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.

in a pretty little dress, was running around Harvey, whose heart softened, and decided to pick up his daughter. He lost focus while reading the

Linda was

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

smacked her little bottom. Linda blushed even more, leaning into his shoulder, and acting

darkened. He had never been this close

it, Orlena brought Daniel downstairs. She had been doing well recently. With her parents helping her out, she didn't have to worry about making ends meet, and had regained her former radiance, but with a touch of feminine

wasn't in a position to do anything about it. He bent down, telling the two children, "Come here,

run over. Brett handed her

embarrassed, always finding Brett to be a strict

mustered up his courage, walking up to Brett.

in the room became

the child's hair, giving him a giftbox and rasping, "You should

nodded, not

her voice was crisp. "Great-uncle Brett is my mom's uncle,

Brett, but he and Aunt Orlena are a

you should

Linda's head. Such a

pulled Daniel away to open

a box from his pocket, offering it to

Orlena declined.

Orlena intently. "Consider this a holiday gift from an elder relative. Accept it. I've come all this way, and I have to leave tomorrow morning. Who knows

box and opened it. Inside was an emerald necklace, clearly worth a small fortune at first

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.

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

was an

and had to go back home to start working. Today, it started snowing, and she lives

you several times, but you

I'm begging

girl named Ana

his phone. Several calls were missed... So,

Harvey agreed. He asked about the

hung up the phone and looked

was standing in the middle of the staircase,

pale

was already holding his coat, looking like he was about

response. He quietly said, "It's somewhat related to

dinner is ready. And Uncle Brett is leaving tomorrow morning." Eloise held onto

Finally, she reached him. "Let Uncle

Brett took a slow drag from his

at Eloise. Eloise had a faint smile on her face. "With Uncle Brett's help, you should be able to rest easy. Harvey, you promised me you would

as a coincidence in this world. Monika was just playing the

and even trapping herself at the foot of a mountain. If a

her life, but she had to maintain

Harvey. He reached out, gently stroking her cheek. His voice was relatively gentle. "Uncle Brett has come all this way to have dinner with us, I'll be back

this great atmosphere can't keep you here. Or do

think that." Eloise lowered her eyes with a light

She lowered her voice, choking slightly. "Just now, you said you would be a good husband, and have a life with me... it's only been a short

you just let go of her

said it. Finally, she voiced

"Eloise,

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

on a brave face, walked over to

to attend to, let's have

made a noise, clearly

didn't look

stern. "Harvey, if you leave, I'll