Crystal’s One Night of Love
Chapter 356

Chapter 356 Spend The Night

Sylvester recognized the woman.

Her name was Clementine, who was once his uncle's lover.

He shut the door and walked over. "What would you like to talk to me about, Miss Dynah?"

Clementine gazed at the young and handsome face and froze. "You look just like him!" she murmured.

Sylvester did not respond.

They went to a café nearby, which was quiet enough to discuss business.

Clementine was even thinner than she used to be.

Her skin was so dry that her makeup did not stick, but she still turned on the charm for the twenty-four-year-old man. She brushed her hair lightly and beamed. "You will only be a side character at Crystal's.

Come to me."

Sylvester gazed at her.

Clementine took out a contract from her purse. "I've signed you on for five years, which guarantees a Heading role in two films and two television series, with appearances on variety shows not included. Whatever you make will be split fifty-fifty."

To a newcomer to the industry, the terms seemed irresistible.

However, fame was not what Sylvester sought.

He drummed on the agreement with his slender fingers. "There won't be any additional verbal agreements, will there, Miss Dynah?" he asked softly.

Clementine rested her hand on the back of his.

Sylvester lowered his gaze before looking up to meet hers.

"Be my lover," Clementine said bluntly.

Sylvester retracted his hand and gazed calmly at Clementine. "Thank you for your interest, Miss Dynah. I'm sorry, but I'm not interested."

Clementine became irritated. She sneered. "Do you know how many people would vic for such an opportunity?"

Sylvester turned around to leave without so much as a backward glance.

Clementine saw him as a younger version of his uncle. He did not like being a substitute.

Crystal, too, thought they looked alike.

However, Crystal's gaze was gentle, and she even cherished his youth. She was the one Sylvester wanted to protect.

Perhaps my bitter, unrequited love will fade away one day.

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He would start his own family, but he would look back fondly at having once loved such a beautiful

person.

It gave him a warm, fuzzy feeling.

Behind him, Clementine gritted her teeth.

Though she wanted to make her mark in Barnwood, her connections were limited. The only star she had groomed, Saige, fell to Crystal. Even worse, Sylvester did not want her. Fools. Would Crystal treat them genuinely? No, she won't!

The film Crystal had invested in was wrapped up on Christmas Eve.

A large number of guests were attending the wrap-up party.

Crystal invited Alfred. Naturally, she also invited the Miller family.

Beautiful women swarmed the place under the luxurious crystal lamps. Despite being over forty years old, Ingrid stood out.

Alfred personally gifted her a bouquet of flowers.

Berthold was seated below the stage. His eyes flickered. "Why would Daddy give another lady flowers. Mommy?" he asked Melora.

Melora felt a little uncomfortable.

Though Alfred and Ingrid were once married and had a child together, he never shies away from such antics. Shameless

man.

However, she could not bear to upset the child. Thus, she stroked the boy's head. "Daddy is friends with Miss Hopper.

Berthold was puzzled. "Are you friends with Daddy, too?"

Melora did not know how to answer him.

Just then, Alfred descended the stage.

When they were out, he kept his distance from Melora, treating her like another relative of his. "Why did you bring him here?" he asked with a look at Berthold.

Melora was wearing a diamond gown that night, which was more dazzling than the chandelier.

Her cleavage, in particular, intrigued Alfred to such an extent that he found himself subtly blocking her from view.

Melara did not notice his dark thoughts. "He wants to see you," she said softly. "In fact, he insisted on coming! After she spoke, she turned to Ingrid.

Alfred glanced at her.

Then, he hugged and kissed the child, rubbing the boy's soft cheeks with his stubble. Berthold, still a toddler, smelled of milk.

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As he hugged and sniffed him, Alfred found his heart softening.

He thought it was fortunate that he did not live with the boy, or he would be so enamored that he would not be able to do much else with his arms around the latter every day.

"Did you miss me?"

The child kissed him shyly.

Being father and son, they looked alike; Alfred, too, had dyed his hair black, and outsiders could not quite see the resemblance.

During the performance on stage, Alfred sat down with the boy in his arms. Fortunately, those around him were his people, and he could lower his guard. "I'll send you two home later," he said to Melora quietly. Melora kept her gaze fixedly up on stage.

