Tangled Temptations

Eloise rushed home to find Michelle on the couch, all teary-eyed, she had obviously been crying. Without hesitation, Eloise asked, "What's up with Michelle? Where's my dad?"

Michelle, Eloise's stepmom who basically raised her, angrily responded when she heard Eloise's question, "Max, that backstabbing bastard, he's ruthless! You've been supporting him through thick and thin at Velona Corporation, and now that he's made it, he dumps you and even wants to throw your father in jail. Your dad's been detained."

...

Eloise was stunned for a moment, then said, "Michelle, calm down, I... I'll talk to Max."

In her heart, Eloise thought that even though they had broken up, Max wouldn't be so heartless given their past relationship. She dialed his number, and Max picked up quickly. Eloise tried to keep her cool. "Max, we're over now, but please don't hurt my father because of me."

Max let out a cold laugh. He said, "Someone has to take the fall for this huge deficit."

Eloise wanted to beg him some more. Suddenly, Max changed his tone. "There's another way, but it's up to you, Eloise. If you're willing to be with me for five years, I'll let your father go."

Eloise was taken aback. She didn't expect Max to stoop so low, wanting both the benefits of his girlfriend's connections and her body! Eloise was shaking with anger. "Max, you disgust me!"

Max laughed off her remarks. "You knew what I was like a long time ago, didn't you?"

Eloise gritted her teeth. She said, "I won't be your mistress! Max, forget about it!"

Max chuckled. "Then get ready to hire a lawyer for your father! Eloise, don't say I didn't warn you. With such a huge amount, he could be sentenced to at least ten years."

Eloise scoffed, "I will hire the best lawyer!"

"You mean Harvey?" Max laughed casually, "Eloise, have you forgotten he's going

to be my brother-in-law? Do you think he'll take your case?"

Eloise felt a chill run through her.

Max said softly, “Eloise, I'll be waiting for you to come begging."

...

As soon as Eloise hung up the phone, Michelle cursed out loud. "That asshole.noveldrama

He can dream on! We'd rather die than let you get bullied by him."

Michelle started to cry again, "Harvey is Max's brother-in-law, how could we possibly get him? Eloise, think of something."

Eloise bowed her head. After a while, she said quietly, "I've met Harvey once, I'll give it a shot."

Michelle, being a woman, was quite sensitive. She smelled the alcohol on Eloise, saw the men's jacket she was wearing, and guessed what had happened.

Getting a meeting with Harvey was not easy. At the reception of Prestige Legal Advisors, the receptionist politely turned her away. "I'm sorry, Miss, but I can't let you in without an appointment."

Eloise regretted not leaving her business card last night. But regret was useless, she quickly asked, "If I make an appointment now, when can I meet Attorney Horigan?"

The receptionist checked. "The earliest would be in two weeks."

Eloise began to feel anxious. Just then, the elevator doors opened, and a man and a woman walked out. The man was Harvey. He was dressed in a classic black and white suit and looked very professional.

Harvey saw Eloise as soon as he stepped out of the elevator, but he acted as if he didn't know her and walked his client out the door, shaking hands and saying goodbye. After the client left, he turned and paused at the reception desk, looking at Eloise, and asked half-jokingly, "Changed your mind?"

Eloise was stunned. Soon, she realized what he meant, and her face turned red. She quickly raised the paper bag in her hand. "I'm here to return your jacket."

Harvey took the jacket from her. He nodded politely. "Thank you." Then he walked towards the elevator without saying another word.

Eloise started to feel nervous, so she caught up with him and said, "Attorney Horigan, I would like to ask you..."