Tangled Temptations

He picked up Linda.

As Harvey got into the car and fastened his safety belt, he said, "I've been too busy to spend time with Linda these past few days. Let's have dinner together."

Eloise gently stroked Linda's head. "Do you want to go?"

Stretching out her delicate legs and yawning, Linda said, "Dad wants to have a romantic dinner with mom, huh?"

The atmosphere turned delicate.

Eloise truly had no idea how Linda knew so much! Her gaze met Harvey's in the rearview mirror. Harvey said with a lazy grin, "The kids are very clever these days. Don't think too much!"

Linda chattered away, sharing everything she heard from her kindergarten friends. Of course, she talked most about Luca.

Eloise couldn't help but worry. She felt she had to have a serious talk with Harvey when they had the time. She was afraid that his behavior was leading Linda astray.

Half an hour later, Harvey parked the car. Eloise got out, only to realize they were at the French restaurant she had invested in.

She looked at Harvey. Leaning against the car door, Harvey chuckled, "I've noticed other couples going out, and it's always the wife who foots the bill... Eloise, you're not gonna make me pay for dinner, are you?"

Eloise didn't respond.

Harvey moved forward, lowering his voice, "Yes, I did this on purpose! I want to mark my presence in your life, to let everyone know you are Mrs. Horigan, to keep those men who are interested in you away from you!"

Eloise knew this all along, so she replied casually, "I never pay attention to any man."

She was about to lift Linda out of the car when Harvey wrapped his arm around her waist. "Let me do it!"

Linda got out of the car, tut-tutted at her father who only wanted to date! However, the feeling of holding her mom's hand in one and her dad's in the other was pretty good!

At the restaurant, Harvey got his wish. The staff and regular customers now knew

that Eloise was married, and she had a husband and a child.

Mr. Horigan was very easy-going, even joining the employee chat group.

Eloise just thought he was bored and let him be.

She cut the steak for Linda, gently teaching her how to use a knife and fork. The little girl was learning quite well. Watching Linda's tender, delicate face, Eloise felt her heart was full of sweetness.

Regardless of her feelings towards Harvey, having Linda in her life was what she wanted. Linda needed to be taken good care of. But to Eloise, Linda was not a burden, but a salvation!

Harvey had fun here. He was in a particularly good mood, but it didn't last long. Peterborough was a big city, but they still happened to see Landon.

Landon wasn't alone. He was accompanied by his girlfriend, who was rumored to be the heiress of a certain corporation in Rossland.

Landon also spotted them, pausing for a moment, "Mr. Horigan, Eloise!"

He was polite and gracious, and of course, Harvey wouldn't react impulsively. He stood up holding Eloise in his arm, smiling casually, "Long time no see, Landon! You brought your girlfriend for dinner?"

Landon nodded. His eyes fell on Eloise, but quickly moved to Linda.

The little girl looked just like Eloise. He couldn't help but hold her affectionately. Before he could kiss her, Linda voluntarily kissed him, calling him mister!

Landon's girlfriend also leaned in. Linda wasn't stingy and kissed her too. Landon felt a touch in his heart, whispering, "She's adorable!"

Harvey smiled, "She is! Eloise and I are thinking about having another baby to keep her company."

Landon's eyes darkened. When did Eloise agree to this?

Harvey was particularly generous today. He invited Landon and his girlfriend to

join their table. Eloise was amazed by him, watching him calmly discuss business with Landon, and then invite him out for a smoke.

Landon's girlfriend commented enviously, "You two get along really well!"

Eloise gave a light laugh.

She didn't get too close to Landon's girlfriend, and didn't want to develop any female friendship with her.

She understood Harvey too well. If she truly cared for Landon, she had to stay away from him.

Outside the French restaurant.noveldrama

For the first time in years, the two men stood together peacefully, smoking. Harvey lightly patted Landon's shoulder, "You have a nice girlfriend!"

Looking up to exhale a ring of smoke, Landon gave a faint smile, "Is this a consolation for the loser?"

