The Enticing CEO’s Chosen Bride

Yulia couldn’t help but smirk silently to herself on the sidelines.

Chloe, too, rose from the couch, her hand on her hip, leaning into Damon’s embrace as she sauntered over, a faint, tender smile gracing her face.

She believed that Nathan was truly the clown of the household. His talent for playing the fool was both exasperating and endearing.

But as the saying goes, love is blind. Perhaps if someone else were in Nathan’s shoes, suddenly discovering they had a daughter would be just as unbelievable, especially a daughter who had been under his nose the whole time, sweetly calling him ‘Nathan’ day in and day out.b2

Bystanders can only see the surface of things, too many complexities that only he would understand. Piling up one thing after another, the web of considerations was daunting to untangle.

When it came to children, a crucial piece, no room for error can be afforded.

She understood, had Nathan not cared so much, he wouldn’t be beating around the bush, reluctant to even consider the possibility. He was probably scared to death of the disappointment if it turned out not to be true.

He knew coming to Damon for answers would invite a “harsh talking-to”, but compared to the potential letdown, he figured a few harsh words would be easier to swallow. As long as Damon denied it, that would be the best answer for him.

Nathan may seem like a wayward son, carefree all day long. But even he had a heart.

With Damon and his father’s strict and detached dispositions, if he were similar, the family would be suffocating.

He had a knack for charming people. A little exasperating, sure, but not necessarily a bad thing.

He made his rounds, greeting Elizabeth, Royce, and Alyssa.

Alyssa responded cheerily, rubbing her cheek against Anya’s and beckoning Yulia over.

Yulia approached, and Alyssa took her hand, looking up at her warmly. “Yulia, bless you for keeping Anya, and for raising her so well. I know you’re a good kid, just dealt a bad hand with a husband like Nathan. If you ever need to talk, come to grandma and your folks, we’ll have your back unconditionally. If he steps out of line or gives you trouble, we’ll set him straight for you.”

Nathan leaned in, “Hey, hey, what’s all this about having a rough time because she’s married to me? Marrying me must be the luck of her.”

Alyssa scoffed dismissively, “Don’t flatter yourself. If I’d known marrying you was a sign of good fortune, I’d have whisked Yulia off to a convent long ago.”

Nathan’s mouth twitched, “You guys, come on, I’m your flesh and blood. Is this how you treat your own?”

“That’s why I say Yulia’s got it tough, marrying someone like you. Perhaps you saved humanity in your last life, and this is your reward. Hmph.”

Nathan almost choked on Alyssa’s disdain. Was this really his dear grandmother?

“The one who saved humanity was me, not him,” a calm voice interjected. It was Damon, standing beside Chloe, his expression unreadable as ever.

The room fell silent.

Chloe blushed, seemingly aware of what Damon meant by his words. She looked like she wanted to hide but merely lowered her head, closing her eyes in a brief escape. Why did he have to compete even in this?

Nathan rolled his eyes to the heavens in response. Why on earth was Damon taking such a silly boast seriously?

at Damon. Was there a single normal person

hired help, who chose this moment to announce that

towards the dining room, the tension eased, and forced smiles crept onto

chuckled softly

of self-assured righteousness. “Really, bro? You care about that sort of

glanced at him from the corner of his eye, “Your sister-in-law

a while before giving Damon a thumbs-up. “You’re the man!

to Nathan’s words, leaving him with a

leaving Yulia

of the evening, Anya’s little belly protruded

her dress and pat her belly gently. “Knock, knock, knock,” he laughed, “Hey, looks like the watermelon is

reaching to lift his shirt, “I want

his shirt, revealing his taut abs, no watermelon for her

daddy.”

little press, pouting. However, she didn’t make a big fuss, as

to see Damon staring him down coldly. “Show off again, and I swear I’ll cut each one off.” Damon spoke while covering Chloe’s eyes, his

his shirt

to Nathan’s tussles with Damon, covered her mouth to hide her giggles. “Nathan got beaten up

at

furrowed her

“It’s Dad to you.”

little neck away, refusing to look at

—

Nathan straightened out his clothes, Damon

help of the housekeeper. Being pregnant, Chloe insisted on getting involved whenever she was home. Only then could she truly

found a comfortable position on the couch and turned to Yulia with a soft voice, “You didn’t eat much tonight, dear. Didn’t the dinner

shook her head gently, “No, it’s not that. I wasn’t very hungry, had a cup of

and mom are reluctant to leave tonight. Why don’t

considered this earlier. These days, staying over had become almost routine. At first, there was a

glanced at Nathan. She had always been accustomed to following his lead. If he stayed, then

If you stay, he definitely won’t leave.” Chloe seemed to read Yulia’s

a bit embarrassed and nodded slightly. The thought of leaving and enduring a long car ride made her stomach churn uncomfortably. Her

gently took her hand,

one hand and forced a smile, “I’m fine. Just the thought of

looked surprised,

a car ride can

“Sometimes.”

happened

identical fruit platters. With so many people, it was easier to have separate platters within