Tangled Temptations

After a moment, Harvey finally croaked, "I'll go get it." It was generally seen as unseemly for a woman to buy such a thing.

He was willing to run the errand, and Eloise didn't refuse. After all, he had been quite demanding earlier, and she was indeed feeling weak in the knees.

Half an hour later, Harvey returned with the medicine.

Eloise was in the bedroom. She popped a pill out of its blister pack, and swallowed it down with tap water, grimacing at the unpleasant sensation.

After taking the medicine, she looked at him and said, "You can leave now."

Men were all the same, feeling docile and amiable after a physical release. Eloise shooed him away, and he didn't seem to mind. Instead, he squatted next to her, murmuring, "You're so delicate taking a pill, sure didn't seem like that earlier."

Eloise frowned. "Harvey, this is ridiculous."

Harvey knew she was bothered by Monika, so he reassured her in a low voice, "I don't bother with her anymore."

"Really?"

"What about the $200,000? Can Attorney Horigan explain that?"

She knew.?

Harvey immediately thought of Denise; she must have tipped her off. He gently stroked Eloise's chestnut hair, his voice a throaty rasp, "Eloise, always leave room for negotiation. I have no intentions towards her, trust me... okay?"

Eloise gave a small smile.

Even after everything, they parted on bad terms. Harvey still refused to divorce. He became more attentive, treating his wife and child with immense care and consideration.

He knew, Eloise had already found a new house. All she was waiting for was his signature on the divorce papers.

In the following half a month, he had no opportunity to be intimate with her. Even when Eloise came home, she would sleep with Linda.

Linda started seeing a psychologist again, and Eloise became even more distant. Half a month later.

At Prestige Legal Advisors, Harvey closed the file, telling Denise, "Book two tickets to Rossland. We're going on a business trip for a week."

Denise nodded. "Alright, Attorney Horigan."

Just as she was about to leave, Harvey stopped her, carefully considering his words before speaking, "You and Eloise are close, right? Could you please try to persuade her?"

Denise was in a bind. She was truly caught between a rock and a hard place.

Seeing her hesitation, Harvey gave a cold smile. "Alright, you can go." The door gently closed.

Harvey leaned back in his chair, his mind filled with thoughts of Eloise. Everything was going awry. He never wanted marriage, a wife. Originally, he intended to sign the separation agreement as soon as he returned. But now, he found himself unable to let go.

Harvey despised himself.

The phone on the desk rang, and a casual glance revealed it was Eloise calling.

Harvey immediately picked up, his voice hoarse. "What's up?"

Eloise's tone was softer than usual, "If you're free, let's have coffee together." Coffee? That was tempting.

Harvey spun in his leather chair, his voice raspy. "Is this about the divorce?"

"No."

Harvey got up, grabbing his car keys. "Where are you? I'll come to pick you up."

Eloise sent him her location.

Half an hour later, Harvey's car pulled up in front of a five-star hotel. Eloise was sitting in the coffee shop on the first floor. The whole place was encased in glass, offering an excellent view.

Harvey walked in, sitting down opposite Eloise. He admired her beige cashmere dress, soft and feminine. "You look great."

He added, "I think this is the first time we've gone out alone."

Seems like he had been neglecting his duties.

Eloise didn't seem to mind. Contrary to her usual coldness towards him, she ordered his favorite coffee, an Americano, and a dessert for herself.

Harvey looked at her intensely. He loved Eloise's soft side, so the words slipped out of his mouth. "I'm going to Rossland for a week on business. Why don't you and Linda come with me? I'll keep my evenings free for you."

Eloise smiled serenely. "We'll see."

Just as Harvey was about to persuade her, his eyes caught sight of two familiar figures. It was Monika and Gunner.

Gunner was dressed casually, sunglasses on, arm wrapped around Monika as they exited the hotel elevator. Their flushed faces made it evident what they'd been up to. Monika's cheeks were still rosy.

Gunner handed over two grand, and made plans for next time.

Harvey looked at Eloise, his eyes icy, "Did you arrange this?"

This scene reminded him of years ago when he went to Britain and found Joan in bed with a fitness trainer, used condoms strewn all over the floor. It made him sick.

