Tangled Temptations

Eloise's heart skipped a beat.

Master Lee smiled warmly. "Life is a mix of illusion and reality, ever-changing and unpredictable. No one knows what tomorrow will bring. So why not live a life that's truly free and easy?"

Eloise, recognizing the depth of his wisdom, nodded earnestly in agreement.

Master Lee was particularly intrigued by Darrien, continuously patting his head affectionately for quite some time. The child didn't take after his parents, and was blessed with a life of fortune and wisdom.

...

On the drive back, Harvey glanced at his wife in the rearview mirror.

Darrien was strapped into his booster seat, laughing with a row of pearly white teeth as Eloise patiently read him a picture book.

Harvey checked the time and thought it was about right to pick up Linda. "How about we pick up Linda and grab some dinner at a restaurant?" he suggested.

They had been getting along well recently, and Eloise didn't want to dampen his spirits, so she agreed with a soft "Mhm" and added, “Let's invite Luca too. I heard from Linda that things have been pretty rough at his place lately. It's not good for a child's development." Her voice was gentle.

Harvey smiled faintly at her reflection. "If you really care that much, why not have him stay at our place? Linda would have some company, too."

Eloise was pleasantly surprised.

Harvey smoothly turned the steering wheel. "I see you're pretty fond of him."

Eloise didn't say yes or no. Such a matter wasn't just about the child's wishes; Mrs. White's feelings had to be considered as well. They couldn't just snatch someone else's son.

Unexpectedly, when they arrived at the daycare, they saw Luca with a tense little face, holding hands with a woman in her early thirties, reportedly his aunt.

The connection between the Horigan and White families was special.

Harvey and Eloise got out of the car and approached them. Luca's aunt had tears in her eyes as she spoke softly, "The boy's mother... she couldn't take it and... and now she's at the funeral home. Mr. Harvey, thank you for your care for Luca these past two years. I'm going to take him to live in Greenfield now. It's a small place, but it's not bad."

She prompted Luca to say goodbye. Luca, reeling from the loss of his mother, managed a forlorn, "Goodbye."

Linda was reluctant to let go. She clung to Luca's hand, then looked up at her father. Eloise, too, watched Harvey in silence.

Harvey crouched down and gently ruffled Luca's hair. "Your aunt just mentioned that she'd like you to come stay with us. Would you like that? We've got Linda and Darrien, and who knows, maybe a new brother or sister will join us soon. It'll be fun."

Luca's aunt was stunned. She hadn't expected Harvey and Eloise to offer to take in Luca. Though her heart ached to let him go, she knew that with her means, she could only ensure that Luca had enough to eat and wear. The Horigans, on the other hand, could afford him the finest education and opportunities.

She stayed quiet, letting the child decide.

Luca looked between Harvey and Eloise before finally asking in a small voice, "Would you ever get divorced?"

Harvey stroked his head. In a soft and gentle tone, he replied, "If she ever gets mad, I'll just take you and Darrien to crash on the couch. So let's try not to make her mad, okay?"

Luca, his voice breaking with emotion, agreed.

His aunt began to cry. Over and over, she thanked Mr. Harvey, "You're such a good man."

Harvey just smiled modestly. He wasn't trying to be a hero. He was doing it because both Eloise and Linda had taken a liking to Luca.

After sorting out the formalities, Luca inherited a fortune. Harvey set up a trust for him and then brought the little guy home.

Luca's father didn't dare utter a peep.

Back at the mansion, the children's room was still being tidied up. Linda took Luca to her bedroom, holding him tightly like a cherished doll, and they slept together for several nights until he felt at home.

When Luca settled in, the family went out to eat together. With three kids in the house now, Harvey thought they might have another one soon, so he went ahead and bought a new, spacious car that could comfortably fit all the children.

Eloise suggested having a potluck-style dinner.

But Harvey found it unsafe and, steering the car, said in a calm voice, "Let's go to that French bistro of yours. You haven't been there in a while."

Eloise knew what he was up to. He just wanted to watch her play the piano.

In a low voice, she suggested, "Why not save that for a night out alone?"

Harvey playfully retorted, "Mrs. Horigan, waiting for a date with you might mean waiting until next Valentine's Day."

Mimicking her hushed tone, he added, "I can't wait."

In the end, they went to the French bistro. It was bustling on the weekend. Linda was with Luca, Harvey was carrying Darrien, and Eloise walked in with her hands- free, securing a prime table and ordering the meals.

