Tangled Temptations

Late at night.

Eloise tucked Linda into bed, returning to the master bedroom to find it empty of Harvey. She found him in the study.

The night was inky dark.

Without turning on the light, he stood alone by the floor-to-ceiling window, quietly smoking. The smoke from his lips was thinned and dissipated by the night breeze. It lightened, then it faded.

Eloise closed the door behind her, walking towards him and wrapping her arms around him from behind. "Harvey, still thinking?"

Ever since returning from the church, he had been melancholic.

Clearly, he was deeply affected.

Harvey patted her hand around his waist, extinguishing his cigarette, and murmured, "No, don't overthink it."

Eloise leaned her face against his back, coaxing him, "Then cheer up, okay? That monk might not be accurate; maybe he was just talking nonsense."

Harvey turned around and gave a light laugh. He caressed her belly. "How's the baby? Behaving?"

Eloise glared at him. "It's just a bit over a month. How could it be behaving or not?"

Harvey pulled her into his arms, kissing her hair. "Eloise, I will be there when our child is born, and watch him grow up. I will not let you leave again."

Eloise leaned against him, listening to his words. After all their time together, how could she not notice that his heart was still tense?

She wanted to please him. Tilting her head up, she kissed his distinct jawline, then his neck. The woman's warm breath always stirred him, especially when she took the initiative.

Harvey lightly tugged at her hair, with a hint of desire in his eyes. He wanted her, but he was concerned about the baby.

After her teasing, he finally gave in, lifting her gently onto the large desk. Eloise was a bit scared, clinging to his neck. "Harvey."

In the dim light, he leaned in to kiss her. Eloise tried to move, but he didn't allow it, holding her hands as he kissed her slowly.

"Harvey..." Eloise's voice trembled.

This feeling, she had only experienced it once before, on that snowy night when he held her on the piano. That night, she would never forget.

Harvey soothed her, his voice husky. "Don't be scared. It won't hurt the baby."noveldrama

He had to admit that the monk's words had unsettled him, so he needed to do something to alleviate the turmoil in his heart.

After a long while, Harvey straightened up, still kissing her. Eloise's body was still trembling as she let him kiss her, tasting the flavor of madness together.

The night was cool as water. Their breaths mingled, hot and intertwined.

Eloise rested her head on his shoulder, her voice quivering as she asked, "Are you feeling better?"

Harvey nonchalantly hummed in response. He leaned in to whisper into her ear, his voice low and hoarse. "Did you enjoy it?"

Eloise was at a loss for words.

Harvey held her quietly. As Eloise was about to fall asleep after a while, he whispered into her ear, "Eloise, I love you."

Eloise felt as though she had been burnt. The heat seared straight into her heart.

The wedding of Harvey and Eloise was set for a month later. With the help of Pauline and Orlena, Eloise had little to worry about. As always, all she needed to do was take care of Linda.

Harvey, on the other hand, was busy. He needed to wrap up his work to free up a month to travel with Eloise. Linda would also join them.

While he was handling his business, Denise walked in, carrying a stack of financial statements. Harvey barely glanced up. "Just leave it there."

Denise didn't move. Harvey found it strange, so he took the papers to have a look. To his surprise, it was the financial report of Prestige Legal Advisors. He was taken aback.

Three years ago, he had left the legal world. However, Prestige Legal Advisors was a firm he had founded, and he was still the major shareholder.

He should have stepped down long ago, but he hadn't.

Harvey skimmed through the report for a while before he said to Denise in a low voice, "Put out an announcement for me. If the price is right, sell it."

Denise nodded, feeling a bit sad. This firm had been founded by Harvey. Back then, it had won many sensational cases both domestically and internationally. At its peak, getting an appointment with Attorney Horigan was harder than getting a specialist appointment at the hospital.

Denise left shortly.

Harvey sat quietly, flipping through the report. He decided to sell it so quickly because he was influenced by the monk's words. Only he knew how many dirty things he had done against his conscience when he was winning those cases, gaining fame and astronomical fees.

Just as he was getting sentimental, the phone on the desk rang. It was a call from a detention center. The caller started politely, "Mr. Horigan, I hope I'm not disturbing you."

Harvey guessed it had something to do with Joan, and made some perfunctory remarks. The caller paused for a moment before getting to the point. "Mr. Horigan, Ms. Joan wishes to see you before she leaves. Would that be convenient for you?"

Harvey gripped the receiver, feeling a surge of anger. He lowered his voice, "She attempted to murder my daughter. Do you think I'd find it convenient?"

The caller realized the inappropriateness and apologized before hanging up.

Harvey threw down the phone. He felt a bit restless and couldn't help but light a cigarette.

The monk's words came back to him--

"You have a strong character, which may endanger those around you. You will go through a cycle of life, and when the clouds part to reveal the moon, that's when you'll find true fulfillment."

Reincarnation.

Harvey didn't believe in ghosts and gods before, but now he felt a sense of

reverence.

He finished half of his cigarette, called Denise in, and said seriously, "I want to establish a charity foundation. Let's call it Everest Fund. Put 10 billion in it to start, focusing on orphaned children."

Denise was surprised. Why did Mr. Horigan suddenly want to do charity? But she didn't ask any questions. She quickly wrote it down and said, "Sure, I'll apply for it tomorrow."

Harvey motioned for her to leave. He had no interest in working, leaning back in his chair and spinning it lightly. He felt he should do more to accumulate blessings for his wife and daughter.

The phone on his desk rang. It was Eloise. Harvey picked up the call, his voice soft and warm. "Have you chosen a wedding dress? Once you have, I'll pick you up in the afternoon, and we can try it on together."

Eloise chuckled, "I'm not that delicate. I'll take a cab, and then we can meet at the shop. Harvey, I picked a stunning dress for Linda,. I'll send you a picture."

Harvey agreed.

After hanging up the call, he soon received a photo. It was a beautiful bubble dress, perfectly matching Linda's brown curls.

Harvey imagined the three of them taking a family portrait, his heart melting at the thought. He replied, [It's beautiful. I'll pick you up in the afternoon, and then we can go get Linda.]