Chapter 151 You Gave Me Up The next day, Crystal left work earlier than usual.
Both Crystal and Ritchie received invitations to a banquet organized by individuals from the arts and culture scene, so they arranged to meet outside the hotel.
The lady at the front desk gave her a warm grin. âYou look stunning today, Miss Winters.â
Her remark put a smile on Crystalâs face.
She pressed the elevator button and stepped inside, but the moment she entered, she froze in place.
Henry was already in the elevator, leaning against the wall with a cold and indifferent expression. as if he had been waiting there for a while.
Instinctively, Crystal wanted to turn around and leave, but Henry reacted even more quickly.
Thud!
He forcefully pinned her body against the elevator.
Crystal hesitated to make any movements, feeling trapped as Henryâs arm firmly pressed against the wall, blocking her chest.
The slightest shift would result in intimate contact, as if she was inadvertently inviting him to engage in a closer connection.
All she could do was meet his gaze and ask, âMr. Miller, what do you want from me?â
Henry stared deeply into her eyes. âAre you attending a banquet? With Ritchie?â
Crystal tried to restrain her anger. âMr. Miller, weâve already ended our relationship. I can attend any banquet or date whomever I want.â
Henry withdrew his arm, taking a step back. His voice carried a hint of uncertainty. âDo you have feelings for him? Are you happier with him than you were with me? I donât think you can forget. about me, Crystal.â
Crystalâs eyes turned red.
She had indeed enjoyed some sweet moments with Henry, during which she was captivated by his charm as a mature man.
When she was with him, the pursuit of fame and fortune also brought her great excitement.
Crystal firmly believed that no woman could resist the allure of Henryâs gentle seduction. Falling in love with him was as natural and effortless as breathing for any woman.
He consistently avoided defining their relationship, giving the impression that the only aspect of her that he desired was her body.
Whenever she asked him if he loved her, he would always respond, âLook, Crystal. Iâm sorry, but I canât give you what you want!â
She eventually learned that was not the case. Itâs not that he was incapable of giving it to me. He just didnât want to!
Feeling humiliated, Crystal confronted him. âHenry, you gave me up. Whatâs the point of you saying all that now?â
The elevator descended, emitting a faint and heavy sound.
The time spent within that tiny space felt long and agonizing.
After what felt like an eternity, Henry finally spoke, his voice hoarse and unsteady. âCrystal Winters, I want you!â
Crystal lifted her head and fixed him with a piercing glare.
Henry reiterated, âI want you!â
The color drained out of Crystalâs face.
What he said did not bring her happiness. In fact, it made her feel even more despondent.. âHenry, youâre only saying this because Iâm with Ritchie. If I werenât in a relationship, you would only think of me as someone whoâll play truth or dare you in some private room or invite me for a casual quickie!â
Crystalâs fair complexion blushed slightly, her voice growing more sorrowful. âYou have no feelings for me, Henry. Itâs just your ego at play.â
Coincidentally, the elevator doors opened.
Crystal walked out without hesitation.
With a brisk pace, she stepped out of the elevator as if trying to escape from something.
It had been a while since Crystal and Henry parted ways, yet he remained her first man, and that brief period of just over a month had left a profound mark on her. How could I easily forget those nights when I had to plead with him in the master bedroom?
Crystal got into her car, her hands gripping the trembling steering wheel.
At that moment, she felt an intense hatred toward Henry, even more so than when he claimed he could not give her what she desired! Who does he think he is? Who gives him the right to summon and discard me as he pleases? Who does he take me for?
However, at that moment, she became even more acutely aware that she still had feelings for Henry!
Crystal slumped against the chair, feeling completely drained of energy.
The car door swung open, and Henry stood outside, his voice strained as he spoke. âIâm sorry. Crystal.
He longed to touch her, but she instinctively slapped him across the face.
Smack!
They were both stunned.
Crystal held her stinging hand and offered a soft apology. âMr. Miller, Iâm sorry.â
Henry paid no attention to that.
He remained gripping the car door, deliberately lowering his voice. âYou shouldnât be driving. Iâll take you there.â
It was impossible for Crystal to agree to that.
They stood locked in a standoff until Henry used some force to in the process.
pull her out and grabbed her coat Underneath her coat, she wore a beautiful light purple long gown with a slender waistline. She looks stunning.
Henry observed her for a few seconds and then helped her put on the coat before carefully fastening each button. âTake a taxi home it you donât want me to drive. I forbid you to drive.â
Crystal appeared to be in a distressed state, and Henry could not help but worry about her. As a mature man, he understood that she still harbored feelings for him.
At least for now, Henry could sense that Ritchie had not succeeded in replacing him in Crystalâs life. Thatâs why she did not allow him to stay overnight at her condominium.
Henry hailed a taxi and escorted Crystal inside.
Just as the door was about to close, he gently said, âHave a great time.â
Initially, he planned to attend the banquet too, but as an alpha male, he might confront Ritchie head-on.
However, understanding that such actions would only bring embarrassment to Crystal, Henry restrained himself and chose to proceed slowly.
Crystal sat in the backseat of the taxi, her tears flowing uncontrollably.
She did not want to burst into tears because of Henry, as it was not worth it, but somehow, he had a way of making her cry.
The sociable taxi driver could not help but inquire, âDid you have a fight with your boyfriend? That guy is dâm good-looking, and he looks rich too. Donât cry, miss! Men can be despicable. If you give him the cold shoulder, heâll immediately put aside his ego and come crawling back to you like a puppy! Trust me. I know this from my own experience when I was young.â
The driverâs words left her speechless.
Crystal wiped away her tears and silently gazed out of the window.
It took her half an hour to process the impact Henry had on her, and then she went on to have an enjoyable evening When Crystal arrived at the banquet hall, Ritchie had yet to arrive, but Crystal spotted Charles and Madison.
They were dressed in matching outfits, embracing each other and dancing.
Madison naturally drew attention from the crowd due to her status, Nevertheless, Crystal was worried Madison might get into trouble because Charles was renowned as a play boy in Barnwood.
She stood in a corner of the banquet hall, observing for a while when suddenly, her phone rang.
It was a call from Ritchic.
He apologized over the phone, explaining that he might not be able to attend the banquet tonight. due to a family emergency that required his immediate attention.
Crystal had mixed feelings upon hearing that. Well, I suppose itâs for the best that he wonât be here tonight.
After hanging up the phone, Crystal was about to tell Madison that she planned to leave early, but as she lifted her gaze, a fight broke out in the middle of the dance floor.
The two men engaged in a brawl were Charles and Zachary.
Zachary arrived in casual attire, clearly on a spontaneous whim, and they were engaged in a heated fight fueled by jealousy!
Zachary stood to chance against Charles, who was well-trained and had a powerful physique.
In just a few exchanges, Zachary was defeated, blood splattering everywhere.
Women in the banquet hall screamed in terror.
Madison, on the other hand, stood and watched indifferently as if Zachary was not her husband.
This banquet, organized by influential figures in Barnwoodâs arts and culture scene, escalated to the point where hotel security had to intervenc, The altercation between Charles and Zachary garnered significant attention, making headlines across Barnwood.
The news spread rapidly, and unfortunately, Madisonâs reputation was tarnished as a result.