Tangled Temptations

Max didn't leave right away. He was outside when Harvey was kissing Eloise on the hospital bed. He'd seen how Eloise looked when they kissed, all soft and tender. Anger had him wound up tight, his fists were clenched.

And when Eloise let out a sound, frail but pleasurable, Max couldn't help but slam his fist into the wall.

Blood was everywhere. Max's hand was drenched in blood. But it was like he didn't feel the pain, his fist still balled up and his face even darker.

For a moment, Max wanted to storm into the room, to snatch Eloise away from Harvey. But Max knew better, the minute he stepped in there, his engagement to Orlena would be down the drain. Everything he'd worked for, all the money and power he'd acquired, would vanish in a blink!

Max chose to leave, driving to a neighborhood that was neither new nor old. He'd lived there for two years, the security guys in the area still remembered him. Seeing his car roll in, they greeted him cheerfully, "Mr. Velona, you're back!"

Max just nodded, poker-faced. He climbed the stairs and opened a door. An small apartment, filled with his and Eloise's memories.

When the Velona Corporation was on the brink of bankruptcy, the Velona family had to squeeze into this old house. Scraping by, they even had to hit the market for cheap discounted vegetables.

Times were tough then. Eloise, to save his pride, often came over to cook for him, helped him when he needed it.

What a silly woman! She thought Max loved her, but all along he was just using her.

Eloise never did figure out that part.

Even now, Eloise thought her father Angus was in trouble because of her. She never knew that years ago Angus was his scapegoat, and she was just a tool to gain Angus' trust. This tool was just too naïve that in the end even Max found it hard to let go.

Ha! Even if he succeeded, where could he find such a pure and naive woman who loved him?

He wanted to keep her, to have her by his side. To cook for him, to massage him when he was tired, maybe even have a kid for him!

Max stepped onto the balcony, lit a cigarette, and took a slow drag. After four cigarettes, he dialed his secretary, "Any news on Angus' end? Is Attorney Bowen still on the case?"

The secretary confirmed.noveldrama

Max gave a few instructions, expressionless.

The secretary was shocked. She'd been with Max for a long time, and knew about his relationship with Eloise. She couldn't help but speak up for Eloise, "Mr. Velona, for Ms. Laurent...After all..."

Max was cold, "Just do as I said! And make it neat."

The secretary fell silent for a moment, then agreed.

Just then, Orlena's call came in. Max was annoyed and didn't want to pick up, but she kept calling, so he finally answered.

"Max, where are you?" Orlena asked, "My hand hurts, can you come over and apply some medicine? My parents are coming over tomorrow, they might discuss the wedding date, can you have your mom come over too?"

All Max could think of was Eloise looking somewhat dazed as Harvey kissed her, his body felt numb; only when Orlena kept pressing did he answer coldly, "I got it."

After hanging up, he thought, so be it!

Being a man of power and influence, he could get what he wanted! Even in 20 years, he wouldn't regret today's decision.