Tangled Temptations

The following day, early in the morning.

In the dining room, only Harvey and Eloise were present. The maid, with a smile on her face, announced, "Mr. and Mrs. Horigan have taken the children out."

Harvey knew that his parents wanted to give them some privacy. Naturally, he accepted this offer and suggested to Eloise, "There's a concert at two this afternoon. After you feed Darrien, shall we go?"

Eloise quietly continued her breakfast. After a moment, she replied softly, "I'd rather stay home."

Harvey looked at her face and suggested, "The snow has stopped. Don't you want to go out?"

"Not really."

Harvey was taken aback. From the moment he was born, he was considered a golden child, proud and aloof. He had never been rejected by a woman before.

This woman was so hard to get.

He was slightly embarrassed and didn't insist further. Instead, he was planning to go upstairs to review some case files.

Just as he was about to get up, his phone rang. It was a call from Monika.

Harvey stared at the screen for a while, then looked at Eloise. He hung up the call.

The phone rang again. He hung up again and finally told Eloise in a low voice, "Once I confirm she's not in danger, I won't contact her anymore."noveldrama

Eloise put down her cutlery and looked at him quietly. "How did she get off your blocked contacts list? Couldn't let go?"

"Eloise."

"Harvey, this time, she could be lying at the bottom of a hill, and next time, she might jump off a building. If you don't answer her calls, she'll use her classmates as messengers, and then you'll say it's a matter of life and death." Eloise smiled ntly.

She didn't bother to say more and got up to go to her room to read.

At noon, she didn't have lunch with him. In the afternoon, she practiced yoga in the basement. Her entire body was glistening with sweat.

Harvey stood at the doorway, holding her mobile phone. "You have a call."

Eloise was stretching her legs when she heard him. She thanked him and took the phone.

It was Veronica. She had heard some gossip and invited Eloise to go out and distract herself.

Eloise was somewhat reluctant. Veronica leaned on Riley's shoulder, gently touching her husband's nose, insisting, "These are all old friends. You're the most successful among us, with billions in assets, and children... Come on, there's a special guest."

Eloise laughed. "Who is it that's so important?"

Veronica wouldn't say.

Eloise wiped her sweat with a towel. "Alright. The same club, right?"

Veronica cheekily confirmed, then whispered, "Dress nicely. You won't regret it." Eloise couldn't help but laugh. Having a friend like Veronica by her side over the years was nice. She hung up the phone, feeling a bit better.

Harvey, however, had a gloomy expression. Even though he couldn't quite hear the conversation over the phone, he could guess the gist of it. Socializing, networking...

He leaned against the treadmill, displeased. "I asked you to go to the concert, and you didn't have time, but now Veronica asks you to go out, and you do? I'm coming with you."

Eloise continued her run, nonchalantly. "Veronica didn't invite you."

"You're taking me."

Eloise only smiled in response, the meaning clear.

Harvey watched her for a few seconds, then turned and walked away. Attorney Horigan, after all, had some pride.

...

At seven o'clock in the evening, Eloise left.

Harvey abruptly opened the bedroom door, staring at her. She wore a golden sequined dress with thin straps. She didn't wear stockings, and her slender legs were smooth and shone faintly. She wore a fur coat over her dress and matching high heels.

Tonight, Eloise looked particularly enticing.

Harvey swallowed hard, his voice raspy. "I'll take you."

"No need, Baron is waiting."

"Are you sure you want to dress like this for a party? Eloise, you're a married woman."

Eloise gave a small, knowing smile.

Was he acting like his husband? Did he ever consider her his wife? In his heart, she was just a good bed partner, or the perfect daughter-in-law for the Horigan family. It had nothing to do with love.

She turned and left without a backward glance.

As she got into the car, even Baron couldn't help but compliment, "Madam, you

look absolutely stunning tonight."

Eloise was somewhat distracted. "I have an engagement."

Half an hour later, they arrived at The Mirage Club.

As she pushed open the door to the small banquet hall, just as Veronica had said, there were many old friends. It was a perfect setting for relaxation and fun.

Eloise was in a good mood. She removed her coat and settled into a corner sofa, chatting with Veronica. Despite her low profile, she could feel the gazes of those around her. They marveled at her wealth, and wondered about her marriage to Harvey.

Veronica had heard about Monika. She leaned into Eloise and whispered, "Why not just... get rid of her?"

Under the extravagant lighting, Eloise swirled the champagne in her glass. The golden liquid swirled gently.

After a while, Eloise brushed her auburn hair back and laughed. "Let's wait until she's out of the hospital."

The atmosphere was perfect.

Riley dragged Veronica away to make out in the restroom, leaving Eloise alone, which she didn't mind.

"Eloise." A familiar figure appeared before her, the voice also familiar.

