Tangled Temptations novel Chapter 207

Business trip?

Harvey was half awake before he had a chance to sip his hangover remedy. He let go of her and leaned against the kitchen countertop. He had been meaning to smoke a cigar, but Eloise had been having some throat problems recently, so he decided against it.

Eloise handed him a bowl. “It's a project from Mr. Arellano, quite promising!”

Harvey couldn’t help but retort, “Is it your payment for babysitting his kids?”

Eloise found his comment distasteful, despite its truth.

Sitting on a bar stool, Harvey sipped his coffee sporadically, and asked, “Is Dwight going too?”

Eloise knew he wasn't pleased. She didn't have to explain, but she thought that if she didn't say anything, he wouldn't let it slide for the rest of the night. Weighing her options, she spoke softly, “This case is on Dwight’s account. If I don’t bring him along, I can’t close the deal with Mr. Arellano. Besides, it’s not just the two of us, There will be six of us in total.”

Harvey didn’t say anything else, which was sort of his approval. His hand slipped back into his pocket, touching the little velvet box. The last time they went to a movie, he had used his hand to measure, and estimated Eloise's ring size. He'd been wanting to give it to her, but with no proper occasion. Valentine's Day seemed like a good opportunity. She might not accept it, but he thought Eloise, with her gentle heart, would at least appreciate his sentiment. Just like the last time, even though she had regrets of her own, she still comforted his grandma.

Now, Harvey felt a certain familial fondness for Eloise. He wanted to take her to his grandma's grave, to have her 'meet' her. But he held back. He would wait until the day Eloise was willing to wear his diamond ring on her ring finger. Then, he would definitely take her there.

……

Eloise was leaving for a business trip in the morning, and she didn't plan to stay over. Harvey had his assistant take her home.

After Eloise left, the grand mansion felt somewhat lonely under the crystal chandelier light. Harvey sat alone on the sofa, pulling out the velvet box from his pocket. He opened it, and inside was a diamond engagement ring.

Every woman would love such a magnificent diamond!

Valentine's Day was three days away. Harvey wanted to spend Valentine's Day with Eloise. He wanted to make up for the hurt he had caused her, and he wanted to celebrate this day about love with her.

After a moment of contemplation, Harvey dialed Denise’s number. “Reschedule my plans. I’ll be in Rossland on Valentine's Day.”

Denise asked nonchalantly, “New case in Rossland?”

Harvey leaned his head back on the sofa, speaking bluntly, “Nope. Eloise will be there on a business trip.”

Denise understood immediately. She gave a soft smile. “Then, have a happy Valentine's Day, Attorney Horigan.”

After hanging up the phone, Harvey was in a good mood and decided not to tell Eloise about his plans. Women, after all, loved surprises!

……

Eloise led a team of six to Rossland for two consecutive days of work. The project was lucrative but required a lot of effort. After two days, the plans were essentially formed. Everyone was so exhausted they lay on the table like dead dogs, motionless, except for Eloise.

Dwight, with dark circles under his eyes, grumbled, “Damn woman, are you trying to work us to death? I've only slept four hours in two days!”

Eloise gave her secretary a look.

The secretary came out with a bag. When the zipper was opened, it was full of green notes. The secretary took out stack after stack, dividing them into five portions. Each portion looked like 200,000 dollars!

Everyone was wide awake now, sitting straight, eyes staring straight ahead. Eloise gave a faint smile. “Take it, $200,000 for each of you. Also, Mr. Arellano is hosting a dinner at the hotel tonight. Go and prepare yourselves. Take some time to relax.”

Everyone cheered, praising Ms. Laurent for her generosity.

$200,000... Normally, Dwight wouldn't bat an eye at such a sum, but he admired Eloise. Look at how she won over people's hearts so effortlessly.

Landon! It was actually Landon!

She hadn't heard any news about Landon for half a year. She never asked, and nobody told her, even Blake, who she was teaching piano to, never mentioned Landon.

Eloise recovered from the shock, slowly turning around. Landon held a glass of red wine, his gaze intense. He had matured a bit and looked slightly different.

Eloise's eyes softened, and she murmured, "Landon!"

Landon flashed a small smile, setting down his glass of bourbon to extend his hand. Eloise hesitated for a moment before shaking it.

Stuart chuckled, "So, you two know each other, huh?"

Eloise gathered herself, smiling as she replied, "I give piano lessons to Landon's little sister. She's been my student for a year now."

Understanding dawned on Dwight's face.

On the side, Stud rolled his eyes. Ha! Piano lessons for his little sister, huh? It was obvious that Landon had been secretly in love with Eloise for years. But when his affections weren't returned, Horigan swooped in and whisked her away. Speaking of Horigan, he had quite the cunning tactics!

As Dwight surveyed the pair of old friends, his irritation grew. Damn it! How much longer would they talk?

He was about to intervene when something caught the corner of his eye. Horigan had shown up! Dressed to the nines, he was no doubt here to sprinkle some Valentine's Day affection and enjoy some alone time.

But he hadn't expected this, had he? Eloise bumped into Landon! Must have been eating Horigan up inside, huh?

The thought made Dwight want to laugh out loud, which he did. Maybe he was being too obvious in his amusement because Eloise noticed him. Following his gaze, she saw Harvey!