Tangled Temptations

Chapter 319

Two months later.

Pauline loved her theater. Her favorite leading lady, Miss Olea, was performing in three plays that month.

However, poor Pauline fell ill, so she passed her tickets to Orlena, asking her to deliver a basket of flowers and bring back a signed playbill.

Orlena had no better plans, so she accepted. In the afternoon, she invited Eloise to join her.

Lately, the tension between Elois and Harvey had lessened, and she always had a soft spot for Orlena. To make it even more fun, she brought Veronica along.

They were going to the Pearl Opera, the best opera house in town.

That day, Miss Olea's performance was so impeccable that the audience gave her thunderous applause. But Orlena couldn't help being bored. She would've left if it wasn't for her mother's request for a signed playbill.

When the show was over, Miss Olea retreated backstage. Once there, she was like a different person, casually telling her assistant, "I'm not seeing fans today. Tell them to come back another day."

Miss Olea came from a prestigious opera family, so she had a certain air of elegance and pride about her, making her inaccessible to ordinary fans.

Her assistant, however, seemed troubled and softly said, "Well, there's one fan you might want to meet."

Intrigued, Miss Olea asked, "Who is so important that I have to meet them?"

"It's Miss Horigan. Her mother is ill and couldn't make it, so they wanted a signed playbill."

Upon hearing this, Miss Olea paused, then her face bloomed into a smile. "Ah, Miss Horigan. Yes, I should meet her. Pauline always gives face when it comes to my plays. Bring her backstage, and I'll sign her playbill."

She lifted the curtain and walked inside. Inside, a male voice with elegance could be heard.

Meanwhile, Orlena and her group followed their assistant to the backstage area. Ms. Olea was truly astonished. A long corridor was filled with flower baskets, numbering in the hundreds. Among them, the majority were sent by a certain Mr. Brett, with a surprising count of 32.

Mr. Brett... Orlena's heart skipped a beat. Was this the same Mr. Brett she was thinking of?

Following Orlena's gaze, the assistant chuckled and said, "Mr. Brett is an old friend of Miss Olea's. Whenever he's in Peterborough, he always comes to support her. I heard Mr. Brett is quite influential and doesn't usually mingle with the common crowds. Only Miss Olea has that privilege."

Orlena listened quietly, suddenly with an urge to leave. But they were already at the dressing room door. The assistant ushered them in with a smile. "Miss Horigan is here."

The scene inside took Orlena by surprise.

Olea had changed into a form-fitting dress, her long,

a man. He was dressed in a white shirt and black trousers, looking handsome and gentle. He held a golden hairpin in his hand, lightly touching

hadn't expected

kissed her. But this Brett was different from the one she knew. He was with Miss Olea, a stunning beauty, and

well. Despite Eloise being there, he put down the golden hairpin and called

her lips trembling slightly, unwilling to

puzzled, glancing between Brett and Orlena. To her knowledge, they didn't have much interaction. But the familiar tone in Brett's voice

taken aback, but he was an old hand at dealing with awkward social situations, so he defused the tension. "I didn't know Ms. Orlena was coming too. Mr.

make things more difficult, so she simply greeted

was close to Eloise, also sensed the tension and said with a laugh, "What

don't I host a dinner for everyone at Tango's Tapas Bar across the street? They have great Spanish

her fan, and the scent of her

anyone could respond, Orlena spoke up, "I have a headache.

was an awkward silence. Donny quickly offered, "I'll get some medicine for

see you offering to help me." Though she was speaking to Donny,

smiled, "Aren't there enough

arm, whispering, "If I had a headache or a cold, you would make me feel

turned

away from the tension, and they all ended up at

Olea, hoping to marry into the Noland family, was particularly attentive

Miss Olea turned her attention to Orlena, gently placing a piece of steamed pork rib in her bowl. At the same moment, Brett also

two pieces of ribs, Orlena felt a wave

said, "Eat more meat. It's good

leaning against Brett, joined in, "Yes, children should eat more meat. It helps them

didn't have a shred of doubt. After all, Orlena was the younger one, and she heard her call out to Brett as

any longer. She excused herself to the restroom, and as soon as she was inside, she turned

couldn't help

months ago, Brett had left without saying a word. She was a bit upset but knew she had no right to

she have to endure such humiliation? She hated Brett now more than

and then gently locked. She was still crying,

a while, she realized Brett had entered and locked the door. She stared at him blankly in the

gentle.

the image of him with Ms. Olea and the flirtatious look in his eyes. He hadn't done anything overt but was clearly enjoying

such

nothing to do with you, why would I be mad? I'm not