Tangled Temptations

Chapter 349

Harvey arrived home as the clock was nearing midnight. A single lamp bathed the hall in a warm glow, and the silence of the house echoed around him.

He crept upstairs to check on the children, then loosened his tie and retreated to the master bedroom, where Eloise was already asleep. The room was lit only by the soft moonlight.

Harvey stood at the foot of the bed for a moment, then headed to the bathroom. He discarded his outerwear, a shirt carrying the scent of smoke and whiskey, into the laundry hamper.

After a shower, he slipped into bed behind Eloise. Her breathing was steady, but he knew she was awake, and simply choosing not to speak to him.

Harvey kissed her nape and whispered, "Aren't you going to ask?"

Eloise remained silent, her body stiffening slightly.

He thought of the jibes from the people tonight, and Eloise's suggestion that he find someone younger, and his resentment flared. He pulled her closer, his hand gripping her slender waist.

Their lovemaking was different that night, wordless from beginning to end, as though it was a silent form of release. Thankfully, he remembered to use protection. Afterward, Eloise didn't even get up to shower. She had just fallen asleep, her body still positioned sideways.

Harvey rose from the bed, pulling the covers back. While showering, he wondered, "How did things get to this point?"

He didn't see her reaction. Instead, the sex had only worsened his mood.

In the morning, Eloise stayed at home, doing household chores. She put Harvey's discarded clothes from the night before in a laundry bag, intending to have the maid send them to the dry cleaner, when she picked up his shirt and noticed a hint of perfume. It was a fragrance favored by young women.

Eloise froze. Had Harvey allowed a woman to get close to him last night? Was it his way of retaliating or declaring war?

She checked again, but there were no lipstick stains on his shirt. However, when she was putting away his coat, she found a scented business card in the pocket. Galaxy Entertainment-Tiara.

Half an hour later, Tiara's profile was presented to her. Tiara was 21 years old, a rising starlet, young and beautiful with good acting skills.

Eloise held the photograph.

Tiara bore a strong resemblance to her, down to the traces of cosmetic surgery. It was clear that Harvey was Tiara's target. And to make it worse, Harvey had brought the scent of her perfume home. Perhaps he had been aware when Tiara slipped her card into his pocket. Maybe he just wanted to gauge Eloise's reaction.

Eloise slowly burned the documents.

"Galaxy Entertainment is a new company. The boss is... Ravenna," Natalia reported in a hushed tone.

Eloise watched the flames, her slender fingers gently propping up her head.

then suggested, "Ms. Laurent, why don't we secretly teach her an important lesson? She's just a newcomer. She won't pose much of a

or hire someone to make an

Natalia clapped in agreement.

said quietly, "I won't harm

to be

in the shortest amount of time. Oh, and investigate her plastic surgery records and her past." Eloise told Natalia,

at her boss' serene face, swallowed hard. She immediately

show. She assumed it was due to Harvey's influence and

woman named Denise answered her call and politely said, "I'll

Tiara thanked her profusely.

being young is enough, but you lack her sophistication. You can't compete with the

heavily to make her a star. Any man would know how to choose between a young and beautiful

her a while to recover. Finally, she answered, her voice sharp. "Mr. Velona, why is there

"Let's meet."

...

amulet. Eloise returned his birthday gift without a word. He didn't understand why she wouldn't consider him, given her current

his laptop. It was footage from the school reunion. He had

later, Max

in a seductive silk nightgown, sipping red

figure and demeanor were undeniably

the matter, here to

her, pouring himself a glass of

Ravenna watched him.

had felt inferior to him because of her relationship with Gunner.

their world, those with money held the power. After a couple of drinks, Max said, "Tell your people to stop messing with

tears streamed down her face, then asked, "Does

it before you believe me? Eloise isn't the pitiful little

"You shouldn't provoke her."

how can I not? She's the reason my husband Stuart got into trouble. My wealth was cut in half because of

gritted her teeth. "One day, I will surpass

of the ruthlessness of the Horigan family and Brett. Even when Eloise was the one running Everest Technologies, he had suffered at her hands. He never believed that Ravenna could be a match for

Tiara... Max thought she

"Max, sleep with me tonight, and I won't let Tiara near

almost for the same reason. Being the despicable man he was, he still found himself matching well with Ravenna. He didn't

hours of passion, his feelings of loss were