Tangled Temptations

With a loud crash, Joan was knocked to the ground, a pool of blood spreading around her.

Eloise's hands, gripping the steering wheel, were trembling uncontrollably. It wasn't that she didn't have any mental barriers, but she simply didn't have time to think about it.

All she could think was, what would happen to Linda if Joan got away?

The kindergarten security managed to detain Joan, and someone had called the police. Linda was crying in fear. The scene was chaotic.

Eloise was shaking all over when she got out of the car. She knew she had to get Joan to a hospital, but how could she explain the situation? Could she even take Joan away?

Just then, a warm hand grasped hers, "Eloise, don't worry."

Eloise froze, quickly turning around. It was Harvey!

Seeing him, she felt all the strength drain from her body. She only remembered calling his name with a trembling voice, "Harvey!"

Harvey squeezed her hand, his voice hoarse, "Leave it to me."

He then walked quickly to Linda's side and pulled the hemostatic enzyme out of his coat pocket and gave her another one.

Linda's little legs were covered in blood. Harvey felt his heart wrench. He picked her up, the little girl resting against his chest, her face streaked with tears. "Daddy, it hurts so much."

Harvey kissed her forehead, his voice barely audible, "Daddy will take you to the hospital."

With time running out, he handed Linda to Eloise, "Get in the car."

He then went to grab Joan from the ground, dialing a number on his phone, "Mr. Wisman, it's Harvey. An assault happened at the kindergarten. The perpetrator has been subdued by my wife but might be in critical condition. We're taking her to the hospital... Yes, it should be fine."

After a brief exchange, he hung up.

Joan seemed to realize something. She trembled, her voice raspy, "No! No! Harvey. You wouldn't do this to me."

Harvey's lips formed two words, "I will." With that, he tossed Joan into another car.

Two black sedans drove off, one after the other, and ten minutes later, they arrived at a private, high-end hospital. Eloise was holding Linda, trying to comfort the her. Harvey didn't let them see Joan. He just came over to pat Linda's head, "Don't be scared. Daddy's here."

Linda clung to Eloise, tears streaming down her face.

Harvey looked at Eloise, his voice calm and gentle, "Take her to the emergency room. I'll be right there."

As he turned to leave, Eloise called out, "Harvey!"

He paused, turning back to give her a reassuring smile, "Don't worry. Everything will be fine."

Eloise, holding Linda, watched Harvey. Her eyes slowly hardened with determination. She trusted him.

The driver led the way, and Eloise carried Linda to the emergency room, where doctors were already on standby. About 20 minutes later, a nurse rushed in, carrying a bag of blood. "We need to start a transfusion immediately. The child has a coagulation disorder."

Linda lay quietly, her little face as pale as a sheet.

The 100ml bag of blood was quickly emptied, but more kept coming. Eloise's heart pounded in fear. She knew whose blood it was. In total, 800ml of blood was transfused.

Exhausted from crying, Linda fell asleep on the white bed. Her long lashes were still wet with tears, making her look pitiful.

Eloise held her small hand, her body still shaking from the ordeal. A hand gently rested on her shoulder, and she turned to see Harvey.

He looked tired. He sat down next to Eloise, pulling her into his arms. Before she could ask, he said quietly, "You called me last night. I had a dream that Linda was hurt. I wasn't at ease, so I took an early flight back."

He touched her forehead, "Eloise, you did well."

Eloise wanted to say something. But he stopped her, "Leave it to me. All you need to know is that Linda will be fine."

Eloise didn't ask anymore. She leaned against his shoulder, still shaken by the recent events, and gently hugged him.

After a long embrace, Harvey asked her to stay with Linda while he stepped out for a smoke. He needed to calm down. A call came in on his cell phone during his smoke break.

The call was from Mr. Wisman, his tone serious, "Harvey, we've basically confirmed that Joan is that ruthless killer. She has four lives on her hands."

There was a pause, "She's still alive, right?"

