Tangled Temptations

Late into the night.

Brett had just returned from a networking event in Brockville, slightly tipsy, leaning against the sofa. His butler brought him a cup of black coffee to sober up. He raised his hand signaling he didn't need it, and the butler tactfully retreated.

Brett's voice was gentle. "What's wrong? Did that jerk mess with you again?"

Eloise shook her head. "No! I just need a favor... um, it's about Orlena! I heard from Harvey that she ran away and it's been two years since she came back home. I was hoping you could keep an eye out for her."

Before she could finish, Brett slowly sat up. He loosened two buttons of his shirt, his voice was barely audible in the dead of the night. "She hasn't been home in

two years?"

Eloise nodded.

Brett fell silent, the sound of his heavy breathing echoed on the other end of the phone. After a long pause, Brett spoke in a low voice, "I'm heading to Peterborough for a business trip tomorrow, I'll drop by to see Linda!"

Eloise, "Really?"

But Brett had already hung up. Otherwise, he would have lost his composure!

The darkness of the night seemed to thicken. Past memories he had tried hard to forget started to resurface. He closed his eyes, as if he could still hear her soft voice.

"Brett, please don't be mad at my brother."

"Brett... will Linda be okay?"

"Brett, you're drunk! Stop drinking... um... Brett..."

...

Brett's face was flushed from the alcohol, reminding him of his misconduct that night. That night, he claimed the girl who was 16 years younger, as if he had lost his mind.

She cried in his arms, calling out for him, "Brett!" But it didn't wake the beast within him.

That night, he hurt her.

The darkness deepened.

Brett lit a cigarette in silence. He knew that with his status, it was best not to get involved with her anymore. He couldn't offer her a future, and he was 16 years older!

But they did share a past, and she was so heartbroken when she left. He had to know if she was okay.

Brett considered himself to have a heart of steel, but the half a year they spent together, and the way she called out his name, "Brett," it softened his heart...

When she left, he knew he didn't want her to go.

But what could he do?

The next day, Brett came over.

Eloise didn't go to Harvey's company. She took Linda to the hospital in the morning and returned to the villa in the afternoon.

Brett arrived at around two in the afternoon. He didn't mention Orlena, but Eloise did share some information.

Around five, he said his goodbyes to Eloise. "I have to head back to Brockville. I won't stay for dinner."

Eloise was surprised. "You don't even have time for a meal?"

Brett, holding Linda, smiled lightly. "I have some work to attend to. Next time."

Eloise sensed that his mood wasn't great. He didn't want to talk about it, and as his niece, she didn't feel it was her place to pry.

Brett kissed Linda goodbye and quickly left. As he got into his car, he sat quietly. The driver asked softly, "Mr. Brett, where to now?"

Brett slowly opened his hand. On it was a faint pink scar.

He spoke quietly, "19 Fifth Avenue."

The driver had been with him for a long time and naturally knew some things. Mr. Brett had never mentioned it, but there was a half-year period where he would spend one or two nights a week in Peterborough. That apartment was Mr. Brett's secret haven.

An hour later, the car stopped in front of the apartment on Fifth Avenue, and Brett went up alone. The apartment was quite spacious and luxuriously decorated.

He hadn't been here in a while, and it was clear from the dust that the owner hadn't been around either.

Brett dusted off a spot on the sofa. He quietly smoked a cigarette.

He had considered marrying her, but she was too young, and their relationship was more of a fleeting passion. He was entangled in complicated matters, and her naivety was not suited to being his wife.

After a while, Brett called his secretary, his voice slightly hoarse. "Donny, can you look into Orlena's whereabouts for me?"

Donny was taken aback on the other end. He didn't expect his boss to bring up this name.

Brett spoke calmly, "Go find out!"

Snapping back to reality, Donny immediately responded, "Yes, I understand!"

Brett hung up the phone, locked the door, and left.

Downstairs, the melancholy seemed to fade; he was still the invincible Mr. Brett...

In the evening.

When Harvey got home, the servants informed him that Mr. Brett had come by. He acknowledged with a quiet voice.

