The Enticing CEO’s Chosen Bride

With a furrowed brow, he snapped, “What’s up?”

The woman was perched on the couch, her phone in hand. “Your phone’s dead?”

Rising from his bed, Nathan looked around, prompted by her question. She pointed at the coffee table, then picked up a black phone, standing to hand it over to him.

As Nathan took the phone and opened it, she pursed her lips and said, “I thought it was dead. You didn’t get a single call or text all night.”

Without a word, Nathan glanced at the phone and tossed it aside, the screen going dark. The woman asked, “So really no calls or messages last night?”

Nathan stood up, intending to find the bathroom. Upon hearing her words, he seemed particularly impatient. “What are you trying to say?”d2

There was a moment of silence before she spoke, “The stuff from the bar last night went viral. I thought your wife would’ve called to check in.”

Nathan froze, his hungover eyes darkening as he turned to her, his look menacing.

She recoiled two steps, her face stricken with fear. “Sorry.”

Nathan looked away, a sarcastic laugh escaping him after a moment’s thought. He stormed into the bathroom, and the door slammed with a resounding thud.

He emerged from a quick shower, dressed in a bathrobe, and ignored the bewildered woman on the sofa. He grabbed his phone and ordered clothes to be delivered.

While waiting for his clothes, Nathan ordered breakfast. He didn’t neglect the woman. They ate together.

She didn’t eat much, while Nathan ate like a man with a hearty appetite. She’d seen many people, men and women, treat meals like a mere formality, barely nibbling, as if that was enough to last the day. Now, she had seen what a real man’s appetite looked like.

But even this was nothing compared to Nathan’s usual intake. After a night of drinking on an empty stomach, he was uncomfortable and headachy. Eating much was out of the question.

They ate in silence. When the clothes arrived, he tossed an outfit to the woman, gesturing for her to change in the bathroom. She complied, puzzled, and when she returned, Nathan was transformed. Dressed in a crisp suit, his hair casually styled, he exuded an aristocratic charm, a rakish allure.

“Let’s go,” he said emotionlessly, opening the door.

Her heart racing, she followed him out, pausing to murmur, “We really don’t have to do this.”

He walked on without listening.

The bar was quiet in the morning compared to the previous night’s revelry. The patrons were lethargic, silently preparing to leave, their spirits downcast.

But as they saw Nathan and the woman leave together, their expressions were oddly knowing.

Nathan sensed something amiss. “What were you about to say?” he asked her, eyes fixed forward.

Startled, she whispered back, “You made headlines at the bar last night. If it was all an act, you succeeded. But I’m not sure if this morning turned out how you wanted.”

Outside the bar, they breathed in the fresh air. “What didn’t turn out as I wanted?” he pressed.

She hesitated to reply, so he turned to her, only to have her phone thrust in his face.

The headlines blared: “Harper family’s second daughter-in-law leaves with ex, both head to work.”

his wife, living separate

Nathan’s

Nathan’s face turned ashen.

wonder the woman pitied

emphasized

bar patrons looked at

a word, off to work sweetly with her ex,

Yulia, well played.

pulled up in the car, and Nathan strode in,

been to storm into Yulia’s office, but he soon reined himself in.

rerouted to

online. Yulia and Ronald’s lunch further fanned the flames. The Harper Group building was tense, the atmosphere thick with unease. Everyone was on edge, and Nathan’s office was

for me at home. I’ll skip dinner,” said Yulia, her voice casual but with an

Anya

she unbuckled her seat belt. “We’ll see,” she replied

really fond of

“Yeah.”

the car door, but as she did,

the apartment complex cast a bright light, and moths fluttered in its halo on

crossed, seemingly watching their direction. Yulia felt a tightness in her chest as she squinted to get a better look, but before she could process the sight, Ronald’s hand hooked her shoulder, pulling her back with an unexpected kiss on

step too late. Yulia’s knee scraped the ground as she was yanked

Ronald immediately opened his door

became clear. His rugged good looks and tall, imposing stature exuded

resembled a lion that had been stepped on—a

a moment before stepping forward, his

fist, driven by

bracing against the car’s

by Damon when he was younger, but after all, being a boy, he also developed an interest in some

trickled from the corner of

from being abruptly pulled from the car,

expression and tone equally

enough fun with other women and now you’re looking for some

a slap to Nathan’s face—a reminder of the

Yulia hadn’t come home that night and found himself irrationally waiting

kissed her. The fury found

he feel? Still angry,

the scuffle. Every muscle in his body tensed with the impact of his punch. His clenched fists and the muscles straining against his shirt seemed ready to burst. Every inch of him was uncomfortable, but

of Yulia being kissed flashed through his mind, puncturing his heart. He knew he shouldn’t have gone to

lost control. It was all

no shame, do you? She is my

A doll in the

business.

the tension. “I love her, does that

forehead veins bulged, his grip on Ronald’s shirt creaking with tension. That was when Yulia finally came to her senses, reaching for Nathan’s clenched hand on Ronald’s shirt.

his gaze shifting to the corner of