Harvey's voice was low, "Yes, she's still at the hospital. I'll fully cooperate. What about my wife? She was acting in self-defense. It's best if she doesn't get involved."

After hanging up, Harvey walked into a standalone cold storage room. In the large cold room, ten bags of fresh plasma were neatly arranged. He picked up one of the bags, examining it silently.

Denise entered the room, speaking softly, "Mr. Horigan, I've found three AB- negative donors in Campbell River and Dawson."

Harvey put the bag back and turned around, "Offer them positions at Everest Technologies."

Denise nodded. She hesitated before adding, "There's also an AB-negative in Peterborough. He's just a bit young."

Harvey frowned.

Denise handed him a file, "Quite a coincidence. He's also in Linda's kindergarten class. His name is Luca. Mr. Horigan, this is all his information."

Luca? Harvey took the file and started reading. His family business was on the brink of bankruptcy. The eldest son had died young, leaving Luca, the illegitimate child, to be reluctantly accepted into the family. His life had been far from easy. As a mother, Denise couldn't help but comment, "Poor kid."

Harvey stared at the file for a while. The boy was handsome, and his eyes showed intelligence. Closing the file, he said, "Arrange a golf match with Mr. Zadak from Galaxy Group. Tell him that I have a project I'd like to discuss with him."

Denise understood.

After taking care of everything, Harvey returned to the ward room where Parker, Pauline, and Orlena had already arrived.

Parker was heartbroken. He held Linda as gently as if she were a newborn, constantly comforting her in his arms. Harvey couldn't bear to watch it. "Dad, you're making Linda dizzy with all this moving. She's lost a lot of blood."

Parker immediately asked his beloved granddaughter, "Honey, are you feeling alright?"

Linda loved being coddled. Even feeling dizzy, she still clung to Parker, asking for a kiss from her grandpa.

Parker's expression changed, and tears welled up in his eyes. His little Linda had barely survived her birth, and Harvey had raised her through so much. Now, she was hurt by a mad woman.

Parker took a deep breath, struggling to keep his composure. "Harvey, take care of this."

Harvey nodded, "I know, Dad."

Eloise glanced up at him. Harvey put his arm around her shoulder and gently reassured her, "Everything will be alright."

That afternoon, Harvey had to go to the police station. It was late into the night before he returned to the hospital. He pushed open the door to the room. The light was dim, and Eloise was sleeping soundly. The sound of footsteps woke Linda, who let out a soft cry, "Daddy."

Harvey took off his coat and draped it over Eloise. He sat down on the bed and lifted Linda gently, placing her on his lap and covering her with a blanket.

The little girl was raised by him after all, and they were closest. As she nestled in his arms, Harvey stroked her soft, light brown curls and gently touched her bandaged leg. He asked in a whisper, "Does it still hurt?"

"Yes." Linda whined, nuzzling into his neck.

Harvey held her close, giving her a kiss. His heart felt heavy. The worst part of this whole ordeal was the impact it had on Linda. He never thought his past relationship could cause so much harm to his little girl. If Eloise hadn't been there, worse things could have happened. He felt a deep regret.noveldrama

Linda seemed to sense his mood. She nuzzled her little face into his and kissed him. She was so small and soft. Harvey would give anything to ensure her safety and happiness. He spoke softly, "Tomorrow, your teacher is bringing some friends from preschool to visit you, Linda."

The usually lively Linda suddenly became shy.

Harvey continued, "I heard Luca is coming too."

Linda blushed, feeling seen through. She mustered all her bravery and retreated

under the blanket, yawning, "Daddy, I want to sleep."

Harvey tugged at her curls through the blanket. He started to tell her a story. "Once there was a prince named Luca..."

Linda began to snore lightly, "Daddy, I'm asleep."

Harvey hummed absentmindedly, gently patting her back, just like he had done countless nights before, lulling his little Linda to sleep. To him, Linda was more than just a child. She was the hope of his love with Eloise.