Tangled Temptations

Griffin came over and stood at the entrance of the grand hall, his heart pounding in his chest. His voice shook as he talked to Parker, "Are you really cutting ties with me, Parker?"

Parker looked at him, his face pale and sickly. His heart ached for his old friend, but he knew what he had to do. As the patriarch of the Horigan family, he had responsibilities to his daughter, Eloise, and his granddaughter, Linda. They couldn't afford to have any more attachments with the Lynch family. It would be the greatest injustice to his daughter and granddaughter.

With a heavy heart, Parker nodded, "Yes, Griffin. Our friendship ends here."

Griffin's hand trembled on the doorknob, his body swaying. He couldn't believe that their relationship had come to this. Was he really such a failure? Why couldn't he hold onto the people he cared about?

As Griffin voiced his self-doubt, Parker replied solemnly, "As a man, you need to know when to cut ties. If you had chased after Louise when she misunderstood all those years ago, we wouldn't be in this situation now. You loved one woman but felt guilty towards another, and your mistakes piled up. You wanted to acknowledge Eloise as your daughter, but you were so greedy that you want to have her and Joan be sisters. Griffin, you're a fool."

Griffin's face turned deathly pale. His eyes flickered to Eloise and the little girl by her side, Linda. At least he got to see them one last time.

Just before he left, he asked in a shaky voice, "Eloise, could you call me 'Dad' just once?"

Eloise stared at him calmly. She was never one to beat around the bush, and rejected him gently, "Mr. Lynch, take care."

Griffin's face went even paler. He fumbled in his pocket and pulled out a small, beautiful trinket. It was a glass figurine he had bought for Linda. His trembling hands dropped it, and the sharp shards cut Linda's delicate leg. Bright red blood seeped out slowly.

Harvey swiftly picked Linda up and pressed a tissue against her leg. He whispered to Eloise, "There's a coagulant in her bag."

Eloise quickly found it and gave it to Linda. The little girl whimpered in Harvey's arms, scared of the sight of her own blood. She complained in a soft, pitiful voice, asking her dad to make it stop hurting.

Harvey comforted her, his eyes soft and gentle. But his irritation towards Griffin was clear.

Griffin was taken aback. He hadn't meant for this to happen. He just wanted to give the child a toy.

Parker was pained to see his granddaughter in distress. He said calmly, "I don't blame you, Griffin. Just leave. Don't bother Eloise anymore. She's suffered enough. Let her live a peaceful life."

Griffin left in a daze. As he walked out the door, Jane couldn't help but grumble, "It's just a small cut, no need to make such a fuss. The look Harvey gave you, it was like he wanted to eat you alive."

Diana added, "That child is too spoiled."

Griffin didn't respond.

Back in the grand hall of the Horigan family.

Once Griffin had left, Parker picked up Linda, showering her with kisses and words of comfort, "Does it still hurt, my little Linda?"noveldrama

"It hurts!" Linda's small face scrunched up in discomfort, "Blow on it, Grandpa."

Parker, a man of great stature and power, gently blew on her small hand, trying to ease her pain. The little girl finally smiled. Parker held his granddaughter close, turning to Eloise, "She looks so much like you! And she has the same temperament as Harvey!" He said this with a beaming smile, clearly proud of his family.

Eloise smiled softly. But inside, she was worried. Harvey squeezed her hand, whispering, "Linda has AB-negative blood and a clotting disorder. I can't give her a blood transfusion because we're directly related, and her lood type is rare. We have to be extra careful with her."

He didn't need to elaborate. Eloise understood. Between the two of them, someone would have to sacrifice their career to take care of Linda. She nodded quietly.

Pauline, feeling that the topic was becoming too heavy, decided to change the subject. She suggested that Eloise join her for tea in the small drawing room.

The grand hall was left to the men. Parker, with Linda on his lap, asked his son, "What are your plans, Harvey? Are you going to let my precious Linda grow up without a proper family?"

