Tangled Temptations

Chapter 351

Eloise stumbled into the villa well past midnight. The dimly lit foyer framed Harvey, who sat nursing a glass of cabernet.

Exhausted, she shrugged off her coat and sank into the seat beside him."Pour me a glass, Harvey," she murmured, her voice feather-light.

His dark eyes held a storm, but eventually, he obliged, watching as she drank it down.

The warmth of the wine spread through Eloise, and she leaned back on the couch, her eyes fluttering shut. "Now I think I get it. I get why you kept throwing yourself into the fire for Joan. Why you felt like you had to save Monika," she breathed, the sadness of it all heavy in her heart.

As Eloise opened her eyes, they glowed with a halo-like beauty. "Max is gone. No more jealousy will be necessary," she said, a trace of humor in her exhaustion. She then made her way upstairs.

Harvey stayed put, watching her poised silhouette disappear into the soft light of the second floor.

The amulet was tucked away. Maybe, when she opened the safe from time to time, a memory of someone named Max would cross her mind.

When she shut the door of the safe, Harvey was standing behind her. "I'm tired tonight," she whispered, not flinching from his presence.

He didn't anything, pressing her against the safe, kissing her. Toward the end of their kiss, he let his face rest against the back of her neck, whispering, "Are you very sad?"

"A little."

Eloise tilted her head slightly, her fingers tracing his handsome features. She spoke softly, "After his betrayal years ago, we met. Harvey, you lost your memory for me. In the past, I always felt that you were mine, that you should recover your memory and return to my side. But now, I think you should be happy! If you like someone else, I really won't mind, as long as she is a good girl! ... I will let go.

"

Harvey gently bit her finger. He did not contradict her, simply carrying her to the bed. It was still a silent lovemaking. Not a single word was spoken as he vented his inner dissatisfaction.

As she succumbed to confusion and infatuation, Eloise wrapped her arms around his neck. With her voice hoarse and low, she called his name.

"Harvey... Harvey..."

In the aftermath, as he lay beside her, he whispered, "Do you still love me, Eloise?"

As the sweat cooled on their skin, Eloise lay flat, her breath soft. She turned towards the night outside, where the autumn rain scattered the moonlight. She thought of Max, who was gone too soon, but the man beside her was alive and warm. She smiled faintly and said, "I do."

Her words were the truth-her love was as intense as liquor and as gentle as a flowing stream.

Under the dim light, Harvey watched her for a long while before murmuring, "Don't lie to me, Eloise..."

Eloise stopped his advances, her slender fingers tracing his handsome features. "Shouldn't you explain that business card?" she asked, her voice sultry.

Harvey recalled the night in question, pulling her close for another kiss. "That night, even the chauffeur had sharper eyes than me. Eloise, you're the only woman for me, there will be no other girls."

Eloise didn't ask again. Perhaps it was just an uninteresting story.

skipped Max's funeral, which was a

without its leader and soon drowned in

was there on account of the Velona Corporation's financial records. Olga couldn't comprehend any

summoned Olga to her study on the second floor. Olga had not expected Eloise to be willing to assist her. She sat in the study, sipping on floral tea, and simply watching

over the ledger. Her face, as beautiful as a painting,

watched, she felt a wave of sadness wash over her. Her brother hadn't left an heir for the Velona family. Thus, she softly confessed, "Eloise, I actually approached Ravenna! She was wailing and crying when

such talk. "I'm helping for the sake of the 2000 employees," she said softly, many of whom were

not

arms with

daughter, asking, "What award did our sweet Linda get?" Linda beamed, "Best

with Darrien. Seeing Olga, he paused slightly, then

ledger. She closed it, handed it to Olga, and said, "You can give this to the company's accountant, and have him double

profusely. As she was leaving, she explained things to

all, with Max gone, there seemed to be nothing left to quibble over. Arguing with a dead man

didn't explain further. Instead, she took Darrien in her arms, and they played for

Harvey couldn't resist

softly

managed Everest Technologies while Eloise was busy filming. The children were well cared for,

away on a trip to Hong Kong. Wrapped in her robe, Eloise approached the window. The night rain intensified the autumn chill, and she felt a shiver

Harvey's number, and after a few rings, he picked up. His tone

dreamt that Max was in a car crash. Harvey's

said it wasn't

the line until she broke it with another

his desk. His voice sounded rough with fatigue. "Not yet. I'm trying to wrap up these negotiations and get

a few more words. In the end, Eloise hung

a few years younger, she probably

call ended, Harvey pulled out a photo of Eloise and

seen much improvement lately. Perhaps it was Max's

He couldn't begrudge her that, not when

terms with this subdued form of love, but what he didn't know

the pros and cons. After such considerations, the choice

he hadn't entertained any

women.

about to return

door. Assuming it was room service, he went to

surprisingly,

had learned that Harvey was on a business trip in Hong Kong and

looking undeniably seductive. "Mr. Horigan, my room's water heater

His impeccable image remained unbroken even in the dead of night. In a white shirt