Tangled Temptations

Chapter 199

Eloise had never encountered such a shameless man before.

Fuming, she stormed out.

Harvey didn't run after her, but he seemed to have a plan. As Eloise exited, a sleek black limousine was parked

at the doorstep. The driver respectfully asked, "Where to, Ms. Laurent? Attorney Horigan instructedto drive

you."

Eloise declined.

She had a feeling that Harvey had set a trap and was waiting for her to walk into

i)

No way. She was not playing his game!

The night deepened, and she walked alone on the city streets. The neon lights were appealing, but she was in no

mood to appreciate them.

She walked until she arrived near the city park, where a Ferris wheel adorned with colorful lights spun in the

night air. The sound of children's jubilant laughter filled the air, sweet and innocent.

Eloise stopped.

She watched quietly, thinking how in a few years time, the child of Riley and Veronica might be able to play here

too. If Veronica was too scared to ride, Riley would accompany the child.

A happy family of three, that should be delightful.

Eloise decided to visit Veronica.

She bought snutritional supplements and headed to Veronica's apartment. Riley happened to be out.

Eloise entered, placing her things down.

She noticed Veronica's pale face, probably due to recent stress and poor diet.

Eloise sat on the small couch, picking up a book that was left aside; a parenting guide. Veronica saw this as she

returned, and the atmosphere becslightly awkward.

Veronica set down her coffee, her voice trembling. “Eloise, you don't look down on me, do you?"

Eloise patted her hand, feigning nonchalance. "What are you thinking? Having a baby is a wonderful thing. Many

people suffer from infertility, so you're lucky. Once the baby is born, | bet it will be cute, just like you and Riley."

Veronica's eyes welled up with tears.

She hugged Eloise tightly, her voice choked with emotion. "Eloise, I'm scared. I'm scared | won't be able to give

this child a happy life. Its arrival is untimely. Riley... he is having a hard twith his family because of this, and

I... I'm afraid he won't be able to withstand it."

Eloise held her, silently comforting her for a while.

She finally spoke, "Riley seems to love you a lot, and he'll love the baby too. Veronica, keep the baby. Regardless

of what happens with Gunner or Riley, when the child is born, I'll help you raise it."

Veronica leaned against her shoulder, sobbing.

She wasn't usually a weak person, but she had gone through so much in the past year, and it had taken a toll on

her.

Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇt

Eloise didn't say much more, and didn't mention her negotiation with Harvey.

Before leaving, she left a check for two million dollars, claiming it was a dividend from the Crescendo Sound

Workshop. But Veronica knew her investment couldn't possibly earn that much in a year. Veronica hesitated to

accept it.

Eloise pushed the check into her hand, "It is for the baby."

Veronica laughed, "Then we'll let the baby call you Daddy."

When she left, she ran into Gunner downstairs at the apartment.

He had no intention of going up, just sitting in his car, smoking. When he saw Eloise, he quickly got out.

"Eloise."

Despite everything, Eloise harbored resentment towards him. But she didn't want

to say anything hurtful. She simply said, "Please let Veronica go. You know in your heart..."

Gunner looked lost. He took a deep drag of his cigarette, then tossed it and stomped it out.

He stared at Eloise.

Their relationship had been strained for a long time, but he was unusually polite now. "Eloise, don't be fooled by

Veronica's tough exterior. She lacks your decisiveness, and she listens to your advice. | know I've wronged you in

the past, but for the sake of my years of relationship with Veronica, speak for me. If she's willing to cback,

I'll forget everything that happened, and | won't mention a word."

Eloise looked at his appearance and also felt a bit sympathy.

She spoke calmly, "Gunner, you've never truly loved Veronica. You were with Ravenna while pursuing Veronica.

True love means loyalty, which you've never shown."

Gunner was stunned.

His eyes red, he pleaded, "Eloise, | was wrong. Please pass a message to her."

Eloise gently shook her head. It was too late.

Even without the baby, Veronica couldn't possibly go back.

Eloise returned home.

Riley had sent her a Facebook message, full of thanks but not asking for the result.

But Eloise knew that Riley actually wanted to know about it.

Later, she learned that Riley had a big fight with his family. The Colman family suggested that if they insisted on

being together, they should abort the baby and have Veronica marry into the family after clearing her name.

There could always be another baby.

