Chapter 187: Chapter 187

Chapter 187 All The Work Of Henry Crystal’s body trembled uncontrollably as anger surged within her.

Fury and a profound sense of helplessness overwhelmed her. “Henry, are you intentionally driving away everyone dear to me?

Does it bring you joy to witness my isolation from friends and family?”

Henry sneered, his voice filled with disdain. “You’re referring to Seth? What kind of friend is he, really? It’s clear to everyone that he has ulterior motives toward you!”

Crystal was well aware that Henry was not making empty threats. When he set his mind on something, he was relentless in pursuing it. If he mentioned his intentions to go up against Seth, he meant every word.

Crystal did not dare to take any risks.

Seth was her friend, someone who had supported her on multiple occasions, so she did not want to drag him into their conflict.

However, resentment grew within her heart.

She had not done anything wrong. She had simply developed feelings for someone at some point, but it seemed merely liking someone had become a sin. If that was the case, she would rather have never loved Henry at all.

Crystal lowered her gaze, a faint smile forming on her lips.

In a soft voice, she expressed her thoughts. “What you feel for me isn’t love. It’s merely anger and jealousy because someone dares to take your prized possession away. Henry, love is not about possessing someone. It’s about granting each other freedom and letting go.”

“Like what Seth did? What’s the point of liking someone if we don’t desire to possess them?” Henry remained expressionless. At least that was not how it worked for him; he would do anything to obtain whatever he desired.

Crystal remained silent.

Henry took a step closer and reached out to touch her cheek, but she turned away, avoiding his touch.

“So I can’t even touch you anymore, huh?” Henry let go of her and adjusted his shirt in front of the mirror. His eyes met hers in the reflection.

Meanwhile, Seth was already standing outside the elevator when the doors opened.

He cast Crystal a gentle glance and uttered, “I’ll send you home.”

Recalling Henry’s warning, Crystal stiffened up.

Nevertheless, Seth gently wrapped his arm over her shoulders and whispered, “You look like you’re about to cry! Let’s go home, okay?”

For a moment, Crystal was dazed.

She glanced at Seth and ultimately complied, getting into the car with him.

In the hotel lobby, Henry stood under the dim lights, watching as Crystal got into Seth car A faint smile flashed across his face. Crystal, since you won’t let me come to you, I’ll just have to wait for you to return to me.

In the car, Seth could sense that Crystal had something to say to him.

While waiting at a red light, he lit a cigarette and took a drag. “You know you can speak your mind, right?” he finally voiced.

Crystal tilted her head to look at him before responding softly, “Seth, let’s stop seeing each other.”

“Because of Henry?”

Crystal did not deny it..

She and Seth had yet to begin a steady relationship, and she did not want to involve him in chaos because of her own problems.

She believed that he deserved a better life than being stuck with an unworthy person like her.

Seth took a slow drag of his cigarette.

As the traffic light turned green, he lightly stepped on the accelerator until he reached the entrance of Crystal’s condominium.

Leaning back in his seat, he spoke gently. “Crystal, I’ve liked you for a long time. I gave you up during the restaurant brawl with Robert because I realized Henry had feelings for you. I gave up because I was no match for him, and the Murray family couldn’t compete with the Millers. But this time, I don’t want to give up anymore.”

Seth looked over and gazed into her eyes, continuing. “Even if it means losing everything”

Upon hearing that, Crystal was bereft of words. Why is he willing to take such a risk when I’ve never made any promises to him?

If she were in her early twenties, she might have been more willing to face challenges together with him. but now, at the age of twenty-five, she had become more cautious and less impulsive.

“Seth.” Crystal gradually shut her eyes. I’m sorry. I know how it feels like to fall for someone, and it’s not wrong to develop feelings for a person.

While she was burdened by the weight of the situation, Seth responded with a light-hearted chuckle.

“I’m a man, so let me deal with what I’m supposed to deal with, all right? Don’t be stressed about it.”

But how could Crystal not be stressed?

After returning home, she sat quietly on the couch.

Snowy approached her and nestled by her side, seeking comfort.

Despite having her phone within reach, she hesitated to call Henry. Eventually, she decided to abandon the idea.

Crystal did not contact Seth for the next two weeks.

However, she noticed the frequent negative headlines about Jake-Seth Technologies, one of Seth’s companies, in the business news. The articles highlighted the company’s financial struggles, indicating that it was going through significant challenges.

On this day, Crystal reached out to Madison, inviting the latter to join her for an afternoon coffee.

Madison arrived around two-thirty in the afternoon, wearing a cheerful expression. As she took the seat opposite Crystal, she could not help but comment. “I’m surprised you managed to find time to meet up with me, considering how busy you always are.

Is this about Seth?”

“Is it that obvious?” Crystal responded with a faint grin.

“Yes, Crystal. It’s that obvious!”

