Tangled Temptations

Eloise had a hunch that something was off with Harvey. Normally, he couldn't hold his patience for long, but now he was unusually calm.

She tilted her head slightly, exposing the graceful curve of her neck. The delicate lines drove him crazy, and her soft, fair skin was simply irresistible. "Delicious." Harvey whispered, his aristocratic nose gently brushing against her skin, barely containing his desire.

Eloise felt his skin burning against hers. She gently pushed him away.

"What's wrong?" Harvey asked, his hands softly caressing her belly. "Is the baby giving you trouble?"

Eloise wrapped her arms around his shoulders. She looked down and murmured, "It's you who's troubling me."

Harvey leaned in closer, his nose touching hers as he asked in a low voice, "Don't you want to?"

Eloise, accustomed to their intimacy, didn't hide her desire. She nibbled on his lip playfully. "I'm a little tempted, and yet I'm a bit hesitant."

Harvey chuckled softly, restraining himself but still holding her close. They exchanged the sweet nothings of a married couple and had conversations about the baby, Orlena's wedding.

He talked a lot until finally, Eloise couldn't help herself. "Harvey, do you want to bring up Jacob?"

Harvey paused for a moment, then smiled, "Jacob's not significant enough to concern me."

Eloise knew then that it was Landon on his mind. With a little thought, she figured out it must have been Linda who tipped him off.

Despite how Eloise raised her, Linda was always in Harvey's corner - a fact that both irritated and warmed Eloise as a mother. What could be more wonderful than nurturing a lovely little life together? This feeling even surpassed the love between a man and a woman.

Eloise gently pushed him away and settled at the vanity, slowly brushing through her brown hair, which she took great care to maintain its lustrous sheen.

Harvey didn't pester her further. He lounged lazily at the head of the bed, watching her.

As Eloise combed her hair, she spoke softly, "It was just a chance encounter. Why are you still concerned about it? Besides, we only talked business."

She explained the situation with Landon.

Harvey's smile carried a hint of tease. "Seems like it was a private chat, though." He added, "You even texted each other in private." With that, he pulled her back into his arms.

Eloise found herself helplessly beneath him like a young fawn. Her cheeks flushed. "Harvey!"

He didn't speak again, nor did he interrogate her; he just teased her, tormenting her with a slow, maddening intensity. Finally, he lay beside her, damp with sweat, and whispered, "Eloise, I'm jealous."

Eloise looked up at her husband. At that moment, Harvey was indescribably sexy...

As the holidays approached, Harvey was busy with the company's year-end party.

Everest Technologies wasn't planning anything extravagant this year, and as CEO, Harvey would just say a few words and have dinner with the employees.

Eloise didn't attend. She was at the Horigan Mansion, helping Orlena pack her things.

Eloise smiled, "Your housekeeping skills have improved a lot. You're doing very well."

Orlena glanced up at her.

As a woman soon to be married, Orlena's gaze was enchanting as she said softly, "You're starting to sound more and more like Dad."

Eloise couldn't help but laugh. "How so?"

Orlena playfully mimicked. "Especially when you're bossing me around."

Hearing this, Eloise felt a softness in her heart. She stood up and embraced Orlena gently. "The soon-to-be bride still looks like a little girl."

Orlena's eyes grew moist as she protested half-heartedly, "I'm older than you."noveldrama

Eloise just smiled softly, asking quietly, "Is Uncle treating you well?"

Orlena lost her previous bravado, falling silent before softly admitting, "Sometimes he's wonderful, sometimes not so much... but..."

But she loved him.

When you loved someone, you compromised unconditionally.

Eloise said nothing more and just tenderly stroked her hair.

During this tender moment, Veronica called.

Orlena suggested, "You take the call, and I'll keep packing."

Eloise answered with a light smile, "Veronica, what a surprise to hear from you."

After exchanging their usual banter, Veronica exclaimed, "The sun must be shining today."

"What happened?"

