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."

into Gunner downstairs at the

intention of going up, just sitting in his car, smoking. When he saw Eloise, he quickly got

"Eloise."

resentment towards him.

said, "Please let

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

He stared at Eloise.

I know I've

looked at his appearance and also felt

"Gunner, you've never truly loved Veronica. You were with Ravenna while pursuing Veronica. True love means loyalty, which

Gunner was stunned.

eyes red, he pleaded, "Eloise, I was

head. It was

Veronica

Eloise returned home.

message, full of thanks but not

Eloise knew that Riley actually wanted

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

always be another

Yes, Riley and Veronica were still young and could have more children, but it wouldn't be the one currently in

the baby, could they still be

she thought of Veronica's tear-stained face, her

It was really late.

dialed Harvey's number, but his phone was off. It wasn't until one in the morning that he returned

a business trip in Brockville,

his whereabouts as if their

silent for a while before saying softly, "About what we discussed, I want to talk

lightly,

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

a formal dinner and was standing in the hotel lobby enjoying the breeze. His mood was

dinner tomorrow

in

you think discussing our

...

Eloise was slightly irritated.

teeth. "Harvey, what I

his phone and waiting for her to

of patience, how could Eloise ever be his

she finally murmured, "Harvey, even if this involves... us, I want

Harvey conceded.

a half-hour window tomorrow at

held the phone, her

...

next day, she arrived at his office

Horigan. Harvey's PA, Taylor, led her into his office in the absence of his usual

"Attorney

opened, Harvey was seated

three-piece suit, looking every bit the affluent lawyer with just a hint

Taylor blinked.

attention to his appearance.

herself

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