Tangled Temptations

A week later, Eloise was attending a movie premiere.

Instead of strutting down the red carpet, she slipped in through the back door and entered the theater. But what she hadn't expected was to run into someone familiar, someone she wasn't exactly thrilled to see.

Monika!

Monika had lost a significant amount of weight in just a short period. Despite being in her early twenties, her skin had a dry, yellowish tone, an exhaustion that no amount of foundation could hide. Her light pink gown only accentuated her frailty.

She was accompanied by a man in his thirties, who was not bad looking, but with a hint of smarminess. Eloise frowned, feeling like she'd seen him somewhere before.

Just then, Ruby rushed over. She was very respectful towards the man, addressing him as Mr. Livio.

Livio.

Eloise remembered - this man was Joan's ex-husband. Seeing Monika holding his hand made her feel slightly sick.

Ruby, ever the diplomat, introduced them, "Mr. Livio, this is Ms. Laurent from Everest Technologies."

The man extended a hand towards Eloise, quite the gentleman. "I am Livio. I believe Ms. Laurent and I have some common acquaintances."

Eloise disliked his touch. But she knew her uncle was investigating this man, so she put on a polite smile and shook his hand lightly.

Livio stared at Eloise's face, praising her, "Ms. Laurent, it's a shame you're not in showbiz. You'd make a beautiful star."

He turned his head and pinched Monika's cheek. "Even prettier than your sister."

His treatment of Monika was no better than that of a well-behaved pet. Although Monika felt humiliated, she responded in a submissive tone, "You're absolutely right."

Livio patted her, giving her a nod. Across the room was a man in his forties, a potential business partner. Monika immediately walked over, linking arms with the man and leaving.

Such scenarios were not uncommon in the entertainment industry. Ruby wasn't surprised. Being an actress of her status, she didn't have to resort to such actions. She only had to flatter Livio. With a coquettish voice, she chimed in.

Eloise gave her a nonchalant glance and headed to the restroom.

Ruby, feeling awkward, forced a chuckle. "Ms. Laurent isn't part of our industry; she's different from us."

Eloise headed to the restroom, where a sign reading "Closed for Cleaning" hung on the door. Just as she was about to head upstairs, a janitor came by, grumbling about someone hanging up the sign unnecessarily, and removed it.

Eloise stepped inside.

Inside the restroom, a scene was unfolding.

Monika's light pink dress was ruffled around her waist, her body shaking and trembling. A man was on her, panting and thrusting.

This was a shocking sight even for someone like Eloise, who had seen it all.

The man quickly finished and left, even patting Monika's head on his way out.

Eloise left the restroom. Two bodyguards immediately approached, "Ms. Laurent, are you okay?"

Eloise shook her head.

Just then, Monika, having straightened her dress, walked out. Her face was flushed in the afterglow of their encounter, looking healthier than her previous ghostly pallor.

She called out to Eloise, "Can we talk?"

The bodyguards immediately stepped forward to block her. Monika bit her lip, defiantly staring at Eloise, her eyes filled with envy. She was envious of everything Eloise had.

After that encounter, Eloise was not in the mood to watch the premiere. She walked over to the sink and turned on the faucet.

"Do you look down on me?"noveldrama

Eloise looked up, her eyes meeting Monika's in the mirror.

Monika lit a slim cigarette, almost trembling. She took a deep drag.

Monika looked back at Eloise, and there was a fierceness in her eyes. "Yes, I used to be a bad girl. But was it my fault? I was taken to a mountain, do you know who my first man was? It was that old beast who was supposed to care for me.

"I finally had a chance to change my fate, but you ruined everything."

Eloise gave a faint smile. "Your opportunity? You mean throwing yourself at Harvey, wrecking his marriage, and becoming the other woman?"

She had no sympathy for Monika. The genetic makeup of Monika and Joan was identical. They only cared for themselves, even at the expense of others.

Monika laughed, her eyes welling up. "I wouldn't have taken the 200k, and he would've softened eventually. But you, you were ruthless. If it wasn't for Gunner tempting me, how could I have easily.been with someone else?"

She thought she could have Gunner. After all, he was young and rich.

Eloise turned off the faucet, giving a light smile. "Do you think of yourself as a virtuous woman? Yes. I did it on purpose. I despise you and your sister for life."

Eloise decided not to engage with her further and left the restroom.

Outside, Harvey was leaning against the wall, smoking leisurely. The light cast on his handsome features, made him look even more attractive, but his expression was unreadable.

Eloise paused. She was surprised to see him, wanted to say something, but then left without uttering a single word.

Monika chased after her. She saw Harvey and hesitated. "Attorney Horigan."

Harvey slowly finished his cigarette. His tone was indifferent and cool. "Stay away from Eloise from now on. Or I can't guarantee what will happen to you."

Monika was stunned. Was he protecting Eloise? Hadn't they divorced? Hadn't their relationship been strained recently?

