Chapter 177 How Have You Been.
Fortunately, Jamie was prepared for that question.
“It’s in Irushea. An antique collector bought it at the auction.”
Irushea, huh…
“Book me on the earliest flight to Irushea. Also, I want every possible information you can gather on that antique collector. That includes inforination on his family, his friends, and his businesses,” Henry said calmly.
“Sure thing, Mr. Miller. I’ll email everything to you before you board the flight,” Jamie replied with a nod.
Later that afternoon, Henry flew to Irushea and spent a week there before returning to Barnwood.
It was spring by the time he returned in March, and the flowers had started to bloom.
He had yet to recover from jet lag when he landed at two in the afternoon, but he wanted to see Crystal very badly. Jamie texted him: Crystal is doing some volunteer work at Peaceful Retirement Home today.
Henry drove straight over as fast as he could.
As the retirement home was located in a somewhat rural area, it was already half past three by the time he got there.
Henry had just made his way into the building after parking his car when he heard a song played by the piano.
He took a few steps closer and saw Crystal playing an old piano with a focused look on her face.
She was wearing a white dress and looked just as beautiful as the time she played Morning Dew for him.
Henry clenched his fists slightly, only to realize something was off about the music.
The music doesn’t sound as lively as before, but it isn’t due to the piano being of poor quality. I feel like the problem lies with Crystal instead…
With that in mind, Henry waited until Crystal had finished her song before calling out to her, “Crystal!”
Crystal tensed up when she heard his voice.
However, her expression was calm when she turned around and greeted him, “Mr. Miller?” Her tone was so polite that it felt as though she were talking to a complete stranger.
Henry glanced around and saw all the white-haired senior citizens staring at him.
“Could we speak in private, please?” he asked calmly.
Eventually, Crystal agreed to chat with him in the pantry.
The building was made of wood and had lots of potted plants lined up in front of a huge window wall.
Henry was seated in an elegant position while Crystal poured him some tea.
“They don’t have wine or coffee here, so you’ll have to make do with this tea instead. It’s the best they have
to offer,” she said blandly.
Henry didn’t come here for a drink, so he didn’t mind it at all.
Crystal then sat down across the table in front of him.
The vapor from the hot tea rose into the air between them.
“How have you been?” Henry asked.
Crystal took a small sip of her tea and replied after a long pause, “Not too bad. Quite good, actually.”
Henry reached into his coat pocket and retrieved a document, which Crystal recognized as the invitation from a music academy in Ferropene.
Henry gently tapped on the invitation with his slender fingers as he asked, “Will you still be going to Ferropene? I was listening to you play the piano earlier. Is your leg still hurting?”
Crystal reached out and gently touched her leg.
I’m afraid I may never recover from this injury. The only thing I got out of this relationship is this injury on my leg. Since I can no longer become a great pianist, there’s no point in going to Ferropene anymore. Oh, and I won’t be able to drive either. Maybe this is the price I have to pay….
Although Henry was completely unscathed, Crystal did not hate him in the slightest.
“Thanks for your concern, but I don’t think I will be going anymore,” she said with a faint smile.
The more casual and nonchalant she sounded while saying that, the more Henry’s heart ached.
Crystal had once mentioned that she wouldn’t want something unless it was complete, so why is she declining my offer when I’m trying to give her everything she wanted?
Henry knew that he was not in a position to protest, so he simply sat there and drank his tea in silence. After he finished drinking it, he glanced at the sunset and said, “I’ll send you home.”
Fearing that she would turn him down, he added. “Your car is still at the workshop, and it’s not looking too good. I’ll buy you a new car.”
Crystal tightened her grip on the ceramic cup and tried her best to keep her emotions under control.
After taking a moment to regain her composure, she flashed Henry a faint smile and said, “Respectfully, we’ve broken up, Mr. Miller. I’ve received the compensation and took my things with me. I’m sure your secretary, Jamie, has already confirmed that we no longer owe each other anything. I don’t want that BMW anymore, nor do I want this new car you’re offering.”
Crystal then got up and opened the door before adding, “I have a class to teach in a bit. Please leave, Mr. Miller. There is no need for us to see each other anymore.”
What? Is she trying to get rid of me?
Henry stared deeply into Crystal’s eyes, but he found no sign of wavering whatsoever.
Is this really the same woman who used to lean in my arms and ask me for lots of kisses? I remember how she would blush upon seeing me and get all passionate whenever I touched her. How could she become so distant all of a sudden? Wait a minute… Now that I think about it, I was the one who got spoiled in our relationship. Crystal has moved on,
but I’m still stuck here. This kind of reminds me of Robert. Did he also feel this way when he regretted leaving her?
Henry bumped into Robert two days later as the two happened to have social events in the same private room in Orchid Club.
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