Tangled Temptations novel Chapter 286

With a few deft movements of her slender fingers, Eloise had added Monika's number to Harvey's block list. Having done so, her mood took a slight hit, and she seemed somewhat absent-minded when Harvey spoke to her.

This continued until the car pulled up in front of the mansion. Unbuckling his seatbelt, he turned toward her, questioning with a hint of tenderness, "Why the silence?"

Men always loved making assessments. Harvey pondered for a moment before asking, "Did I make you uncomfortable in the car?"

Eloise shook her head lightly. Exiting the car, she avoided his question. "Your dad’s waiting for us."

She had barely taken two steps when Harvey caught her hand from behind. Her body fell into his embrace.

Snowflakes fell from the sky, soaking their coats, but neither of them cared. On such a freezing night, having such a long-awaited embrace was a rare treat.

"Eloise. Maybe, I can be a good husband." He whispered softly into her ear.

He had cast aside his previous prejudices, wanting to sincerely accept her. Whether it was because of masculine desire, or her good nature, he thought she would make a good lover, wife, and mother.

Eloise leaned into his shoulder, whispering with a hint of greed in her voice, "Really? Harvey, what do you like about me?"

...

Harvey playfully patted her. "I'll tell you tonight."

Eloise continued to mumble, "It's too soon."

Harvey gently stroked her back, relishing in her softness. He was more than willing to indulge in her.

At the mansion's entrance, Parker and Brett were smoking. Suddenly, Parker squinted. "Do you think that's Harvey and Eloise over there in the parking lot?"

Brett took a long drag from his cigarette, his demeanor exuding masculinity. After a glance, he replied, "Obviously, it is."

Parker lost his composure. Clutching his cigarette, he braved the snow and strode towards them, shouting, "Harvey, are you out of your mind? Playing romantic in this snowy weather? You're thick-skinned, but your wife just had a baby two months ago, and you're letting her out in the snow with you?"

Brett nearly burned his hand with the cigarette.

Eloise bashfully pushed Harvey away. "Parker's coming."

Harvey also sensed the awkwardness, quickly removing his coat to drape it over her shoulders. "Alright, let's go in. I told you Dad loves you the most."

By then, Parker had arrived, handing Eloise a black umbrella before launching into a tirade at his irresponsible son. Harvey lit a cigarette in the falling snow, then cast a teasing glance at Eloise.

Truth be told, Eloise found this side of Harvey rather attractive. But with Parker present, she was too embarrassed to flirt back, and quickly entered the mansion.

Parker then gave his son a lecture on postnatal care. At the end, he waved his hand dismissively. "Go take care of your wife. I'm sick of looking at you."

Harvey finished his cigarette at a leisurely pace before heading inside. As he entered, he saw Eloise removing her coat and drying her hair with a towel. She was wearing a soft wool dress that highlighted her skin.

Harvey spoke with a hint of tenderness, "There's still half an hour until dinner. Go take a shower. I'll go check on Darrien."

Linda tugged at his hand, eager to tag along. "I want to go with you and see my brother, Daddy."

Harvey bent down to pick up the little girl, planting a kiss on her forehead. Linda wrapped an arm around his neck, overjoyed.

Eloise watched father and daughter, and her expression softened. Pauline took the towel from her, whispering, "He'll come around eventually. You two already have such a deep connection."

Eloise hummed in agreement. Whether he could remember was not the most important thing. What mattered was the future.

She headed upstairs to take a shower, while the first floor of the Horigan Mansion was bustling with activity. Servants were bringing out plates of sumptuous dishes, and the room was warm and lively, with the festive atmosphere of holiday.

After checking on Darrien, Harvey brought Linda downstairs.

It was now 7:30 in the evening. In the suburbs of Peterborough, fireworks had started to light up the sky.

Linda, dressed in a pretty little dress, was running around Harvey, whose heart softened, and decided to pick up his daughter. He lost focus while reading the Financial Times, finding himself looking at Linda’s delicate little face.

Seeing Linda was like seeing Eloise.

Linda blushed under his gaze, twiddling her fingers. "Daddy, even though you're very handsome, I think Luca is cuter."

Harvey lightly smacked her little bottom. Linda blushed even more, leaning into his shoulder, and acting cute.

Brett and Parker walked in, and upon seeing them, Brett's eyes darkened. He had never been this close with Daniel, who was rather shy.

As luck would have it, Orlena brought Daniel downstairs. She had been doing well recently. With her parents helping her out, she didn't have to worry about making ends meet, and had regained her former radiance, but with a touch of feminine charm.

Brett missed her, but he knew he wasn't in a position to do anything about it. He bent down, telling the two children, "Come here, I have gifts for you."

Linda was the first to run over. Brett handed her a big giftbox.

Daniel was somewhat embarrassed, always finding Brett to be a strict person. Orlena lightly patted his shoulder. "Go on, now."

Daniel mustered up his courage, walking up to Brett. "Mister Brett."

The atmosphere in the room became somewhat awkward. Brett's face fell slightly, but he still affectionately ruffled the child's hair, giving him a giftbox and rasping, "You should call me Dad."

Daniel nodded, not fully understanding. "Dad."

Linda flew over, and her voice was crisp. "Great-uncle Brett is my mom’s uncle, so I call him Great-uncle Brett, but he and Aunt Orlena are a couple, and they had you, so you should call him Dad."

Brett patted Linda's head. Such a smart girl. Just like her father.

Linda pulled Daniel away to open their gifts.

Orlena slowly descended the staircase. Brett took out a box from his pocket, offering it to her. "A New Year's gift."

Orlena declined.

Brett looked at Orlena intently. "Consider this a holiday gift from an elder relative. Accept it. I've come all this way, and I have to leave tomorrow morning. Who knows when I'll be able to come back in the future."

Orlena begrudgingly accepted the box and opened it. Inside was an emerald necklace, clearly worth a small fortune at first glance.

She was too afraid to accept it, but Brett downplayed its value, claiming it was nothing. What he didn't tell her was that it was a family heirloom of the Noland family. Only the matriarch of each generation of the Noland family could have it.

Their future together was uncertain, but this time, he impulsively wanted to promise it to her.

On the other side, Harvey had been quietly watching the whole time. Unlike his naive sister, he knew the weight of the emerald necklace. But he didn't comment... just then, his phone rang from inside his pocket.

It was an unknown number.

He frowned slightly, hesitated, but answered. As soon as the call connected, crying could be heard from the other end. "Attorney Horigan, I beg you to help Monika. She lost her sponsorship and had to go back home to start working. Today, it started snowing, and she lives in an area surrounded by mountains, she slipped and fell off a cliff. Right now, rescue is difficult. Attorney Horgan, I know she's made mistakes, and she’s offended Mrs. Horigan, but right now, without a helicopter, she might freeze to death there.