Tangled Temptations

Chapter 401

Eloise picked up the phone with a sigh. On the other end was Mr. Velona, his voice fraught with urgency. "Tell me, Eloise, this scandal with Ms. Ravenna-it won't touch Jacob, will it?"

"No way," Eloise replied with a calm chuckle. "Whatever Ms. Ravenna got herself into has got nothing to do with Jacob. You can rest easy, Mr. Velona."

Mr. Velona let out a breath he didn't realize he'd been holding. "Eloise, I only have this one son left," he lamented.

Eloise wasn't in the best of spirits herself, but she had made a promise to Jacob, so she mustered her energy to parry words with Mr. Velona. "If he's that precious, then you'd better treasure him properly," she said, her voice laced with double meaning.

A man like Mr. Velona, sharp as a tack, wasn't going to miss the subtlety in her tone. After a few more exchanges, the call ended.

Meanwhile, Veronica had finally gathered her wits. The realization hit her like a lightning bolt-Ms. Ravenna, that troublemaker was truly done for. She and Eloise would never have to deal with her again. Clenching her teeth, Veronica hissed, "She finally got what was coming to her."

Perhaps it was the surge of emotion, but Veronica suddenly stepped forward and hugged Eloise tightly. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she whispered, "Thank you, Eloise. Thank you for dealing with that bitch."

Eloise knew Veronica better than anyone. She gently patted her friend's shoulder and wiped away her tears. "Silly, there's nothing to thank me for," she said tenderly.

Veronica's eyes remained glistening with tears. In the background, Harvey and Riley exchanged glances before stepping out.

Riley pulled out his pack of cigarettes, tapped one out, and offered it to Harvey. "Sorry you had to see that mess," he said.

Harvey accepted the cigarette and lit it with a small smile. Over the years, he'd gotten to know Veronica quite well. Of all the friends that had come and gone in Eloise's life, Veronica was the best, at least among the ladies. As for the men, there was always Landon.

Harvey's thoughts were interrupted as Riley bumped his shoulder and asked, "With the third one on the way, are you thinking about a fourth?”

Harvey shot him a look. "Once this one's born, we're planning some quality two- person time."

Riley couldn't help but feel a hint of envy. He and Veronica had always wanted a little girl, but luck hadn't been on their side.

Harvey clapped Riley on the shoulder. "Let's grab some dinner."

Dinner was actually more of a celebration. Eloise was pregnant, so they ended up at a cozy place known for its nourishing hot stew, the kind that warmed you through and through.

After the meal, Harvey took Eloise back to their villa. She had a habit of taking a nap after lunch, and he stayed by her side until she drifted off. Then, as quietly as he could, he slipped away to the study to get some work done.

Parker was getting on in years and preferred spending time with his grandkids. These days, Harvey wasn't just keeping an eye on Everest Technologies but also managing parts of Horigan Inc. During the busiest times, he wished he'd had a few more sons. Yes, sons. In his eyes, little girls were to be cherished, especially his own daughter.

The study was a quiet sanctuary. As he pored over the stack of documents Denise had sent over, the door creaked open. A tuft of brown curls peeked in.

Pretending not to know who it was, Harvey called out, "Who's at the door?"

"Shh, Daddy," whispered Linda as she crept in, gesturing for silence before ducking under his desk. Stretching out his legs, Harvey created a seat for his little one, who promptly curled up on them, clutching his knees like Harry Potter on his broomstick.

"Don't tell anyone I'm here, Daddy. Luca and Darrien are looking for me." Linda said in her soft, sleepy voice, snuggling up. She was the spitting image of Eloise, and just looking at her filled Harvey with joy.

He stroked her brown curls and whispered back, "I won't tell."

Linda hugged him tightly, her affection and trust evident. Harvey would have loved nothing more than to cuddle her right then and there, but she's playing hide and seek, so he continued his work with Linda resting peacefully on his legs.

Meanwhile, Luca and Darrien's footsteps could be heard outside the door.

Looking down at his precious daughter, now sound asleep, Harvey gently covered her with a blanket.

Darrien toddled in, pointing excitedly, "Linda."

chubby hand, knew

Luca's eye and smiled warmly. "Luca,

"Oh," Luca carried his little brother to the couch and settled him

gestured Luca to a chair across from him.

a rod. Harvey slid a file across the desk-a minor investment for Everest Technologies, a mere 40 million or so. "This one's yours

the zeros behind the numbers. Harvey kept reviewing documents, his tone casual. "When Darrien's at your age, he'll need to learn

eyes welling up with tears, but he bravely sifted through the data, learning how to navigate search engines and analyze market information.

content with his picture book, and Linda

she snuggled into Harvey's embrace. She couldn't help but feel that Luca was like some young apprentice her dad had brought to work-a young

silently pleaded for an explanation. Harvey knew exactly what little schemes were running through her head, but he played along, pressing a kiss to

brimmed with tears. Only

...

slept

under the covers, a fluffy bundle nuzzling gently at her neck. She woke to find a cherubic little face staring back at

Eloise's neck, planting a soft kiss

as she snuggled closer to her mother, snitching in

exasperating and amusing. She knew Harvey adored the kids, but his expectations were

back. "Go get your dad. Tell him Mommy

She stood at the door

a knowing glint in his eyes; she had ratted him out. Glancing

hair. "Take Luca downstairs for a bite. No coming upstairs for two

dashed downstairs. Harvey shook his head with a chuckle. He strolled back to the master bedroom, knocking with a

looked particularly captivating in formal

on the living room couch with a parenting book, when his voice drew her gaze, prompting a laugh. "Since when did you become so

have I ever entered without checking in with you first, Mrs. Horigan?" His words were tinged with double entendre. Even with their history, Eloise couldn't help blushing at his teasing. She cleared her throat,

with a raised brow. "Did Linda tattle on me?" Eloise didn't deny it. She watched her husband, who, at 36, maintained an impressively fit physique. Grey shirt and charcoal slacks adorned

on the parenting book. "Luca is sensitive. Don't be too harsh with him. Maybe introduce him to the business world when he's at

trying to have a serious conversation. What are you staring at?" Harvey placed

Eloise hummed in agreement.

His lips brushed her neck, a whisper that felt like a kiss. "Eloise, do you see Luca

Eloise paused.

That's why

gently pressed against her lips. "If it were Darrien at this age, being groomed for business, you wouldn't object. Is it because Luca isn't mine by blood that you're concerned he'll

off. Nevertheless, Harvey's eloquence left her

moment to find her voice. "Do

Linda in the business world. She's bright and shrewd... Eloise, of all

I want her to

other words, she was free to do whatever she desired. This

Linda, but this level of fondness

"The baby in your

intended to raise his girls like princesses. For Luca and Darrien, the boys,

their training young. Luca was overdue. Darrien was to

sympathized with the children but also knew this was an area where Harvey was unyieldingly

Eloise conceded.

"Mrs. Horigan, you're

him, feeling his kisses were

heat, his hands deftly loosening her

was muffled, "They won't be upstairs for