Harvey chuckled, "Dad, these things take time, don't they? I can't just drag Eloise to the city hall right now. We're living together and it's going well."

Linda piped up, "Mama sleeps with me!"

Harvey sighed in exasperation.

Parker glared at him, "And you're okay with this?"

With a softer tone, he spoke to his granddaughter, "Don't worry, darling. Grandpa will sort them out."

Linda giggled, sitting on Parker's lap. She kissed his cheek, her small and rosy face was rubbing against his stubble.

Parker's heart melted. Holding his caramel-haired granddaughter, he asked, "When are you going to take over my position, Harvey? Eloise has her own career too. Why don't I look after Linda?"

Harvey knew what his father was getting at. He sipped his coffee, replying leisurely, "Running Everest Technologies is enough work for me. Adding Horigan Inc. to my plate, Dad, I'd be worked to death."

Parker laughed heartily, "You wouldn't die from working a little harder. You seem

to have plenty of energy." His keen eyes could tell that Harvey and Eloise weren't

a real couple. They were just pretending for Linda's sake.

Pathetic. Useless.

Meanwhile, Pauline and Eloise were enjoying their tea. Pauline was still a beautiful and dignified woman, but there was a touch of sadness in her eyes due to her children's problems.

Eloise poured her more tea. Her smile was gentle and affectionate.

Pauline spoke softly, "I've been wanting to visit you two, but I didn't want to

intrude. Eloise, as a mother, I hope you can forgive Harvey. He did make mistakes in the past. But if you're still angry, I hope you can teach him a lesson and knock that arrogance out of him."

With that, she took Eloise's hand in a warm, loving gesture. Eloise didn't stand a chance against her kindness. Her eyes met Pauline's. Just then, Harvey arrived, standing by Eloise's side, his hand naturally resting on her shoulder, saying softly and gently, "Dinner is ready. Let's eat."

Eloise hummed in response.

Pauline was pleased to see their interaction, but she couldn't help but feel uneasy about something. Orlena, despite the occasional phone call, never seemed to come home.

...

In the afternoon, Linda stayed in the Manor.

Eloise had arranged to have an afternoon coffee with Veronica, and Harvey was headed to the office, so he could drop her off on the way. In the car, he turned to her and asked, "Tired?"

Eloise smiled faintly, "Are you talking about Linda?"

Harvey gently touched the seat belt, not uttering a word. He feared that seeing Joan today might remind Eloise of unpleasant memories. He wanted to show his devotion to her, but Eloise seemed nonchalant.

Harvey had never felt such insecurity. He wanted to treasure her, but he wasn't sure if she would allow it.

Eloise closed her eyes gently, "She's adorable!" So why would she be tired? She was more than willing to give all she had, even her time, to take care of her daughter.

Harvey didn't ask any more, he lightly stepped on the gas pedal, dropping her off at the coffee shop. He now held Eloise in high regard, and he also respected her friends.

He got out of the car with her, went in to greet Veronica, and even patted Veronica's son's head before leaving. When he was far enough away, Veronica smiled, "He's different now!"

Eloise ordered an iced coffee. She stirred it gently, took a sip, and then chuckled, "What's different?"

Veronica whispered, "Anyway, he's not quite the same as before! Harvey used to be like a lone moon in the sky, hard to get close to, but now he's come down to earth."

She gave Eloise a thumbs-up, "Good on you!"

Eloise smiled faintly.

Veronica slapped her hand lightly, "Don't take it lightly! Seriously, he's pretty good

to you! If you test him and feel he's good, just take him! Look at that physique and face. Where else can you find it?"

Eloise's cheeks turned a faint shade of pink. She countered, "So, I'm with him just for his face and physique?"

Veronica glanced at her son and lowered her voice, "He must be pretty good in that department too!"

Eloise took a sip of coffee, almost spitting it out. She looked at Matthew. Thankfully, the young boy wasn't as insightful as Linda and didn't notice anything!

Eloise was about to share her thoughts with Veronica, when she saw Orlena out of the corner of her eye.