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?

exchanged complex glances at Damon. Was there a single normal

who chose

towards the dining room, the tension eased, and forced smiles crept onto their faces. The younger

softly at

of self-assured righteousness. “Really,

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

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

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

Elizabeth, leaving Yulia and Chloe barely

the end of the evening, Anya’s little belly protruded triumphantly,

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

giggled uncontrollably at Nathan’s antics, her little hands reaching

pull up his shirt, revealing

daddy.”

press, pouting. However, she didn’t make a big fuss, as if Nathan’s well-defined abdominal muscles were something she

squarely, and he turned 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,

pulling his shirt

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

at

furrowed her brow,

“It’s Dad to you.”

her little

—

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 then could she

with a soft voice, “You didn’t eat much tonight, dear. Didn’t the dinner agree with

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

and mom are reluctant

had become almost routine. At first, there was a touch of awkwardness, but

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

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

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

her hand, “Are you

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

looked surprised, “You get

that the mere thought of a car ride can unsettle

“Sometimes.”

happened before,

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