Chapter 17 There Was Nothing as Agonizing as This!
After Crystalâs break, it was time for her to take the stage.
Seth didnât bother her. He waited until Crystal got off work, then found a spot where they could discuss the details.
Since Sophia was good and obedient, Crystal agreed to teach her.
Seth offered Crystal a sizable amountâ in tuition fees, and he even paid for two monthsâ worth of lessons in advance, so Crystal had slightly more money to get by.
She knew that Seth was using this as an alternate way to help her out. If it were before, Crystal mightâve declined the offer, but she had to let go of her pride at times like this.
When Crystal got off work and went back home, she found that Anna wasnât around.
Crystal gave her a call, and Anna said that she would be returning soon.
About half an hour later, Anna finally came back. Crystal was about to serve the woman some supper when she noticed that half of Annaâs arm was swollen.
âWhat happened to your arm?â Crystal helped Anna to a seat.
Anna said nonchalantly, âIâm getting old. I canât believe my arm became swollen from doing simple work,â
Crystal felt a chill in her heart, and she immediately checked Annaâs palms.
Annaâs palms, which used to be slender and delicate from attentive care, now had shiny blisters on them.
Crystal stared at them in shock.
A while later, tears fell from her eyes. She carelessly wiped the tears away, but she couldnât suppress her emotions. She treated Annaâs wounds, then went back to her room and took out 1,500 for Annaâs daily expenses.
She refused to let Anna work outside.
At night, Crystal sobbed for a long time.
When she woke up in the morning, there were obvious circles under her eyes, and no amount of concealer could hide them.
During breakfast, Anna said, âJust lessen your workload if you canât handle it. Worst comes to worst, Iâll just sell that small apartment of mine.â
Crystal comforted her by saying, âThings will get better after this. Iâll take care of myself, Aunt Anna.â
-Anna didnât say anything else.
After breakfast, Crystal gathered her things, then went to work at the music center.
She had just clocked in when a colleague whispered to her, âA certain Miss Miller is looking for you. Crystal, if you donât want to see her, we can tell her that youâve taken the day off.â
Crystal was stunned, and she quickly caught sight of Melora right after.
Crystal didnât hate Melora, but she didnât want to get involved with the woman either. She could only ask her colleague to help her out.
However, Melora had already spotted her.
Melora walked graciously over to her, a delicate expression on her face as she asked, âCrystal, can you tell me why youâve declined to play the piano at my birthday banquet? Is it because you donât like me?â
As soon as she finished asking the question, everyone fell silent.
All the colleagues at the music center knew about Crystalâs history with Robert.
But now, Robertâs fiancee was asking Crystal to like her. This was simply too cruel for Crystal.
Crystal felt even worse when she saw the looks of pity from her colleagues.
She said to Melora in a low voice, âI have something going on that day. Iâm sorry, Miss Miller, but you should ask someone else.â
Melora refused to give up.
She had coffee outside while Crystal was at work, and she waited until Crystal clocked out at noon to talk to her.
âCrystal, letâs have coffee together!â Melora kept bugging her.
Crystal was generally goodâtempered, but she couldnât calm herself when it came to Melora. She walked straight to a cheap restaurant she frequented.
In her branded clothing and high heels, Melora followed right behind Crystal as she prattled annoyingly. âIf you canât attend my birthday banquet, why donât you help me pick out my wedding dress? Seth says that you have good taste, and Iâd like to see it, Crystal. When Robert comes over later, we can have lunch together. You can give us some ideas, right, Crystal?â
All the color drained from Crystalâs face.
She had been betrayed by Robert; her father was forced to go to jail; and now, Robert was forcing her to be his secret lover.
However, Melora knew nothing about it all, and she was even asking Crystal to pamper her like everyone else.
There was nothing as agonizing as this!