Tangled Temptations

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 tare

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 cback 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 sissues with Ms. Laurent, keeping his mouth shut was

the best thing to do.

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

"lI 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, | know you hate me, but | can't stand

seeing you unhappy! Have you ever thought that | 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 giveanother chance! | won't let you down

again."

Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇt

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, |

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 cback.

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 cback 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, | 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?"

"| did, I've been to the best hospitals both domestically and internationally. Eloise,

| want to go to Switzerland for treatment. | don't want to give my shares to anyone else, | hope you can take

over if it's possible. | don't have any other demands, | 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.

Vanessa said a lot.

Eloise was overwhelmed, because to buy out Vanessa's shares, it would take at least over a million.

She didn't want to ask Harvey for the money.

In the evening, Eloise went back to Angus's house for dinner.

Michelle noticed her mood and asked a few questions.

Eloise mentioned Vanessa's illness and the issue of Encore Soundworks, Angus asked Michelle, "How much

money do we have left? Let's get it out."

Michelle went back to their room to count.

We have a couple hundred grand, but there's still a big gap to fill. Michelle has a knack for these kind of things,

she said, "Ms. Vanessa has had a tough time, and you guys worked your butts off to make Encore Soundworks.

Our apartment could sell for around 2 million, Angus and | are just two people, we don't need such a big place.

After selling the apartment, a 80 square meter one will do."

Eloise didn't agree.

In the end, Angus decided, "We'll do as Michelle said!"

Eloise felt really bad.

Michelle whispered, "You're our only kid, Eloise. If we don't give the money to you,

who else are we gonna give it to?"

The apartment was in a hot spot, a lot of people wanted to buy it.

In less than three days, it was sold.

The Laurent family moved into a slightly smaller place, and Michelle handed

Eloise a bank card with a million in it.

"Give this to Ms. Vanessa, and make sure you add a gift. She's been taking care

of you all these years!"

Eloise nodded, then said again, "Once | have the money, I'll buy you guys a

bigger place."

Michelle chuckled, "We will be waiting for your good news!"

Eloise still had ssavings of her own.

She met Vanessa in a coffee shop. In just a few days, Vanessa had lost even

more weight.

She wanted to order coffee.

Eloise stopped her, "Your health is not good, you shouldn't drink coffee!"

Vanessa chuckled.

Eloise gave her a check, a total of 1.2 million, the extra 50k was from her own savings, as gratitude.

Vanessa was reluctant to accept.

Eloise held her hand and said, "I'll be waiting for you to cback!"

She would hold onto the shares for now and return them all to Vanessa once she

returned.

Vanessa had no family, no husband or kids, she didn't have much to worry about.

Eloise's words made her laugh and say, "lI was planning to find a hot guy abroad and not cback, but you're

tyingdown with Encore Soundworks!"

Although they were laughing, they were also feeling pretty blue.

Stage 4 gastric cancer, how much tdid she have?

After today's goodbye, who knows what the next meeting will be like?

Eloise was feeling pretty low.

After having a meal with Vanessa, which was more of a farewell meal, she unexpectedly ran into Harvey.

It had been almost a week since they saw each other.

The phone calls were just a few words.

Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏm

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, letdrive!"

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 tellif 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, | 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.