Tangled Temptations

Chapter 199

Eloise had never encountered such a shameless man before.

Fuming, she stormed out.

Harvey didn't run after her, but he seemed to have a plan. As Eloise exited, a sleek black limousine was parked at the doorstep. The driver respectfully asked, "Where to, Ms. Laurent? Attorney Horigan instructed me to drive you."

Eloise declined.

She had a feeling that Harvey had set a trap and was waiting for her to walk into

it.

No way. She was not playing his game!

The night deepened, and she walked alone on the city streets. The neon lights were appealing, but she was in no mood to appreciate them.

She walked until she arrived near the city park, where a Ferris wheel adorned with colorful lights spun in the night air. The sound of children's jubilant laughter filled the air, sweet and innocent.

Eloise stopped.

She watched quietly, thinking how in a few years time, the child of Riley and Veronica might be able to play here too. If Veronica was too scared to ride, Riley would accompany the child.

A happy family of three, that should be delightful.

Eloise decided to visit Veronica.

She bought some nutritional supplements and headed to Veronica's apartment. Riley happened to be out.

Eloise entered, placing her things down.

She noticed Veronica's pale face, probably due to recent stress and poor diet.

Eloise sat on the small couch, picking up a book that was left aside; a parenting guide. Veronica saw this as she returned, and the atmosphere became slightly awkward.

Veronica set down her coffee, her voice trembling. “Eloise, you don't look down on me, do you?"

Eloise patted her hand, feigning nonchalance. "What are you thinking? Having a baby is a wonderful thing. Many people suffer from infertility, so you're lucky. Once the baby is born, I bet it will be cute, just like you and Riley."

Veronica's eyes welled up with tears.

She hugged Eloise tightly, her voice choked with emotion. "Eloise, I'm scared. I'm scared I won't be able to give this child a happy life. Its arrival is untimely. Riley... he is having a hard time with his family because of this, and I... I'm afraid he won't be able to withstand it."

Eloise held her, silently comforting her for a while.

She finally spoke, "Riley seems to love you a lot, and he'll love the baby too. Veronica, keep the baby. Regardless of what happens with Gunner or Riley, when the child is born, I'll help you raise it."

Veronica leaned against her shoulder, sobbing.

She wasn't usually a weak person, but she had gone through so much in the past year, and it had taken a toll on her.

Eloise didn't say much more, and didn't mention her negotiation with Harvey.

Before leaving, she left a check for two million dollars, claiming it was a dividend from the Crescendo Sound Workshop. But Veronica knew her investment couldn't possibly earn that much in a year. Veronica hesitated to accept it.

Eloise pushed the check into her hand, "It is for the baby."

Veronica laughed, "Then we'll let the baby call you Daddy."

she ran into Gunner downstairs at

just sitting in his car, smoking. When

"Eloise."

resentment towards him. But she didn't

say anything hurtful. She simply said, "Please let Veronica go. You know in

lost. He took a deep drag of his cigarette, then tossed it

He stared at Eloise.

decisiveness, and she listens to your advice. I know I've wronged you in the past, but for the sake of my years of relationship with Veronica, speak for me. If she's willing to

and also felt a bit

never truly loved Veronica. You were with Ravenna while pursuing Veronica. True love means

Gunner was stunned.

eyes red, he pleaded, "Eloise, I was wrong. Please pass

shook her head. It was

Veronica

Eloise returned home.

a Facebook message, full of thanks but not

that Riley actually wanted to

had a big fight with his family. The Colman family suggested that if they insisted on being together, they should abort the baby and have Veronica

could always be

horizon. Yes, Riley and Veronica were still young and could have more children, but

baby, could

but every time she thought of Veronica's

It was really late.

It wasn't until one in the morning

a business trip in Brockville, will be back tomorrow

detailed his whereabouts as if their argument had

softly, "About what we discussed, I want

lightly, "So

calm, "But I think we have room to negotiate." Harvey laughed,

had just finished a formal dinner and was standing in the hotel lobby

dinner tomorrow

in your

do you think discussing our future is appropriate

...

Eloise was slightly irritated.

her teeth. "Harvey, what I want to discuss

fell silent, simply holding his phone

patience, how could Eloise ever be his

she finally murmured, "Harvey, even if this involves... us, I want to discuss it at your

Harvey conceded.

half-hour window tomorrow

phone,

...

at his office right on

Harvey's PA, Taylor,

Laurent, please," Taylor said. "Attorney

door opened, Harvey was

every bit the affluent lawyer with just a hint

Taylor blinked.

seemed to be paying particular attention to his appearance. He had always been handsome, but

herself

on the other end of the line, "You take care of it. I have a client