Tangled Temptations

Chapter 185

Parker frowned and asked, "What do you know?"

Harvey brushed off the ice chips on his body. His expression was a bit dazed for a moment.

After a while, he finally said palely, "Dad, | thought that | would never fall in love with anyone after breaking up

with Joan. When | first started with Eloise, | thought it was just a gwe both agreed to play. | knew Eloise liked

me, but | never thought about being with her long-term."

Parker angrily threw an ashtray at him. "You're just toying with her feelings!" he growled, his eyebrows jumping

in anger.

Harvey didn't dodge, and blood trickled down from his forehead, flowing down his handsface.

Pauline outside the door was heartbroken. "Parker!" she called out.

Parker was relentless. "Don't plead for this bastard! He's getting good at playing with women. Where did he learn

this bad habit... I'm going to teach him a lesson today!"

Pauline didn't dare to plead anymore.

Parker lit a cigarette, blew out a smoke ring, and said, "Why aren't you talking? If you dare to do it, you should

admit it. You think you're so cool, so impressive outside! Lettell you, in the past, this was frowned upon, and

you should be ashamed, instead of thinking you're the pride of the Horigan family!"

Harvey stared straight at his father. "Dad, | didn't expect to fall in love with Eloise. It was only after she left that |

realized I'd been doing a lot of things | wouldn't have done before to win her back, but she doesn't want me

anymore. Dad, | don't know what to do to make her cback."

Before Parker had a chance to give advice, Harvey's expression suddenly

hardened. "But | won't let her be with someone else. Landon can't be with her! No one can be with her!"

With that, Harvey turned and left.

Pauline tried to stop him, but Parker said sternly, "Let him go. He's 29 years old now, and he should know what to

do."

Pauline was very worried. She was afraid that Harvey was on the wrong path; his words just sounded very wrong.

But Parker was very satisfied. He smoked his cigarette, looking at his wife. "That's a man! Go after what you like,

instead of hiding, and drinking all day, waiting until Eloise gets married, and then making a fool of yourself?"

After Parker's lesson, Harvey no longer attended drinking parties, and he becmore determined, making

people feel scared.

People cto the Horigan family to complain about Harvey's improper behavior. Pauline cried to her husband,

"If Harvey keeps doing this, I'm afraid he'll be single for life."

Parker sneered, "You don't understand! There are many girls who want to be with Harvey, lining up from here to

there. It's just that your son has high standards, and only has eyes for one person."

Pauline looked at her son in the newspaper again. He was handsome, sexy. That face, full of attraction. But what

was the use? He was still alone.

A month passed quickly, and it was soon the day when Eloise was to receive her award from Peterborough.

Michelle accompanied Eloise to the award ceremony. Although Michelle was a bit sad, her mood was quite good

today. Backstage, she helped Eloise adjust her collar several times, always feeling that it needed to be smoother

here or more perfect there.

Eloise laughed. "Mom, the collar is already smooth."

Michelle also laughed. "I always feel it's not perfect enough. Today is your big day, so you must do your best."

Eloise nodded.

At this time, the host cover and whispered to Eloise, "Ms. Laurent, it's your turn to go on stage."

Eloise patted Michelle's shoulder, "Mom, remember to take many photos of me."

Michelle hurriedly helped Eloise adjust her collar again. "Don't mess up your clothes. Go ahead. I'll take lots of

good pictures of you."

Eloise went on stage with a smile, but when she saw the guest who was going to give her the award, her smile

stiffened. It was Parker who was going to give her the award!

At this time, the stage was crowded with people, and all the major media were broadcasting live. Parker was

looking at her kindly, and even kindly called her over, "Lou, cover here."

This situation caused a stir in the media. Many people knew that Parker's son, Harvey, had once been engaged

to Eloise but had not been able to marry her in the end. They didn't expect the two to still appear harmoniously

on the sstage today.

Eloise was a bit embarrassed. She guessed that Parker had used sconnections to give her the award at this

occasion, and she also roughly understood his purpose. But the camera on the stage was pointing at her, she

couldn't lose her composure. Eloise forced a smile and went on stage to receive the award.

Later, it turned out that Parker, like his son, didn't let Eloise go after giving the award. He put his hand on Eloise's

shoulder, signaling the media to take more photos in a way that suggested they had a good relationship.

"I'm very happy to give Eloise the award."

"I want to remember this moment and put it in my office."

"Remember to make Lou look good. Girls all love to be beautiful."

The media was once again buzzing.

Eloise was already smiling somewhat reluctantly. Parker controlled the whole scene. She couldn't leave, nor could

she stay, and whatever she did would make people think her relationship with the Horigan family was

complicated.

This situation was really a headache.

After the award ceremony, Parker finally let Eloise go, but he publicly told Eloise, "I've got the best coffee for

you,. Try it. If you like it, you can take a few packets home."

Eloise knew that Parker wanted to talk to her. She couldn't refuse such a big business tycoon. If he really wanted

to deal with her, her workshop could collapse in an instant.

After the award ceremony, the CEO's secretary personally welcomed Eloise. This was Eloise's second visit to this

power-packed office. The last tshe was here, she had agreed to Parker's terms and was willing to head over

to France. Stepping into this place again, she was filled with deep emotions.

Parker personally hosted Eloise. He was even friendlier than the last time. He brewed a cup of coffee for Eloise

and then sat across from her. After two cups of coffee, he got down to brass tacks.

Parker cut to the chase and said, "I know you've been hurt. But today, | want to give you a dose of reality. No

couple sails through life without facing any trials and tribulations. Harvey screwed up, but he's aware of his

mistakes. His past lifestyle was indeed hard to swallow. It breaks our parents’ hearts to see this, and made us so

mad!"

Eloise stayed quiet.

Parker continued, "It's all Harvey's fault!" He picked up a thick file from the table and slid it gently towards

Eloise.

Eloise looked up.

Parker's sharp, handsface still bore a smile. "My secretary tellsEncore Soundworks is doing great.

Eloise... | see great potential in you. This is all of the Horigan family's real estate, worth about ten billion dollars.

Pauline isn't interested in managing it, and | want to hand it over to you."

Managing ten billion dollars was indeed a tempting offer. Such a generous offer also represented trust. For a

shrewd businessman like Parker to hand over such an important task, it was not easy.

Eloise was, of course, tempted. She stared at the file, knowing that once she signed, herworth would double

instantly, perhaps even making her the wealthiest woman in town.

But she turned it down. She managed to say, "Mr. Parker, this is indeed very tempting! But what | want isn't a

prestigious family. | just want a husband who is completely mine. What we've been through makes it hard for me

to trust him again. So... I'm sorry, | must say | can't accept."

With that, Eloise got up. She nodded at Parker, grateful for this man who had always treated her well.

After Eloise left, Parker's secretary tiptoed in, gently asking, "Shall we keep Ms. Laurent?"

Parker waved his hand. Pointing at the file on the table, he told his secretary, "She's indeed remarkable. No

wonder Harvey can't let go!"

The secretary nodded and chuckled in agreement.

Parker laughed again, "Such an excellent girl should be part of our family."