Tangled Temptations

With a few deft movements of her slender fingers, Eloise had added Monika's number to Harvey's block list. Having done so, her mood took a slight hit, and she seemed somewhat absent-minded when Harvey spoke to her.

This continued until the car pulled up in front of the mansion. Unbuckling his seatbelt, he turned toward her, questioning with a hint of tenderness, "Why the silence?"

Men always loved making assessments. Harvey pondered for a moment before asking, "Did I make you uncomfortable in the car?"

Eloise shook her head lightly. Exiting the car, she avoided his question. "Your dad's waiting for us."

She had barely taken two steps when Harvey caught her hand from behind. Her body fell into his embrace.

Snowflakes fell from the sky, soaking their coats, but neither of them cared. On such a freezing night, having such a long-awaited embrace was a rare treat.

"Eloise. Maybe, I can be a good husband." He whispered softly into her ear.

He had cast aside his previous prejudices, wanting to sincerely accept her. Whether it was because of masculine desire, or her good nature, he thought she would make a good lover, wife, and mother.

Eloise leaned into his shoulder, whispering with a hint of greed in her voice, "Really? Harvey, what do you like about me?"

...

Harvey playfully patted her. "I'll tell you tonight."

Eloise continued to mumble, "It's too soon."

Harvey gently stroked her back, relishing in her softness. He was more than willing to indulge in her.noveldrama

At the mansion's entrance, Parker and Brett were smoking. Suddenly, Parker squinted. "Do you think that's Harvey and Eloise over there in the parking lot?"

Brett took a long drag from his cigarette, his demeanor exuding masculinity. After a glance, he replied, "Obviously, it is."

Parker lost his composure. Clutching his cigarette, he braved the snow and strode towards them, shouting, "Harvey, are you out of your mind? Playing romantic in this snowy weather? You're thick-skinned, but your wife just had a baby two months ago, and you're letting her out in the snow with you?"

Brett nearly burned his hand with the cigarette.

Eloise bashfully pushed Harvey away. "Parker's coming."

Harvey also sensed the awkwardness, quickly removing his coat to drape it over

her shoulders. "Alright, let's go in. I told you Dad loves you the most."

By then, Parker had arrived, handing Eloise a black umbrella before launching into a tirade at his irresponsible son. Harvey lit a cigarette in the falling snow, then cast a teasing glance at Eloise.

Truth be told, Eloise found this side of Harvey rather attractive. But with Parker present, she was too embarrassed to flirt back, and quickly entered the mansion.

Parker then gave his son a lecture on postnatal care. At the end, he waved his hand dismissively. "Go take care of your wife. I'm sick of looking at you."

Harvey finished his cigarette at a leisurely pace before heading inside. As he entered, he saw Eloise removing her coat and drying her hair with a towel. She was wearing a soft wool dress that highlighted her skin.

Harvey spoke with a hint of tenderness, "There's still half an hour until dinner. Go take a shower. I'll go check on Darrien."

Linda tugged at his hand, eager to tag along. "I want to go with you and see my brother, Daddy."

Harvey bent down to pick up the little girl, planting a kiss on her forehead. Linda wrapped an arm around his neck, overjoyed.

Eloise watched father and daughter, and her expression softened. Pauline took the towel from her, whispering, "He'll come around eventually. You two already have such a deep connection."

Eloise hummed in agreement. Whether he could remember was not the most important thing. What mattered was the future.

She headed upstairs to take a shower, while the first floor of the Horigan Mansion was bustling with activity. Servants were bringing out plates of sumptuous dishes, and the room was warm and lively, with the festive atmosphere of holiday.

After checking on Darrien, Harvey brought Linda downstairs.

It was now 7:30 in the evening. In the suburbs of Peterborough, fireworks had started to light up the sky.

Linda, dressed in a pretty little dress, was running around Harvey, whose heart softened, and decided to pick up his daughter. He lost focus while reading the Financial Times, finding himself looking at Linda's delicate little face.

Seeing Linda was like seeing Eloise.

Linda blushed under his gaze, twiddling her fingers. "Daddy, even though you're very handsome, I think Luca is cuter."

Harvey lightly smacked her little bottom. Linda blushed even more, leaning into his shoulder, and acting cute.

Brett and Parker walked in, and upon seeing them, Brett's eyes darkened. He had never been this close with Daniel, who was rather shy.