Alfred could not resist a smile; he knew she was jealous. "Aren't you too old to be jealous? You're somebody's mother! By the way, aren't you cold from wearing so little?"

Melora was livid.

Given Alfred's status, she did not spend much time with him.

His visit this time was mostly to see her. When it was time for him to go, Berthold gazed at him pitifully like a puppy.

Alfred's heart softened.

He whispered something to Berthold, who cheered up once more.

At the end of the party, Melora left with Berthold. She went down the underground parking lot, where a black RV was waiting. Leslie was driving with Alfred in the back seat. Melora headed over. Leslie hurriedly got out of the vehicle and opened the door for them.

"Mr. Lodge has been waiting for you."

"Berthold wants to see him," Melora said softly.

Leslie smiled, not wishing to comment further. He placed his hand on the roof of the vehicle and stood aside for them to enter.

Soon after, they sped away.

Unexpectedly, they arrived at a quiet residential area where there were fewer neighbors. "Mr. Lodge's newly bought house," Leslie said with a smile as they pulled over.

There was a hint of joy in his words.

Melora turned to look at Alfred, who merely picked up the boy and exited the vehicle.

The silhouette of his back remained as strapping as it had been a few years ago. If she was being honest. with herself, he was a very attractive man. Even if he was not as powerful as he was, she thought he would not be lacking in women.

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His acquisition of a property in Barnwood could only mean one thing....

Melora's heart began racing.

She followed him into the mansion, which had been decorated pleasantly; it did not look like a bachelor's pad.

There was even a rocking horse in the living room, which Berthold was already on.

Alfred removed his coat, revealing a white shirt underneath, and squatted beside the child. "Do you like it?" he caressed his son's head.

Berthold gazed up at him.

He knew he had a father, but he had lived with his mother and was told to address the latter as Great-uncle Alfred when they were out. With the intuition only children possessed, he knew how different he was from the others.

Now, Daddy has brought me here to such a large house. He even offered to buy me a Labrador. It's not the same as it used to be

Berthold beamed. "I like it very much, Daddy."

Alfred stroked his head again and chided him affectionately. "Silly boy!"

It was a touching

scene.

Melora lowered her head, concealing her feelings as best as she could as she was reluctant to reveal them.

Alfred turned around and gazed at her tenderly. Then, he walked over and whispered to her, "Don't cry! You're too old to be crying, aren't you?"

He pulled her to the couch to sit down and poured her some milk.

Sitting beside her, he went on gently. "I have some good news to share with you."

"Why don't you share it with Miss Hopper?" Melora said pointedly.

Alfred chuckled.

He reached out to touch her hair like he did their son's. "You're still jealous! Miss Hopper has been helping me for the past two years. I showed up to support her and, secondly, for Crystal." Melora was stubborn, her tongue most of all.

"That's not what I meant!"

Alfred smiled. "My project is a success! Equipped with the latest avionic technology, it's going to launch. next week. I'll have Leslie arrange for you and Berthold to come have a look."

I have paid my dues for four years for that. I have paid by forsaking the girl I love. Even now, my son is outside calling me Great-uncle Alfred. Soon, we would be reunited.

At a time like this, he wanted the one he cared about the most to be there, to be able to glance at them. through the crowd and think the sacrifices over the past few years were worth it.

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Then, he would be able to step down.

Alfred had thought about it. After this, he would resign from every position.

The Lodge family had many businesses to manage.

Besides, he was not even that old, and it would not be too late for him to start a business venture from scratch.

The most important thing was to give Melora a stable future.

He was so sincere that Melora felt moved. She recalled the diamond ring.

Alfred seemed to have recalled it as well. His voice was hoarse. "Do you still have the ring? That belongs to the woman I will call my wife. It's not easy for me to save up for it, you know, I still have to propose!" Melora was moved, but like all women, she was not going to give in that easily.

"I'll give it back to you, but you should save your proposal for another woman. You have so many around. you anyway, Mr. Lodge. I'm sure I'm not the only one.

Though she was stubborn, her words were coy.

Alfred's gaze twinkled. There's the girl I know.

He wanted to lean in, but he had a son in his care, so he whispered, "Spend the night here. We won't have to sneak around anymore."

