Tangled Temptations novel Chapter 134

Max was rock solid, his muscles hard as stone.

His gaze was filled with a warning.

"I haven't lost my mind." he stated at her, each word weighted, "I'm wide awake. Eloise, let's start over, I'll treat you better this time."

He cared about her past with Harvey, but he chose to forget.

Eloise was stunned. By the time she came to, Max was already cradling her face, preparing to kiss her. She turned her head away.

His lips brushed gently against her smooth cheek, leaving a trail of moisture. Eloise pushed him away forcefully. Her breathing was erratic as she stared at him, wanting to tell him that she didn't need his investment or compensation. There didn't need to be any connection between them.

But just as she was about to speak, her gaze froze. Not far away, Harvey was standing there, smoking. His deep gaze was fixed on them, indifferent as if he was watching a love affair that had nothing to do with him.

Eloise's legs suddenly went weak. She leaned against the wall, having to support herself with her hand to prevent herself from sliding down.

Max also saw Harvey. He spoke hoarsely, "Eloise, just say the word and I'll call off the engagement now. I'll marry you, and we'll have kids."

His proposal was tempting, but not what Eloise wanted. The person she truly desired was coldly observing her.

She helplessly watched Harvey.

Max felt cold all over. Perhaps before today, he still had a glimmer of hope, but now he knew that he had irrevocably lost Eloise.

A conflict among three. But Max was just an outsider.

Eloise's eyes were only for Harvey, and Max had lost badly. He backed off. As he brushed past Harvey, he heard Harvey coldly say, "Max, I don't like other men touching my woman."

Max froze. He had been around Harvey for a long time, and this was the first time he had seen Harvey show possessiveness. He usually didn't care much about anything, especially women.

Maybe he was wrong. Maybe someday, Harvey would be willing to enter into marriage. Because the woman was Eloise.

Because of Eloise, he wanted marriage.

...

Eloise got into Harvey's car. She clearly detected the smell of alcohol on him, guessing that tonight might be his celebration party, but he unexpectedly stumbled upon her intimate scene with Max.

Whether it was business or personal, Eloise didn't want to have a conflict with him. She murmured, "Encore Soundworks is raising funds. He signed a letter of intent with us through someone else. I didn't know it was him in advance."

Harvey didn't respond. He lit a cigarette, resting his hand on the car window, slowly puffing.

After finishing one cigarette, he finally turned to look at her. "Why do you need to explain to me? Aren't we just physically involved?"

Eloise's eyes reddened, and she kept quiet. Harvey's mood was unpredictable, and Eloise knew arguing with him now would only end badly.

Harvey stared at her for a long time. He suddenly said, "I want to go to your place."

Eloise was taken aback. She thought she understood what he meant, that he wanted to have sex with her at her apartment. This behavior was somewhat venting and extremely domineering.

Eloise gently turned her head, looking out the car window.

After a while, she quietly agreed.

Harvey lightly stepped on the gas pedal. He was probably angry, and the car sped incredibly fast, arriving quickly at the apartment building Eloise lived in.

Eloise led him in, feeling utterly humiliated.

"What do you want to drink?" Before she could finish, she was pushed onto the sofa. Eloise's long hair spread on the light-colored fabric, creating a strong visual impact. This, coupled with the fact that this was her lone dwelling, undoubtedly provided a significant stimulus for Harvey.

Eloise laughed.

She and Max had been over a long time ago, and she had just unintentionally met him. She had already rejected Max. She never gave him any hope, not just because she no longer loved him, but also for Orlena. She wanted Orlena to be happier.

But what about Harvey's attitude towards her?

His relationship with Joan was ambiguous, yet he couldn't tolerate her past. She submitted to him, letting him have his way with her here, yet once he pulled up his pants, he wanted to send her away as a mistress.

She didn't need Harvey anymore. She didn't want anything anymore.

Eloise unfurled the blanket, not caring about her disheveled appearance, and started to slowly get dressed.

Once she was dressed, she calmly said, "I'm not leaving."

Harvey, of course, already had a plan up his sleeve. He sneered, "Did you forget your dad's lawsuit isn't over yet?"

He pulled out a document from his pocket and tossed it to Eloise.

Upon a glance, Eloise turned pale. It was a receipt signed by her father himself, and this document was enough to plunge her father into a pit of despair.

Harvey said coldly, "I pulled some serious strings to get this document, Eloise. Can you guess what would happen if this document lands in the hands of the law? Can your father still live his peaceful life?"

Eloise was shaking with anger. She never thought that Harvey would use this to threaten her. She gave a wry laugh.

When she lifted her head, she gritted her teeth and said, "Harvey, don’t you feel anything for me after being with me for so long? Harvey, the moment my father gets thrown behind bars, I'll go straight to Max. Do you think your little sister can stay safe then? My father's life is a life, and so is your sister's."

As she spoke, her heart ached. But she still bore the pain and said, "Harvey, let's play a game of tit for tat."