Tangled Temptations

Chapter 385

Harvey had left for the office that afternoon. It was a chilly day, and Eloise, preferring the warmth of indoors, hadn't ventured out. Instead, she made a call and summoned someone over.

Tiara.

Driving up to the mansion, Tiara barely stepped out of her car when a smiling servant greeted her with, "Mrs. Horigan is in the study on the second floor. Please, Ms. Tiara, she's expecting you."

With a nod, Tiara followed the servant's lead, climbing the grand staircase. Her feelings about the opulent mansion were entirely different from before.

...

Reaching the second floor, the servant knocked on the door. "Mrs. Horigan, Ms. Tiara is here."

Eloise's soft voice responded, "Let her in."

As the servant opened the door, Tiara's gaze fell upon the vintage-styled study with its floor-to-ceiling windows and a set of hunter-green leather sofas that screamed luxury.

Dressed in a floral maxi dress with her caramel locks cascading down her waist, Eloise exuded a lazy charm and seductive maturity that spoke of a man's affection —Harvey's, Tiara thought. But now, she dared not entertain any improper thoughts.

While Tiara took in Eloise's appearance, Eloise lifted her eyes and welcomed her with a faint smile, "Come in, have a seat!"

Tiara sat across from Eloise, her posture a bit stiff.

Eloise tilted her head and instructed the servant, "Brew a coffee for Ms. Tiara, please."

Nursing her coffee, Tiara still felt uneasy. She needed a favor from Eloise. She had come from Ravenna's camp, and Ravenna, holding a grudge, made life difficult at every turn. "Ravenna sure knows how to schmooze. She's got some big shots on her side now, making my life miserable. I nearly couldn't get out of a dinner party last time," Tiara said, the words tumbling out amidst her nerves. She could have just played along, but since signing with Eloise, she didn't want to do those things anymore. She wanted a clean slate.

Eloise looked out the window, where snow had started to fall gently. She traced her finger on the glass, musing, "We've had a lot of snow this year."

Tiara was puzzled by the change in topic.

Eloise's gaze was serene, betraying none of her thoughts. Her voice grew even softer, "You may be signed to me now, but that doesn't mean you can't play nice with Ravenna."

Tiara didn't quite understand.

Eloise pulled out two tickets from a book and smiled. "Next week's Formula 1 race. I hear the drivers are quite young and handsome. Ms. Ravenna might enjoy that."

Tiara began to see Eloise's point.

Eloise, however, preferred to keep her counsel, asking in a soft voice, "Would you be willing to help me with this?"

After a few seconds of thought, Tiara nodded firmly. Eloise beckoned her closer and whispered a plan that took Tiara by surprise. Eloise, seemingly gentle and vulnerable, was playing a deep game. Tiara believed it was only a matter of time before Ravenna, the toxic figure of the circle, would fall.

Tiara stayed a moment longer. The sound of a car pulling into the driveway was followed by children's laughter.

Soon, Linda and Luca scampered up the stairs. Linda rushed to the nursery to wake up the sweetly sleeping Darrien, chilling his little hands and cooing, "Time to wake up, Darrien!"

filled the room at the abrupt

checking Darrien's diaper before efficiently changing it and wiping him down with a wet wipe. "He's not a doll, Linda. Be gentle," he advised,

"Got it?" he asked.

in her hands, Linda

glanced at Linda and then

a fresh diaper, Linda and Luca brought him to

her daughter's antics all too well, but without a word, she prepared a bottle of milk and fed

Linda, unable to resist, joined him. The scene was

Eloise, despite her youth, was tied down by her children. Then again, with

...

encountered Ravenna at

intimidated by the heavy-set man beside Ravenna, couldn't voiced their anger and escorted

of

smirk. "Not pleasant,

sober up. Once she felt a bit better, she rasped, "But what

exuding allure and confidence. She thought

encountered such a

a smoke ring, she taunted, "As long as I'm

Tiara's eyes reddened.

wrong horse. Eloise may have strong connections but lacks ambition and won't invest

Tiara pondered this.

Tiara's shoulder, Ravenna left

Tiara called

help but feel a surge of

Ms. Ravenna. If I want to come back into the fold, I need to bring something to the table, some kind of victory or glory, so everyone else will accept me

eyebrow, taken aback

you're interested in funding a play, but you're short on the

saying you

Tiara shook her head.

quickly added, "I know

conspiratorially, "These races are all rigged. The

skeptical.

reapplied her makeup in front of the mirror, her

her good looks, would undoubtedly have some wealthy admirers

the day of the

the best seats in the

peering into the distance. She murmured, "I've placed a small bet

his racing suit and helmet couldn't hide

"Quite young," Ravenna muttered.

the sole heir of the Arellano family down

off the market now-married!"

shrugged it off.