Tangled Temptations

Harvey called out.

Brett turned around. Pointing towards the piano, he commented lightly, "Looks good, doesn't it?"

Under the crystal chandelier, Harvey had a gentle look in his eyes, tinged with a hint of nostalgia for the past. "Eloise and I bought it when we started dating. It used to be in our apartment, but we moved it here when Linda started taking piano lessons."

He made a gesture, "Have a seat."

Brett sauntered over to the couch and gently placed a file on the coffee table. Harvey picked it up and flipped it open. It was an internal document, about seven or eight pages long. It listed severe charges and ended with the prosecutor's recommended sentence.

Brett's voice was low, "Death penalty. Unless something changes, it'll be executed in two months."

As he spoke, his gaze was intense and his emotions were mixed. He had learned some undisclosed information from the inside, and he also understood why Linda, despite losing so much blood, had managed to survive back then.

He had underestimated Harvey. When push came to shove, Harvey was ruthless.

After Harvey finished reading, he handed the file back to Brett. He knew that the speedy handling of this case was thanks to Brett's efforts. Despite their usual disagreements, Brett had proven that in critical moments, they were on the same

side.

Harvey got up, walked to the bar, and took out a bottle of red wine and two wine glasses. He offered, "Drink?"

His suggestion was an invitation for Brett to stay the night.

Brett waved him off. Looking up towards the second floor, he saw Eloise standing there. He got up, dusted off his trousers, and smiled, "No thanks. I have a meeting in the morning."

Harvey didn't insist, but he offered Brett to stay the night.

Brett patted his shoulder, "The driver is waiting for me. Take care of Eloise." As he uttered the last words, he seemed to remember something, his eyebrows furrowing slightly. After all, he couldn't let go.

Harvey understood what was left unsaid, and didn't mention Orlena. He walked Brett out to his car.

The black Audi slowly pulled away.

Harvey didn't immediately return to the villa. He stood alone in the parking area, took out a cigarette from his pocket, and lit it. The smoke enveloped him, obscuring his face. He recalled many memories, both good and bad. But these would all eventually become part of the past as Joan faced justice.

After smoking one cigarette, he turned around and went back.

Eloise was standing at the entrance of the villa. Her face was gently illuminated by the dim light. Harvey quickly walked over and put his arms around her shoulders, "Why are you out here? It's quite chilly."

Eloise held his hand. She interlaced her fingers with his and then gently leaned into his embrace.

Harvey looked down at her, his voice incredibly tender, "What is it? You're more affectionate than Linda. Do you want me to hold you?"

Eloise tightened her grip and murmured, "Harvey, don't talk. I just want to hold you for a while."

Just like that, they held each other in silence.

Harvey gently held her waist. She hummed lightly, incredibly obedient.

Harvey felt his body heating up. This was Eloise; when she was angry with him, she was unyielding. But when she wanted to be submissive, she was incredibly soft. She would never resist him, no matter how he treated her. If it were any other night, he might have taken her. But tonight, they needed each other's warmth to soothe the pain of the past.

Meanwhile, Brett sat in his car.

The driver asked softly, "Mr. Brett, where do we go now?"

Brett closed his eyes. His mind was filled with thoughts of top-secret projects and her. After a while, he finally rasped, "Back to the hotel."

The next day, after finishing his meeting, he would return to Brockville. After all, he was very busy.

A few years ago, he had taken on a mission. Amidst Brett's busyness, he felt like he was walking on thin ice, every step a struggle. In public, he was the respected Mr. Brett. But behind closed doors, he had to find a private apartment to keep his beloved hidden.

Even now, he still remembered the day they broke up two years ago. The usually disciplined him smoked two packs of cigarettes in one night.

He was restraining himself from seeing her. If he didn't see her, he wouldn't lose his sanity. He wouldn't fall into the trap of love like a young boy. After all this time, he thought he had moved on, but he hadn't.

Brett still couldn't resist. He drove alone to see her. But when he arrived, she wasn't alone. She was with a young, gentlemanly man. They were coming out of a movie theatre, which was currently showing a popular romantic movie. She was dating this man.noveldrama

It wasn't until nine in the evening that the man finally took her home.

At the entrance of the Horigan Mansion, Brett's car was parked not far away. He quietly watched the handsome couple, his feelings complicated. He realized he was jealous.

If he were a bit younger, if he didn't have all these constraints, he could get out of the car, grab the young man by his collar, and shout, "Stay away from my woman." But now, all he could do was sit in the darkness and watch.