He found Eloise in the kitchen after searching around the house.

She was making dinner, clearly in preparation for Brett's visit. Harvey felt a bit jealous. Since their reunion, she rarely cooked, but today she had prepared so many dishes for Brett. She focused on cooking, her profile beautiful.

Harvey had never imagined having a date with her in the kitchen. He handed his coat to a servant, moving closer to Eloise. "Uncle Brett came by. What did he say?"

Eloise was battering a fish. She glanced at him, teasing, "He's my uncle, not yours!"

Harvey saw the playfulness in her eyes and couldn't help but feel attracted. He didn't bother arguing. "Let me help you!"

Eloise was hesitant to command him. "You just spend time with Linda!"

Harvey lowered his voice. "I'd rather be with you!"

The kitchen staff tactfully left.

Harvey boldly wrapped his arms around her waist, his lips brushing against her neck, his words muffled, "Mrs. Horigan, you're so soft here!"

"I'm not!"

"How are you not? We've slept together so many times, we got the certificate and even have a kid!" He was making a blatant attempt to justify his behavior!

Eloise sincerely suggested, "Maybe you should see a therapist! I'm genuinely worried about your mental state!"

Harvey decided to stop while he was ahead. He pecked her on the cheek. "I'm going to take a shower!"

But as soon as he left the kitchen, a servant quietly informed him, "Mr. Lynch is here! He wants to see the lady of the house."

Harvey frowned. He casually rolled up his shirt sleeves and instructed the servant, "I'll go see him! Don't tell Eloise."

The servant nodded quickly.

Harvey lit a cigarette and slowly walked towards the villa's main entrance. He had heard about Griffin's illness from his dad but since his dad hadn't said anything, he didn't feel the need to tell Eloise.

As Harvey reached the front door, Griffin rushed up as soon as he saw him. "Harvey!"

Harvey exhaled a ring of smoke leisurely, chuckling. "I can still stand to call you Griffin, but don't bother coming around here anymore. Leave Eloise alone." Griffin was visibly crestfallen. He lifted his eyes slowly, speaking in a soft voice, "I didn't want Eloise to be my match. I just... I just wanted to see her."

In his hands, he held gifts. Some for Eloise, others for Linda. Harvey's gaze swept over them lightly, his smile turning colder. "You don't want her to be your match, but you come to see her now? What's that about?" Griffin's face tightened, and he struggled to find words. "I didn't think it through."

The respect Harvey once had for Griffin was slowly fading. Partly because of Eloise, but also because the Horigan family had established that it was Joan who had pushed Orlena into the water all those years ago. The Lynch family had been aware of it, but they had the audacity to use that act of kindness to manipulate the Horigan family for years.

Harvey dismissed him curtly, "Don't come back. I don't want Eloise getting hurt."

Griffin looked like he wanted to plead, but Harvey wouldn't hear it. He turned and walked away.

The iron gate closed, leaving Griffin on the other side, holding not just the gifts, but also a diary filled with the beautiful memories he had with Louise. Harvey wanted to keep this from Eloise. But as soon as he returned to the kitchen, Eloise asked gently, "Did Griffin come by?"

Harvey hadn't expected her to know.

Eloise smiled faintly, "My mom and him were in the same hospital. She told me. Harvey, you don't have to worry about me being his match. When I was 20, I thought about donating bone marrow to those in need. My information has been in the bone marrow bank for a while, and I'm not a match for him." So, Eloise didn't have these worries.

After Eloise finished speaking, Harvey suddenly embraced her. She was taken aback. "Harvey?"noveldrama

Harvey whispered in her ear, so softly it was almost inaudible, "Eloise, can you tell

me about these things in the future? Can you share everything with me? Can we

be like a normal couple and share everything?"

Eloise gently pushed him away, continuing with her cooking.

She said indifferently, "Really? You didn't tell me about that actress." Before she had even finished speaking, he had lifted her onto the kitchen counter. Harvey held the back of her head firmly, kissing her with a hint of rough passion.