Eloise leaned on the balcony, staring at the crescent moon hanging on the horizon. Yes, Riley and Veronica were

still young and could have more children, but it wouldn't be the one currently in Veronica's womb.

And without the baby, could they still be together?

Eloise was no saint, but every tshe thought of Veronica's tear-stained face, her heart softened.

It was really late.

She dialed Harvey's number, but his phone was off. It wasn't until one in the morning that he returned her call,

his voice slightly hoarse. "Eloise, what's up? I'm

on a business trip in Brockville, will be back tomorrow morning."

He detailed his whereabouts as if their argument had never occurred.

Eloise was silent for a while before saying softly, "About what we discussed, | want to talk again."

Harvey chuckled lightly, "So you agreed?"

"No." Eloise tried to keep her tone calm, "But | think we have room to negotiate." Harvey laughed, sounding

pleased.

He had just finished a formal dinner and was standing in the hotel lobby enjoying the breeze. His mood was

excellent.

"Let's have dinner tomorrow night."

"Let's talk in your office."

"Eloise, do you think discussing our future is appropriate in an office?"

Eloise was slightly irritated.

She gritted her teeth. "Harvey, what | want to discuss is about Veronica."

He fell silent, simply holding his phone and waiting for her to give in.

In terms of patience, how could Eloise ever be his match?

After a while, she finally murmured, "Harvey, even if this involves... us, | want to discuss it at your office. If not,

we won't talk at all."

Harvey conceded.

"Fine," he said somewhat reservedly. "I have a half-hour window tomorrow at 10 am." With that, he hung up.

Eloise held the phone, her mind reeling.

The next day, she arrived at his office right on time.

Everyone there recognized her. After all, Eloise had been close to becoming Mrs. Horigan. Harvey's PA, Taylor, led

her into his office in the absence of his usual assistant, Denise.

"Ms. Laurent, please," Taylor said. "Attorney Horigan has been expecting you."

As the office door opened, Harvey was seated behind his mahogany desk, phone

in hand. He was still wearing his signature three-piece suit, looking every bit the affluent lawyer with just a hint

of roguish charm.

Taylor blinked.

Recently, Attorney Horigan seemed to be paying particular attention to his appearance. He had always been

handsome, but now he positively gleamed.

She excused herself to make coffee.

Harvey watched Eloise intently, telling the person on the other end of the line, "You take care of it. | have a client

coming in."

He hung up the phone and gestured for Eloise to sit down.

Eloise settled into a leather armchair by the floor-to-ceiling window. A small coffee table in front of her held a few

Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏm

picture frames, most of which featuring Harvey in court, presumably from cases he was particularly proud of.

Eloise's gaze fixed on one frame.

In the center was a photo of her, taken while she was playing the piano at his

apartment.

She remembered that day. It had been after their first sexual encounter, and he

had gifted her a grand piano worth millions. She had shyly accepted his affection

then.

But in the end, that affection had meant nothing.

Eloise turned her face away, not wishing to see any more.

Harvey cout from behind his desk and sat across from her, picking up the photo frshe had been looking

at. "You didn't leave many photos behind," he said softly. "I chose this one because | thought it was the best. We

should take more in the future. Once we have our wedding photos, I'll put one of us together here."

He laughed, "Then every female client will know I'm a married man. It will save me

a lot of trouble."

"There won't be any wedding photos," Eloise said coldly.

Harvey chuckled and wasn't angry. At that moment, Taylor arrived with coffee,

which helped ease the tension.

Harvey gave her sinstructions.

Taylor left with a smile, gently closing the door behind her.

He picked up his coffee and took a sip before setting it down. His gaze fixed on Eloise, and he said softly, "Eloise,

you know what | want. | have fame, wealth, and power. Why should | help others? Unless you cback to me."

With that, he focused all his attention on her.

He had been with her many times. Just seeing her seated across from him stirred

up old feelings. The prospect of her becoming his again was thrilling.

Eloise could read his gaze.

He clearly wanted her.

She lowered her eyes and gave a wry smile, her voice trembling slightly. "Harvey,

don't you just want to sleep with me? | can do that. How many times do you

want?"

Harvey didn't move. He just kept looking at her.

After a long while, he finally spoke, his voice husky and unsteady. "Eloise, is that

what you think of me? You think I just want to sleep with you?"

Eloise's face drained of color.

Harvey gave her a gentle smile. "What | want," he said, "is to spend a lifetwith

you."