Tangled Temptations

Chapter 305

A week later, Eloise was attending a movie premiere.

Instead of strutting down the red carpet, she slipped in through the back door and entered the theater. But what she hadn't expected was to run into someone familiar, someone she wasn't exactly thrilled to see.

Monika!

Monika had lost a significant amount of weight in just a short period. Despite being in her early twenties, her skin had a dry, yellowish tone, an exhaustion that no amount of foundation could hide. Her light pink gown only accentuated her frailty.

She was accompanied by a man in his thirties, who was not bad looking, but with a hint of smarminess. Eloise frowned, feeling like she'd seen him somewhere before.

Just then, Ruby rushed over. She was very respectful towards the man, addressing him as Mr. Livio.

Livio.

Eloise remembered - this man was Joan's ex-husband. Seeing Monika holding his hand made her feel slightly sick.

Ruby, ever the diplomat, introduced them, "Mr. Livio, this is Ms. Laurent from Everest Technologies."

The man extended a hand towards Eloise, quite the gentleman. "I am Livio. I believe Ms. Laurent and I have some common acquaintances."

Eloise disliked his touch. But she knew her uncle was investigating this man, so she put on a polite smile and shook his hand lightly.

Livio stared at Eloise's face, praising her, "Ms. Laurent, it's a shame you're not in showbiz. You'd make a beautiful star."

He turned his head and pinched Monika's cheek. "Even prettier than your sister."

His treatment of Monika was no better than that of a well-behaved pet. Although Monika felt humiliated, she responded in a submissive tone, "You're absolutely right."

Livio patted her, giving her a nod. Across the room was a man in his forties, a potential business partner. Monika immediately walked over, linking arms with the man and leaving.

Such scenarios were not uncommon in the entertainment industry. Ruby wasn't surprised. Being an actress of her status, she didn't have to resort to such actions. She only had to flatter Livio. With a coquettish voice, she chimed in.

Eloise gave her a nonchalant glance and headed to the restroom.

Ruby, feeling awkward, forced a chuckle. "Ms. Laurent isn't part of our industry; she's different from us."

Eloise headed to the restroom, where a sign reading "Closed for Cleaning" hung on the door. Just as she was about to head upstairs, a janitor came by, grumbling about someone hanging up the sign unnecessarily, and removed it.

Eloise stepped inside.

Inside the restroom, a scene was unfolding.

Monika's light pink dress was ruffled around her waist, her body shaking and trembling. A man was on her, panting and thrusting.

This was a shocking sight even for someone like Eloise, who had seen it all.

The man quickly finished and left, even patting Monika's head on his way out.

Eloise left the restroom. Two bodyguards immediately approached, "Ms. Laurent, are you okay?"

Eloise shook her head.

Just then, Monika, having straightened her dress, walked out. Her face was flushed in the afterglow of their encounter, looking healthier than her previous ghostly pallor.

She called out to Eloise, "Can we talk?"

immediately stepped forward to block her. Monika bit her lip, defiantly staring at Eloise, her eyes filled with envy. She was envious

encounter, Eloise was not in the mood to watch the premiere. She walked over to the sink and turned

you look

up, her eyes meeting Monika's in

slim cigarette, almost trembling.

girl. But was it my fault? I was taken to a mountain, do you know

had a chance to change

"Your opportunity? You mean throwing yourself at

no sympathy for Monika. The genetic makeup of Monika and Joan was identical. They

But you, you were ruthless. If it wasn't for Gunner tempting me, how could I have easily.been

thought she could have Gunner. After all, he

off the faucet, giving a light smile. "Do you think of yourself as a virtuous woman? Yes. I did it on purpose. I despise you and

not to engage with her further and left

leaning against the wall, smoking leisurely. The light cast on his handsome features, made

She was surprised to see him, wanted to say something, but then left without

chased after her. She saw Harvey

cigarette. His tone was indifferent and cool. "Stay away from

was stunned. Was he protecting Eloise? Hadn't they divorced?

under his foot

slightly. "I'm under Livio's control, I know a lot

Harvey frowned.

"Attorney Horigan, I just want a chance to start over. Once everything is

in bruises, and there were numerous needle

I'm worse than an

through her phone and pulled up an old photo. It was Harvey at 24 and Joan at 22, leaning against

at the photo silently. Joan was gone. The image now, even without the youthful

...

movie. She got in her car and drove

she called Brett. To

the

Brett detected Eloise's

he reassured her, "Livio's a bit of a

the evidence we need to put him away

Eloise felt slightly relieved.

she returned

the door, watching him in the dim evening light. After a moment, she said softly, "It's late. Try to come during daytime

"I was in Rossland for a

back and wanted to

just gotten

their daughter now, and she couldn't refuse him. "Keep your

piano in the living room. Harvey

responded with

ran his fingers over the black and white

quietly. The piano held many memories for her and Harvey, but he didn't remember. She felt a pang of sadness and

an unknown number,

that A-list actor from the private dinner, Oliver. Somehow, he

knew his boundaries. He said he

to talk

responded nonchalantly