Harvey crushed the cigarette butt under his foot and walked away.

Monika caught up to him, her voice trembling slightly. "I'm under Livio's control, I know a lot about him. If you want evidence, I can try to get it."

Harvey frowned.

Monika lowered her voice. "Attorney Horigan, I just want a chance to start over. Once everything is over, I'll leave Peterborough and never bother you guys again."

As she spoke, she lifted her dress slightly. Her slim waist was covered in bruises, and there were numerous needle marks on her thighs. The sight was horrifying.

Monika's lips quivered. "I thought he would treat me well. But to him, I'm worse than an animal, I'll be killed. Attorney Horigan, for the sake of my sister, please save me."

She scrolled through her phone and pulled up an old photo. It was Harvey at 24 and Joan at 22, leaning against a grand piano. Young and vibrant, a snapshot of a simpler time.

Harvey stared at the photo silently. Joan was gone. The image now, even without the youthful craze, brought a sense of nostalgia.

...

Eloise didn't stay for the movie. She got in her car and drove home.

On the way, she called Brett. To her surprise, Brett was also in Peterborough,

working on the Livio case.

Brett detected Eloise's

apprehension. In a low voice, he reassured her, "Livio's a bit of a womanizer. We've already started sending people his way. Once Re

bites, we'll have the evidence we need to put him away for a long time."

Eloise felt slightly relieved.

When she returned to the mansion,

Harvey's car pulled up right after hers. Eloise leaned against the door, watching him in the dim evening light. After a moment, she said softly, "It's late. Try to come during daytime hours."

Harvey's voice was tinged with fatigue. "I was in Rossland for a business trip. I

just got back and wanted to see Linda."

Eloise remembered their encounter earlier. He had just gotten off a plane and went straight to a premiere?

He was here to see their daughter now, and she couldn't refuse him. "Keep your voice down, Linda might be asleep."

They walked into the mansion. Once inside, they noticed a grand piano in the living room. Harvey paused. With a casual air, he asked, "Moved the piano over?"

Eloise responded with a nod.

Harvey walked over and gently ran his fingers over the black and white keys, his expression inscrutable.

Eloise watched quietly. The piano held many memories for her and Harvey, but he didn't remember. She felt a pang of sadness and said, "I'll go upstairs now."

Just then, her phone rang. It was an unknown number, but she answered without hesitation.

Turned out, it was that A-list actor from the private dinner, Oliver. Somehow, he had gotten hold of her number.

Oliver was smooth but knew his boundaries. He said he had seen her earlier but

hadn't had a chance to talk before she left.

Eloise responded nonchalantly and hung up.

As soon as she ended the call, Harvey grabbed her. Her slender figure was pressed against the piano. The piano echoed with a mournful moan.

Harvey looked down at Eloise beneath him, his voice low and dangerous. "Eloise, you're into young boys like that?"

Eloise was both embarrassed and angry. "That's none of your business. Harvey,

let go of me."

He didn't. For some reason, he was furious. They had only been divorced for a

short time, and she was already seeing other guys.

He didn't let go. Instead, he ran his

long fingers gently over her body, then started to unbutton her dress "Ms. Laurent, are you so desperate for a man? Can a boy like that satisfy you? Or... we could help each other out. We've done it countless times. I suppose, even if you don't

like me, you still like this body... how about it? I don't mind being a

stand-in."

He even had the audacity to whisper in her ear, "Turn off the lights, you can hold

me and call me Harvey. Imagine I'm him, I think you'll be able to..."

He knew he shouldn't be doing this. Her rejection last time had wounded his pride.

He had genuinely come to see Linda tonight. But hearing the young actor fawning over her filled him with rage.

"Do you always enjoy flirting with men? Remember to keep it away from the kid,

okay?"

Eloise was both embarrassed and furious. She didn't dare to scream out loud,

afraid that Linda would wake up and see them.

Harvey unbuttoned her entire dress. He kissed her chin, his voice soft. "How did

he used to serve you? Tell me, I won't do worse..."

Despite his words, his fingers were already under her skirt.

Eloise let out a soft gasp. On the side of the piano was a large mirror. If she

turned her head, she could see her body twisted at an awkward angle, being manipulated by him.

She struggled hard, her eyes flashing with anger. Harvey kissed her, his voice

hoarse. "Ms. Laurent, do you want the housekeeper or the bodyguard to come over and see you like this?"

"Do you want to see what you look like right now?"

Eloise didn't want to at all. He was despicable, resorting to force when he couldn't

get what he wanted.

Harvey picked her up and carried her to the mirror, forcing her to look at her disheveled reflection. "You're still saying you don't want me. Who else could make you like this?"

Eloise was breathless.

She turned around in his arms, her body against the mirror. She tilted her neck back, sneering, "Sorry, I'm not that desperate for a man."