Orlena got out of the car, watching the man leave. The man the matchmaking agency had introduced her to was actually quite good. She was willing to give it a shot. She had dinner and watched a movie with him, and it was not bad. Maybe with a little more time, they could get married.

In the darkness, she stood there, a layer of moisture glossing over her eyes.

Brett walked over and called out to her, "Orlena."

Orlena stepped back. Her expression was blank, a mix of confusion and wariness, but mostly guarded.

Brett tilted his chin towards his car, "Get in. Let's talk."

Orlena refused. She moved to call the doorman, but Brett was quicker. He grabbed her arm and practically forced her into the car.

The car door slammed shut. He quickly got in and glanced at her, "Your date?"

Orlena didn't deny it. Her tone was indifferent, "Yes. He's a good man. He's met Daniel and he likes him."

Brett's throat tightened. Given his status, if anyone had told him in the past that his son would call another man father, he would have laughed it off. But now, it might actually happen. His girl would be sleeping with another man. His son would be calling another man 'Dad'.

Brett lit a cigarette, tilted his head back slightly, and took a drag. He was a handsome man. Brett was one of those men who made smoking look good. More times than she could count, he'd lay her down beneath him, take her with a rough passion that left her breathless, and then lean back against the headboard to smoke. His emotions during those moments were complex, tinged with a hint of guilt.

After all, she was 16 years younger than him. The things he did to her were more than just wrong.

Once, she had curiously leaned over to draw a small puff from the cigarette held loosely between his fingers. He almost dropped the damn thing in surprise. Perhaps it was the unexpected thrill, but he took her again and again that night. He felt that he was no better than a beast.

In the car, smoke filled the air. Orlena coughed, her voice weak but determined, "Let me out of the car."

Brett stubbed out his cigarette. His eyes were intense as he finally asked the question that had been eating at him, "And you? Do you like him?" Orlena's eyes welled up with tears. She murmured softly, "It's alright." Brett understood her answer. She didn't say she liked the man out of spite; she said it was alright. But that concession was more terrifying than anything else.

She was settling. She would marry someone else, as long as they were decent enough and could take care of Daniel. He had hurt her, and in turn, she had lost her edges.

Brett felt a pang of pain in his chest, his emotions a whirlwind. He didn't even know who to blame. He stared at her for a long moment before handing her his phone, his voice calm with a hint of tenderness that was hard to catch, "Call your mom. Tell her you won't be coming home tonight."

Orlena stiffened, "I'm not going anywhere with you."

Brett spoke softly, "I have something important to discuss with you. If you're not willing, I can make the call myself. Orlena, do you want that?"

Tears welled up in Orlena's eyes, with a mixture of humiliation and defeat. But she still made the call. As it was Brett's phone, she couldn't lie. She could only tell the truth - that she had to discuss something about Daniel with Brett and would be home late.

On the other end, Pauline was silent for a moment before she demanded, "Let me talk to Brett."

Orlena handed the phone over to him. Brett took it, listening to whatever Pauline was saying before he murmured, "I know. I won't cross any lines."

After a few more words, he ended the call and tossed the phone into the glove compartment.

The car started moving.

Orlena leaned back in her seat, murmuring, "I thought you were busy, Brett."

He gripped the steering wheel, with a small smile on his face, "You've been keeping tabs on me?"

She shot back with a hint of sarcasm, "Your exploits are all over the news, Mr. Brett. It's hard not to know."

Brett didn't respond. He drove through the night, the young woman he once cherished sitting next to him. In this moment, he wished time could just freeze. Then, they would truly be together.

Half an hour later, Brett drove down a familiar, quiet street.

Orlena recognized it. She panicked, pounding on the car window, "I'm not going! Brett, stop the car!"

What was this? They had been separated for almost three years, and now he was taking her back to the apartment where they had once shared intimate moments. What was he thinking?

She couldn't possibly get out of the car. Her palms were red from hitting the window, tears streaming down her face.

No matter how calm and indifferent she had seemed these past few days, she was once again the confused girl who had been unable to resist Brett. She hated this version of herself.

Brett stopped the car. He turned to look at her, seeing the tears in her eyes. His heart ached. He was a mature, clever man. He could see she still cared for him. Otherwise, she wouldn't be reacting so strongly.

He reached out to gently touch her face, comforting her as if she were a child, "I

won't do anything. I just have some things to discuss with you, Orlena. Don't we even have that much trust between us? If you don't trust me, at least trust your mom. She agreed to this."

His words were smooth and persuasive. She couldn't argue.