched. She knew that she should not fall for him, but he had been so irresistible. He never talked to her about marriage or the future, and yet, she had gone to Coldbridge to see him.

It was then she realized that they could never be together.

They had no legal ties to each other.

All along, the only thing he could give her was the moments of sweet intimacy in that condominium.

He never wanted to publicize his relationship with her.

Alfred sat in his car.

The car was parked downstairs at the condominium, and it was from there that he made the call.

He knew he should not have come, but he could not help himself and specifically made this trip while keeping it hidden even from his secretary,

Alas, she declined his invitation and refused to come.

Still, Alfred went upstairs and opened the door to the condominium, which had already been tidied up.

Everything looked the same, except for the absence of one person.

Alfred, a man known for his shrewdness all his life, seldom experienced such a sense of loss and an intense longing to see someone.

He spent the entire night on the couch.

His mind was filled with memories of their past passion, and he cherished the moments she nestled in his arms, calling him "Mr. Alfred" with every breath.

Never had he encountered such an innocent girl in his company.

Around him, everyone else was manipulative and cunning.

He, too, had long lost his sincerity, but in his early forties, he found himself entangled in a love game with a young woman. He cared for her deeply, but he could not let her get caught up in his dangerous world.

His world was treacherous.

And she was too vulnerable, requiring his undivided attention and protection.

Thus, after that incident, not only did she grow distant and despondent, but he also felt that they were not well-suited for each other. Yet, after more than two years of separation, just as he believed he had moved on, Henry shattered that illusion.

It turned out that he never truly let go.

The first rays of morning sunlight streamed into the condominium.

Alfred got up and prepared breakfast. Then, out of habit, head to the bedroom, thinking doing what he was used to doing, which was waking the young woman up for her to join him breakfast. She had a hearty appetite and was easily satisfied, always relishing junk food.

But the room was empty, and the lingering fragrance she used to leave behind on the bed was no longer there.

Alfred slowly exited the room and ended up having breakfast alone.

Then, Leslie called, informing him of a meeting at ten

In a composed manner, Alfred responded, "Let's reschedule it for tomorrow. I'm in Barnwood and want to spend time with Crystal and Skyler."

Leslie understood the situation.

He let out a soft sigh, thinking. If there's anyone Mr. Lodge owes anything to in this lifetime, it's only Melora.

Indeed, Alfred went to visit Crystal.

He purchased toys that Skyler adored and went there early. He was glad he didn't cross paths with Henry, who had left on a business trip.

Although Crystal was aware of the circumstances, their encounter felt a bit awkward.

She observed Alfred with Skyler, his face brimming with affection, and could not help but think of

Berthold.

In a hushed tone, she asked. "Uncle Alfred, have you ever considered starting a family?"

Alfred chuckled. "What's this? Are you helping your grandmother persuade me to get into relationships?"

Crystal fell silent, quietly preparing coffee.

After a while, she spoke softly. "I can tell that you really love children, Uncle Alfred."

Alfred embraced Skyler and gave her a kiss, replying, "Having Skyler is more than enough for me."

Skyler responded lovingly, planting kisses on Alfred's face and holding his handsome features in her tiny

hands. "Berthold is handsome too. He has brown hair, just like me, and fair skin."

Alfred frowned, asking, "Who is Berthold?"

Crystal set the coffee on the table and cradled Skyler in her arms. "He's a boy from the Miller family."

Her words were not entirely false.

Alfred did not dwell on it and forced a smile for Crystal.

He had come to inquire about Melora's situation, but Crystal's lips remained tightly sealed, revealing nothing. Alfred sensed her astuteness and cunning nature.

While Crystal engaged in conversation with him, she tossed her phone to Skyler.

Skyler looked at Alfred and then at her mother.

Crystal gave her a gentle smile, and Skyler immediately understood what she needed to do.

With her delicate fingers, the girl started tapping on the screen to compose a message: Aunt Melora, I miss you! Mommy doesn't feel well, so can you come and take me to kindergarten?

Once she sent the message, she tossed the phone onto the couch.

Alfred did not entirely approve of Skyler's actions. "A kid her age shouldn't be using phones yet."

Crystal peeked at Skyler and smiled. "She does her kindergarten homework on her own. Henry insists on fostering her independence."

Upon hearing that, Alfred fell silent.

He sat for a moment and then decided to leave; after all, he was not in a good mood..

Crystal offered him a cup of coffee before they heard the sound of a car engine coming from the yard. She chuckled. "All right, I won't keep you, Uncle Alfred. I'll visit Granny in Coldbridge with Skyler another

day."

Alfred gently patted her head and turned to leave.

Crystal walked him to the door.

At the parking space, a white Bentley slowly pulled in, and Melora stepped out from the back seat. With a smile, she started, "Crystal, Skyler said you weren't feeling well-❞

Her words came to a sudden halt, her gaze locking onto that

person.

Alfred was equally surprised to see her there, his gaze deep and slightly disoriented.

Melora looked much different from before.