When she looked up, she caught a glimpse of Harvey shedding his coat, looking youthful and dashing in his light grey McQueen sweater.

Harvey whispered, "Looks like we're going to have to get used to dating with a few kids in tow from now on. Better get used to it."

Eloise stared at him, and a sudden wave of sympathy washed over her. He'd lost five years of memories, transforming from a diamond bachelor to a father of three. Perhaps it was best if she didn't get pregnant again.

Though Eloise had two children, she maintained herself well. As she sat at the piano, hHer profile was exquisite, and her gown was romantic. She appeared no more than twenty-six.

She played just three pieces before planning to return to her seat. But then, out of the corner of her eye, she caught sight of someone familiar, Jeffrey.

The young man sat alone at a premium spot, a bottle of the bistro's finest red in front of him, and a single white rose in a vase on the table-a personal request,

no doubt. Under the soft lighting, his profile bore an uncanny resemblance to Max in his younger days.

Eloise hesitated for a moment before offering a slight smile. "Dining alone tonight?"

Jeffrey stood and invited her to sit.

Eloise didn't mind chatting for a few minutes, so she asked the waiter for a glass of water.

Jeffrey's gaze was gentle as he said, "A long time ago, an elder spoke of you..." Eloise was surprised. Just as she was about to inquire further, it clicked.

That elder had to be Max!

At a loss for words, Eloise simply sat, contemplating the unexpected turns of life. She never expected that Jeffrey and Max were related by blood. No wonder they both carried the surname Velona, no wonder there was a striking resemblance... She felt a tinge of melancholy.

Jeffrey watched her silently. What he didn't tell her was that when Max reminisced about the past, his curiosity led him here, to watch her play the piano. The first time he laid eyes on Eloise, he knew why his uncle couldn't forget her...

After that, he visited many times, but Eloise never noticed him. Later, he ventured into show business, appearing films, including hers. At 24, Jeffrey's admiration for Eloise remained unspoken.

Eloise had only stayed briefly, and when she left, her complexion was pale.

Harvey noticed, too. He pushed a slice of cheesecake towards Eloise, saying gently, "What were you two chatting about? You seemed to get along well." Eloise tasted the dessert slowly. After a while, she said, "Jeffrey is Max's nephew."

Harvey was taken aback. As a man, he could sense Jeffrey's special feelings for Eloise, but considering the young man's age and status, Harvey felt he should be more magnanimous.

At 24, Jeffrey was still wet behind the ears, hardly a threat, but jealousy gnawed at Harvey.

When they left the restaurant, Jeffrey followed them out. He opened the car door for Eloise, whispering, "Ms. Laurent, good night."

Eloise, just over 30, looked at Jeffrey and felt an odd sense of seniority. She gave a faint smile. "Good night."

Those two words irked Harvey, but with the kids in the car, it wasn't the time to confront her, so he held it in.

Back at the villa.

After tucking the kids into bed, Harvey returned to the bedroom to find Eloise had already bathed and was applying lotion onto her body.

Harvey quietly shut the door. He wrapped his arms around her from behind and playfully threw her onto the bed. Eloise tried to look back at him, but he wouldn't allow it and took her right there.

Eloise bit her lip and endured. She wasn't as horny as before, but she wasn't entirely without feeling either.

Eventually, he was willing to hold her face and kiss her, licking away the tears from her cheeks. Eloise raised her hand, gently caressing his rugged face. The years had sculpted his features into a mature charm that could turn heads wherever he went.

When Eloise voiced this, Harvey teased her mercilessly, whispering in her ear, "Who's the charmer here? From 20 to over 40... Mrs. Horigan, your allure is undeniable."

Eloise was both annoyed and amused. She closed her eyes and savored the moment. After a while, she softly said, "You're just jealous of Jeffrey, aren't you? He's from a different generation, so what's there for you to worry about?" "He's only 7 years younger than you. Plenty of couples have more than a decade between them and still make it work."

...

Eloise wrapped her arms around his shoulders, whispering with her eyes closed, "You're just bothered by his looks. Once this film is done, there won't be any interaction between him and me. Harvey, I'm not like you; I'm not that constant." Harvey tenderly kissed her in silence. He made her open her eyes. Eloise was reluctant, but he had his ways, and eventually, she had no choice but to slowly open them, revealing eyes shimmering with irresistible allure. Harvey cradled her body, kissing her gently. His voice was more intoxicating than the night. "Eloise, none of that matters to me anymore. My future is you and our children... Let's not argue over irrelevant people anymore, okay?"

