Chapter 167: Chapter 167

Chapter 167 Some Suffering The atmosphere turned awkward.

Crystal knew Henry’s character and was afraid that he would be mad.

Unexpectedly, he didn’t get angry. Instead, he walked over to her and asked gently, “What’s wrong?”

Crystal shook her head.

The gaze she trained on him was filled with complete trust.

Henry smiled before looking over his shoulder at David. “Dad, this is Crystal,” he introduced as he wrapped an arm around her shoulder. “Meet my dad.”

David was over the age of fifty but looked young for his age. Henry must have gotten his facial features from his father.

Crystal respectfully greeted David as the latter slowly walked down the stairs.

At that moment, Julia also joined them. When she noticed David had stayed silent, she elbowed him and said, “The child is greeting you. Why are you putting on airs?”

David’s gaze deepened.

I knew Henry had brought a woman back on Melora’s birthday, but he didn’t introduce her to me, so I paid her no heed. I never thought they would end up together.

David’s gaze was sharp as he assessed Crystal from head to toe.

She looks pretty and demure. I heard she’s doing well in her career too.

David looked favorably upon a woman like that but didn’t show it on his face and nodded impassively. “This is her first visit, and it’s still the festive season. Where is your gift for her?” he said to Julia.

Julia gave Crystal a monetary gift. Other than the thick stack of cash, there was also a weighty, golden maiden figure.

Crystal was curious about the figure.

Julia kindly explained, “I know you’re a Virgo, so I got that made for you.”

Crystal thanked her with a smile.

Henry looked at her with a half-smile. Crystal was slightly irritated at him but was touched at the same time.

Melora joined them after playing with the dog.

Robert was the only one not in a good mood in the living room. He knew Henry’s and Crystal’s relationship had stabilized.

David felt great throughout the meal and even drank a small cup of liquor.

Julia didn’t stop him, surprisingly.

Crystal was slightly apprehensive, but Henry unexpectedly took good care of her.

“Crystal, this stew is good for your health. I know you like this dish as well.”

His consideration moved her. When she lifted her gaze, it was met with Robert’s malicious stare. Instantly, she knew what Henry was doing.

He’s putting on a show for Robert!

Despite her anger, she couldn’t do anything about it.

Beneath the dining table, Henry placed his hand on her thigh and brushed it gently.

Robert could see everything from his angle.

Crystal flung Henry’s hand away, but he placed it back in the same spot immediately after and even copped a feel.

She turned to look at him.

Henry’s eyes were the features of a mature and licentious man.

As he chatted about the stock market and economics with David, there wasn’t even a glimpse of what his hand was doing beneath the table showing on his face. She placed her hand on his to stop it.

A split second later, he intertwined his fingers with hers.

Robert’s face was white as a sheet as he watched their interaction.

He didn’t expect the woman he dumped could make him feel so much pain and misery one day.

After the meal, they had coffee.

The men talked about business while the women conversed about their personal and social lives.

Julia was overjoyed.

She decided to take Crystal and Melora to the mall and the cafe where her friends usually frequented for some coffee and dessert.

It’s the festive season, so shouldn’t I show off my daughter-in-law?

Julia had gone upstairs for a change of clothes when the housekeeper reported, “Mr. David, Mr. Quinn is here.”

David was stunned. “Joshua? I thought he was still in the Kingdom of Brundela?”

He shot to his feet and immediately hurried toward the front door.

Despite the festive season, Joshua looked dreary.

He saw Crystal the minute he stepped into the living room. Standing there, she seemed like a part of the Miller family. He didn’t know how to voice the words lodged in his throat.

David ordered the housekeeper to serve Joshua coffee.

Joshua finally calmed down after taking a sip of the dark drink.

He was hesitant to speak. After all, Henry looked as though he had settled down, so Joshua thought it might cross a line if he made his request.

Nevertheless, Audrey was his only daughter. Thus, he still had to say it regardless of how difficult it was.

“David... Audrey is getting a divorce. Her husband abused her and broke two of her ribs. She is in a bad mental state right now.

Rhea and I brought her back to Barnwood to get away from that negative place. I’m sure she’ll go through with her divorce, but her husband’s identity is slightly problematic, so I would like Henry to represent her in court... and give her some advice. Audrey listens to him.”

Joshua’s gaze was pleading by the time he finished.

David didn’t reply immediately, for it was Crystal’s first visit. He couldn’t ignore her feelings like that.

