Tangled Temptations

Chapter 244

In the depths of night. In the rundown houses of a narrow alley.

Harvey stared at his sister, Orlena, who had been a constant worry in his heart for many years. He looked at her plain clothes, then at the dilapidated house behind her. His eyes ached and his fingers, clutching a cigarette, trembled slightly. After taking a deep drag, he walked in, looking around, "Where's the kid?"

Orlena was taken aback, "Did Eloise tell you?"

Harvey snapped angrily, "Do you think she would help you hide and let you continue living in this dump? Whose child is it?" So far, he really didn't know who the child's father was.

Orlena wouldn't let him into the room.

Harvey stubbed out his cigarette, exhaling the last puff of smoke, "Who is it?" No matter who it was, within a day, he would make sure the man lost his teeth!

Orlena stood in the doorway, pleading softly, "I'm doing fine with Daniel! Harvey, I can support him myself, don't ask anymore!"

Harvey's eyes reddened slightly. He was just a step away from her. He stretched out his hand, pulled her behind him and entered the bedroom.

The bedroom was shabby. Aside from an old bed, there was only a small desk, covered with dozens of magazines.

Harvey thumbed through the cheap magazines, all featuring Orlena, the belle of the Horigan family.

His throat tightened, and then he turned to the old bed.

A small child, fast asleep, rosy-cheeked, with a mop of brown hair. The familiar features and hair color made Harvey's eyes even redder. He didn't ask again who the child's father was, because there was no need to ask!

Harvey spun around, glaring at his sister. Orlena's lips trembled and her face twisted with fear. She pleaded cautiously, "Harvey, don't look for him! Please. We've split up."

Harvey reached out, gently touching the little one.

He was taken aback for a moment, then softly asked, "Who? Which 'he'? Orlena, who are you talking about?"

Orlena covered her mouth. Her brother already knew, who the child's father was.

Harvey suppressed his voice, "When did you get together with him? Do you know what you're doing? He's more than a decade older than you. A man of his status, unmarried in his 40s and who's met so many people, how could he fall for a young girl like you?"

Orlena was extremely embarrassed. She knew, it was her who had overestimated herself.

Harvey didn't ask any more questions. He took off his jacket, put it on Daniel, then carefully picked him up.

"Harvey!" Orlena grasped his arm, pleading.

In the dim light, Harvey looked as calm as still water, "Either you come back with me now, or I call Brett right now to come pick you and your son up. Choose one!"

Orlena had no choice. She packed a few clothes and followed Harvey out.

When they were going downstairs, Daniel woke up. He looked at Harvey in confusion. He was a bit scared, but he didn't cry. Harvey stroked his head, saying gently, "I'm your uncle! Mommy's here too!"

standing nearby, and closed his eyes

put the little guy into the child seat, then looked at his sister. Orlena silently got into the car, whispering, "Let's not tell mom

he wanted to smoke, but he held back

the car slowly pulled up to the mansion. He hadn't planned on waking up Eloise, but she was already restless. The sound of opening and closing doors woke her up. She draped a robe over herself and got

sleep with Linda tonight. You stay with

back upstairs to open

walked in with Daniel, gently placing the little boy in the bed Eloise had just vacated. Perhaps the bed was too soft, Daniel didn't wake up. Linda stirred a little,

feeling washed over Harvey. He touched Linda, then Daniel, whispering, "This

Eloise felt guilty.

probably guessed who the old bastard is, didn't you?" He was

whispered, "Don't let the child hear

it were the old days, Eloise would be scared of him, but now she wasn't. As

her hand, "Stay with Orlena. I'm going to the study to have

Eloise nodded.

but when it came to dealing with the family crisis,

What should they do?

brother and

Orlena to the guest room, whispering, "Your brother's angry, don't mind him! Take a shower first. I'll make you a late-night snack, your

a wave of melancholy. She

Orlena whispered, "Eloise!"

something to eat. You go

Orlena hummed in agreement.

was ready, Orlena came downstairs. She was wearing the pajamas she had brought, made

say anything, just said in a

Orlena sat quietly, unlike

simply sat

tears, "Eloise, I'm scared. He couldn't marry me back

two years, she had been struggling to raise her child alone, scraping by to afford baby formula and rent. The once extravagant life she shared with him now seemed like a distant memory, blown away like

him in the newspapers. He was still the same dignified, vibrant Mr. Brett. But she, Orlena, was

make any promises. She said softly, "Your brother will have to settle this. But he won't hurt Daniel." Orlena nodded,

heavy door of the study, she found it dim inside, only a small wall lamp was

opened the window. She murmured,

Tonight was unlike any other night, as Eloise took the initiative to go to

against her shoulder. After a long silence, he spoke in a raspy voice, "Eloise, am I a failure? If I hadn't insisted on going to Britain back then, your uncle and Orlena might not have ended up together. Brett's days in the hospital might have been

"Would you

my parents? You seem to think I'm easy to talk to, so you're trying to persuade

her face towards his. Harvey's face was hot. After a while, he asked softly again, "Are you defending your uncle or pleading for

voice soft and gentle,

Harvey didn't speak.

card, hitting him where it hurt most. Eloise