As for her emotions, he had to learn to accept it. He compromised, and she couldn't be entirely untouched. She looked up at him, asking softly, "Were you

jealous tonight?"

"Yes."

"Very much."

"Extremely... jealous."

With each word, Harvey kissed the corner of her mouth, and after finishing, they kissed deeply, resuming their earlier intimacy.

Afterward, he carried her toward the walk-in closet. Eloise thought he wasn't

satisfied yet. She clutched his arm, whispering, "Let's wait until tomorrow. I'm really tired."

Harvey kissed her softly, then brought her to the safe. From behind, he hugged her and keyed in the code, opening the safe to reveal an amulet at the top. He took it out and placed it in her palm.

Eloise was surprised and asked in a low voice, "What does this mean?"noveldrama

He held her tightly. After a long moment, he whispered in her ear, "Eloise, I can't

say it doesn't bother me at all. But Master Lee said this amulet brings good

fortune. Wear it from now on. It was also Max's last wish."

Eloise lowered her gaze. "Harvey, you trust me, don't you?"

He hummed softly, then held her hand. "Wear it whenever you leave the house."

Her heart felt a warm flush. After everything they'd been through since his amnesia and knowing he would never remember, she thought she'd never see this day. But Harvey, in this moment, felt so tender.

She turned and hugged him lightly around the waist. "Harvey."

That word was laden with deep emotion, unmistakable to him. At such times, there was something else they should be doing, especially when he was willing and able. Vet, he wanted nothing more than to hold her, to kiss her head as if she were the most precious treasure in his life.

Eloise initiated their passion. They had just had sex, and their bodies were soft

and readily stirred.

The walk-in closet became a canvas of unbounded passion.

...

Eloise occasionally visited the set. As the final scenes approached, some were

crucial, and she decided to watch.

Today, an interior scene was being shot. Ms. Olea, dressed in a opera costume, had just finished a scene and was heading to her dressing room when she spotted Eloise. She approached with a smile. "Eloise, what brings you here?" Eloise had just reviewed some footage with the director. Ms. Olea's performance was indeed impressive. Eloise was quite satisfied with the dialogue and performance.

Ms. Olea's eyes shimmered with allure. "This is what I do for a living, so naturally,

it comes easier to me than to others."

As they spoke, Jeffrey approached from the other side. He greeted Eloise with respect, "Ms. Laurent."

Eloise didn't want others to know about their delicate connection and simply

nodded, then followed Ms. Olea backstage to the dressing room.

Ms. Olea was as shrewd as they came. She poured a cup of coffee for Eloise, who sipped it gently as Ms. Olea glanced out the window with a mischievous twinkle in her eye. "You know, that guy is quite a

catch. I've heard there are plenty of ladies on the set chasing after him, but he keeps to himself, clean as a whistle."

Eloise had heard some whispers these past few days. She just smiled in

response.

With a playful squint, Ms. Olea teased, "Hey, he seems to really like you. His eyes

were practically glued to you all night. If you're not interested, I might just make my move."

Eloise cut her off. "He's only 24. Aren't you a bit... seasoned for that?"

Ms. Olea touched her forehead and let out a refined chuckle. After all, she was

42.

Eloise had watched a few scenes on set, one of which was between Jeffrey and

Ms. Olea. His performance was solid, surprisingly good for someone without

formal training. Timing her exit, Eloise left the set just before the wrap-up.

As she walked out, Jeffrey seemed momentarily distracted. Ms. Olea, usually so composed, bumped into

him and said with a sly smile, "Are you dreaming about Ms. Laurent? Forget it... Or maybe... I could keep

you company tonight for a game or two?"

Jeffrey's cheeks flushed with color.

Ms. Olea covered her mouth and giggled. "Just kidding. Eloise wouldn't approve."

She could tell that Eloise looked out for Jeffrey, perhaps out of respect for a past

love lost too soon, or maybe because of Jeffrey's genuine nature.

Jeffrey's heart raced from Ms. Olea's teasing.

Jeffrey left the studio after taking off his makeup, only to find a sleek red sports

car in the parking lot. As he approached, a slim woman with long, straight black

hair stepped out.

The woman approached him with an almost infatuated gaze. In a soft voice, she

said, "I'd like to talk to you."