Tangled Temptations

Veronica grumbled, a frown marring her usually carefree face.

Eloise simply chuckled, her gaze on Veronica was tender and filled with a quiet sense of reassurance. After all these years, she might have lost many things, but she still had a tight circle of loved ones who stood by her side through thick and thin.

Her mother, her kids, Veronica...noveldrama

Life was full of regrets, but at that moment, Eloise felt content.

She gently ran her fingers through Veronica's hair, whispering, "I've saved the best seat in the house for you."

Back at the villa, the kids were still out, all except for little Darrien, who was at home.

After playing with him for a while, Eloise had whipped up his favorite mac 'n' cheese. Darrien was as happy as could be. The little guy was just over a year old but seemed to understand that his mom was expecting again and never fussed about being held.

As dusk settled in, the driver brought the other two kids home.

Baron came in with a big, toothy grin. "Harvey might be coming home a bit late."

Eloise smiled and nodded her understanding.

The sky was turning dark, and fine snowflakes began to dust the world outside, painting everything in a soft, gentle white.

With her back to the children, Eloise dialed Harvey's number and whispered, "Any chance you can come home early tonight?"

Harvey was in his office at Everest Technologies with a smile playing on his lips. "Are you missing me?"

Eloise glanced outside at the falling snow, then back at the kids playing in the living room, and said softly, "Today's Luca's birthday."

Harvey paused, visibly taken aback.

At that moment, Denise walked in. "Mr. Horigan, the meeting is about to begin."

Harvey glanced at his watch and said, "It's snowing outside. Let's reschedule for tomorrow morning and let everyone head home early."

Denise looked surprised.

Harvey gave a small smile. "It's my son's birthday."

After hanging up, Harvey donned his overcoat and left the office.

Denise stood there, smiling to herself.

Harvey drove back to the villa, arriving exactly at seven. He stepped out of the car. The ground was now covered in a thin blanket of snow, and the city was engulfed in a frosty haze, but the house glowed with warm yellow light.

He took a present from the trunk and walked into the hallway.

"The snow's really coming down out there." Harvey spoke as he casually unbuttoned his overcoat and called out, "Luca, come here."

Little Luca was perched on a dining chair. In front of him was a small cake Eloise had made, surrounded by dishes meticulously prepared by the house staff-most of them were his favorites. His eyes lit up at the sight of the large toy in Uncle Harvey's hands—a superhero action figure.

The little guy dashed over and clung to Harvey's leg. Harvey laughed, lifting him into a hug and planting a kiss on his cheek. "Eloise told me it's your birthday. Sorry I'm late. Here's your present... do you like it?"

Luca clutched the gift to his chest.

Harvey looked over at the dining area. His wife, Eloise, was seated at the dinner table in an elegant gown, with Linda and Darrien beside her. Linda was clapping her hands, singing the birthday song for Luca. She declared that her birthday gift to him was to cuddle him to sleep that night.

Harvey chuckled. "Linda, it's not your birthday."

Linda puffed up her little cheeks. "I don't just snuggle with anyone." Daniel had to beg Linda for ages to sleep in her princess bed.

Luca's cheeks were a warm shade of pink.

Harvey approached and kissed Eloise. "Congratulations, mother of my children."

With one arm around little Luca, Eloise helped him blow out the candles.

In that moment, Luca felt healed. He had harbored a darkness within him since

his mother's tragic departure from this world. He used to think that the only reason the Horigans adopted him was because of his AB-negative blood type. But now, he had never once been asked for blood.

Eloise had asked Luca to call her 'mom,' and the man before him had been more of a father to him than his own. Harvey was kind, taught Luca so much, and showed him how to be a man.

At seven years old, Luca was moved. So even in the future, when he would take control of Everest Technologies, he never indulged in those dark deeds. Instead... he would stay with this family.

He would stay by Linda's side.

That night, Linda did end up whisking Luca away.

Eloise was a bit worried. She was worried about them sleeping together at this age. When Harvey emerged from his bath, she shared her concerns with him.

The winter night was chilly, but their bedroom was cozy and warm, and heated comfortably.

With his torso bare and only a towel wrapped perilously low around his hips, Harvey sat at the foot of the bed, drying his hair. Eloise walked over, took the towel from his hands, and began to gently rub it through his hair. He looked up at her, and then his hand found its way to her belly.

Harvey's voice was soft. "What's there to worry about? Eloise, the kids we're raising won't go astray. We can think about these issues when they're over ten."

