Chapter 224: Chapter 224

Chapter 224 Three Years Later Three years later, Crystal and Sophia emerged from the airport.

Outside, Pete was waiting for them while swinging his long legs. Seeing them, he took off his sunglasses and pulled Sophia close before he planted a passionate kiss on her lips, causing a blush to spread her face.

Crystal couldn’t help but roll her eyes.

Sophia was just nineteen, and Pete was such a smooth operator.

Pete had taken over the music center. He had inherited his family’s business acumen, and his skills were no worse than his father’s. He managed the music center with such finesse that it expanded all the way to Hulcaster.

He also won Sophia’s heart.

When Seth found out, he had beaten Pete to a pulp. However, to everyone’s surprise, after Pete and Sophia got together, he became a completely different man. There was no more drinking and no more womanizing from him. He was now the epitome of a devoted boyfriend.

When Sophia was in Sumanthova, he visited her every month.

Crystal returned to Barnwood as Anna’s leg injury from before was starting to hurt again and she had to be treated in Barnwood.

She had invested in several Ferropenian restaurants and would occasionally go there to play the piano.

She was a mature, beautiful, and financially independent woman, so it wasn’t surprising that she had a long list of admirers.

However, she wasn’t interested.

At the CEO’s office on the sixty-eighth floor of Seeas Corporation, Henry was seated behind his impressive desk.

He had his head lowered as he reviewed some documents. The light from the full-length windows behind him bathed him in a soft glow, enhancing his already handsome appearance, Jamie pushed the door open and entered.

She looked at her boss, feeling envious of the good looks the heavens had bestowed upon him.

At thirty-three years old, he was in his prime. Every aspect of him exuded the charm of a mature man, and women who wanted to be with him lined up from one end of the city to the other.

Jamie gently placed a folder on the desk.

Henry put down the pen and picked up the folder to take a look.

Jamie cleared her throat and said, “Crystal is back!”

Henry was taken aback.

He looked up at Jamie. In a slightly hoarse voice, he asked, “She’s back?”

Feeling the pressure. Jamie nodded. “Yes, she’s back. She might stay in Barnwood for a while as Madam Anna requires treatment for her leg.”

Henry didn’t ask any further.

He opened the folder, only to see several photos of Pete and Crystal. Despite their lack of intimacy in the photos, it was enough to make him feel uncomfortable.

He knew that Pete went to Sumanthova every month.

For the past three years, Henry had never gone there once.

Skyler needed him, so he couldn’t leave, and he didn’t dare to cause a disturbance in Crystal’s life either.

For three long years, he could only case his yearning for her through the photos, but every time he looked at them, Pete and Sophia had to be in them.

Jamie could sense his jealousy. She kept her cool as she placed an invitation card on his desk.

“Mr. Jenkins and Madison are inviting you to their fourth wedding anniversary party. It’s rumored to be a grand event.”

Henry chuckled faintly at the thought of that couple.

With a smile, Jamie added, “Crystal is going too.”

The invitation suddenly gained more significance in Henry’s hands. He turned it around and tried to play it off casually. “Well, you’ve been working with me for a while now, so it’s time for you to get a raise! Oh, your birthday’s coming up next month, right?

Go ahead and pick a gift for yourself at the mall. You can claim the cost from the finance department later!”

Jamie smiled gratefully. “Thank you, Mr. Miller!”

As a treat for herself, she chose a necklace worth sixteen hundred thousand. She had come a long way from her days as a legal practitioner and was now fully embracing her role as a cunning businesswoman.

Jamie left the office.

Henry stood alone by the floor-to-ceiling windows, looking down below.

After about ten minutes, he reached for a cigarette tremblingly and lit it.

He took a deep drag and gently closed his eyes.

She’s finally back....

On Saturday night, Crystal made her first appearance in a long, long time at Charles and Madison’s wedding anniversary party.

It had been ages since she had last seen Madison, and the two friends embraced each other tightly.

Madison couldn’t help but take in Crystal’s radiant appearance, noticing the subtle changes that came with time. She was still as captivating as ever, but there was a newfound air of maturity that added to her allure.

Tears welled up in Madison’s eyes as she scolded. “You little rascal! Why did you go so far away?”

“If you leave again, I swear I’ll break your leg!” Madison joked through her tears.

Charles joined them right them. He was holding their lively five-year-old son, Rupert, by his side. Rupert was a strong little boy, full of energy and mischief.

“Come on, Rupert, say hello,” Charles said.

Rupert obediently greeted Crystal, who showered him with affection and gave him the gift she had already prepared for him.

Observing the genuine affection in Crystal’s eyes, Madison playfully asked, “You adore children so much, and there’s no shortage of suitors pursuing you. Why haven’t you found someone yet?”