Madison took a sip of the coffee she ordered before speaking in a hushed tone. “I heard from Charles that Seth’s company is in a tough spot. They’re dealing with financial issues and facing legal disputes. Seth is practically working eighteen hours a day.”

Crystal was visibly taken aback.

That familiar feeling of helplessness washed over her again.

Smiling wryly, she asked, “It’s all Henry’s doing, isn’t it?”

Instead of answering her directly, Madison gently held Crystal’s hand. “Henry has significant influence and connections, and it’s no surprise that he surpasses Seth in terms of power and networks. But Seth is stubborn and will not give up easily. Crystal, you need to talk to him.”

Crystal had tried to reason with Seth in the past, but he remained steadfast in his determination. He made it clear that he would not give up, even if it meant risking everything he had.

Stirring her coffee with a spoon slowly, Crystal forced a smile and said, “I’ll try.”

Madison tightened her grip on Crystal’s hand.

They both knew that their advice would be in vain because Seth’s ultimate goal was not to be with Crystal. He simply wanted to help her address her grievance.

The only person who could stop this mess was none other than Henry.

After finishing her coffee, Crystal took a stroll back to the condominium instead of calling a taxi.

Upon reaching, she noticed Henry’s golden Bentley Continental parked outside the building.

He sat inside, puffing at a cigarette. The car door at the passenger’s seat remained open as if he was waiting for someone.

When Crystal walked over, he lifted his gaze and locked it onto her with unwavering focus.

Crystal got into his car and, gazing ahead, posed a question in a composed tone. “Henry, what exactly do you intend to do?”

Henry extinguished his cigarette and let out a soft laugh. “Feel bad for Seth, huh? Do you really have no idea what I want? All I ask is for your assurance that you won’t meet or have any contact with him. Is that too much to ask?”

Crystal was appalled by his audacity.

He orchestrated a scheme to bring down Seth’s company, nearly causing its collapse, all just to prevent her from meeting with Seth!

“Henry, you’ve gone too far!”

Henry stared at her intently for a moment before scoffing. “I haven’t even asked you to come back to me and live together, and you think I’ve gone too far?”

“Live together?” she asked.

“Have meals together, and sleep in one bed,” explained Henry.

Crystal suddenly grew quiet, sitting beside him in an unusually calm manner.

All the while, Henry’s gaze fixed on her profile.

It had been days since he last saw her. He knew if it were not for Seth, she would not have even stepped into his car, let alone spoken to him.

At that thought, Henry felt an inexplicable pang of jealousy.

Finally, Crystal made a move. She opened the mini-fridge in the car and pulled out a can of ice-cold cola, popping the tab with her hand. Henry watched silently and did not stop her.

The next moment, she poured the icy cold drink directly on his pants.

The freezing coldness made Henry almost jump up in surprise.

He looked at her, his gaze deep and mysterious.

Crystal gritted her teeth. “Henry, you should just get used to living alone.”

After speaking, she opened the car door to get out, but Henry pulled her back and locked the car door. His voice was hoarse.

“You wet my pants, and now you want to run away? I’m afraid you’ll have to clean up the mess for me.”

Crystal fought to release her hand, but her efforts were in vain. Henry forcibly pulled her closer, compelling her to wipe the wet spot. As he did that, his Adam’s apple moved ever so slightly. “Crystal, did you do this intentionally?”

Without saying anything. Crystal flung his hands away.

Henry continued to gaze at her, his handsome face concealing a suppressed emotion.

Their eyes exchanged meaningful glances.

In a quiet voice, Henry broke the silence. “Crystal, it’s been a long time. I want you.”

A hint of redness appeared in Crystal’s eyes, but she quickly composed herself. I understand he has needs.

But hour dare he express his desires so boldly after all the pain he has caused me?

The power imbalance between them became even more apparent to her.

Raising her head slightly, Crystal restrained herself from showing her true feelings. With a calm demeanor, she mustered the strength to respond, “I’m sorry, but I have no interest.”

All The Work Of Henry She braced herself for Henry’s potential anger, but to her surprise, he did not explode.

Instead, he lightly brushed her tender cheek with his hand, just as he had done countless times before.

The gentle touch sent a sharp pang through Crystal’s heart.

In a soft tone, Henry spoke again. “No one can see what we’re doing inside the car. Crystal, I miss your deeply.”

While Crystal was momentarily stunned, he pulled her into his embrace and held her tightly.

She gritted her teeth and demanded, “What do you want, Henry?”

Holding onto her waist, he whispered, “Don’t move, or I can’t guarantee what I’ll do to you. I just wanted to visit you, but you poured a can of Coke on me, so....” He then let out a deep grunt. “Crystal, I’ve missed you.

Crystal knew there was no way she could escape from him.

She turned her face away, choosing to avert her gaze and block out his words.