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.

was running around Harvey, whose heart softened, and decided to pick up

was

twiddling her fingers. "Daddy, even

smacked her little bottom. Linda blushed even more,

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

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

wasn't in a position to do anything about

was the first to run over. Brett

be a strict person.

courage, walking

atmosphere in the room became

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

not fully

crisp. "Great-uncle

and Aunt Orlena are a

should

patted Linda's head. Such a

pulled Daniel away

Brett took out a box from his pocket, offering it

Orlena declined.

elder relative. Accept it. I've come all this way, and I have to leave tomorrow morning. Who knows when I'll be able to come

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

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 together was uncertain, but this

knew the weight of the emerald necklace. But he

was an

hesitated, but answered. As soon as the call connected, crying could be heard from the other end. "Attorney Horigan, 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

called you several times, but you

I'm

named Ana

phone. Several calls were missed...

human life was at stake. Without any hesitation, Harvey agreed. He asked about the situation in detail, and then said he

hung up the phone and

the middle of the staircase, fresh from a

pale

watched him. He was already holding his coat, looking like he was

somewhat related to us, Eloise. I'll be back

leaving tomorrow morning." Eloise held onto the railing, slowly descending the staircase.

trembling. Finally, she reached him. "Let

took a slow drag from his cigarette,

"With Uncle Brett's help, you should be able to rest easy.

stupid. There was no such thing as a coincidence in this world. Monika was just playing the

trapping herself at the foot of a mountain. If a helicopter

life, but she had to maintain the peace

gaze fixed on 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,

his hand, her voice soft. "All our relatives and this great atmosphere can't keep you here. Or do you not trust me? Do you think I

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

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

just let go

it. Finally, she voiced

stifled his expression. "Eloise, don't make a

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

put on a brave face, walked over to hug Linda, and sat at

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

made a noise, clearly

From start to finish, she didn't look at Harvey again. In

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