Tangled Temptations

Chapter 124

Harvey asked, a bit taken aback, "Joan's here?"

Eloise nodded.

Harvey stared at Eloise's face, seemingly searching for any small change in her expression.

Eloise's expression remained flawless.

Finally, Harvey looked back down at his paperwork and said nonchalantly, "Have her cto the study."

As Eloise turned to leave, he looked up at her retreating figure.

In the living room, Joan was admiring the plush apartment.

She was glaring at a piano with such jealousy that it almost twisted her face.

It was an Astral, a German-made piano, allegedly frequently played by Ludwig II for his beloved wife.

If Harvey had given it to Eloise, did it mean he was in love with her?

Impossible!

Joan couldn't accept the fact.

She knew Harvey preferred minimalistic decor, but the apartment was filled with Eloise's breath, which made her

feel uncomfortable.

Eloise appeared before Joan and only spoke when Joan noticed her, "He's waiting for you in the study."

Joan flashed a knowing smile and lifted the folder she was holding, "I have a business proposition that needs

Harvey's attention. You wouldn't mind, would you?"

Eloise smiled faintly and thought, "it's a good thing I'm not Harvey's wife or I'd have a heart attack."

Then Eloise politely offered, "I'm making coffee, would you like a cup?"

Joan's eyes twinkled with amusement, "No need to trouble yourself." With that, she walked into the study.

The sound of conversation filtered from the study, seemed to be business talk.

Eloise wasn't interested, she went into the kitchen to make coffee.

Since they had a guest, she made an extra cup.

When the coffee was ready, Joan cover and casually stated, "I saw the Astral, it was what | wanted for my

22nd birthday."

Eloise recognized what Joan was saying, and Joan just wanted to tell her that the piano was originally hers. So

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Eloise asked with a smile, "The piano's in the living room, would you like to play?"

Joan's face dropped, she didn't expect Eloise to be so direct.

She laughed it off and said, "Astral, and the white dress | wore at Orlena's birthday party, do you know what they

mean, Ms. Laurent?"

Eloise looked at her innocently.

Then Joan took out her phone, showing an old picture.

It was a photo of her with Harvey when he was 24 and she was 22, Joan in the white dress, leaning against

Harvey, looking like a prince and princess.

The background was the German-made piano, only it was at an exhibition then.

Eloise looked at the Harvey in the photo, he looked younger, softer features, the kind of handsguy any

young girl would fall for.

Seeing Eloise's silence, Joan grinned triumphantly.

She told Eloise, "You're just my substitute, no matter how hard you try to mimic me, you're just a cheap knockoff.

Now that I'm back, there's no need for you to stick around Harvey!"

Eloise picked up a cup of coffee and took a small sip.

Ouch... it's too hot!

She looked up at Joan and calmly said, "Whether it's the Astral or Harvey, if you

can take them out of my life... I'd be forever grateful."

Because she didn't want anything to do with Harvey anymore.

She wanted to start a fresh life.

Joan was taken aback.

She didn't believe it, and she thought Eloise was being provocative!

Joan picked up a cup of coffee and laughed heartily.

"Ms. Laurent... sometimes it takes stricks to get the guy. Don't blme! | really can't stand you!"

As she said this, Joan purposely spilled the coffee on her own arm and let out a fake scream.

"Ms. Laurent, why did you spill coffee on me! It burns... Harvey, Harvey..."

She shot Eloise a malicious look, a victorious smile on her lips.

Eloise looked down at her coffee.

What a waste!

She turned to Joan and smiled, "Ms. Joan, | have a lot of respect for your dad, but

| never thought Griffin would have such a despicable daughter! If you want to

chase after Harvey, be my guest, but don't cross the line by framing and

disgusting me!... Oh, | forgot to tell you, your coffee was cold, it won't burn you, and it won't win Harvey's

sympathy."

Eloise flipped her hair lightly.

"Lethelp you!"

With that, Eloise slowly poured her scalding hot coffee onto Joan's delicate arm.

Joan's tender skin immediately turned red.

Joan screamed out in pain...

Harvey was standing at the doorway, staring at Eloise, a chill in his eyes.

Eloise looked up at him, their eyes met.

Eloise smiled and said, "Harvey, | admit | was wrong!"

Harvey walked past her.

His voice was so soft, only Eloise could hear, "Ms. Laurent, you want to leave me

that badly? You think burning Joan will upset me?"

Or did she just want to leave him, to be with Landon?

Eloise didn't answer him.

She just thought it was a pity that he had seen everything.

Joan was clueless about the tension between them, she clung onto Harvey like a wounded bird, her voice soft

and sweet.

"Harvey, Ms. Laurent seems to dislike me! It hurts so much, cover to my place, | have two bottles of wine,

we can chat while we drink..."

Joan was openly hitting on Harvey in front of Eloise.

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Her behaviour...made Eloise feel inadequate!

Eloise wished the coffee she had just poured was hotter! Then she would have shown Joan who's the boss!

Harvey kept his gaze on Eloise.

After a long while, Eloise showed no intention to explain, obviously trying to push him away.

Harvey looked down at Joan.

"| can take you to the hospital to get that checked."

Joan was none too pleased.

"Harvey, you don't even care about me! | need red wine, | need your comfort!"

Harvey gently pushed her away.

He walked ahead, his voice soft, "Or, let Eloise take care of you for a bit. She's good with bandages."

Joan stomped her foot.

She was scared of Eloise...

She really couldn't understand. Eloise was just Harvey's girlfriend. Eloise should

respect her, a rich girl from a well-known family, right?

How dare Eloise splashed coffee on her!

Harvey waited outside for a long time.

Joan cout, but Eloise didn't.

He went back to ask her, "Aren't you coming out?"

Eloise had already cleaned up the coffee stain, then made a fresh cup. She said

calmly, "You go ahead. You can take this chance to chat."

Harvey could hear the anger in her voice.

They'd been getting along well these past few days and he really did feel comfortable that night at the hotel.

Eloise wasn't feeling well and Joan's actions had made her upset. It was normal for her to show sdiscontent.

Harvey hugged her from behind.

"Are you mad? You threw coffee at her and | didn't get mad. How about | stay with

you when | get back? Do you want wine or coffee? We can just chat under the covers, how's that?"