Tangled Temptations

Harvey guessed she was seriously ticked off.

He leaned in and whispered in her ear, "Is Landon really worth all this fuss?"

It was late, and Eloise didn't want to argue anymore.

She softened, wrapping her arms around his waist and murmuring, "I trust you."

Then she closed her eyes to sleep, her breathing steadying.

Harvey, on the other hand, was wide awake. He watched her face in the moonlight, grinding his teeth in frustration.

Eloise really fell asleep!

After their not-so-little spat, she seemed to have no interest in talking things out or solving the problem.

Harvey was no saint either. She gave him the cold shoulder so he stopped trying to appease her.

The next morning.

He woke up to find her side of the bed empty. Eloise was not there.

Sounds of housework came from outside.

Lying flat, he mulled over the previous night's events. Their relationship seemed a mess, and they shouldn't have been fighting.

Once he had his thoughts sorted out, he stopped dwelling on it. He got up, freshened up, and dressed in his business attire.

He put on his watch as he walked out, finding Eloise setting the table.

The morning sun shone on her, giving her a soft glow.

Harvey sat down, sipping his coffee while reading the morning paper.

Eloise made him an egg sandwich.

After one bite, he found it tasted better than any he'd had outside. He looked at it, puzzled.

Eloise sat next to him, noticed his gaze, and asked gently, "Don't you like it?"

He looked at her. After a moment, he smiled and replied, "It's delicious!"

Eloise said nothing, just sipped her milk slowly.

Harvey noticed her zoning out again.

He didn't say anything, just grabbed his coat and headed out. Eloise gave him his shoes at the door. Such eager service might have pleased any other man.

But not Harvey. The gentler she was, the more distant he felt.

Eloise was treating him more like a master than a partner.

Harvey wasn't sure if this was good or bad, but it definitely didn't make him happy.noveldrama

He looked at her, his voice cold, "I'm going on a business trip to Rossland in a couple of days. Do you want to come with me?"

Eloise seemed surprised. She thought for a moment and said, "Blake has classes twice this week. I might not be able to make it."

Harvey didn't insist and left.

Eloise watched the closed door, wondering, was this their cold war?

Their issues weren't serious, and they hadn't had any major fights. But after

seeing him on a date with that beautiful client, Eloise couldn't treat him the same way. At least she couldn't be intimate with him.

She was human, not a machine.

After Harvey left, Eloise cleaned the apartment from top to bottom.

At noon, the manager of the pawn shop called.

Eloise picked up immediately, asking, "Hello, any news?"

The manager apologized, "I'm sorry, Ms. Laurent. Your necklace was bought by a middleman who didn't leave any contact details. We tried to find him but without success."

Eloise felt a bit disappointed. After a while, she replied quietly, "If there's any news, please let me know. I'm willing to buy it back at twice the price."

The manager said a few words of comfort.

Eloise held the warm phone, wondering if she really lacked a deep connection with her parents.

She was just a few days short of buying back her mother's keepsake.

After last night, Eloise decided to find a job.

Harvey could be a part of her life, but he couldn't be her everything. Otherwise,

she would be in deep pain when they broke up.

Her resume was decent, so finding a job shouldn't be an issue. But Eloise wanted

to take her time and explore more options.

At noon, Michelle called her home for lunch.

When she got home, Eloise found out it was her 24th birthday.

Michelle had prepared a three-tiered cake and a table full of home-cooked dishes. Angus personally put on her birthday hat, saying with a smile, "I'm glad I could be here for your birthday! I haven't missed a single one since you were little."

Michelle nodded in agreement.

Eloise's eyes welled up. She hugged Angus and Michelle.

Even though they weren't her biological parents, they gave her all their love. At least for now, her father was safe.

With this thought, last night's grievances seemed to fade.

During lunch, Angus asked about her work.

Eloise hesitated before saying, "I quit my job and I'm looking for another one."

Angus didn't question her decision, but Michelle looked thoughtful.

After lunch, Michelle called Eloise into the bedroom and closed the door. "Are you and Harvey having troubles?"

Eloise said vaguely, "I need to have a job."

She didn't say it outright, but Michelle understood. Eloise's unclear relationship with Harvey was bound to cause distress.

Plus, Harvey hadn't visited Angus even once. His intentions were obvious. He was just toying with Eloise.

Tears welled up in Michelle's eyes. She took out a bank card from the safe. It had $500,000 in it, half of Angus's savings.

Eloise refused to take it.

Michelle pulled her hand over and put the card in it.

Michelle's voice was choked up, "We had no choice back then! I'm sorry! Eloise, you're with him now. The Horigans are wealthy, but you'll be looked down upon if you always spend their money! Buy him some clothes or shoes when you can. Don't be too frugal, or people will look down on you."

Eloise was deeply moved.

Michelle continued, "I think you don't need to find another job. Rent a place and open your own music studio. I believe you'll do well! Every girl needs her own career."

Eloise stared at her bank card for a long while before hugging Michelle gently. "Thank you."

Michelle wiped away her tears and said, "Don't you dare breathe a word about Harvey to your dad! He can't handle this kind of shock."

Eloise nodded, "I know."

She left the room, faintly hearing Michelle's sobs that lasted for quite a while.

At six in the evening, Eloise finally made her way back to the apartment.

Harvey was already home, and Denise was there too, helping him pack his things.

Denise was incredibly swift in her actions.

Harvey was on the phone by the window, his tone serious. It seemed like there was some trouble with the case in Rossland.

After hanging up, he turned to look at Eloise.

"I have to leave earlier for the business trip, probably for a week."

Eloise originally wanted to discuss the matter of music studio with him, but it wasn't the right time. So she asked him in a soft voice, "What time is your flight?" Harvey looked at her intently and said, "In two hours."

Eloise looked up at him. She knew he was so busy that he didn't even have time for a spat with a woman.

Just as Eloise was at a loss for words, Harvey picked up his luggage and told Denise, "Have Eloise take me to the airport."

What? Eloise was dumbfounded.

Harvey gently tapped her on the head, "You gone daft? If you change your mind

now, I can have Denise book another ticket."