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?

glances at Damon. Was there

chose

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

chuckled softly

self-assured righteousness. “Really, bro? You care

sister-in-law is the best, so I

speechless, nodding after a while before giving Damon a

to Nathan’s words, leaving him with a view of

by Alyssa and Elizabeth, leaving Yulia and Chloe barely able to

evening, Anya’s little belly protruded triumphantly, round as a little

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

giggled uncontrollably at Nathan’s antics, her little hands reaching to lift his shirt, “I

couch, Nathan let Anya pull up his

me daddy.”

big fuss,

he turned to see Damon staring him down coldly. “Show off again, and I

quickly straightened up, pulling his shirt down with a

covered her mouth to hide

glared at

her brow,

“It’s Dad to you.”

little neck

—

his clothes, Damon

preparing a fruit platter with the help of the housekeeper. Being pregnant, Chloe insisted on getting involved whenever she was home. Only

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

shook her head gently, “No, it’s not that. I wasn’t

nodded understandingly, “It seems grandma and mom are reluctant to leave tonight.

this earlier. These days, staying over had become almost routine. At first, there was a touch of awkwardness, but she quickly grew accustomed

accustomed to

If you stay, he definitely won’t leave.”

bit embarrassed and nodded slightly. The thought of leaving and enduring a long car ride

her hand, “Are

a smile, “I’m fine. Just the thought of the car ride made

surprised, “You

thought of a car ride can unsettle those who

“Sometimes.”

had happened

brought over two identical fruit platters. With so many people, it was easier to have separate