Chapter 17 There Was Nothing as Agonizing as This ! After Crystal's break , it was time for her to take the stage . 10 % +25 Bonus Seth didn't 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 amount ' in tuition fees , and he even paid for two months ' 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 might've 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 wasn't 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 Anna's arm was swollen . " What happened to your arm ? " Crystal helped Anna to a seat . Anna said nonchalantly , " I'm getting old . I can't believe my arm became swollen from doing simple work , " Crystal felt a chill in her heart , and she immediately checked Anna's palms . Anna's 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 couldn't suppress her emotions . She treated Anna's wounds , then went back to her room and took out 1,500 for Anna's 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 , " Just lessen your workload if you can't handle it . Worst comes to worst , I'll just sell that small apartment of mine . " Crystal comforted her by saying , " Things will get better after this . I'll take care of myself , Aunt Anna . " -Anna didn't 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 , " A certain Miss Miller is looking for you . Crystal , if you don't want to see her , we can tell her that you've taken the day off . " Crystal was stunned , and she quickly caught sight of Melora right after . 1/2 Chapter 17 There Was Nothing as Agonizing as This ! +25 Bonus Crystal didn't hate Melora , but she didn't 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 , " Crystal , can you tell me why you've declined to play the piano at my birthday banquet ? Is it because you don't like me ? " As soon as she finished asking the question , everyone fell silent . All the colleagues at the music center knew about Crystal's history with Robert . But now , Robert's 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 , " I have something going on that day . I'm sorry , Miss Miller , but you should ask someone else . " 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 . " Crystal , let's have coffee together ! " Melora kept bugging her . Crystal was generally good - tempered , but she couldn't 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 . " If you can't attend my birthday banquet , why don't you help me pick out my wedding dress ? Seth says that you have good taste , and I'd like to see it , Crystal . When Robert comes over later , we can have lunch together . You can give us some ideas , right , Crystal ? " All the color drained from Crystal's 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 !