As luck would have it, Orlena brought Daniel downstairs. She had been doing well recently. With her parents helping her out, she didn't have to worry about making ends meet, and had regained her former radiance, but with a touch of feminine charm.

Brett missed her, but he knew he wasn't in a position to do anything about it. He bent down, telling the two children, "Come here, I have gifts for you."

Linda was the first to run over. Brett handed her a big giftbox.

Daniel was somewhat embarrassed, always finding Brett to be a strict person. Orlena lightly patted his shoulder. "Go on, now."

Daniel mustered up his courage, walking up to Brett. "Mister Brett."

The atmosphere in the room became somewhat awkward. Brett's face fell slightly,

but he still affectionately ruffled the child's hair, giving him a giftbox and rasping, "You should call me Dad."

Daniel nodded, not fully understanding. "Dad."

Linda flew over, and her voice was crisp. "Great-uncle Brett is my mom's uncle, so

I call him Great-uncle Brett, but he and Aunt Orlena are a couple, and they had

you, so you should call him Dad."

Brett patted Linda's head. Such a smart girl. Just like her father.

Linda pulled Daniel away to open their gifts.

Orlena slowly descended the staircase. Brett took out a box from his pocket, offering it to her. "A New Year's gift."

Orlena declined.

Brett looked at Orlena intently. "Consider this a holiday gift from an elder relative. Accept it. I've come all this way, and I have to leave tomorrow morning. Who knows when I'll be able to come back the future."

Orlena begrudgingly accepted the box and opened it. Inside was an emerald necklace, clearly worth a small fortune at first glance.

She was too afraid to accept it, but Brett downplayed its value, claiming it was nothing. What he didn't tell her was that it was a family heirloom of the Noland family. Only the matriarch of each generation of the Noland family could have it. Their future together was uncertain, but this time, he impulsively wanted to promise it to her.

On the other side, Harvey had been quietly watching the whole time. Unlike his naive sister, he knew the weight of the emerald necklace. But he didn't comment... just then, his phone rang from inside his pocket.

It was an unknown number.

He frowned slightly, hesitated, but answered. As soon as the call connected, crying could be heard from the other end. "Attorney Horigan, I beg you to help Monika. She lost her sponsorship and had to go back home to start working. Today, it started snowing, and she lives in an area surrounded by mountains, she slipped and fell off a cliff. Right now, rescue is difficult. Attorney Horgan, I know she's made mistakes, and she's offended Mrs. Horigan, but right now, without a helicopter, she might freeze to death there.

"She called you several times, but you didn't answer.

"Attorney Horigan, I'm begging you."

The girl named Ana kept crying.

Harvey held his phone. Several calls were missed... So, it was Eloise who had blocked them.

A human life was at stake. Without any hesitation, Harvey agreed. He asked about the situation in detail, and then said he would handle it.

He hung up the phone and looked up.

Eloise was standing in the middle of the staircase, fresh from a bath, but her face

was as pale as snow.

"Are you going out?" She quietly watched him. He was already holding his coat, looking like he was about to leave.

Harvey hummed in response. He quietly said, "It's somewhat related to us, Eloise. I'll be back once I've dealt with it."

"But dinner is ready. And Uncle Brett is leaving tomorrow morning." Eloise held onto the railing, slowly descending the staircase. She appeared calm,

but only she knew how much her hand was trembling. Finally, she reached him. "Let Uncle Brett arrange it. Using his connections to get a helicopter shouldn't be difficult."

Harvey looked at Brett. Brett took a slow drag from his cigarette, lightly laughing. "I can help."

He then looked at Eloise. Eloise had a faint smile on her face. "With Uncle Brett's help, you should be able to rest easy. Harvey, you promised me you would no longer interfere with Monika's affairs. So, can I handle this?"

She wasn't stupid. There was no such thing as a coincidence in this world. Monika was just playing the victim.

But Monika really was ruthless, willing to risk everything and even trapping herself at the foot of a mountain. If a helicopter couldn't be arranged, she would really freeze to death.

Eloise didn't care about her life, but she had to maintain the peace of the family.

She finished speaking, her gaze fixed on Harvey. He reached out, gently stroking her cheek. His voice was relatively gentle. "Uncle Brett has come all this way to have dinner with us, I'll be back by tomorrow morning."