Eloise stirred her coffee elegantly, not denying it. "Yes, I arranged it. Monika refused your $200,000 but easily accepted Gunner's offer. Apparently, it's $2,000 for two hours. She's just like Joan, relying on her pretty face. Next time she appears before you, she'll still be the pure and innocent Monika."

Harvey looked at her, a stranger. He didn't care who Monika slept with; all he knew was Eloise trampled on his male pride at that moment.

He said coldly, "Eloise, I underestimated you."

Eloise lowered her eyes. "I also have a video of Gunner and Monika. Would you like to see it?"

She was despicable!

Harvey pulled her up abruptly, heading towards the parking lot. Just then, they ran into Monika. Monika looked like a deer caught in headlights, her face filled with panic. Tearfully, she tried to explain, "Attorney Horigan, it's not what you think.."

Harvey ignored her. Dragging Eloise, he threw her into the car. His tall frame pinned her down. Even in the parking lot, he started pulling up her cashmere dress, reaching her waist. He began to fondle her angrily. "Mrs. Horigan, just how many sides do you really have!"

She had invited him for coffee today, and he was over the moon. He thought she had come around, and wanted to start over with him, but he didn't expect her to pull such a stunt. She even collaborated with a sleazy guy like Gunner.

What Harvey wanted was a gentle wife, not a domineering one. Suddenly, he stopped. He looked at Eloise, her eyes were like dead water. She had orchestrated all this, just to divorce him.

Actually, she was right. It really was pointless. Harvey leaned in close to her ear, whispering like a lover, "If it's what you want, we'll get a divorce. Not because of Monika, but because we... we're just not right for each other."

Having said that, Harvey rose to his feet. He moved to the driver's seat in the front, casually buttoning up his shirt, and then lit a cigarette.

Monika was still outside, banging on the door. Inside the car, the couple remained silent, a bitter irony.

Eloise straightened her clothes and slowly sat up. She knew she had infuriated Harvey. Not only was Monika her taboo, but she was his as well.

He wanted Monika to be pure, like a fresh, untouched daisy. And Eloise had stained her like a mosquito squashed against a wall.

She thought, at that moment, Harvey hated her.

Harvey finished his cigarette. Smoke filled the car as he spoke, his voice barely audible, "When I return from my business trip, we'll sign the papers."

That week, rumors about Harvey swirled in Rossland. It was a young, successful actress. They had been seen together multiple times.

The young actress had released a statement about them being in a relationship, and Harvey had not denied it, allowing the speculation to make the headlines.

Of course, Eloise saw it, but she didn't confront him because they were already on the brink of divorce.

After returning to Peterborough, Harvey didn't come home for a week, even though he had promised to sign the papers.noveldrama

Eloise ran into him with the same young actress at a French restaurant. She was lively and charismatic, and Harvey was having dinner with her.

Upon seeing Eloise, Harvey flashed a small smile. Instead of avoiding Eloise, he kindly ordered dessert for his companion. The actress, oblivious to Eloise's presence, accepted it cheerfully.

As Eloise passed by their table, she looked pale.

She thought, from Rossland to Peterborough, Horigan and that actress' relationship seemed to be stable.

The person she was supposed to meet didn't show up. She was dining alone, occasionally looking up to see Harvey's deep, contemplative eyes.

Eloise avoided his gaze. She focused on cutting the steak on her plate when a tall figure blocked her view. Looking up, she found Harvey sitting across from her. Before Eloise could open her mouth, he casually asked, "Are you still living in the house?"

Eloise hesitated, then quietly replied, "I'll move out once we sign the papers." Leaning back, Harvey played with his expensive white shirt, a teasing smile on his face. "You could move out without signing, but if you insist, we can sign tonight." He was clearly trying to mess with her. They couldn't be husband and wife anymore, but he could still be a gentleman. However, he wanted to see her face crumble.

He wanted to hurt her.

He didn't even like the actress, but she had chased him all the way to Peterborough to hire him as a legal consultant. She had released ambiguous statements about their relationship, which he had not denied. Eloise must have

felt awful.

Of course, he had also decided to let her go. After the divorce, they would have nothing to do with each other.

As despicable as Harvey was, Eloise lost her appetite. She put down her cutlery and said, "Fine, I can sign the papers right now."