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."

ran into Gunner downstairs

up, just sitting in his car, smoking. When

"Eloise."

harbored resentment towards him.

anything hurtful. She simply said, "Please let

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

He stared at Eloise.

She lacks your 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

his appearance and also felt a

were with Ravenna while pursuing Veronica. True love

Gunner was stunned.

was

shook her head. It was too

Veronica

Eloise returned home.

a Facebook message, full of thanks but

Eloise knew that Riley actually wanted

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

could always be

and Veronica were still young

could they still

no saint, but every time she thought of Veronica's tear-stained

It was really late.

until one in the morning that he returned her call, his voice slightly hoarse. "Eloise,

a business trip in Brockville, will

his whereabouts as if their

softly, "About what we

lightly,

tried to keep her tone calm, "But I think we have

dinner and was standing in the hotel lobby enjoying

have dinner

talk in

think discussing our future is appropriate in an

...

Eloise was slightly irritated.

what I

silent, simply holding his phone and waiting for her to give

could Eloise ever

even if this involves... us, I want to discuss it at your

Harvey conceded.

said somewhat reservedly. "I have a half-hour window tomorrow at 10 am." With that,

the phone,

...

next day, she arrived at his office right on

Eloise had been close to becoming Mrs. Horigan. Harvey's PA, Taylor, led

"Attorney Horigan

Harvey was seated behind

He was still wearing his signature three-piece suit, looking every bit the affluent lawyer with

Taylor blinked.

his appearance. He had always been handsome, but now he positively

excused herself to make

of the line, "You take care of