Tangled Temptations

In the morning, Eloise woke up. A neat, square velvet box was placed by her pillow. She froze, then opened the box. It was a classic Tiffany, and the carat size was no joke.

Eloise had a hunch who it was from. She found it ironic. Max had pushed her to the brink, nearly harmed her, and yet had the audacity to send her a diamond ring!

As she was about to ask a nurse to return the ring to him, the door was nudged open. Max walked in, saw Eloise examining the ring, and asked gently, "Awake, huh? You like it?"

Eloise snapped the box shut and smiled a little. "I do."

"Right? What woman doesn't love diamonds!"

"But Max, I don't want anything from you."

...

Eloise thought she would feel repulsed and angry seeing him again, but surprisingly, she was calm, as if dealing with a stranger. Perhaps, after losing expectations, love also disappeared!

Max lowered his head, softly saying, "Eloise, this is just my compensation to you. I mean nothing else."

Eloise looked up, struggling to hold back tears. "Compensation? Max, what could possibly compensate for what you owe me? If you really feel sorry, just leave my father alone! I'll leave this city with my parents, never to appear before you again, and won't stand in your way. Max, I beg you. Please."

Max couldn't agree. He stood straight, hands in his pockets. "Let's talk when you've thought it through."

Eloise couldn't hold back anymore; she forcefully threw the ring at him. "Max, get the hell out!"

The hard little box grazed Max's forehead, leaving a thin line of blood. Max didn't mind. He bent down to pick up the box and put it into his pocket. He believed that one day, he would personally put this ring on Eloise, making her willingly become his woman.

He said, "Eloise, this was just an accident!"

Eloise closed her eyes, wanting him out of her sight.

As Max was about to say something, the door to the ward was pushed open again. In came Harvey.

He was dressed sharply today, in a black and white classic suit, and a crisp white shirt. His face looked extraordinarily handsome.

The atmosphere in the ward was subtle, but Harvey seemed oblivious. He nodded slightly at Max, walked to Eloise's bed, and took out a bill from his pocket. "Ms. Laurent, your medical fee totals 2260 dollars... Can you transfer it to me via PayPal?"noveldrama

Before Eloise could compose herself, Harvey took her phone. He leaned against her bed, adding a contact on the phone. "Ms. Laurent, are you that broke, you don't even have enough money?"

Eloise's face flushed with embarrassment.

Harvey earnestly said, "Alright, I've done the math, you still owe me 460 dollars, but if you're willing to play a round of golf with me, I'll let it slide."

Eloise looked up slightly. Her long, soft hair hung down to her waist, making her seem gentle and docile. She rested her hand on Harvey's arm, softly saying, "I can accompany you now."

Harvey glanced at her, then turned to Max, subtly smiling. "Max, could you give us some space? Ms. Laurent might feel uncomfortable with you here."

That sentence felt like a heavy stone crushing Max's heart. He tightly held the velvet box, his knuckles turning white from the force. He forced a laugh. "Alright, I won't disturb you two then."

He walked out without looking back.

As the door closed, Eloise was spent, she leaned against the bed and murmured, "Attorney Horigan, thank you."

Harvey put down her phone. He asked teasingly, "Didn't you say you'd accompany me?"

Eloise looked up, surprised. "No... Attorney Horigan, I was just going along with you."

Harvey was still looking at her, his deep gaze unreadable. His handsome face, plus the way he was staring at her, was enough to make any woman's heart race. Eloise felt a flutter, her female intuition quietly stirring.