However, Melora did not agree to it at once.

She had been apart from him for several years. Though she had passed the end of the line, she had been hurt too much.

She was about to turn him down when Berthold heard them. "I want to stay, Mommy," he begged.

Melora's lips quivered. The child leaped over and threw himself into her arms. She always felt that she owed him too much, so she could never turn him down out of love.

Though she did not explicitly say it, she agreed to stay!

Alfred, on the other hand, did not seem to be in a hurry. Instead, he personally went to the kitchen to prepare supper for them. It was delicious, but Melora ate quietly.

Alfred was fussing over the boy. "You've grown a lot less chatty over the past few years," he said to her gently. "Remember how you used to chatter? It's always Mr. Alfred this and Mr. Alfred that, and-"

Melora lowered her gaze. "People grow up."

Alfred gazed at her wordlessly.

He knew that she earned well and that her family was rich. She had many prospects, but he wanted her.

Naturally, the child was unaware of the unspoken exchange between the adults.

Later that night, the boy grew tired. Alfred showered him and helped him put on his pajamas.

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As soon as Berthold lay in bed, he fell asleep.

Alfred sat on the edge of the bed. His expression grew solemn. He stroked his son's cheek for a long time.

Aside from Melora, the one he felt the most guilt for throughout his life was his son.

After a long time, he got up and left.

He found Melora in the guest room. She was standing beside the bed with a bathrobe in her hand, looking like she was in a dilemma.

Alfred walked over. He gripped her shoulder from behind and said softly, "Come to the master bedroom. The three of us have never fallen asleep together as a family."

Melora shook her head.

Alfred held her waist tightly. He rested his chin on her haggard shoulder. "I've been waiting for a long time, Melora. I owe you so much. Give me a chance to make up for it, all right?"

Melora began sobbing.

She tried hard to suppress her weeping. He had given her up time and time again, and yet, he said he wanted her.

Alfred felt awful.

He turned her around to wipe away her tears and kissed her again. "I'm serious. Come and sleep with our

son."

Melora had many questions, but she could not voice a single one..

With his arms around her, Alfred led her back to the master bedroom.

He did not touch her. After waiting patiently for her to take a shower, the three of them lay in bed. together.

Between them lay the child.

Through the child, Alfred held her hand and caressed her ring finger.

She is blessed with lovely, slender fingers.

Alfred's voice was low. Before he knew it, he thought of her as a woman. She was no longer that inexperienced girl; he had told her as much.

There is also the impending matter of Berthold's education.

Melora was a little unrealistic. Despite her stubbornness, she could not deny that it was a day she had been waiting for. However, now that the day had come, she found herself at a loss.

She closed her eyes slightly when Alfred leaned over to kiss her, and her slender neck stiffened.

Her voice was trembling. "I'm scared, Alfred."

She was afraid that it was all a dream.

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She was even more afraid of accepting all of it; she had gotten used to waiting in vain and getting disappointed.

Alfred was heartbroken. He kissed and comforted her.

Ultimately, he could not bear to take her. "Let's save it for the wedding night," he whispered in her ear.

Melora was scandalized at his shamelessness.

What wedding night? Look at how old our child is! I'm not going to initiate it, or it'll make me look desperate. Here I am, in his arms, and he's asking about attending something like that.

"We'll see. There have been quite a lot of casting of late."

Alfred kissed the corner of her lips. "Go, deal with them. I've been waiting for this day, Melora."

She did not give him a definitive answer.

She thought of taking it slow as she did not wish to live like that.

Alfred was not upset. He kissed her, then grabbed her hand and brought it to his groin. She was horrified. Our son is right here!

In the end, however, he got his way.

After relieving himself, Alfred hugged her. "I didn't expect to fall into the hands of a little girl like you a few years ago," he said softly as he hugged her. "I didn't even think about getting married! There won't be

any other unworthy woman, Melora. I'm determined to be true to you with all my heart."

Listening quietly, she felt her heart soften.

Eventually, she fell asleep in his arms.

Alfred left early the following morning, but he prepared breakfast.

Berthold was delighted. He watched his mother quietly as he ate breakfast and thought about how beautiful his mother was, how bright her skin, was, and how she seemed to glow.

I think Mommy must be fond Daddy.

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