Eloise supposed he was right. She focused on drying his hair, and every time she bowed her head, she could see his strong nose. He was still so handsome. Even after all these years, she never got tired of looking at him.

Harvey's voice grew husky. "Three months along."

She hummed in acknowledgment.

Harvey gently pressed his face against the silk of her dress, feeling her slightly swollen belly, and murmured, "In another month, we'll feel the baby move. It's incredible how life grows."

Eloise softly chided him with a laugh. "You're so silly." She felt that they were just like any other couple, caring for a few kids, and nurturing a new life. It was really quite wonderful.

In that quiet moment, she mentioned the premiere to him. "I wonder if Mr. Horigan might be able to attend that day?"

Harvey playfully pinched her nose. "Mrs. Horigan's movie debut? Of course, I'll be there to support you. How many screenings should I book?"

Eloise, feeling tired, sat in his lap and wrapped her arms around his neck. "No need to book out the theater. Just having you there is enough, Harvey... I can't promise we'll always be madly in love, but I can promise that you'll always be the most important man in my life."

"Even more than Darrien and Luca?"

"You're getting older but acting more childish."

...

Harvey gently laid her down at the edge of the bed, being mindful of her pregnancy. His movements were tender.

She sank into the soft bedding, and he hovered above her, content just to gaze at her. Harvey was exceptionally handsome, and just watching him was enough to unsettle most women.

Eloise certainly couldn't resist.

Harvey propped himself up with one hand, the other tracing her face gently. His voice was a low, husky whisper, softer than the night itself. "Eloise, I must have been head over heels for you once upon a time. Just look at your face, your skin, your figure... How do you manage to look this good?"

Even after years of marriage, such compliments could still make Eloise blush. She turned her face away, felt the warmth of her cheeks, and playfully nudged him with her foot. "Why are you being so cheeky all of a sudden?"

"And what would you consider proper?"

Harvey chuckled. "Should I fetch the prospectus for Everest Technologies and give a report to you, Miss Laurent?" His words were anything but proper. Eloise knew him too well. His dawdling tonight without speaking his mind meant only one thing - he was in the mood for lovemaking. However, she was only three months pregnant and worried about the baby's safety, so she put a finger to his lips and mumbled, "Don't you dare."

Harvey kissed her with a mix of tenderness and passion. Finally, he cradled her body in his arms and murmured, "I just want to make the mother of my child feel good."

The premiere of "Mr. Mayfair" was fast approaching.

The end of the year was near, the crowds were bustling, and with the children being so young, Eloise decided it would just be the two of them attending.

At four in the afternoon, she had just slipped into her evening gown when the sound of a car echoed from outside.

Harvey had come to pick her up. Sure enough, moments later, footsteps approached, and the bedroom door swung open.

Harvey stood silently at the doorway, admiring her for a moment before gently closing the door.

Eloise was dressed in a shimmering gold gown. She didn't try to hide her slightly rounded belly, which was evident from her figure. However, rather than detracting from her appearance, it added a touch of feminine charm.

Harvey came over, kissed her bare shoulder, and whispered, "Our little mamma looks stunning."

Eloise shivered at his touch.

He pulled out a delicate pearl necklace from his pocket and threaded the amulet through it, a perfect match for her evening gown.

The amulet lay quietly against her chest. Eloise gently caressed it, and looked up

at Harvey and said softly, "Harvey, you really don't have to be so careful with me."

Harvey tended to her hair, gathering it up elegantly.

He looked at her with such focus and smiled faintly. "I don't like this. But I also hope his affection can truly bring you good fortune. Eloise, don't take it off."

Eloise nodded slowly.

As they left for the evening, he draped a thick fur coat over her shoulders, and they walked through the underground garage to avoid the chill.

The Peterborough Theater was a sea of people. Celebrities strutted down the red carpet, and the atmosphere was buzzing, hardly resembling a winter's night.

Eloise skipped the red carpet. Not wanting to catch a cold, she used a special entrance to go directly into the auditorium, where, with Harvey by her side, she was able to fend off half the chitchatting.

Ms. Olea was the star of the evening. Before the premiere, she took to the stage and spoke at length, then took her seat next to Eloise.

Remembering someone, she leaned in and asked quietly, "Mr. Brett isn't here?"

Eloise whispered back, "My uncle's busy with work." The details weren't Eloise's to ask about.

