Tangled Temptations

Chapter 397

Chapter 397

Veronica was the first to hop into the car.

Orlena helped Eloise into the vehicle, and Veronica's nerve broke. "Oh, Eloise, I'm so sorry. I totally botched your plan. The moment I laid eyes on that witch, I just saw red. Forget working together, I can't even stand the sight of her without feeling physically sick."

She was profusely apologetic, pulling at Eloise's hand, trying to play the cute card. But after all these years, Eloise knew her all too well.

Eloise gave a small, knowing smile. "Don't apologize just yet. You actually did us a huge favor today."

Huh? Veronica was puzzled. "I did a huge favor?"

Eloise gently touched her chest where, once upon a time, a chandelier had grazed her, leaving a faint, delicate scar. It throbbed occasionally, a constant reminder of what Ravenna had done to her.

Eloise's voice was soft as she explained to Veronica that being too quick to make amends wouldn't have seemed genuine.

Veronica didn't fully grasp the complexity, but she trusted Eloise. If Eloise said she had done well, then that was good enough, and she puffed up with pride.

Eloise treated her to a lavish meal.

After a couple of drinks, Veronica was tipsy and light-headed on her way home. Riley came to pick her up. He steadied his inebriated wife and offered Eloise an embarrassed greeting. "Sorry about this, Eloise. We're quite the spectacle, aren't

we?"

Eloise and Orlena stood at the restaurant entrance. Even while pregnant, Eloise looked radiant and undeniably feminine in her loose-fitting down coat.

Eloise ran her fingers through her brown hair and smiled gently. "Better get her home."

Riley nodded to both women before helping Veronica into the car. Inside, the car was warm, and the alcohol made Veronica feel even hotter. She took off her coat and kissed Riley passionately.

Years of marriage hadn't dampened Riley's interest in his wife's body, but the public street was hardly an appropriate place for intimacy.

He kissed her back reassuringly, his voice husky, "Let's talk about it at home."

Veronica giggled against his cheek. "Honey, I did something great today."

Riley patiently listened as Veronica recounted how she had laid into Ravenna, and then gushed, "Eloise praised me."

Riley was both amused and exasperated by his silly wife. She had played right into Eloise's hands, acting the part Eloise had expected, allowing Ravenna to lower her guard. All the while, Eloise had convinced her she was a hero.

yet, Riley couldn't help but feel a little nostalgic. Eloise had really changed. He remembered how innocent she had

truly

or bad, but it was clear that Harvey adored her

Meanwhile...

his wife and sister home. He dropped Orlena off at the Horigan Mansion

wedding was set for after the New Year, and she planned to

Horigan Mansion and parked, Orlena

said, her

at your in-laws' house isn't the same as being at home. Don't be too headstrong, and if

a window, watching her with tender concern. A warm feeling surged in Orlena, and she nodded. "I'm leaving on New Year's Eve. Don't worry, I've

get inside before you catch

back

engine and said, "Can't believe Orlena is getting married. Feels like just yesterday she was a

was the child Eloise was carrying. Harvey's emotions were a mix of happiness and apprehension, joy for his little girl's future, but dread at the thought of her eventually leaving for

was oblivious to his inner turmoil, her mind still on Ravenna. As if on cue, Ravenna called. Eloise answered but remained

through, "Veronica won't forgive me, but what about you, Eloise? Aside from my affair with Max, I've done

Eloise held the phone, expressionless, yet her voice was calm, "Ravenna, you

but with

to mend fences, I'm

I need to

to it,

taken aback. She was smart enough

was asking her to be

the social circles of

the most power. Ravenna hadn't expected Eloise to fight for that position. Ravenna didn't want to bow to anyone, but at that moment,

facial muscles twitching, Ravenna finally

you'll see my sincerity."

chuckled and ended

and gently squeezed her hand. Eloise shook her head. "I'm fine. The

appeared at the door with a gift-a necklace worth

received her in

in a woolen dress with a floral pattern. Surrounded by bodyguards, she

on the

lovely," she remarked,

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