Tangled Temptations novel Chapter 168

Stepping out of the study, Harvey pulled Eloise close.

He held her in his arms without speaking a word.

Eloise was a bit upset.

But it was Christmas, and they were at his place, she didn't want to disturb the vibe.

She rested her head on his shoulder, inhaling the pleasant scent of his cologne, and whispered, "What time are you coming back?"

Harvey had to head to his office soon, Joan's husband's lawyer was waiting for him to negotiate.

After thinking for a moment, Harvey said, "I'll be back before dinner! I'll come back to have dinner with you and then we'll go back to the apartment together... Eloise, this won't affect our life."

Eloise forced a smile.

In the afternoon, Harvey left with Parker.

Pauline, who had originally planned on going out with Eloise and Orlena, lost her mood to do so.

The atmosphere in Horigan Mansion was a tad gloomy.

Eloise waited from day till night, but Harvey didn't return.

He did call to tell her to eat first and then have the driver take her back to the apartment, saying he would be back later.

Eloise didn't ask when.

As it involved Joan, she had a sense of pride.

At eight in the evening, when Eloise left with Milo, Pauline was particularly apologetic.

Eloise smiled lightly and said, "It's okay!"

But she knew very well that she had tasted nothing but bitterness the entire day.

Once she got into the car, the driver didn't start the engine immediately, instead, the rear door was pulled open.

Max appeared in the darkness.

The driver was tactful enough to see that Max had some issues with Ms. Laurent, keeping his mouth shut was the best thing to do.

Max, leaning on the car roof, looked at Eloise.

"I want to talk to you."

Eloise, already in a bad mood, had no desire to deal with him.

Max grabbed her arm, pulling her out of the car forcefully.

The night wind was harsh, Eloise stared at him unblinkingly.

Max lit a cigarette, looking at her as the smoke rose.

"Are you still planning to stay with him? International divorce cases like this can last for years, are you ready to watch Harvey dealing with his ex-wife all the time? Whenever Joan has a minor illness, Harvey will have to rush to the hospital to take care of her... Eloise, is this the kind of relationship you want? Can you bear such injustice?"

Harsh words, from a man she despised.

But he was absolutely right!

Eloise replied calmly, "Max... whether I'm doing good or bad, it's none of your business!"

Max violently slammed the car roof!

The driver was startled.

Under the night sky, Max's face was frightening, he questioned, "Eloise, I know you hate me, but I can't stand seeing you unhappy! Have you ever thought that I want you to be happy too!"

Max was probably too agitated, his fingers holding the cigarette were shaking.

"Wake up, being with Landon is a hundred times better than being with Harvey!"

Eloise turned pale.

Max stared at her quietly, then said very gently, "Eloise, maybe give me another chance! I won't let you down again."

Eloise got back into the car, sat in the back seat, and said softly, "Max, it's too late!"

Having said that, she asked the driver to start the car.

The driver sighed lightly and stepped on the gas.

Throughout the ride, Eloise remained silent. The young driver couldn't help saying, "Ms. Laurent, don't worry, I won't spread what happened tonight."

Eloise didn't respond, it seemed she didn't care that much now.

She returned to Harvey's apartment, settled Milo, and then began to wait... wait for Harvey to come back.

Eloise waited till midnight, but he still hadn't returned.

The night was extremely quiet, and Milo was the only one moving around at her feet.

Eloise sat at the piano, playing over and over again.

She played all the songs she remembered, but Harvey still hadn't returned.

Milo, tired, laid down at her feet.

Eloise sat at the piano, with the beautiful night view of Peterborough in front of her, but she felt extremely suffocated.

She examined their relationship and found that she had no way out.

Harvey didn't come back the whole night.

At dawn, Eloise left the apartment with Milo and returned to her own home.

Harvey probably returned later, he called her.

Eloise held the phone, didn’t know what to say.

Harvey was probably busy. He only said a few words before hanging up.

Just like that, they didn't see each other for a few days.

Then, Encore Soundworks ran into problems again.

After the opening, Vanessa invited Eloise to her office for a coffee. When Eloise saw Vanessa looking unwell, she couldn't help asking a few questions.

"Eloise, I have stomach cancer," Vanessa told her softly.

Eloise was holding a cup of coffee. Hearing this news, she blinked.

And then, tears fell.

She didn't wipe them away, but asked softly, "Did you get a re-examination?"

"I did, I've been to the best hospitals both domestically and internationally. Eloise, I want to go to Switzerland for treatment. I don't want to give my shares to anyone else, I hope you can take over if it's possible. I don't have any other demands, I just hope to get my investment back."

Vanessa held Eloise's hand.

Eloise put down her coffee cup, her fingers trembling uncontrollably.

After a while, Eloise said, "I'll go to Switzerland with you."

Vanessa shook her head.

She had always been strong, and she still had a wish at this time.

Encore Soundworks was built by her and Eloise together, and even though she was sick, she hoped that Eloise could continue to run it.

The phone calls were just a few words.

Seeing him now, Eloise couldn't help but feel a pang.

Harvey wasn't alone, he was with Denise and two strangers.

Eloise knew he was on business, so she just nodded and said hi.

She wanted to take Vanessa home, but Vanessa declined.

Vanessa was a shrewd woman, she saw the distance between Eloise and Harvey immediately. She calmly said, "I can take a cab."

Eloise could only call a cab for Vanessa and watched her get in.

In the night, Vanessa's frail figure was no longer visible in the taxi.

Eloise was heartbroken, she stood alone in the dark for a long while.

"Eloise..."

Eloise turned around to see Harvey standing under the neon lights.

He was dressed in expensive clothes, even the brightest light couldn't overshadow his radiance.

After a while, Eloise asked, "Done with your business?"

Harvey gave a slight nod, took her car keys and gently said, "You're not in a good state, let me drive!"

Eloise didn't object.

After getting in the car, he asked, "let’s go back to my place?"

Eloise leaned back in her seat, said tiredly, "Milo is at my place, just drop me home!"

Harvey felt she was a bit cold, he couldn't help but frown.

But he didn't show any displeasure, instead he said thoughtfully, "We'll spend the night at your place. You rest first and I'll walk the dog."

Eloise didn't object.

She felt that if she did, it would make her seem petty and too concerned about these small matters.

Harvey seemed to want to chat, he casually asked, "Did you have dinner with Ms. Vanessa? She seemed a bit unwell."

Eloise nodded and told him what happened.

When she finished, Harvey parked the car at an intersection. It was a red light ahead.

He looked straight ahead, softly said, "Why didn't you tell me if you needed money?"

The Laurent family had even sold their house and moved into a smaller one.

As a man, Harvey couldn't ignore this!

Eloise lowered her head and said, "Harvey, I don't really want to use your money right now."

Silence filled the air...

After a while, he asked, "Because you don't feel secure?"

Eloise didn't answer him.

In fact, she did regret it at times. Those nights filled with flirting and excitement, made her easily accept him!

She once bravely accepted this love...

And now, her courage was still there, but she started to hesitate and feel afraid.