After he finished speaking, he turned to leave. Eloise grabbed his hand, her voice soft. "All our relatives and this great atmosphere can't keep you here. Or do you not trust me? Do you think I intentionally blocked her calls?"

Harvey slightly furrowed his brows. "Eloise, I didn't think that." Eloise lowered her eyes with a light laugh. She didn't want to scare Linda; she

didn't want to make things difficult for the elders during the New Year. She lowered her voice, choking slightly. "Just now, you said you would be a good husband, and have a life with me... it's only been a short while. How are you going to take care of a woman who clearly has plans for you? Harvey, are you truly a

samaritan, or can't you just let go of her face?"

She said it. Finally, she voiced his inner thoughts.

Harvey stifled his expression. "Eloise, don't make a fuss."

Eloise gently let go of him. The moment she let go, she felt a bit dazed.

She put on a brave face, walked over to hug Linda, and sat at the dining table.

She spoke softly, "Daddy has some business to attend to, let's have dinner with Grandma and Grandpa, okay?"

Linda made a noise, clearly disappointed.

Eloise still comforted her gently. From start to finish, she didn't look at Harvey again. In the end, she was disappointed.

Parker couldn't stand it any longer, his voice stern. "Harvey, if you leave, I'll break your leg."

Harvey's voice was indifferent. "Dad, it's a human life."

After he finished speaking, he looked at Eloise. He was hoping she would say something else to him, even if it was a reprimand, even if it was just a glance... but she didn't. She seemed to have given up and was simply focused on taking care of the children.

Eloise spoke softly, "Parker, let him go."

Parker felt guilty towards Eloise. Initially, Harvey had asked Eloise to wait for him, but what came back was this.

In the end, Harvey still left. As he left the Horigan Mansion, a snowstorm started.

His body was covered in snowflakes.

Inside his car, he contacted a helicopter. The rescue was making progress.

He didn't leave immediately. Instead, he stared at his phone blankly. After a while,

he called Eloise.

The call connected, but no one answered.

Eloise was angry.

Harvey thought for a moment, then sent a Facebook message promising to be

back by tomorrow morning.

After sending it, he waited for the time it took to smoke a cigarette, but Eloise

didn't reply. Harvey put out his cigarette. As he closed the car window, he glanced

at the mansion. The lights were on, and it looked warm. Expressionlessly, he rolled up the car window. Then, he lightly pressed the gas pedal. He didn't manage to return by New Year's Eve.

After Monika was rescued, she was taken to the ICU.

On New Year's morning.

Eloise woke up in bed, lying quietly on the large bed. Her slender fingers lightly traced the pillow. The grandfather clock downstairs chimed eight times.

She slowly got up to wash herself, fed Darrien, and then spent time with Linda.

At 10 in the morning, she gave all the household staff holiday gifts. The staff all liked her, and they said many pleasant things, all related to marital harmony. Eloise smiled lightly, calling over two of the older household staff, "Help me clear

out a bedroom across from the children's room. The furniture company will deliver the furniture in the afternoon."

She had already commissioned the blueprints. She was planning to move into a suite; in other words, she was planning to sleep separately from Harvey.

The housekeepers were shocked but did not comment. They secretly informed

Orlena.

On New Year's afternoon, Orlena made a clandestine call to Harvey from her bedroom.

Harvey was still in Dawson. He answered Orlena's call in a hospital corridor, whispering, "How's Eloise? Is she still upset?"

These past few days, Eloise wouldn't take his calls and ignored his Facebook messages. He knew that he wouldn't be able to appease her easily. Orlena's voice was choked with tears. "Dad lost his temper. Eloise is clearing out

a room. I think she wants to draw a line between you two. Harvey, you need to come back."

Eloise wanted to separate. Harvey was visibly taken aback. After a moment, he muttered, "I got it. Let's hang up now."

He ended the call and immediately dialed Eloise's number. Unexpectedly, Eloise

picked up. For a moment, he didn't know what to say. After a while, he rasped, "Happy New Year."

Eloise was silent for a long time before she finally said, "Happy New Year to you

too."

In haste, Harvey said, "I'm coming back this afternoon." He tried to explain further,

his voice low.

On the other end of the phone, Eloise was directing the placement of furniture. Hearing his words, she looked down and chuckled coldly, "Whatever."