Tangled Temptations

Chapter 406

Brett caught sight of Stephanie as he entered the room. A flicker of surprise crossed his face, followed by a slight annoyance. He thought he had made things crystal clear to her. Stephanie was no fool, yet here she was, dropping by uninvited on New Year's Eve, presumably to ruffle Orlena's feathers.

As a man of Brett's standing, it was unthinkable to simply send her away. He shrugged off his coat, revealing a crisp gray shirt paired with dark wool slacks— the epitome of refined elegance.

A servant handed him a warm towel, which he used to wipe his hands. With a smile, he turned to Donny. "Hey, since Stephanie's here to ring in the New Year, why don't you stick around too? Call your wife over, and we'll all have a casual dinner."

Donny was always good at playing along. Taking the towel from his boss, he chuckled, "Oh, I wouldn't dream of imposing on you this festive season, Brett. I'll scoot back to where I came from. My wife and kids are waiting to celebrate the New Year with me."

Brett returned the smile with a nonchalant one of his own. He leaned in, raising his voice in a natural tone. "Orlena, Donny's heading home for the festivities. Aren't you going to see him off? After all, you always greet him with such warmth."

From inside, Orlena gritted her teeth. He was doing this on purpose. Fully aware of her irritation with Stephanie, he was still asking her to play the hostess.

But the man had spoken, and she couldn't afford to lose face in front of him, nor did she want to appear weak.

Rushing out, she clutched a tube of ointment in her hand, her mouth smeared with a messy patch of it, hardly presentable in front of guests.

Stephanie watched silently, a peculiar feeling creeping inside her. She knew Brett well; he was a perfectionist. Orlena's disheveled state would be intolerable to him; it was unseemly.

Sure enough, Brett frowned. He pulled Orlena, her face crinkled like a dumpling, close to him. "What happened?"

Orlena leaned into him, close enough to see the small bite mark on his neck from the night before. Her cheeks flushed as she whispered, "Burnt my mouth on a meatball."

She quickly found an excuse, "Tracey made them too irresistible."

Brett, however, took the ointment and started applying it to her burn, gently chiding her, "Always finding excuses for your gluttony. Can't even apply ointment properly, like a child."

His reproach was soft, his touch and gaze filled with tenderness.

Orlena wasn't afraid of him. For a moment, she forgot about the others in the room, sliding her hand into the pocket of his trousers.

Brett looked down at her. "What are you rummaging for? That's not proper." Orlena just laughed.

Stephanie watched in silence, feeling as though she had fallen into an icy cave. Brett was indulging Orlena like this.

Besides her beauty, Orlena had nothing that would make her fit to be the lady of the Noland family. How could Orlena be worthy?

Just then, Donny pulled out a gift box from his briefcase. "Last time I gave one to Daniel, and this one's for you."

Donny was on a salary, and Orlena felt it wasn't right to take his money, but Brett patted her head, urging her, "Take it. He's setting a good example for me."

Donny grinned, "You know me too well."

Orlena accepted the gift. With no pockets on her dress, she simply stuffed it into Brett's trouser pocket, a move that earned her several looks from Brett. He called over the butler and casually gave instructions.

These New Year's preparations should have been Orlena's to arrange, but she was only good at having fun. Moreover, Brett didn't want to burden her, so he took care of everything himself.

While the butler spoke with him, Brett suddenly remembered something and turned to Orlena. "What are you waiting for? See Donny out. Oh, and Stephanie, too."

Stephanie's face turned sour. With just a few words, Brett had underscored the difference in status between her and Orlena.

Stephanie forced a smile. "No need for the trouble, Ms. Horigan."

Still clinging to Brett's arm, Orlena reached for the coat on the nearby sofa. It was Brett's. She wrapped herself in it tightly. "Donny, let me walk you out."

Donny smiled appreciatively. "With this weather and scenery, walking with a beauty like Ms. Orlena is a delight in itself." He tucked his briefcase under his

arm.

Orlena followed him out, leaving Stephanie with no reason to stay. She looked at Brett, overcome with sadness.

Brett had many confidantes, and she was among them. She didn't seek a formal status by his side, only hoping that one day he would settle down and naturally realize she was the one best suited for him.

never imagined he would fall for a young girl. He was even considering

quivered. "I heard you're leaving the system to enter

the butler and glanced at Tracey, who sat still as a statue. With a resigned air, he pulled out a cigarette and took

suppressed her emotions. "I have my ways. Someone saw your

positions after the mission was both shocking and infuriating to her. How could he... How could he love Orlena to such an

are now. You started a business for some clueless girl. Isn't it too late? Can you compete with the Horigan family in business? Without the halo of Mr. Brett, why would she still want to be

go, and give yourself a break. Orlena may be

say more, but

to Tracey, "Take care

Tracey nodded in agreement.

her voice light with playful accusation.

than he expected. Pinning her against the hallway wall, he gently

"Not anymore."

escaped Brett, his voice dropping even quieter. "I meant here," he

rose. Leaning against the wall, she playfully punched his chest, a small act of

overstepping, and soon, they changed and headed back

then, Stephanie

was bustling about with her usual holiday fervor - quite the contrast to her typical leisurely pace. This year, she was exceptionally diligent. As Brett watched his mother's soft expression, his heart felt a tender

longed

for play, but her

help Tracey with the holiday

her, scolding gently, "You're young. Why

old lady like me? Go have some

given permission, Orlena dashed off,

But it's

Orlena was a

retrieve over a dozen fireworks, large and

the only light apart from the sporadic twinkles

black slacks and a navy cashmere sweater. The dim light cast his

they were softer, but still

sky

jumped and clapped along with Orlena. She looked up at the swirling colors, and after a few seconds, she dropped her gaze to the man she loved deeply Brett, too, was watching her with an intensity and tenderness that was difficult

cheeks warmed, but she couldn't bear

a deep breath amidst the

light more fireworks. The night sky was ablaze, all for

came to her side, lifting Daniel into his arms and wrapping

fulfilling as this one. Her

togetherness, which was just as sweet to Orlena. Her

buzzed with a vibrant

Brett was back to work despite the many

guests, but this year, she turned

away.

was puzzled, and Tracey explained, "After the holidays, Brett might step down from his

likely seeking favors, and there was no

any longer.

her that Brett was considering resignation. Her concerns didn't go unnoticed. Tracey, dressed in her new outfit and sipping on soup, chuckled, "I'm actually hoping he'll retire. He's always busy, hardly ever home. I think he's just looking

just

was delighted

is. I've been watching

son have arrived and wish to see you." Mr. Velona? Who was this Mr. Velona, bringing his son along? Tracey rubbed her temples, half-joking. "The Noland family has no daughters to offer; our only one is already spoken for.

a smile, added, "They seem quite

the gossip. Orlena, however, suddenly remembered. "Oh. I know who this is. His name is Jacob,

son was so taken with Orlena. Orlena was

Tracey instructed the