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,

rekindled, Nathan’s

Nathan’s face turned ashen.

wonder the woman pitied

wonder she emphasized

wonder those bar patrons looked

Yulia truly left without a word, off to work sweetly with her ex, ignoring the

Yulia, well played.

pulled up in the car, and Nathan strode in, leaving the woman behind. Embarrassed but relieved,

had been to storm into Yulia’s office, but he soon reined himself in. Why should he care? Why should he

rerouted to

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

“Anya’s waiting for me at home. I’ll skip dinner,” said Yulia, her voice casual but

matter. “Bring Anya

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

I’m really

“Yeah.”

car door, but as she did, her movement

a bright light, and moths fluttered in its halo on the edge of

her chest as she squinted to get a better look, but before she could process the sight, Ronald’s hand

Yulia’s knee scraped the

immediately opened his door and got out

tall, imposing stature exuded a wild, untamed air, laced with an innate aristocracy. His masculine presence

lion that had been stepped on—a raw embodiment

for only a moment before stepping forward, his voice

driven by

bracing against

after all, being a boy, he also developed an

from the corner

abruptly pulled from the car, was stunned by the sudden

his expression and tone equally fierce. “Who gave you the right to

with other women and now you’re looking for

a slap to Nathan’s face—a reminder of the previous night’s escapades at

this. He just knew Yulia hadn’t come home that night and found himself irrationally waiting for her here. There was no reason to be

fury

he feel? Still angry, with

his punch. His clenched fists and the muscles straining against his shirt seemed ready to burst.

He knew he shouldn’t have gone to

he had lost control. It was all so

you? She

is a wife to you? A doll in

is our damn business.

laughter cut through the tension. “I love her,

finally came to her senses, reaching for Nathan’s clenched

at her hand trying to pry his away, his gaze shifting to the corner of his eyes,