Tangled Temptations

Chapter 407

Orlena threw herself into his arms, hugging his arm tightly. She was seeing her own brother after being so far from home, so it was only natural for her to show such warmth.

Harvey wrapped an arm around her shoulders and turned to Jacob with a smirk. "And whose home-wrecker are you aspiring to be today?"

Jacob's gaze remained fixed on Harvey. Despite his own rebellious nature, he had to admit there was something undeniably dazzling about him. Harvey had been blessed from birth with all the good fortune one could wish for.

Feeling a sting of jealousy, Jacob retorted, "What? You scared?"

Harvey pulled out a pack of cigarettes with one hand, lit one up, and took a long drag. His cool, narrow eyes squinting through the smoke as he stared at Jacob, and chuckled, "Scared of you? Not in the slightest. I'm just worried Eloise might not approve. She's pretty particular about her space and cleanliness."

Jacob wasn't about to back down. "I heard you used to be a lawyer. Got a tongue sharper than your years?"

Harvey nodded nonchalantly. "Good enough. Eloise has a taste for mature men. With your boyish looks, you might want to try growing up a bit more."

The two men continued their verbal sparring, neither willing to pull any punches. Orlena watched, wide-eyed and astonished.

As if on cue, Brett returned home early, Eloise and a gaggle of kids in tow. He was carrying little Linda in his arms.

Linda was the family's darling. With her chubby cheeks pressed against Brett, she affectionately greeted him.

Brett held her tiny hand in his, warming it, and surveyed the lively scene with a smile. "What a lively day we have here."

At the sight of Brett, Jacob didn't dare to step out of line, respectfully addressing him, "Mr. Brett."

Brett glanced at Orlena, who immediately moved to his side.

Tracey and Mr. Velona also returned from their stroll. Assuming the role of host, Brett invited Mr. Velona and Harvey to the drawing room for a chat, leaving Jacob, who had no place sitting with them, to stand by and listen.

Orlena watched them leave. She whispered to Eloise, "Your uncle just doesn't seem to be from the same generation as my brother."

Eloise was pregnant. Standing in the quaint garden of Noland's Mansion, she gently caressed her belly and smiled softly, "What's the matter? Do you think my uncle's too old? I recall you quite liked him over the years."

Orlena couldn't argue with that logic, nor would she dare.

Michelle joined them, draping a woolen shawl around Eloise's shoulders, "You ladies chat. I'll accompany Tracey for a bit."

Eloise hummed in agreement, her eyes and smile radiating warmth and beauty.

Orlena felt a twinge of envy and gently touched Eloise's stomach, thinking to herself how pregnant women seemed to have a certain charm. If only she had looked and felt half as elegant when she was pregnant with Daniel.

Eloise sent the kids off to play, with Luca, her little helper, leading his siblings away.

Eloise and Orlena went inside to the warmth of the south-facing bedroom. Orlena helped Eloise sit down and shrugged off her coat. "Taking it easy?"

Eloise gave her a playful glance, teasing, "No gift for me this year, auntie?"

Orlena poured her a glass of water, whining playfully, "Don't bring that up again, Eloise. My brother would kill me."

Eloise wouldn't let her talk nonsense. "It's a festive time, and besides, you'll be married in just over a month. Don't jinx it."

Orlena nodded obediently.

Eloise handed her a gift. "A New Year's gift."

Orlena opened it to discover a beautiful pair of pearl earrings, clearly top-notch Southern Sea gems. They matched her woolen dress perfectly, making her shine.

She loved them instantly and touched her earlobes. "Eloise, you have such great taste."

Eloise repeated the instructions from Parker and Pauline, her tone carrying the authority of an elder sister-in-law. Orlena, completely subdued by the family ties, didn't dare to act like a cheeky auntie anymore.

Eloise, seeing her point taken, gently changed the subject. "Are you settling in well?"

Orlena, touched by Eloise's genuine concern, replied softly, "Tracey's been really kind to me, and so has Brett."

around won't affect you and Harvey's

tapped Orlena's head and

dinner, Eloise excused herself, claiming she wasn't

was laid out in the grand dining hall of

noticeably disappointed at

women often lose their appetite. Harvey,

his cigarette, and brought her a plate of her favorites. Entering the bedroom, he found Eloise sitting by the window on a plush couch, a book in hand. She looked serene

He set the food down and gently supported

it was a plate of her grandma's famous mini meatballs, a

set down her book and smiled faintly. "I didn't want to

and helped her to the dining table. She picked up a meatball and offered it to Harvey. "You can tell Grandma made these.

"You haven't spent much time

looked up at him and said

with his, his voice slightly hoarse, "Eloise, I'm

not something they

important is that we're happy now. I

long hair, lightening the tense air with a playful quip.

with a smirk, then she

tender touch to her cheek, Harvey departed for the living room, where the atmosphere was buzzing

agile conversational partner in Brett. The two quickly became

Velona's flourishing business ventures and the promising new renewable energy project that would be perfect for Brett. So, he joined

dinner, Tracey took the children to another room, leaving

Harvey deftly steered the conversation back

for Jacob, who

and a tipsy Harvey returned to the bedroom. Eloise was still awake, to his

his shoes, he clambered into bed beside her, enveloping her in his arms with his face buried in the warmth of her belly, and his hand sneaking under the covers

that. Your hands are

chuckled, "Cold? They

her slender arm emerging from the blankets to wrap around his neck, negotiating in a soft voice, "Tonight, I'm staying with Grandma." Their foreheads

Eloise persuaded him, eventually agreeing to some rather

in Harvey's system made him too eager, which Eloise, blushing, resisted, "You're drunk; it could

further advances that night, managing only to

and as your husband, I wouldn't dare not support you-not if I want to end the year on a good note."

heart melted, caressing his handsome face. "How

was uninhibited. He laughed softly, "I know you

you're heading, Ms. Laurent-you can't

Eloise also felt the warmth. If not for pressing matters, she would have loved just to hold him and chat into the

to Tracey's. Tracey, still awake, was delighted to see Eloise and quickly ushered Harvey back

Tracey admired

agreed, and as Tracey reminisced, she quickly pushed past

aside.

of Eloise's visit remained unspoken until Tracey, with a keen glint

newfound depth

playfully scolded her; "What's so troubling about that? It's all just formalities, and

to secure something

was all just a dance of interests

her grandmother,

think I'm more like you, Grandma—smart because I come

you."

This charmed Tracey immensely.

the children, with Linda being the sharpest and Luca the most stable. Eloise expressed concern over their strong-willed nature, fearing they might not be the best match

night when Tracey, citing her age and stiffness, suggested Harvey would

the night.

the morning, Eloise awoke to find Harvey, dapper in a navy shirt

why he was

to put on a good show," Harvey replied,

her.

Harvey mentioned the snow outside and