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.

dressed in a pretty little dress, was running around Harvey, whose heart softened, and decided to pick up his daughter.

Linda was like

even though you're very

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

them, Brett's eyes darkened. He had never

brought Daniel downstairs. She had been doing well recently. With her parents helping her out, she didn't

in a position to do anything about it. He bent down, telling the two children,

was the first to run over. Brett

a strict person. Orlena lightly

courage, walking up to Brett. "Mister

the room became somewhat

he still affectionately ruffled the child's hair, giving him a giftbox and rasping, "You should

not fully understanding.

crisp. "Great-uncle Brett is

Brett, but he and Aunt Orlena are a couple, and they

you should

head. Such a smart

pulled Daniel away to open

the staircase. Brett took out a box from his pocket, offering

Orlena declined.

a holiday gift from an elder relative. Accept it. I've come all this way,

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

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

Unlike his naive sister, he knew the weight of the

an

it started snowing, and she lives in an area surrounded by mountains, she

you several times, but you didn't

Horigan, I'm

girl named Ana

his phone. Several calls were missed...

any hesitation, Harvey agreed. He asked about the situation in detail, and then said he

the phone

middle of the staircase, fresh from a bath, but

pale

going out?" She quietly watched him. He was already holding his coat, looking like he was about

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

is ready. And Uncle Brett is leaving tomorrow morning." Eloise

reached him. "Let Uncle Brett arrange it.

slow drag from his cigarette, lightly laughing. "I

able

a coincidence

herself at the foot of a

care about her life, but she had to maintain the peace

He reached out, gently stroking her cheek. His voice was relatively gentle. "Uncle Brett

"All our relatives and this great atmosphere can't keep you here. Or do you not trust me? Do you think I intentionally blocked her

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

elders during the New Year. 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 while. How are you going to take care of a woman who clearly has plans for

just let go

Finally, she voiced his inner

stifled his expression. "Eloise,

let go of him. The moment she let

on a brave face, walked over to

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

a noise,

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

stand it any longer, his voice stern. "Harvey, if you leave, I'll