Tangled Temptations novel Chapter 217

Harvey yearned to see Eloise, but it was nearly impossible. Brett had dispatched people to prevent him from doing so. Other members of the Horigan family could go in, but Harvey was the only one left on the outside. Desperate, he went to Brett for help.

In a small meeting room in the hospital, Brett was busy working. Despite being swamped with work, he had moved his operations to Peterborough, as he couldn't leave Eloise alone in her current condition.

When Harvey came begging, Brett brushed him off after a few dismissive remarks. Harvey, a man of pride, had forsaken his dignity and knelt before Brett for hours.

After a while, Brett finally looked up and spoke. His tone was softer, albeit still cold. "Harvey, begging me won't help. You know very well that things are over between you and Eloise, regardless of whether this child... can..."

Brett's eyes reddened. He lit a cigarette to steady himself. Even so, it took him a while to continue. "Regardless of how the child turns out, there's no future for you two. Not now, not ever. No woman would tolerate this unless she's a fool!"

Harvey understood. Eloise had broken up with him, and it was only through his relentless begging that he had this opportunity. Linda's arrival had eased their relationship. Over the past six to seven months, Eloise's attitude towards him had shifted from coldness to warmth, to tender consideration. Their brief marital life had actually been quite blissful.

Thinking about it, Harvey's heart ached. Lowering his posture, he said, "I just want a chance to take care of her."

Brett scoffed, "Are you sure you're not just making her sick?"

Harvey was embarrassed.

Just then, one of Brett's men came to report, "Mr. Brett, Mr. Lynch, and Ms. Joan have gone to Miss Eloise's room and insisted on seeing her. Miss Eloise has agreed to see them."

Brett closed his files and walked out swiftly. Harvey followed him.

In the room, Eloise was standing quietly by the window. Ever since Linda's birth, she had been standing day and night, with very little sleep.

She was hoping for the day when the doctor would suddenly tell her, "The child is out of danger and can be fed normally."

Despite it being a fantasy, she was longing for it day and night. After two days, she had become worryingly thin.

Griffin and Joan came to see her, and seeing Eloise so frail, Griffin felt guilty. "Eloise, I didn't mean for this to happen. Joan didn't expect this either. We all want you to be happy."

Eloise gave a weak smile. Wanted her to be happy? Ever since Griffin appeared, he never really considered her well-being. Yet, he could still claim that she was his only legitimate child.

Eloise turned around. She had lost a lot of weight but was still beautiful. Her eyes were devoid of light though. The once gentle girl now had eyes as still as a stagnant pond.

Eloise said in a quiet voice, "Do you know how I see you two?"

Griffin shuddered.

Eloise said softly, "I used to look up to you, but as time passed, I realized that you're just an ordinary man with your own selfish desires. You're like a salesman peddling garbage that no one wants. But of course, that's just my wishful thinking. When I loved Harvey, I saw Joan as garbage. But after falling out of love with him, I realized that Joan isn't garbage. She's junk food, repulsive to me, but still delicious for my husband."

Griffin's face turned pale. Joan's pretty face twisted in anger.

Brett and Harvey happened to reach the door. Eloise's gaze fell on Harvey, and she gave a faint smile. "Harvey, take your trash and go. Your presence makes me sick."

Brett touched his nose.

Griffin exclaimed, "Eloise, this isn't Joan's fault!"

Suppressing his heartache, he said to Griffin, "I've paid back my debts. There's no need for us to meet again. I'll tell my father that the Horigan family and the Lynch family have no more dealings."

Griffin was completely stunned. He still didn't want to leave. Brett ordered his men to escort them out. Once outside, Brett gave a sign, and Griffin was pinned to the ground. His piano-playing hand was held down.

Brett's boots, made of fine calfskin, gently took a step forward, slowly pressing down. A chill was etched on his face.

This hand once bewitched his sister, Louise. This hand was once the object of little Eloise's admiration. What good was a hand like this, attached to a good-for-nothing man?

Joan shrieked, but someone was already covering her mouth. Brett's foot suddenly applied force. Griffin's hand instantly snapped.

"Your hand for Eloise's tendons, we're even! From now on, you and Eloise are the same. You can't play the piano anymore!"

Brett looked down, his voice resolute. "Griffin, if you or your wretched daughter show up in front of Eloise again, I'll smack you! Griffin, you're nothing but a coward in my eyes!"

He had always thought his sister Louise was blind for liking him. Fortunately, she married Angus and taught Eloise well.

After carrying out his brutal act, Brett wiped his hands. As he turned around, he saw a delicate girl covering her mouth as if she was scared out of her wits.

Brett recognized her. It was Harvey's sister, Orlena.

Although Orlena was frightened, she bravely stepped forward to plead for her brother. "Brett, could you let my brother take care of his wife? Wait... till she recovers, then they can divorce!"