Ms. Olea seemed slightly disappointed. Although she had been married, Brett was still the most vivid character in her life, and she hoped he would see her on this important night.

Eloise understood Ms. Olea's thoughts but didn't feel it was her place to criticize. Ms. Olea was a decent person and had never thought of destroying Orlena's life.

Eloise offered gentle reassurance, "The sneak previews of the film have been very successful. It will help you break into the movie industry. If the box office surpasses a billion, you'll soar."

Ms. Olea was visibly moved. She knew the movie had a budget of 200 million, and for Eloise, it was a hobby, a way to pass the time. But for her, a 42-year-old opera diva, it was crucial. Her career was rejuvenated.

Ms. Olea had heard the analysts' comments; the film was expected to rake in 1.5 billion from the start. Her spirits lifted.

On the other side, Harvey squeezed his wife's hand and chuckled. "You're quite the charmer, Mrs. Horigan."

Eloise's face flushed as she whispered back, "I remember making you pretty happy last night, too."

Harvey smiled slightly. His dignified and noble appearance made women's hearts flutter, but everyone in Peterborough knew that Mr. Horigan only had eyes for Eloise, and even with his wife pregnant, he never played around outside. He was truly a family man. Their relationship was free from scandal and chaos. Just then, the host cued Eloise to speak. A few supporting actors had expressed their gratitude towards her, and the host, eager to boost the mood, stepped forward with a smile and said, "Let's invite the beautiful Ms. Laurent to the stage to say a few words of encouragement to these lovely young actors." Eloise couldn't refuse. Besides, she wasn't the type to be coy. She took the stage

with confidence.

Taking the microphone, she turned to face the young actors - both men and women, with Jeffrey closest to her.

Eloise spoke softly with none of the airs of a producer, "I hope that after this film

brings you into the public eye, you will continue to work hard. The world is vast, and it's yours to conquer."

Applause erupted from the audience. The young actors clapped excitedly as their names were now known in the entertainment industry.

The host said a few more words and was about to invite Eloise down when disaster struck. A large crystal chandelier above began to sway, dropping a massive shade that narrowly missed Eloise. Its sharp edge scraped against her

locket with a screeching sound, before shattering on the floor.

Chaos ensued below.

And then, as the main body of the chandelier, weighing over a hundred pounds,

threatened to fall, the rope finally snapped, sending it crashing down directly toward Eloise. She had no chance to escape.

But at that moment, Jeffrey quickly pushed her out of harm's way, only to get grazed by the chandelier himself, his forehead bleeding. Then, with a loud crash, the larger part of the chandelier headed straight for his head. If it had hit him, he'd have had no chance of survival.

An arm reached out, shielding Jeffrey's head.

It was Harvey. His arm cushioned the blow, the chandelier's bulk hitting him instead, and finally, it fell to the ground.

Shards flew everywhere. People all around suffered injuries.

Eloise felt a blow to her head, her vision went dark, and her body slumped. "Eloise." Harvey's voice was hoarse with agony. He caught Eloise, their bodies covered in blood. He didn't even care about the wound on his own arm, and shouted for an ambulance.

Every tick of the clock, every passing second, was agony for Harvey. Eloise was

pregnant, and the thought of anything happening to her or their unborn child was unbearable.

And then there was Jeffrey. If it hadn't been for Jeffrey's shove, Eloise might have Been dead.

Outside, a light snow began to fall, dusting the world in white.

Upon arriving at the hospital, Harvey was so pale from blood loss that his face

looked like a sheet of paper. The Horigans rushed in alongside Orlena, immediately asking, "How's Eloise?"

Harvey's arm was hastily bandaged, and blood was seeping through the makeshift dressing. He hadn't even changed his clothes. He fished out a cigarette and took a drag.

"They're in there, trying to save her. And the Velonas' boy... he's in there too... might have his face ruined."

Saying all this, Harvey was overcome with grief.

In his palm lay the shattered pieces of what was once an amulet. Only now did he

understand the cryptic words of Master Lee. The amulet Max had asked for wasn't the only symbol of protection. It was also Jeffrey.

The real amulet was Jeffrey himself.

Harvey demanded the doctors do everything, at any cost, to save Jeffrey's face.

Money was no object.

Seeing his son's vulnerability, Parker gave Harvey a reassuring pat. "Eloise will be

fine. You and your mother stay here and wait for Eloise. Orlena will look after the kids. I'm heading down to the station to check on some leads."