Eloise looked up and saw Max. It had been a long time since she'd seen him. Max tilted his chin slightly. "May I sit?"

With all that had passed between them, Eloise was indifferent now. "Sure."

Max didn't cross any boundaries. They had known each other for many years, had liked each other, and had hurt each other. Now, they could sit peacefully and have a drink, which made him feel somewhat moved.

"Eloise, are you doing well?"

Eloise laughed lightly. "I'm doing well. How about you? Are you married yet?"

Max stretched out his hands; there was nothing on them. Eloise didn't say anything.

Max's voice was hoarse. "I was up north doing business for a while. I heard you... are not doing so well. Eloise, we are not young anymore. I won't beat around the bush. After all these years, I admit I've had many women, but in the end, I realized I only ever loved you."

He was full of regret. He truly regretted losing the girl who was willing to cook for him, and to accompany him through the darkest times.

For years, he had been existing in a haze. Eloise, on the other hand, had been stumbling through her marriage.

Max had pleaded with Veronica and negotiated for this chance to meet Eloise. Without any avoidance, he said, "Harvey's lost his memory, hasn't he? He's forgotten he once loved you. Eloise, if it's too hard, consider me. I'm willing to treat Linda and Darrien as my own."

He finished speaking, his gaze fixed on her.

Eloise was still leaning on the back of the couch, gently swirling her wine glass. After a while, she laughed. "Max, are you infertile? Is that why you're so desperate for someone else's kids? If you can't have children, go see a urologist. Or maybe you need a psychiatrist."

What was there left to consider between them?

Eloise's good mood had been ruined. She grabbed her purse, ready to leave. Max grabbed her hand. It felt smooth and soft, like silk.

Eloise shook him off. "I should've never spoken to you."

Max chuckled bitterly. He was sincere, but he had long lost any credibility with Eloise. He marveled at her ravishing beauty, swallowed his bitterness and said, "Eloise, you've changed a lot."

In his phone gallery, there was always that one picture. It was taken late at night, and Eloise was waiting at the dining table for him to come home, the table laden with a hot meal.

That was the most beautiful relationship he had ever had.

Eloise didn't want to reminisce with him. She left quickly. In the elevator, she called Veronica, who was probably having an intimate moment. Veronica's voice trembled slightly, "You left already... Don't... I'll be there soon."

Eloise was both annoyed and amused.

Stepping out of the club, she realized she had left her fur coat. She caressed her bare arms and contemplated asking Baron to fetch it for her. She really didn't want to see Max again.

A long, slender leg emerged from a black Rolls Royce Phantom. It wasn't Baron; it was Harvey. Under the neon lights, he looked extraordinarily handsome. Eloise had a bit too much to drink, and it took her a while to find her voice. She spoke coldly, "Why are you here?"

Harvey took off his coat and draped it over her.

Eloise struggled, but Harvey held her tightly. Wrapped in his coat, she was enveloped in his faint pine scent. He held her close, and his lips were against her ear. He said resentfully, "Look at you, Mrs. Horigan. You are so slutty."

"It's none of your business. Let me go."

"I won't."

Just as they were at an impasse, someone else came out of the club. It was Max.

He was holding Eloise's fur coat. Seeing the embracing couple, he smiled and said with a hint of tenderness, "Eloise, you left your coat behind."

Eloise stiffened. Even with all the drama at home, this was a situation she didn't want to be in.

Harvey was even more infuriated. He held his wife, and his eyes were burning with fury as he looked at Max.

Undeterred, Max took a step forward.

Harvey opened the car door, stuffed Eloise inside, then turned to face Max with a

cold smile. "Thanks for that, Mr. Velona."

He reached for Eloise's coat. Max didn't let go, and the two men had a silent

power struggle. Finally, Max released his grip.

Harvey mocked, "Mr. Velona, you're lonely and single. Why don't you go on some

dates?"

Max chuckled, lighting a cigarette. "Eloise is married, yet she still comes here to

hang out. Harvey... if she really cared about you, would you be waiting outside like

a chauffeur?"

Harvey scoffed, "That's still better than coveting another man's wife."

Max took a long drag on his cigarette, glancing at Harvey. "Indeed. I'm still interested. From tomorrow, I'll start pursuing her earnestly. Maybe one day, I'll sweep Eloise off her feet."

Half of it was anger, half the truth. But deep down, Max knew, Eloise would never accept him again.

Harvey didn't want to waste his breath. He got into the car and threw the coat in the backseat, clearly bothered.

He had lost many memories. He didn't even know how far Eloise and Max had

gone.

Had they kissed? Had they done more?

Harvey drove fast. Eloise soon realized something was wrong. She clutched her

chest, whispering, "Where are you taking me?"

Harvey didn't respond. His handsome features were especially stern in the darkness. He looked so much like the Attorney Horigan she had first met.