Tangled Temptations

Harvey sat across from Brett. Speaking with a man like Brett required utmost caution, yet Harvey blurted out, "I want to marry Eloise!"

Brett laughed elegantly. He took out a cigarette pack, drawing a single white cigarette, and idly played with it between his fingers. After a while, he said, "We all know about you two! My mother is the first to disagree. My sister, Louise, chose the wrong man once, and it led to a life of misery and regret. So, Eloise's marital affairs are of utmost importance!"

Parker glanced at his son. The expression on Harvey's face faded.

Brett continued with a soft smile. "I believe Mr. Horigan and his son can understand. Eloise is the only girl in the Noland family's generation. She's precious. There's no reason for her to suffer once she's found someone."

Parker got the hint. He understood perfectly. Brett clearly knew everything and was here to make things difficult. His words shattered the Horigan father and son. Parker was so frustrated!

Brett's mockery could be unbearable for ordinary people, leading to a loss of composure. But Harvey remained calm and respectfully poured a cup of tea for Brett.

"I'll remember what you said. I will get along well with Eloise and will not let her suffer."

Brett was slightly surprised. He had heard that Harvey was quite argumentative in court, but he didn't expect him to have such thick skin. Brett gave him an extra glance, then gracefully stood up. "I've overstayed my welcome. Excuse me."

The Horigan father and son personally saw Brett off. A few bodyguards in black suits stepped forward and escorted himto his car.

Harvey held the car door open for Brett. "Goodbye, Brett. I'll make sure to visit Brockville soon."

Brett's eyes lingered on Harvey's face for a moment, then he gave a light laugh and got into the car. A line of four Audi A8 cars slowly drove away.

Parker glanced at his son and sneered, "Well, we don't need to discuss whether I agree or not. Didn't you see? The girl's family doesn't agree! Let me tell you, the Noland family is not ordinary. You can't just charm Eloise and make this happen! Brett is ruthless. There's nothing he can't do!"

Harvey, hands in his pockets, was looking into the distance. Surprisingly, he managed to laugh. "Dad, don't you think Eloise looks a lot like Brett?"

Parker was furious! This shameless boy, that was his only focus!

Back in the hall, Orlena had finally come downstairs. She peeked outside and eagerly said, "Eloise's uncle is so handsome!"

...

Brett left the Horigan Mansion and headed straight to Michelle's.

Michelle's neighborhood was no better than before. It was a typical middle-class community. The arrival of four black cars and a bunch of bodyguards caused quite a stir, leaving Michelle in shock.

Brett spoke to her in a gentle and cultured manner. Michelle was not naive, but even she was dazzled by such a man. Even Milo barked a couple of times.

Brett smiled. "You're Michelle, right? I'm Louise's twin brother, Brett."

Michelle was stunned once again. She shook her head, making sure she wasn't dreaming!

She was unfamiliar with Brett, but he seemed to know her well and was very considerate. "My sister and brother-in-law have passed away, but I know you've been taking care of Eloise. I came here to pay my respects and to invite you to visit the old lady in Brockville."

Michelle was deeply moved. She had never interacted with Louise, but this man was Eloise's real uncle, and he was so decent. She was happy for Eloise.

Michelle poured tea for Brett and laughed. "Mr. Brett, Eloise is currently on a business trip to Rossland. When she returns, I'll let her visit Brockville and familiarize herself with her roots. As for me, I won't be a bother!"

But Brett insisted. He gently held Michelle's hand, his voice becoming even softer. "Michelle, the old lady asked specifically for you to stay for a few days!"

Michelle blushed.

Ah! Being stared at and held by such a handsome, cultured man, even at her age, made her somewhat flustered. She stuttered, "I... I need to discuss this with Eloise!"

Not to get her wrong, but Michelle was simply dazzled by this handsome man.noveldrama

Brett let go of her hand and smiled while drinking his tea. After a while, he laughed. "I didn't expect that child to be so determined. Michelle, you're like a junior, reporting everything to her!"

Michelle was a bit embarrassed, but she really couldn't make the decision on this matter. She called Eloise and explained the situation. There was silence on the other end for a while before Eloise softly asked, "Is he there with you?"

Michelle sighed, "I'll let him talk to you."

Michelle handed the phone to Brett. Even for a seasoned man like Brett, his voice trembled slightly when speaking to his sister's biological daughter, "Eloise, it's your uncle."

Brett gently explained the past to her, ensuring she was comfortable. He said a lot.

Eloise's throat felt dry. Since she was little, she had never seen anyone from her grandmother's side. Knowing that the Noland family had never given up on her mother, she felt much better.

Brett gently said, "I'll go see your mother later. Once you're done with your work, I'll arrange a private jet to take you to Brockville."

