Tangled Temptations novel Chapter 406

Brett caught sight of Stephanie as he entered the room. A flicker of surprise crossed his face, followed by a slight annoyance. He thought he had made things crystal clear to her. Stephanie was no fool, yet here she was, dropping by uninvited on New Year's Eve, presumably to ruffle Orlena's feathers.

As a man of Brett's standing, it was unthinkable to simply send her away. He shrugged off his coat, revealing a crisp gray shirt paired with dark wool slacks—the epitome of refined elegance.

A servant handed him a warm towel, which he used to wipe his hands. With a smile, he turned to Donny. "Hey, since Stephanie's here to ring in the New Year, why don't you stick around too? Call your wife over, and we'll all have a casual dinner."

Donny was always good at playing along. Taking the towel from his boss, he chuckled, "Oh, I wouldn't dream of imposing on you this festive season, Brett. I'll scoot back to where I came from. My wife and kids are waiting to celebrate the New Year with me."

Brett returned the smile with a nonchalant one of his own. He leaned in, raising his voice in a natural tone. "Orlena, Donny's heading home for the festivities. Aren't you going to see him off? After all, you always greet him with such warmth."

From inside, Orlena gritted her teeth. He was doing this on purpose. Fully aware of her irritation with Stephanie, he was still asking her to play the hostess.

But the man had spoken, and she couldn't afford to lose face in front of him, nor did she want to appear weak.

Rushing out, she clutched a tube of ointment in her hand, her mouth smeared with a messy patch of it, hardly presentable in front of guests.

Stephanie watched silently, a peculiar feeling creeping inside her. She knew Brett well; he was a perfectionist. Orlena's disheveled state would be intolerable to him; it was unseemly.

Sure enough, Brett frowned. He pulled Orlena, her face crinkled like a dumpling, close to him. "What happened?"

Orlena leaned into him, close enough to see the small bite mark on his neck from the night before. Her cheeks flushed as she whispered, "Burnt my mouth on a meatball."

She quickly found an excuse, "Tracey made them too irresistible."

Brett, however, took the ointment and started applying it to her burn, gently chiding her, "Always finding excuses for your gluttony. Can't even apply ointment properly, like a child."

His reproach was soft, his touch and gaze filled with tenderness.

Orlena wasn't afraid of him. For a moment, she forgot about the others in the room, sliding her hand into the pocket of his trousers.

Brett looked down at her. "What are you rummaging for? That's not proper."

Orlena just laughed.

Stephanie watched in silence, feeling as though she had fallen into an icy cave. Brett was indulging Orlena like this.

Besides her beauty, Orlena had nothing that would make her fit to be the lady of the Noland family. How could Orlena be worthy?

Just then, Donny pulled out a gift box from his briefcase. "Last time I gave one to Daniel, and this one's for you."

Donny was on a salary, and Orlena felt it wasn't right to take his money, but Brett patted her head, urging her, "Take it. He's setting a good example for me."

Donny grinned, "You know me too well."

Orlena accepted the gift. With no pockets on her dress, she simply stuffed it into Brett's trouser pocket, a move that earned her several looks from Brett. He called over the butler and casually gave instructions.

These New Year's preparations should have been Orlena's to arrange, but she was only good at having fun. Moreover, Brett didn't want to burden her, so he took care of everything himself.

While the butler spoke with him, Brett suddenly remembered something and turned to Orlena. "What are you waiting for? See Donny out. Oh, and Stephanie, too."

Stephanie's face turned sour. With just a few words, Brett had underscored the difference in status between her and Orlena.

Stephanie forced a smile. "No need for the trouble, Ms. Horigan."

Still clinging to Brett's arm, Orlena reached for the coat on the nearby sofa. It was Brett's. She wrapped herself in it tightly. "Donny, let me walk you out."

Donny smiled appreciatively. "With this weather and scenery, walking with a beauty like Ms. Orlena is a delight in itself." He tucked his briefcase under his arm.

Orlena followed him out, leaving Stephanie with no reason to stay. She looked at Brett, overcome with sadness.

Brett had many confidantes, and she was among them. She didn't seek a formal status by his side, only hoping that one day he would settle down and naturally realize she was the one best suited for him.

She never imagined he would fall for a young girl. He was even considering leaving the career he loved for Orlena.

Stephanie's lips quivered. "I heard you're leaving the system to enter business?"

Brett finished giving instructions. He dismissed the butler and glanced at Tracey, who sat still as a statue. With a resigned air, he pulled out a cigarette and took a slow drag. "How did you find out?"

Stephanie suppressed her emotions. "I have my ways. Someone saw your resignation letter."

The thought of Brett resigning from all his positions after the mission was both shocking and infuriating to her. How could he... How could he love Orlena to such an extent that he would give up his career just to be with her and marry her?

"Brett. You belong where you are now. You started a business for some clueless girl. Isn't it too late? Can you compete with the Horigan family in business? Without the halo of Mr. Brett, why would she still want to be with you?"

Brett lit his cigarette; his voice was soft but firm. "All of this is none of your business, Stephanie. Let me go, and give yourself a break. Orlena may be young, but that doesn't mean she's clueless. She's chosen me more resolutely than anyone else." So, he had chosen her too.

Stephanie wanted to say more, but Orlena returned.

Brett took her hand, glanced at the burn on her lip, and called out to Tracey, "Take care of things for me, will you? I'm going to help Orlena change her clothes."

Tracey nodded in agreement.

Orlena strolled alongside him, her voice light with playful accusation. "Hope I'm not neglecting your guests."

Brett hadn't seen her in a while, and he found himself missing her more than he expected. Pinning her against the hallway wall, he gently probed the healing bruise on her arm. "Does it still hurt?"

"Not anymore."

A soft chuckle escaped Brett, his voice dropping even quieter. "I meant here," he teased, referencing the little yelp of pain she had let out the night before.

Orlena's cheeks flushed a brilliant rose. Leaning against the wall, she playfully punched his chest, a small act of sweetness that made them momentarily forget about Stephanie's presence.

Brett was always considerate, never overstepping, and soon, they changed and headed back out.

By then, Stephanie had left.

Daniel trailed after Tracey, who was bustling about with her usual holiday fervor – quite the contrast to her typical leisurely pace. This year, she was exceptionally diligent. As Brett watched his mother's soft expression, his heart felt a tender pull.

He lifted his son. "Let's go set off some fireworks in the yard."

Secretly, Orlena longed to join.

Her adventurous spirit yearned for play, but her current role...

"I'll help Tracey with the holiday feast."

Tracey nudged her, scolding gently, "You're young. Why waste away in the kitchen with an old lady like me? Go have some fun."

Once given permission, Orlena dashed off, swift as the wind.