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!"

and

reached the car, he carefully put the little guy into the child seat, then looked at his sister. Orlena silently

was so angry he wanted to smoke, but he

hour later, 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

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

upstairs to open

stirred a little, opening her eyes to a slit, then rolled over and hugged

soft feeling washed over Harvey. He touched Linda, then

Eloise felt guilty.

voice soft, "You probably guessed who the old bastard is, didn't you?"

hear

it were the old days, Eloise would 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!

expression softened somewhat. He squeezed her hand, "Stay with Orlena. I'm going to

Eloise nodded.

when it came to dealing with the family crisis, they

What should they do?

called him brother and

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

melancholy. She patted

Orlena whispered, "Eloise!"

make something to eat. You go take a shower! There's everything you need in

Orlena hummed in agreement.

it was ready, Orlena came downstairs. She was wearing the pajamas she had brought, made of cotton. They

noticed. She didn't say anything, just said in a trembling

Orlena sat quietly, unlike her usual

sat with

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

struggling to raise her child alone, scraping by to afford baby formula and

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

"Your brother will have to settle this. But he won't hurt Daniel."

Harvey in the 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 of him filled with cigarette butts, showing his inner

the window. She murmured, "You're smoking too much! You're going

simply watched her. Tonight was unlike any other night, as Eloise took the initiative to go to

stubbed out his cigarette and leaned 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

asked quietly, "Would you

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

voice soft and gentle, "Neither! I'm

Harvey didn't speak.

child card, hitting him where it hurt most. Eloise cradled his handsome face, and lightly kissed him, "No matter what, let's give Daniel the utmost respect, shall we?