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."

hanging around won't affect you and Harvey's relationship,

tapped Orlena's head and

excused herself, claiming she wasn't feeling

feast was laid out in the grand dining hall of the Noland home.

disappointed at

often lose their appetite. Harvey, go

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

before approaching. He set the food down and gently supported her by the

tray. On it was a plate of her grandma's famous mini meatballs, a couple of sides, a bowl of

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

Harvey chuckled and helped her to the dining table. She picked up a meatball and offered it to

Harvey agreed, then curiously asked, "You haven't spent much

another meatball, then looked up at him and said softly,

He covered her hand with his, his voice slightly hoarse, "Eloise,

topic was heavy, not something

smiled at him. "Harvey, I don't blame you anymore. What's important is that we're

lightening the tense air with a playful quip. "Then I owe

She shot back with a smirk, then she he urged him, "Go entertain our guests. I'm

her cheek, Harvey departed for the living room, where the atmosphere

Velona, eager to network, found an agile conversational partner in Brett. The two quickly

aware of Mr. Velona's flourishing business ventures and the promising new renewable energy project that would be perfect for

another room, leaving the men to their whiskey

Velona kept bringing up Eloise, suggesting she mentor young Jacob, while Harvey deftly steered the conversation back to the renewable energy project, a hint not lost on

various underlying intentions, save for Jacob, who was

concluded, Brett saw the guests out, and a tipsy Harvey returned to the bedroom. Eloise was still awake, to

with his face buried in the warmth of her belly, and his hand sneaking

Your hands are cold," Eloise whispered

chuckled, "Cold? They couldn't

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

his reluctance, Eloise persuaded him, eventually agreeing to some rather one-sided terms, much

which Eloise, blushing, resisted, "You're drunk; it could harm the

declined any further advances that night, managing only

her dress, joking, "Well, Ms. Laurent. You have big plans tonight, and as your husband, I wouldn't dare not support you-not if I want to end the year on a good note." As he spoke, he

face. "How did you

He laughed softly, "I

heading, Ms. Laurent-you can't hide a thing

for pressing matters, she would have loved just to hold him and chat into

to see Eloise and quickly ushered

Tracey admired Eloise's complexion and noted

as Tracey reminisced,

aside.

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

Eloise's newfound depth and resemblance

to which Tracey playfully scolded her; "What's so troubling about that? It's all just

also trying to secure

just a dance of interests

her grandmother,

I think I'm more

you."

This charmed Tracey immensely.

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 as

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

the night.

morning, Eloise awoke to find Harvey, dapper in a navy shirt and charcoal overcoat, unaffected by the previous night's

why he was up so early after

to put on

her.

mentioned the snow