Tangled Temptations

Chapter 130

Eloise angrily kicked him.

"Ouch!" Harvey winced in pain, giving Eloise the perfect chance to grab her suitcase and storm out of the

bedroom.

Just as she was about to open the front door, he caught her hand. His gazes were intense as he asked, "Are you

really leaving?"

Eloise looked down and didn't respond.

"Let go." she said softly.

Harvey leaned closer, his tone softening, "Someone just delivered sfood. Let's eat together."

Eloise knew this was his game. Whenever Harvey wanted to sweet talk a woman, he knew how to use his charm.

She fell for his so-called charm tand tagain, only to find that it was just his tactic, and she was the only

one who took it seriously.

Eloise smiled a self-deprecating smile. "I don't want to eat. There's no need."

Harvey frowned, but he didn't let go. They were at a stalemate.

Suddenly, the doorbell rang. Eloise had a pretty good idea who it was. Who else could it be but Joan?

She said coldly, "Harvey, there are plenty of women who want to have dinner with you. You don't need to hold

onto me."

His face darkened even more. He let go of her hand.

Taking a deep breath, Eloise opened the door. Sure enough, Joan was standing there, holding a gift. Seeing the

suitcase in Eloise's hand, surprise flashed in her eyes. "Ms. Laurent, | cto apologize. I'm sorry for causing a

fight between you and Harvey. I'd hate it if you guys have a fight over me."

Her words made Eloise uncomfortable. Eloise dragged her suitcase and headed towards the elevator, and from

behind cHarvey's displeased voice, "Eloise."

They had indeed fought last night. But he had stayed at hinstead of going to the office, waiting for her. He

had explained and even apologized to her, why was she still so stubborn?

Eloise stopped in her tracks, her eyes welling up with tears. She had indeed developed feelings for Harvey during

this time. But he saw her as nothing more than entertainment. If she continued to live with him, cook for him,

and wait for him to chwith a wife's mindset, wouldn't that be degrading?

Without looking at Harvey, Eloise turned to Joan and said, "Ms. Joan, congratulations, everything now belongs to

you, whether it's Astral, the white

dress, or Harvey... are you happy?"

The elevator doors opened. Eloise stepped inside and dropped one last sentence, "I've given up my place."

Harvey watched as the elevator doors closed, his face darkened.

Joan stepped forward and asked in a soft voice, "Did you two have a fight?"

His response was cold, "What are you doing here?"

Holding up the gift box, Joan said, "I cto apologize to Ms. Laurent."

"There's no need." Harvey lit up a cigarette and replied in a languid tone, "I told you last night, don't come

looking foranymore. If you need something, call me. Or better yet, see a therapist."

Joan looked pale and pitiful. "Harvey, are you really going to sacrifice our relationship over a woman we have no

connection with? | don't believe you have feelings for her."

His expression turned even colder.

"Joan, it's charming for women to pretend to be vulnerable sometimes, but overdoing it makes it look too

pretentious."

His mind drifted to Eloise. The feelings between him and Eloise were genuine. When she loved him, her eyes

were filled with passion. And when she didn't, she didn't hide it.

She'd propose to break up outright, never dragging things out.

Most of the women in Harvey's life had chased after him, none daring to lose their temper in front of him, Joan

included. But Eloise was different. She was like a real little princess.

Harvey's heart hurt with frustration. He was about to shut the door, but let Joan in, "Joan, we're done."

But Joan didn't let go. After a while, she quietly asked, "If | break off the engagement, Harvey, do we still have a

chance?"

Harvey looked at her for a long time. Then, with a sarcastic smile, he asked, "What do you think?"

With that, he shook off her hand and closed the apartment door.

The apartment was eerily quiet. He could faintly hear Joan crying outside, but he didn't want to deal with it.

He went into the kitchen. The thermal pot still had sof Eloise's favorite dishes, which he had specifically

asked the chef to prepare. He knew she was mad, and he was willing to humble himself to appease her.

But she walked away without looking back.

The apartment was so quiet it was almost scary. Harvey found it hard to bear. He expressionlessly took out the

dishes, poured them into a garbage bag, changed his clothes, and on his way downstairs, casually tossed them

into the trash bin.

He thought that she was just swoman. Whether she stayed or left, it wouldn't affect him. He wouldn't waste

too much energy on a woman.

Eloise took her suitcase and drove to the small apartment she rented. The apartment was small, but it had

everything she needed. She tidied up a bit and added sdaily necessities.

For the next few days, she didn't receive any messages from Harvey. He didn't call or text, and neither did she.

Eloise slowly got used to living alone. She busied herself at Encore Soundworks every day, leaving early and

coming hlate. Her life was fulfilling.

A week later, Vanessa's fundraising matter made progress. A real estate businessman named Judson was willing

to invest 2 million dollars. Vanessa had been negotiating smoothly, but Judson insisted on meeting the other

partner, Eloise.

Vanessa went to Eloise's office and briefly told her about it. She was a bit worried, "Do you think he has ulterior

motives?"

Regardless, since he had mentioned it, Eloise still had to meet him. To her surprise, Judson was very polite and

gentle, even inviting them to dinner. He said, "Ms. Laurent, I've heard that your piano teaching is excellent. |

have a daughter, and we could bring her over for you to evaluate if she has the talent to learn piano. If you don't

mind, she can start learning piano from you."

With those words, the atmosphere eased. Vanessa gave Eloise a knowing look. Eloise grinned, shaking hands

with Judson, "You're too kind, Judson. It should be Vanessa andtreating you to a meal."

Judson, being a baller, signed the letter of intent on the spot.

Eloise noticed the payment account was linked to a newly registered company. A company named Zenith

Partners.

Judson caught her expression and gave her a meaningful smirk. He gave her hand a squeeze and said, "My wife

and | are inviting you guys for dinner this Saturday. Please do come."

After Judson left, he shot off a message from inside his car. The message read, [Max, it's a done deal.]

Max replied in an instant. He said, [You've outdone yourself, Judson. Dinner's ontonight.]

After Vanessa saw off Judson. She kissed the letter of intent she was holding. She said, "This Judson guy probably

cbecause of his daughter's admiration for us, Eloise. You're the hero for Encore Soundworks this time."

Eloise made two cups of coffee and as she handed one to Vanessa, she frowned slightly. For sreason,

everything seemed too smooth to be normal.

Just then, Landon gave her a ring. He said, "Eloise, would you dothe honor of dinner?"