Eloise agreed. She asked Brett, "Please take care of my... mom."

Brett knew she was referring to Michelle and agreed with a smile. After ending the call, Brett smiled and said, "Michelle, please take me to see... my sister."

Michelle's eyes welled up with tears. She nodded, then quickly prepared a few dishes. She made Angus' favorites, and Louise's favorites, and then bought a bunch of daisies from the florist.

Brett bought pink roses. To him, Louise would always be 18, and pink was just right.

The gentle and elegant man stood in front of the tombstone for a long time, and Michelle stayed by his side. Even though the man beside her said nothing, Michelle could feel his sorrow.

"Louise and I were twins, closer than most siblings. She dropped out of school in Britain, got pregnant, and wouldn't name the father. She ran away from home after a beating from our mother. The Nolands searched for her for years, only to find her a mere skeleton when we did."

Brett put down the roses. His voice was trembling slightly. "Louise, your big brother is here!"

Michelle was in tears. She loved Angus and had once been jealous of Louise, but she was a kind woman. She couldn't bear to see suffering. Louise, a woman of such good birth, had such a tragic end.

Michelle whispered, "Mr. Brett, Eloise's biological father..."

Brett's voice lost its warmth. "Griffin? He's not worthy! Eloise is the child of Louise and Angus, your child, and the child of our Noland family!"

Eloise spoke with Brett, stunned for a long time. She knew Brett was a prominent figure in the south, a powerful figure. And he was her uncle!

It took Eloise half a day to digest this. During this period, Harvey had called her and messaged her on Facebook. She assured him lightly that she was fine. Perhaps she had experienced too much and was numb.

She threw herself into her work, and the Rossland project kicked off ten days later, more smoothly than expected. When it ended, she called Brett.

She declined his offer of a private jet, as it was too ostentatious, and flew to Brockville herself. Brett personally picked her up at the airport. Because of his status, he waited in the car, and his bodyguard escorted Eloise to the car. "Miss, Mr. Brett is in the car."

Eloise nodded and went in. In the back seat of the black SUV sat a refined man, respectable and handsome, a sight that would immediately warm anyone's heart.

He looked a lot like her mom!

Eloise didn't speak, her lips trembling slightly.

Brett gently held her head, not saying anything, just enjoying the warm moment.

25 years... Louise had left home 25 years ago, and now all that was left of her was this child. Brett loved her, loved her to his core. It took a while for him to regain his composure, instructing the driver to start the car and telling Eloise about the family. "Your grandmother only had your mother and me, but we have a lot of cousins. You'll be the only girl in your generation, and everyone will be thrilled when you come home!"

Eloise just listened quietly.

Later, Brett took her hand, whispering, "Your grandmother has been missing your mom for many years and cried her eyes out. She wants you to stay in Brockville to keep her company."

Eloise was hesitant, but Brett smiled. "I've thought about it. We'll move Michelle to Brockville too, and Milo."

Eloise looked at his profile. He was handsome, looked a lot like her mom's photos, and she enjoyed looking at him. She liked her uncle. She thought for a moment and said, "My career in Peterborough just started, and I can't abandon it. I'd like to wait a couple of years until everything settles down and then commute."

Brett agreed. It was good that the girl was career-minded. Angus and Michelle didn't spoil her! Brett smiled slightly, patting her head. Eloise always felt like he was looking at her mom through her.

The black SUV slowly drove into the manor.

The Noland family was bustling. Brett was the core of the Noland family, and as

he hadn't married or had children, the return of a lost child was a huge event. Everyone who could have come did.

His car slowly drove into the Manor. As soon as they got out of the car, the old lady came up and hugged Eloise, crying.

They said grandparents loved their grandkids more, and with her daughter gone and only this child left, how could she not be loved? The old lady showered Eloise with endearment. Eloise was a bit shy. She'd never been adored like this by an elder before.

Brett gently patted the old lady's shoulder, softly saying, "Eloise's return is a happy occasion. Why are you crying? We just talked about how you cried your eyes out missing her mom. Eloise felt sorry for you."

The old lady stopped crying and looked Eloise up and down.

Then, she smiled at Michelle. "Like mother like daughter! Eloise looks like Louise,

but also a bit like you!"

Michelle was deeply touched. She never thought that the Noland family would treat her with such respect, and the old lady even said she wanted to take her as her goddaughter.

The old lady held one woman on each side. "Brett is right. Today is a good day!"

The Noland family set off a million fireworks. Brett lit them himself, then started the feast.

There were many Nolands present, enough to fill a dozen tables. Just as the food

was being served, the butler came to report, "Mr. Brett, someone from Peterborough has come with a gift!"

Brett stopped in his tracks.

Peterborough... A gift?