"Ravenna, that bitch, called me. Can you believe it? She wants to invite us for coffee as if she's trying to make amends."

Eloise's smile was knowing. In her quest to marry into the prestigious Velona family, Ravenna was using them as stepping stones to polish her image.

Veronica scoffed, "As if we'd want to sip coffee with her."

"I'll go."

"What?"

Veronica could hardly believe her ears and asked again, "Eloise, are you serious? Since Max's death, you've been colder to her than even I have."

Eloise's smile remained gentle.

Knowing her well, Veronica lowered her voice. "You suspect... she's behind that incident?"

Eloise confirmed with a soft hum.

Veronica fell silent for a moment before saying with a hint of resolve, "I'll work with you, Eloise. After all the things she's done to us, we can't let her off easily."

After hanging up, Orlena looked at her. "You're meeting Ravenna? Harvey won't agree."

Eloise helped her fold a blouse, smiling. "The bride-to-be shouldn't worry so much. Relax... I'll talk to Harvey."

Orlena replied innocently, "Just don't deceive me, okay? You will tell Harvey, right?"

Eloise laughed, "There's an F1 race coming up in a few days. I'll take you to see

it." She then called Harvey in front of Orlena.

Over the phone, Harvey agreed. He said, "Let Orlena accompany you."

So, Orlena tagged along with Eloise to the coffee shop.

Ravenna and Veronica had arrived first. The two women clearly didn't get along, and Veronica had an extremely sour face. Eloise and Orlena's arrival brightened her mood.

Ravenna's target was Eloise. She gently pulled out a chair for Eloise, her tone soft and considerate. "Pregnancy must be weighing you down, huh?"

Eloise managed a light smile. "I'm managing."

Veronica secretly admired Eloise's poise. There was Ravenna, the nemesis, and yet Eloise could still muster a smile in her presence.

At that moment, Ravenna turned her gaze towards Orlena, a hint of unease in her eyes. "Eloise, you still don't trust me, do you? Brought someone along just in case I might pull something?"

Orlena was about to speak up. Eloise gently stopped her, her smile untroubled. "It was Harvey's idea. What about you, Ravenna? Ever thought of harming me?"

Ravenna was at a loss for words. She wanted to curry favor with Eloise, but the gesture wasn't reciprocated. That was to be

expected. If Eloise had coziedel

her just like that, it would have been suspicious. The pride of a high society lady often stood in the way.

Awkwardly, Ravenna flagged down a waiter. "What will it be for you, coffee? Still Americano?"

Eloise didn't respond.

Orlena spoke up, "Plain water, please. My sister-in-law is pregnant."

The waiter nodded and left.

Ravenna forced a smile. "I'm sorry, I forgot. Eloise, you must be about five months

along now, right?"

Eloise just hummed in acknowledgment.

Ravenna's voice dropped to a whisper, "I've been pregnant before, too. I've been

a mother."

Veronica couldn't hold back any

longer. She stood up, pointing at

Ravenna, and burst out, "You dare speak of children. Ravenna, if it hadn't been for your deception back then, Gunner and I wouldn't have ended up in such a mess."

Ravenna gave her a somber look. "Aren't you happy now?"

"That's entirely beside the point."

Veronica was visibly agitated, her chest heaving with emotion. "You lied to Gunner, let everyone down, and how did that end? You gave birth to a bastard child. Who have you been fair to? And the child, what about it? Did you abandon it or worse?"

Ravenna's face turned ashen.

Eloise gently tugged at Veronica's hand. "Let's not say any more."

But Veronica was too incensed and shook off her hand.

The café was bathed in a warm, yellow glow.

With trembling lips, Ravenna said, "Veronica, that's all in the past. I've come to my

senses. Can't a person be forgiven and turn over a new leaf after making

mistakes?"

Veronica was stubborn. "Not in my book. They can't!"

Her impulsive nature got the better of her, and she ended up clashing with

Ravenna. The encounter ended on a sour note.

The coffee arrived, but Ravenna sat alone, quietly watching it grow cold.