Hence, he pondered for a long while.

Joshua, on the other hand, couldn’t wait another minute longer.

He turned his teary eyes to Henry. “Henry, please help me. Rhea and I only have Audrey. If anything happens to her, Rhea can’t take it.”

Crystal felt coldness wash over her before Henry could say anything.

Henry glanced at her and smiled faintly at Joshua. “Mr. Quinn, do you think it’s appropriate for me to be her lawyer?”

Anxiety flooded Joshua at Henry’s implication, and he immediately blurted out, “Henry, I know you still have feelings for Audrey!”

The air froze.

No one could imagine Joshua would say something so rude with Crystal still in the room.

Henry opened his mouth to retort when Julia came down the stairs.

It was obvious she had heard Joshua’s accusation when she gently rebuked, “I can empathize with you as a parent, Joshua, but Henry is already in a relationship with Crystal. Thus it’s inappropriate for you to make such a remark.”

Joshua moved his lips to speak, but Melora rudely interrupted, “If Audrey is going to court, we can help her financially. Why does Henry have to go? If you keep holding on to the favor we owe you, Mr. Quinn, have Audrey jump into the water then. I’m sure my dad will save her!”

Joshua’s face paled. Embarrassment marred his features.

David reprimanded, “Melora, apologize to Mr. Quinn now!”

Melora begrudgingly apologized to him.

David softened his tone and said, “Please don’t take Melora’s words to heart. She’s still young. As for the divorce proceedings, I’ll discuss it with Henry and give you a reply.”

Joshua had no choice but to accept it.

He couldn’t help but cast a pleading gaze at Crystal when he left.

Crystal’s body still felt cold to the touch.

She was sympathetic but wasn’t that magnanimous, so she chose not to look at Joshua.

Disappointment flooded Joshua.

After he left the house, the living room fell into a dead silence. Everyone felt uneasy about the sensitive topic.

David slowly finished his cup of coffee, then gazed at the son he was proud of and Crystal. “Come to the study with me, both of you.”

Crystal and Henry followed David up to the study a few minutes later.

It was apparent David’s mood had plummeted, but his gaze was gentle when he looked at Crystal. His tone was casual when he spoke as if speaking to a family member.

“Brew some coffee, Crystal.”

Crystal was taken aback by the request.

However, she wasn’t dumb. She knew behind his kindness, David would request her sacrifice and tolerance. Making a scene was futile.

Hence, she silently made coffee.

David said nothing while she did so.

He quietly studied her.

She seems gentle and obedient. I’m sure she had a good upbringing. She’s much better than Audrey.

David quite liked Crystal. Moreover, he had dated many girls before when he was in his youth as well. He didn’t want to hurt her, but Joshua had risked his life to save Melora.

He had to return the favor.

Crystal poured them coffee, and Henry’s gaze darkened as it trained on her.

He started, “This is inappropriate, Dad!”

David put his palm up. “Listen to me, Henry.”

He lowered his head and stared at the coffee, looking as if he was immersed in his thoughts.

“To be honest, what Joshua did for Melora isn’t something we have to repay with everything we have, but there is something you don’t know, Henry. Rhea’s sterility wasn’t the only reason they adopted Audrey. Joshua became infertile when he was in the cold water for too long.”

Henry and Crystal were baffled by the news.

Henry said, “You never told me that before, Dad!”

A bitter smile curved David’s lips.

How can I tell anyone about something so sensitive unless it’s absolutely necessary?

He sighed and continued, “Joshua does have an illegitimate child outside of the family, but do you think he can acknowledge the child with his current status and identity?”

Henry stayed silent.

The corner of David’s lips curled into a resigned smile, “Henry, it’s reasonable and fair if you take on this case.”

He turned to Crystal and said gently, “Crystal, this will cause you a bit of suffering, but I’m willing to compensate you in other means. Rest assured. It’s impossible between Henry and Audrey. You have to trust him on that.”

Crystal wasn’t someone who didn’t know any better.

For someone with David’s status to treat me so kindly, it’s evident he considers me his daughter-in-law. It’d be selfish of me if I object.

Crystal was unwilling, yet she had no choice but to be generous at that moment.

She looked up at Henry and saw him staring back at her.

After a long while, Crystal said softly, “I trust him.”

David liked Crystal, so he felt bad at having to wrong her. He gifted her a house as compensation, but she didn’t accept it.