Tangled Temptations

Chapter 395

Hearing the words, Harvey let out a soft chuckle. "Do you think Eloise fancies you?" he asked in return.

Jacob was silent. He played the field, yet he'd found himself enamored with a married woman. He toyed with emotions but was at a loss on how to disentangle

his own.

Sitting in his car, he fished out a cigarette and stared blankly at the falling snow outside, a tightness in his chest. After a while, Harvey spoke gently, "Jacob, if it's causing you this much trouble, you don't have to get involved with Ravenna's stuff."

Jacob's throat bobbed. He forced out the words, rough and strained, "It's alright." Harvey didn't say anything more and hung up. This was a conversation between men, and he believed Jacob wasn't that weak and couldn't handle a little emotional turmoil. Besides, this sort of problem shouldn't even exist.

Meanwhile, Jacob tossed his phone aside, his fingers trembling slightly as he lit his cigarette.

Strange. When talking to Harvey, he felt calm, devoid of any petty jealousy. It was Landon he envied, because, like him, Landon couldn't have her, yet he held a place in her heart.

Jacob finished his cigarette. He dialed a well-known model he knew. After a brief chat, he drove to her apartment. The door barely closed behind them before they were stumbling into a passionate kiss.

This, he thought, was his life. Eloise was not someone he should get involved with, not even a sliver of sentiment.

After the fling, he leaned against the headboard and lit another cigarette. His phone buzzed-it was Ravenna.

Jacob found her annoying, and he knew she wanted more than just a fling. She aimed to marry into the Velonas, a prominent family.

He scoffed as he saw the incoming call. Did she think the Velonas were so grand?

After a moment, he answered the call. Ravenna's voice was soft and ingratiating, "Jacob, are you home? I made some late-night snacks, and I'm downstairs. If it's not too much trouble, could you come down and grab some?"

Late-night snacks? Jacob exhaled smoke, his response blunt, "I'm in someone else's bed."

Ravenna was taken aback. She hadn't expected Jacob to deny her even that small dignity. Trying not to sour their arrangement, Jacob's tone softened a bit. "Let's talk tomorrow." With that, he hung up.

After the call, his expression darkened. He was reminded of his collaboration with Eloise.

Jacob's mother had been deceived by a certain Velona scoundrel, only to find out after five years that he had a wife. That man never considered letting them live in the light. Now, that man's short-lived son was gone, and he begged Jacob to take over the family business, but still wouldn't acknowledge Jacob's mother, even though his wife had been dead for years.

Thanks to Tiara's introduction, Jacob had the chance to work with Eloise. What he couldn't secure for his mother, Eloise could.

Jacob knew that business was just business, and unnecessary feelings were against the rules, but he couldn't help himself. Maybe he'd never seen a woman as pure as Eloise in his chaotic world.

that thought, he finished his cigarette and

in a towel, looking alluring. Seeing him ready to leave, she wrapped

his belt with swift precision and pinched her cheek with a wicked grin. "Got

cursed behind him, "Jacob,

her. A cold smile curled his lips. Of course, he was a bastard. With his background, hanging around shady places since he was 15, being anything

his place. A red sports car was parked

the window, casually

up. She gazed at Jacob, his face showing that lazy, sated look she knew came from a man who'd been satisfied by a woman. She felt a pang of jealousy

car, partly to test her

eyes. "Not

froze. When Jacob spoke like that, he reminded her of Max. Before she

wasn't that he didn't mind; he simply didn't care. So he kissed her back and

later, the sports car started rocking

one could see Ravenna's

Ravenna lay in his arms. Her slender fingers traced his chest as she whispered softly, "Jacob, let's

of cigarettes, took one out, and lit

body, unable to let go. Maybe she

sincere." She even promised to boost his image, to make his father see him in a new

listened, slowly blowing smoke rings. He was an expert at handling women -neither committing nor rejecting. The more distant he seemed, the more

one ambiguous line. "We'll see. As

Ravenna stroked his handsome

her voice hoarse

a few million at my disposal. If the tips about the upcoming race are accurate, I'll put in a lot.

gave a nonchalant

knew that to a man of his stature, such a

him, but

must invest

Now, she truly

settle down with him.

Veronica, of Eloise. Perhaps, she'd have to get on good

to marry into the

...

side,

He watched