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

they reached the car, he carefully put the little guy into the child seat, then looked at his sister. Orlena silently got into the car, whispering, "Let's

side. He was so angry he wanted

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 up. Standing on

whispered, "Let Daniel sleep with Linda tonight. You stay

nodded. She walked back upstairs to

boy in the bed Eloise had just vacated. Perhaps the bed was too soft, Daniel didn't wake up. Linda stirred a little, opening her eyes to a slit, then rolled over and hugged Daniel, holding him like a teddy bear.

over Harvey. He touched Linda,

Eloise felt guilty.

guessed who the old bastard is,

"Don't let the child hear

be scared of him, but now she wasn't. As she walked out of the bedroom, she bravely said, "You shouldn't take it out on me!

with Orlena. I'm going

Eloise nodded.

fact, there were still unresolved issues between them. There was still resentment, but when it came to dealing with the family crisis, they instinctively leaned on each

What should they do?

called him brother and her

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

a wave of melancholy. She patted Orlena's hand, murmuring, "You should

Orlena whispered, "Eloise!"

sort out her hair, "I'm going to make something to eat. You go take a shower!

Orlena hummed in agreement.

went to make a late-night snack, and when it was ready, Orlena came downstairs. She was wearing the pajamas she had brought, made of cotton. They were

a trembling

hung in the air, as Orlena sat quietly, unlike her usual chatty self; now she was as silent as a broken

simply sat with

up with tears, "Eloise, I'm scared. He couldn't marry me back then, and now I've

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

He was still the same dignified, vibrant Mr. Brett. But she, Orlena, was no longer the

She said softly, "Your brother will have to settle this. But he won't hurt Daniel." Orlena nodded, tears in her

study. Pushing open the heavy door of the study, she found it dim inside, only a small wall lamp was lit. Harvey was sitting at his desk smoking, the ashtray in front

opened the window. She murmured, "You're smoking too

as Eloise took the initiative to go to him, sat on his lap, and hugged him

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

asked quietly, "Would you have

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

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

her voice soft and gentle, "Neither! I'm doing this for

Harvey didn't speak.

what he was thinking. Indeed, he was angry with both Orlena and that old guy, but the only one he truly cared for was the child. Eloise tactfully played the child card, hitting him where it