The Enticing CEO’s Chosen Bride

“Yulia!”

“Yulia, honey.”

Elizabeth and Alyssa were startled by her sudden dash. With Alyssa’s mobility limited, Elizabeth quickly passed little Anya into Royce’s arms, who was sitting nearby.

Elizabeth got up and hurried around the couch to check on Yulia, only to see a figure flash past her. Nathan was already hot on Yulia’s heels. Elizabeth paused, then followed suit.b2

Alyssa watched anxiously toward the bathroom, “What in the world happened all of a sudden?”

Chloe furrowed her brow slightly, replaying the day’s events since she had seen Yulia. Her gaze finally settled on the fruit bowl. She picked up a slice of mango and popped it into her mouth.

Mangoes can be quite the divisive fruit. Some adore them, while others can hardly stomach the flavor. But since Yulia had chosen to eat one, it meant she wasn’t averse to mangoes. Yet, the reaction it provoked was suspicious.

The sweetness of the mango clung to her taste buds, exceptionally fragrant. As she swallowed, Chloe turned to look at Damon, whose brow was deeply furrowed, his face clouded with a particularly nasty scowl.

Raising an eyebrow, a childish and ludicrous thought flashed through her mind. He couldn’t possibly be bothered by this, could he? Considering how he had gloated over Nathan earlier, it wouldn’t be surprising if his petty competitive streak was flaring up again.

With each person lost in their thoughts, Royce, suddenly left holding the child, sat back on the couch, cradling Anya in one arm, his gaze emotionless as he examined her. Upon closer inspection, one could see a mix of surprise and scrutiny in his eyes.

Anya hadn’t spent much time around him, and now sat quietly on his lap, looking up with wide, innocent eyes that shimmered as she stared at Royce.

Royce’s impassivity and aloofness didn’t scare her. After a long stare-off, Anya’s mouth suddenly split into a grin, revealing rows of tiny, bright teeth.

She propped herself against Royce’s belly, climbed up, and planted a kiss on his cheek. “Grandpa is so handsome.”

Caught off guard, a range of emotions flickered across Royce’s usually stoic face.

Grandpa?

His brow twitched. Although factual, why did he feel as if the title aged him by decades?

This little one truly was charming though, her ability to endear herself seemingly boundless.

She wasn’t like her father, who was either asking for a smack or a scolding every other day.

Grandpa it was, then. That day would come eventually.

With a slight tug at the corner of his mouth, Royce watched as Anya, after kissing him, settled down cross-legged on his lap, facing him with a broad smile. He stretched out a hand, indulgingly pinching her rosy cheek. “If you don’t want to smile, then don’t.”

Anya’s smile drooped slightly, her face the very picture of a well-behaved, pitiable child. “Handsome Grandpa. Is Yulipop okay?”

Royce chuckled softly, “She’s fine.”

Anya blinked, “Really?”

“Mhm.”

Anya trusted Royce completely and beamed in relief. She gazed at Royce for a few seconds before exclaiming happily, “Daddy, Uncle, and Grandpa, all so handsome.”

In his lifetime, Royce had only two sons and had never encountered such sweet flattery from a little girl. Her few words had the power to bewilder even the usually composed Royce.

Handsome Grandpa, successfully charmed.

Chloe looked at Anya with a mixture of love and urgency. She truly wished for a sweet, warm, and cuddly daughter of her own, just like Anya.

—

Yulia spent a while in the bathroom, getting rid of the little she had eaten for dinner.

Nathan came after her, supporting her back with his hands knotted in concern. He felt her neck for any sign of fever but found none.

“What’s wrong? Are you feeling unwell anywhere specific?”

Yulia leaned against the wall, feeling weak after vomiting. She covered her mouth and slowly stood up. “Please, step out.” She didn’t want Nathan to be offended by the smell.

But Nathan didn’t heed her request. Seeing that she wasn’t going to be sick again, he helped her over to the sink and turned on the tap.

Yulia bent over to rinse her mouth with water. Nathan kept soothing her, watching her every move, his brow furrowed, his expression grave.

Elizabeth asked with concern, “You looked off during dinner too, and you barely ate. Is it that the food didn’t agree with you? Or is there something you can’t eat?”

Yulia shook her head, “No, I’m not picky and I don’t have any food aversions. Maybe I just got car sick on the way here.”

Elizabeth nodded, “Car sickness can be awful. Why don’t you go upstairs and rest a bit? I’ll have the kitchen keep some broth warm for you. You can have it whenever you feel up to eating.”

Elizabeth’s care and attention touched Yulia deeply. “Thank you.”

Elizabeth sighed softly, “What’s there to thank me for? I’ve spent my life raising two sons who give me nothing but worry. I’m just hoping they’ll make something of themselves and bring home a couple of daughters-in-law. Having finally gained two daughters, it’s only natural for me to care and dote on them, isn’t it?”

Elizabeth’s words made it awkward for Yulia to keep thanking her.

As they left the bathroom, a servant had already prepared some warm water. Elizabeth handed Yulia the cup and said gently, “Drink this and then head upstairs to rest.”

“I’ll take her to the hospital to have her checked out.” Nathan’s voice was unusually solemn and firm, leaving no room for argument.