He turned to look at Harvey, "When I went to Rossland, the first deal was introduced by you behind the scenes, wasn't it?”

Harvey didn't respond. He quietly smoked, finally saying with a bitter smile after a long time, "Back then, because of you, Eloise really hated me. She genuinely considered you a friend, "

Even now, Harvey was still bothered by this. He knew in his heart that Eloise never liked Landon. But every time Landon was there for her, it was due to Harvey's own mistakes. Therefore, he should blame himself. So, he compensated Landon.

Landon finished his cigarette, threw it on the ground, and stomped it out. Harvey had taught him a lesson: a pursuit without advantages was actually a burden for the woman. He headed back to the restaurant.

Watching his back, Harvey suddenly felt that Landon was very much like the old him many years ago.

After dinner, everyone said their goodbyes.

On the way home, Eloise didn't say much. Harvey, mindful of Linda, kept silent as well, holding his tongue.

When they got out of the car, Linda was asleep. Harvey held the little one in his arms as they got out. His expression was full of love. Eloise followed behind them.

At the baby's room, Harvey laid the little one on the bed. Eloise changed Linda into her comfortable pajamas, then bent down to wipe her tiny hands and feet.

Harvey wrapped his arms around Eloise's slender waist from behind, pressing his body against her thin back. "Can we talk?"

Eloise tilted her head slightly, "About what?"

"Landon. I'm jealous, Eloise!"

When he returned to the restaurant and saw that Eloise and Landon's girlfriend were still at the acquaintance stage, he knew this was Eloise's silent protection for Landon. And Landon, to some extent, was the same.

This kind of understanding was something that really got under Harvey's skin. He was not good at hiding his feelings, so he addressed it head-on.

Eloise chuckled lightly, "That's all water under the bridge. Why mention it again?

Besides, there was never any chance for me and him!"

Harvey, pressing against her back, touched her body.

In the end, he carried her to their master bedroom. Eloise resisted, but only slightly, not wanting to wake up Linda.

Once in the bedroom, Harvey pressed her against the end of the bed, intertwining his fingers with hers. He kissed her in a gentle, lingering manner.

After a long while, Eloise turned her face away. Harvey, panting lightly in her ear, said, “Eloise, have you ever wondered why I'm so bothered by Landon. I've never felt this way, not even towards Max."

Eloise looked at him, "Why?"

Harvey touched her delicate face with one hand, murmuring, "Because he was good to you! No man has ever been as good to you as he was, including me at that time, and that makes me jealous!"

Eloise chuckled. "Harvey, can you let me go?"

He stared at her, and after a while, he rasped, "You're back, but it feels like you're

not really back! You're Linda's mom, but it doesn't feel like you're my wife. Eloise, I'm not satisfied!"

Eloise sincerely said, "Tomorrow, let's go see a therapist!"

Harvey, whispering in her ear, said, “Eloise, you're the one with the problem, not me!"

He gently bit her earlobe, "I want you to want me! Just like before, the moment you see me, you want to have sex with me. Eloise, do you know why we haven't had sex for so long? Because you don't want to. You only care about Linda. Even when I try to make you feel aroused, you want sex only because you want the orgasm, not because you want me!"

Eloise was left speechless.

Harvey unbuckled his belt, gently wrapping it around her wrist. Eloise froze, "Harvey, what are you trying to do?"

He loosened his tie, kissed her cheek, and smiled tenderly, "Nothing! I just want you to really feel me!"

Then, she was blindfolded. She couldn't see, so all her senses were sharp now.

Harvey kissed her for a moment, then knelt beside her, pulled out his phone and played a recording. He gently placed the phone by the pillow. "It will play again and again!"

Eloise listened for a few seconds. Soon her cheeks flushed hot! It was unmistakably the recording from years ago, when they were in Rossland.

She bit her lip, finally swearing at him, "Harvey, you jerk! You're the one with a problem! You..."

Harvey whispered in her ear, "I'm jealous! I want to tease you. I want to see you break down because of me!"

He sounded nonchalant, "I'll go to the study, and check on the results later!"