Tangled Temptations

Chapter 352

"Let her in," Eloise said with a serene voice.

The maid nodded and stepped outside to call for Tiara.

Tiara, despite being a rising starlet, couldn't help but feel overwhelmed in the face of the multimillion-dollar mansion. She stood there as if rooted to the spot until the maid beckoned her.

As Tiara entered the grand foyer, she was struck by the opulent, tasteful decor. Eloise was at the piano, fingers dancing across the keys.

Tiara, a student of the performing arts herself, had her own modest talents, but Eloise played the piano with such finesse that she momentarily froze. She had assumed that a woman of Eloise's status would be content with high tea and social calls, not possessing such refined skills.

The woman before Tiara was Eloise. Her brown hair cascaded down her slender back. Her profile was delicate, a touch of pink enhancing her perfect skin, her nose aquiline, and her lashes thick and curled. She exuded an effortless elegance.

Self-consciously, Tiara touched her own hair, which was also dyed chestnut but lacking the natural luster of Eloise's. To mimic Eloise, Tiara had to refresh her color every two months.

Before Tiara could speak, the housekeeper brought in some tea.

Taking a seat, Tiara eyed the exquisite bone china with a twinge of envy. She longed for such a life.

"Ms. Laurent," she called out to Eloise.

The music ceased, and although Eloise's fingers remained on the piano keys, she smiled gently. “Ms. Tiara, you don't even wish to offer me the courtesy of calling me 'Mrs. Horigan?' Are you so certain of your stance?"

Tiara blushed with embarrassment.

Eloise rose and took a seat opposite her, speaking softly to the maid, "Could you make me a cup of coffee? It's been a while since I've had one."

The maid hurried off to fulfill the request.

Once the coffee arrived, Tiara, with a frosty tone, asked, "Mrs. Horigan, is this some sort of power play?"

Eloise inhaled the coffee's rich aroma and smiled slightly. "You could say that. What brings you to me, Ms. Tiara?"

Tiara, young and unseasoned in the ways of the world, cut to the chase. "I don't believe you missed the scandal about last night. I came here for a statement from you, Mrs. Horigan."

Eloise just laughed softly, sipping her coffee before setting the cup down. "Are you insinuating that my husband slept with you?"

Tiara's expression darkened. Finally, she lied through clenched teeth. "Yes!"

Eloise remained unfazed, smiling faintly. "Then you should take it up with him. Why come to me? Ms. Tiara... if you wish to take my place as Mrs. Horigan, you should focus your efforts on Harvey. If you're ready to lower yourself, let me make it clear-I won't stand for it."

anger. She hadn't expected Eloise to be so

Tiara just stood

seduce their spouse, especially when that face

"Take a look at this before you decide how to proceed with our conversation." Tiara's expression stiffened. Hesitantly, she reached for the file, a thick dossier

at the same time, including a married one. When she was exposed, her official boyfriend had beaten her, and she was

signed with Ravenna's company.

and her voice

information, your career is over.

"Mrs. Horigan, I won't appear before Mr. Horigan anymore. Last night was unrequited, he didn't even let

Eloise remained calm.

staring at Eloise's delicate face, couldn't fathom what she was thinking. She backed down, pleading, "Mrs. Horigan, any demands you have,

"First, revert your surgery. Second, break your

state meant losing her star

her coffee cup. Finally, Eloise murmured, "Because those who covet Harvey are neither the first nor the

Ravenna's pawn. Eloise's real target was Ravenna. After investing so much to groom Tiara, seeing

had just returned, travel-weary, yet

proceeding to the living room to place his gifts down and kiss Eloise's lips tenderly, whispering, "Did

"Your guest. Shall you

her lip with a hint of annoyance. Eloise laughed softly,

at a social gathering, where he was pleasant but detached. Now, she saw a domestic Harvey, bringing toys for his daughter, with

arrived, carrying a strikingly handsome boy. The child ran to embrace his father's legs. Harvey lifted him with gentle affection.

on her lips as she observed her family. Her expression was

Tiara had been smug about her looks. She thought that having Eloise's beauty was like holding an ace up her sleeve. But now she realized that no matter how similar she looked, it meant nothing to Harvey because he had a complete life

as she called her assistant to

son when Denise

spoke softly, "Came back early because

lightly. After a long pause, he replied, "No. I came back because you were scared

encounter. To Eloise, Harvey was calm as a still pond, but she knew him wel. Some people

their home. It was only at night, when they were alone, that she told him she was considering signing

watch, started unbuttoning his shirt, and walked into the bathroom, pulling the door closed behind him.

want to fight with him. She leaned against the clear glass door of the bathroom, murmuring, "Harvey, maybe I'm just getting old and too tired to stir up trouble. I don't want to drive

Like Monika...

that peace would only come when everyone

the shower filled the bathroom. Eloise listened quietly, wondering if Harvey would be content with this tranquility, and stay with her through thick and thin. Her heart

open, and Harvey emerged in a bathrobe, carrying