Tangled Temptations

Chapter 286

With a few deft movements of her slender fingers, Eloise had added Monika's number to Harvey's block list. Having done so, her mood took a slight hit, and she seemed somewhat absent-minded when Harvey spoke to her.

This continued until the car pulled up in front of the mansion. Unbuckling his seatbelt, he turned toward her, questioning with a hint of tenderness, "Why the silence?"

Men always loved making assessments. Harvey pondered for a moment before asking, "Did I make you uncomfortable in the car?"

Eloise shook her head lightly. Exiting the car, she avoided his question. "Your dad's waiting for us."

She had barely taken two steps when Harvey caught her hand from behind. Her body fell into his embrace.

Snowflakes fell from the sky, soaking their coats, but neither of them cared. On such a freezing night, having such a long-awaited embrace was a rare treat.

"Eloise. Maybe, I can be a good husband." He whispered softly into her ear.

He had cast aside his previous prejudices, wanting to sincerely accept her. Whether it was because of masculine desire, or her good nature, he thought she would make a good lover, wife, and mother.

Eloise leaned into his shoulder, whispering with a hint of greed in her voice, "Really? Harvey, what do you like about me?"

...

Harvey playfully patted her. "I'll tell you tonight."

Eloise continued to mumble, "It's too soon."

Harvey gently stroked her back, relishing in her softness. He was more than willing to indulge in her.

At the mansion's entrance, Parker and Brett were smoking. Suddenly, Parker squinted. "Do you think that's Harvey and Eloise over there in the parking lot?"

Brett took a long drag from his cigarette, his demeanor exuding masculinity. After a glance, he replied, "Obviously, it is."

Parker lost his composure. Clutching his cigarette, he braved the snow and strode towards them, shouting, "Harvey, are you out of your mind? Playing romantic in this snowy weather? You're thick-skinned, but your wife just had a baby two months ago, and you're letting her out in the snow with you?"

Brett nearly burned his hand with the cigarette.

Eloise bashfully pushed Harvey away. "Parker's coming."

Harvey also sensed the awkwardness, quickly removing his coat to drape it over

her shoulders. "Alright, let's go in. I told you Dad loves you the most."

By then, Parker had arrived, handing Eloise a black umbrella before launching into a tirade at his irresponsible son. Harvey lit a cigarette in the falling snow, then cast a teasing glance at Eloise.

Truth be told, Eloise found this side of Harvey rather attractive. But with Parker present, she was too embarrassed to flirt back, and quickly entered the mansion.

Parker then gave his son a lecture on postnatal care. At the end, he waved his hand dismissively. "Go take care of your wife. I'm sick of looking at you."

Harvey finished his cigarette at a leisurely pace before heading inside. As he entered, he saw Eloise removing her coat and drying her hair with a towel. She was wearing a soft wool dress that highlighted her skin.

Harvey spoke with a hint of tenderness, "There's still half an hour until dinner. Go take a shower. I'll go check on Darrien."

Linda tugged at his hand, eager to tag along. "I want to go with you and see my brother, Daddy."

Harvey bent down to pick up the little girl, planting a kiss on her forehead. Linda wrapped an arm around his neck, overjoyed.

Eloise watched father and daughter, and her expression softened. Pauline took the towel from her, whispering, "He'll come around eventually. You two already have such a deep connection."

Eloise hummed in agreement. Whether he could remember was not the most important thing. What mattered was the future.

She headed upstairs to take a shower, while the first floor of the Horigan Mansion was bustling with activity. Servants were bringing out plates of sumptuous dishes, and the room was warm and lively, with the festive atmosphere of holiday.

After checking on Darrien, Harvey brought Linda downstairs.

It was now 7:30 in the evening. In the suburbs of Peterborough, fireworks had started to light up the sky.

little dress, was running around Harvey, whose heart softened, and decided to pick up his daughter. He lost focus while reading the Financial Times, finding himself looking at Linda's delicate

was

under his gaze, twiddling her fingers. "Daddy, even though you're very handsome, I think

even

Parker walked in, and upon seeing them, Brett's eyes darkened. He had never been this close with

she didn't have to worry about making ends meet, and had

about it. He bent down, telling the two children, "Come here, I have

to run over. Brett handed her a

a strict

walking up to Brett.

in the room became somewhat

still affectionately ruffled the child's hair, giving him a giftbox and rasping,

not

was crisp. "Great-uncle

he and Aunt

so you should call him

Such a smart girl. Just

away to

box from

Orlena declined.

this way, and I have

the box and opened it. Inside was an emerald necklace, clearly

accept it, but Brett downplayed its value, claiming it was nothing. What he didn't tell her was that it was a family heirloom of the Noland family. Only the matriarch of each generation of the Noland family could have it. Their future

he knew the weight of the emerald necklace. But he didn't comment... just

an unknown

I beg you to help Monika. She lost her sponsorship and had to go back home to start working. Today, it started snowing, and she lives in an area surrounded by mountains, she slipped and fell off a cliff. Right now, rescue is difficult. Attorney Horgan, I know she's made mistakes, and she's offended Mrs. Horigan, but right

several times, but you

I'm begging

girl named Ana kept

held his phone. Several calls were missed... So, it was Eloise

was at stake. Without any hesitation, Harvey agreed. He asked about the situation

hung up the

in the middle of the staircase, fresh from a

pale as

He was already

quietly said, "It's somewhat related to us, Eloise. I'll

tomorrow morning." Eloise held onto the railing, slowly

him. "Let Uncle Brett arrange it. Using his connections to get a helicopter

a slow drag from his cigarette, lightly laughing.

face. "With Uncle Brett's help, you should be able to rest easy. Harvey, you promised me you would no longer interfere with Monika's affairs.

There was no such thing as a coincidence in

ruthless, willing to risk everything and even trapping herself at the foot of a mountain. If a helicopter couldn't be arranged, she would

she

stroking her cheek. His voice was relatively gentle. "Uncle Brett has come all this way to have dinner with us, I'll

speaking, he turned to leave. Eloise grabbed his hand, her voice soft. "All our relatives and this great

"Eloise, I didn't think that." Eloise lowered her eyes with a light laugh.

said you would be a good husband, and have a life with me... it's only been a

or can't you just let go of her

said it. Finally, she

his expression. "Eloise, don't

let go of him. The moment she let go, she felt

put on a brave face, walked over to hug

softly, "Daddy has some business to attend to, let's have dinner with Grandma and Grandpa,

made a noise, clearly

comforted her gently. From start to finish, she didn't

stern.