Crystal replied with a hint of a smile, “Perhaps I’m not destined to have anyone in my life.”

Before Madison could press further, the commotion at the entrance distracted them.

Crystal looked over naturally and froze in place.

It’s Henry!

Henry noticed her too. Their eyes met, and for a moment, everything around them seemed to have disappeared.

Three years might be enough for some to move on after a divorce, but they were different.

They had a child together, and their separation had been nothing short of heart-wrenching. How could they easily forget?

With a slight smile, Crystal withdrew her gaze from him and walked gracefully into the hall.

Henry’s eyes remained fixed on her.

Crystal has changed!

Henry wanted to engage her in a casual conversation, but they were not sitting at the same table. He was surrounded by influential business figures Charles had painstakingly invited, so he had to go through the motions of discussing business while keeping his eyes trained on Crystal.

Crystal, on the other hand, regretted her decision to attend the party.

She hadn’t expected to run into Henry so soon, and being around him brought back painful memories.

Crystal didn’t talk much throughout the party.

She knew he was looking at her, but she tried to ignore him and avoid eye contact.

Later, Pefe approached her to talk about business. It was too noisy, so Pete leaned in close to her to share his plans with her.

After thoughtful consideration, Crystal agreed to Pete’s proposal.

Pete smiled and left, and Henry couldn’t help but notice the exchange.

Someone next to Henry teased him. “What’s gotten into you tonight. Henry? Not a drop of alcohol so far! Are you afraid you’ll get into trouble after drinking?”

Henry chuckled and replied, “Apologies, Mr. Lee, but I drove here myself, so I can’t drink.”

That someone was Oliver, the manager of the renowned six-star hotel. He had also noticed Crystal’s presence and knew what was on Henry’s mind.

In a hushed tone, he said, “Crystal’s back, huh?

“Yeah.”

Oliver felt sorry for Henry, so he downed several glasses of red wine on Henry’s behalf, then tried to cheer him up. “Henry, you’re now as celibate as a monk. Considering your lack of love life ever since she left. I m sure she can’t help but be touched by you!

Oh, why is she leaving?”

Henry hurriedly went after Crystal.

Crystal had indeed decided to leave early.

Madison had mentioned a private gathering later, but Crystal declined the invitation as she didn’t feel like going.

She took the elevator down to the ground floor.

In the parking lot, there was a black car waiting for her.

The driver saw her and opened the car door.

As Crystal was about to get into the car, someone gently closed the door. Looking up, she found herself inches away from Henry’s handsome face. He said in his deep voice, “Crystal, can we find a place to talk?”

Crystal hesitated.

She didn’t want to dive back into old memories with him, but she knew Henry well. If she refused, he could force her and make the driver watch the show.

After pondering her options, she pointed to a nearby cafe. “Let’s go over there.”

Then, she walked ahead first.

Henry realized she was trying to keep her distance and not giving him the opportunity for any intimacy. He didn’t push it and followed her at a leisurely pace, lighting a cigarette as he walked.

They arrived at the café across the street, and Henry put out his cigarette, The cafe was warm and bright.

Crystal ordered a cup of Mandheling coffee. While stirring the coffee, she asked politely, “How have you been? I heard you founded Secas Corporation, and it’s doing quite well!”

Secas Corporation had taken only three years to rank among the top ten in Aploth It had a market value worth billions.

Henry continued staring at her.

From the moment they sat down, his eyes hadn’t left her face. It was like a precision-guided munition locked onto its target. Upon hearing her words, he chuckled softly. “Is that so? Am I really good at doing many things?”

Crystal was a little stunned.

Her ears reddened slightly, and he said coldly, “I have to go.”

Henry felt a pang of regret.

He tried to salvage the situation by saying in a gentle tone, “I’m sorry. Let’s talk a bit more! Crystal arent you going to ask me about my love life in these past few years?”

Crystal didn’t want to know.

She quietly paid for the coffee and walked ahead.

Talking over a cup of coffee was enough talk for divorced couples.

Henry chased after her. “Let me send you back.”

Crystal stopped in her tracks.

Under the neon lights, she looked up at him.

Henry still looked handsome, and maybe even more attractive than before, but after three years, they were practically strangers.

He missed her, and there was no doubt about it, but Crystal had gradually forgotten about him during those three years.

She said softly, “Henry, I can see you’re looking forward to marriage now. Find a good woman and settle down! Our story is over, and I can’t dwell on the past forever.”

Talking about it brought back painful memories.

Crystal turned on her heels and walked away quickly.

Henry stood there in the night, watching her silently.

On the other side of the street, her driver was waiting for her. It was someone Alfred had handpicked for her. Now she was part of the Lodge family, so she could live a life of luxury. There was no need for her to attend any social events. She could enjoy life on her own terms.

Indeed, she had no reason to go back to Henry.