Tangled Temptations novel Chapter 185

Parker frowned and asked, "What do you know?"

Harvey brushed off the ice chips on his body. His expression was a bit dazed for a moment.

After a while, he finally said palely, "Dad, I thought that I would never fall in love with anyone after breaking up with Joan. When I first started with Eloise, I thought it was just a game we both agreed to play. I knew Eloise liked me, but I never thought about being with her long-term."

Parker angrily threw an ashtray at him. "You're just toying with her feelings!" he growled, his eyebrows jumping in anger.

Harvey didn't dodge, and blood trickled down from his forehead, flowing down his handsome face.

Pauline outside the door was heartbroken. "Parker!" she called out.

Parker was relentless. "Don't plead for this bastard! He's getting good at playing with women. Where did he learn this bad habit... I'm going to teach him a lesson today!"

Pauline didn't dare to plead anymore.

Parker lit a cigarette, blew out a smoke ring, and said, "Why aren't you talking? If you dare to do it, you should admit it. You think you're so cool, so impressive outside! Let me tell you, in the past, this was frowned upon, and you should be ashamed, instead of thinking you're the pride of the Horigan family!"

Harvey stared straight at his father. "Dad, I didn't expect to fall in love with Eloise. It was only after she left that I realized I'd been doing a lot of things I wouldn't have done before to win her back, but she doesn't want me anymore. Dad, I don't know what to do to make her come back."

Before Parker had a chance to give advice, Harvey's expression suddenly hardened. "But I won't let her be with someone else. Landon can't be with her! No one can be with her!"

With that, Harvey turned and left.

Pauline tried to stop him, but Parker said sternly, "Let him go. He's 29 years old now, and he should know what to do."

Pauline was very worried. She was afraid that Harvey was on the wrong path; his words just sounded very wrong.

But Parker was very satisfied. He smoked his cigarette, looking at his wife. "That's a man! Go after what you like, instead of hiding, and drinking all day, waiting until Eloise gets married, and then making a fool of yourself?"

After Parker's lesson, Harvey no longer attended drinking parties, and he became more determined, making people feel scared.

People came to the Horigan family to complain about Harvey's improper behavior. Pauline cried to her husband, "If Harvey keeps doing this, I'm afraid he'll be single for life."

Parker sneered, "You don't understand! There are many girls who want to be with Harvey, lining up from here to there. It's just that your son has high standards, and only has eyes for one person."

Pauline looked at her son in the newspaper again. He was handsome, sexy. That face, full of attraction. But what was the use? He was still alone.

......

A month passed quickly, and it was soon the day when Eloise was to receive her award from Peterborough.

Michelle accompanied Eloise to the award ceremony. Although Michelle was a bit sad, her mood was quite good today. Backstage, she helped Eloise adjust her collar several times, always feeling that it needed to be smoother here or more perfect there.

Eloise laughed. "Mom, the collar is already smooth."

Michelle also laughed. "I always feel it's not perfect enough. Today is your big day, so you must do your best."

Eloise nodded.

At this time, the host came over and whispered to Eloise, "Ms. Laurent, it's your turn to go on stage."

Eloise patted Michelle's shoulder, "Mom, remember to take many photos of me."

Michelle hurriedly helped Eloise adjust her collar again. "Don't mess up your clothes. Go ahead. I'll take lots of good pictures of you."

Parker personally hosted Eloise. He was even friendlier than the last time. He brewed a cup of coffee for Eloise and then sat across from her. After two cups of coffee, he got down to brass tacks.

Parker cut to the chase and said, "I know you've been hurt. But today, I want to give you a dose of reality. No couple sails through life without facing any trials and tribulations. Harvey screwed up, but he's aware of his mistakes. His past lifestyle was indeed hard to swallow. It breaks our parents' hearts to see this, and made us so mad!"

Eloise stayed quiet.

Parker continued, "It's all Harvey's fault!" He picked up a thick file from the table and slid it gently towards Eloise.

Eloise looked up.

Parker's sharp, handsome face still bore a smile. "My secretary tells me Encore Soundworks is doing great. Eloise... I see great potential in you. This is all of the Horigan family's real estate, worth about ten billion dollars. Pauline isn't interested in managing it, and I want to hand it over to you."

Managing ten billion dollars was indeed a tempting offer. Such a generous offer also represented trust. For a shrewd businessman like Parker to hand over such an important task, it was not easy.

Eloise was, of course, tempted. She stared at the file, knowing that once she signed, her net worth would double instantly, perhaps even making her the wealthiest woman in town.

But she turned it down. She managed to say, "Mr. Parker, this is indeed very tempting! But what I want isn't a prestigious family. I just want a husband who is completely mine. What we've been through makes it hard for me to trust him again. So... I'm sorry, I must say I can't accept."

With that, Eloise got up. She nodded at Parker, grateful for this man who had always treated her well.

After Eloise left, Parker's secretary tiptoed in, gently asking, "Shall we keep Ms. Laurent?"

Parker waved his hand. Pointing at the file on the table, he told his secretary, "She's indeed remarkable. No wonder Harvey can't let go!"

The secretary nodded and chuckled in agreement.

Parker laughed again, "Such an excellent girl should be part of our family."