Tangled Temptations

Chapter 290

Eloise lingered, without replying.

She was aware of Harvey's fondness for her, but it was unreliable. Joan's shadow lurked in his heart, and he had crossed her boundaries, which Eloise couldn't overlook.

He had her too easily. Marriage and children were his bargaining chips.

...

She tidied up her office and left to pick up Linda. The bouquet Harvey had sent remained untouched.

Upon reaching the lobby, she found it quite chaotic. A couple of security guards were barring two girls from entering. They insisted on seeing Eloise, causing quite a ruckus.

Natalia whispered, "Shall I send them away? This scene is rather ugly."

Eloise's gaze fell on Monika. Monika's gaze met Eloise's gaze, and an invisible standoff was occurring across the crowd. After a moment, Eloise quietly instructed, "Bring her to the guest lounge."

Five minutes later, Monika and her friend Ana walked into the large, extravagant guest lounge. They were a little overwhelmed by the grandeur of the room. Ana, in particular, nervously tugged at Monika's sleeve, whispering, "Maybe we should back out. Mrs. Horigan seems formidable."

Monika bit her lip.

Eloise sat on the sofa as Natalia served her herbal tea.

Eloise's gaze was fixed on Monika. Despite her leg not being fully healed and her hand wrapped in bandages, she was still out to compete for a man.

Eloise's eyes dropped; Monika must've been desperate.

Monika also looked at Eloise, who was beautiful, elegant, and had an excellent figure. But what did that matter? She was younger.

With a show of bravado, Monika didn't sit but placed a stack of cash on the coffee table. "Mrs. Horigan, I've come to repay the debt."

"Attorney Horigan covered my 300,000 dollar medical expenses, and there's an excess of over 60,000. I believe I should return it to you."

She said much, and Eloise listened quietly, sipping her tea. Setting down her cup, Eloise smiled lightly. "Ms. Monika, you've miscalculated."

Monika was taken aback.

Eloise took the stack of cash and counted it. "Shouldn't you owe me 300,000? I remember you just mentioned that my husband covered your 300,000."

Monika didn't expect her to quibble over this. Her pride shattered, her lips trembling. "Mrs. Horigan, that was Attorney Horigan's contribution, and you have no right to claim it."

Eloise laughed. "Is that so? But that was our marital property. I have the right to reclaim it. Besides, how would I know about this 300,000 if you didn't show up? Now, tell me, did you two hook up?"

Monika's lips trembled, unable to lie.

Eloise casually tossed the cash back on the table, scoffing, "If you two did have sex, I'll forget about this money. Consider it as Harvey's payment for a hooker. But if nothing happened, I'm sorry, Ms. Monika, please return the 300,000 within a month."

Monika was utterly humiliated. Her friend, noticing Eloise's fury, whispered, "I told you not to come. Apologize to Mrs. Horigan. She won't make things difficult for you."

Monika stood straight, deciding to throw caution to the wind. "Mrs. Horigan, I love Attorney Horigan. I think he also has feelings for me, otherwise. He wouldn't have stayed with me at the hospital for days. I know this makes you uncomfortable, but I want to tell you, that even if you try to stop us, it's useless. Mrs. Horigan, I don't ask for a title, I just want to stay by Attorney Horigan's side. You can't be that petty, can you?"

...

Natalia was astounded. This girl was fearless.

Eloise lowered her gaze, and her eyes were filled with coldness. Monika had

indeed crossed her line. It wasn't about Harvey anymore, Monika purely disgusted

her.

When Eloise looked up again, she smiled slightly. "Of course, I can be that generous. From now on, not only will I not hate you, Ms. Monika, but I will also treat you well."

Monika was flabbergasted.

As Eloise raised her hand slightly, Natalia asked gently, "What can I do for you, Ms. Laurent?"

and night, ensuring her safety until she can repay my 300,000. And this Ana,

recording we made to their school. It seems they are unfit to stay at

nodded. "Yes, Ms.

be so ruthless. Was she not afraid that Attorney

Eloise had already left.

way. You are a cold-hearted person and

stopped in her tracks. Her voice was icy. "Monika, I've been

through the

to provoke and annoy Eloise, and to create a rift between her

her fists in disbelief, refusing to believe that Eloise could

two gentlemen will accompany you everywhere. Whether you're eating, sleeping, or even going to the restroom, they'll be right

livid. She made to knock over the vase

vase is a genuine collection piece from the 17th century, worth 2.16 million

don't need your protection. She just wants to

of her. True, she was pretty, but what gave her the confidence to compare herself with Eloise? Yes, Everest Technologies was a gift from Attorney Horigan to Eloise, but she had to be capable enough to run it. Since Eloise took over, Everest Technologies'

on her face. "If you have anything to say,

Monika stormed out of Everest Technologies. Bystanders

break down. She

and started calling Harvey repeatedly. Unfortunately, his line was always busy, and unreachable. Ana realized that Attorney Horigan had blocked

clinking glasses with others. Normally, he enjoyed such events, but that night, he was out of sorts. He had sent a

congratulations, he couldn't help thinking about Eloise, remembering how she looked playing the piano

odds, but she still attracted him. Was it just because she

face, he knew there was something else, something that

later, he ended the celebration early. Declining the host's kind offer, he drove back to the hotel. Probably

the car by the roadside and smoked a cigarette by the

mother and daughter looked pitiful. The mother had a bowl

and daughter. Years ago, he had won an economic case, causing the defendant to go bankrupt. The bankrupt man jumped off a

and this was what they

have cared, but looking at the little girl, he thought of Linda. His Linda, the apple of his eye. The girl on the street had once been

she still be

back to reality, he found the cigarette in his hand

daughter, they looked up at him. Under the dim night

the car, a brand the woman recognized. Her husband had

hand on the little girl's forehead. It felt hot. He said softly, "I'll take you to the

at him with teary eyes. The woman was sobbing with gratitude, and Harvey felt a pang in his

the luxurious car. The leather seats exuded a faint smell. She said

and gently stroked the

like Linda's.

sped along the bustling streets, quickly

it wasn't severe. She would be fine

week in

room. He went out for a while, and when he returned, he was holding a bag. The little

him profusely. She saw the stranger off, standing there for a long time before returning

was hot food and the girl's favorite cake, 50,000 dollars in cash, and the keys to an 800-square-foot house. He had arranged for the house to be transferred in

who had seen the

thought hard and finally remembered

wept loudly in the ward. The little girl anxiously held her hand. After

gently hugged her child. "Don't be afraid. He is

Sitting in his car

some reason, a few words echoed in his head - "Your

he closed his eyes to calm down, he really wanted to

Eloise.

...

Harvey returned

Eloise wasn't home. He

learned that she had taken Linda out

sat in his car, gently stroking

go to the French restaurant. It was late into the night, but there were still many customers in

was sitting at the piano. Under the chandelier, her skin was dazzling