Yulia turned to look at him, “I’m fine.”

Alyssa, with her sharp eyes, considered the situation and nodded, “Nathan’s right. It’s best to have a checkup at the hospital.”

“But Yulia just got car sick, didn’t she? The back and forth could be more trouble. Why don’t we have Jane take a look first? She lives right next door.” Chloe spoke in a subdued tone, a trace of an elusive smile playing across her lips, leaving the others somewhat baffled.

Alyssa glanced at her, nodding in understanding, “Oh, that reminds me, I completely forgot about Dr. Jane. Quick, someone fetch Dr. Jane to check on Yulia.”

A servant nearby responded promptly and dashed off.

Nathan, this time, stayed silent, wrapping an arm around Yulia as they settled onto the couch. His expression and aura were such a stark contrast to his usual pushover demeanor that no one would have guessed his true nature.

Chloe arched an eyebrow, shifting her position to lean against Damon.

“No wonder Yulia always acts so demure around Nathan. It seems your little brother has quite the commanding presence behind closed doors, huh?”

Damon’s complexion remained on the sour side. Hearing her words, he shot her a glance, but his mood didn’t seem to lift.

Chloe, exasperated yet amused, nestled closer in his arms and teased in a low voice, “Looks like Yulia’s got her three sons all mapped out.”

Damon’s lips tightened into a straight line.

Suppressing her laughter, Chloe continued, “I bet Nathan’s going to tire of being called ‘Dad’.”

Damon frowned and turned to give her a frosty look. “Even if she has three sons, they might not all be his. And it’s not even certain yet.”

“You and your negative thoughts; he’s your own brother. Can’t you hope for the best? Deep down, you don’t really think that way, do you? Just comforting yourself with denial?”

“Keep it up, and we might as well go up to bed,” Damon said gravely.

Chloe chuckled softly, “If it bothers you that much, we could always have a few more ourselves. They have four, we could go for five, maybe?”

Damon narrowed his eyes, looking at her, “At least four hundred times?”

Chloe blinked, confused, “What?”

“Based on the lowest probability of conception, to have the remaining four kids, wouldn’t we need to have sex for at least four hundred times?”

Despite knowing his occasional crude humor, she was still taken aback by his words, wishing she could just disappear.

“Four hundred times, are you planning an early demise? Besides, why calculate using the lowest probability? We didn’t need that for the first two.”

Damon glanced at her round belly, expressionless, and said coldly, “The twins were an accident.”

Chloe was flabbergasted.

Damon: “I never considered children. If I had, I would have made sure you didn’t get pregnant so easily.”

Chloe frowned at him, “Since it was an accident, maybe they shouldn’t call you Dad. You seem to dislike the hassle.”

clear displeasure, Damon’s lips pursed slightly, and he felt a twinge

screwed. He’d made

Chloe and cleared his throat, whispering, “I do like

you like

her slightly swollen leg,

to look at him,

kids later, okay? Let’s focus on bringing these two into the world and getting you back

midst of everyone’s teeth-gritting

their blatant display

Jane arrived

by the family, holding a

Chloe, who was being clung to by Damon, and rolled her eyes before approaching

Jane squatted down, Yulia giving her a faint,

pursed her lips, “Give me your

Yulia handed it over.

asking, “How long have you been feeling

“Just now.”

“About a week.”

response was Elizabeth,

was Nathan’s

Elizabeth paused, “What?”

“She’s not been eating well these past few days, but this is

Alyssa blinked, looking at Nathan, then at each other. When did this

Impressive!

smacked Nathan on the

moment, a barely noticable smile appeared on Jane’s mouth

mix of anxiety and expectation in their voices, “Dr.

“She’s fine. Just make sure she’s well taken care of. In eight months,

fell silent

up,

“Yes, congratulations, you’re pregnant.”

“Oh my gosh!”

“Good heavens!”

nearly jumping for

Anya, looked up with a rare

a firm kiss on her face, laughing heartily as he

eyebrow and turned her

go. That goofball was at

darkened in an instant, as he realized that the fool

the way that’s been calling me ‘daddy’ from

You’ve got another nephew on the way. And, my two big nephews are

guy, can’t he just chill out for once? What

a child?! Wasn’t having another child

turn such a happy occasion into a reason for everyone to want to punch

a celebration into something that made people want to hit

Chloe’s. Just as they were basking in the joy of welcoming another child, Nathan had to ruin the moment, making them all want to

it anymore, tugged at

of joy, barely registered Yulia’s plea. Elizabeth, on the other hand, couldn’t stand it and punched him on the back. The punch

turned around, coughing, only to find Elizabeth glaring at him, “Is there anyone in the world more annoying than you? You actually

punctuated her words with two more punches on his shoulder. “Yulia… being pregnant… isn’t something… for you to brag

every pause, Elizabeth’s fist landed on Nathan, emphasizing her

pain, dodging and weaving

amused. At such a moment, he still had

had been watching with wide eyes, looked up at

grandpa. Does Yulipop being pregnant mean

Anya, you’re going to have a little

eyes sparkled with happiness. She clasped her little hands together, “Wow, Yulipop has a baby. I’m going

that Royce couldn’t help but smile and nod in

joyfully, but soon her little brow furrowed

of brothers and sisters,

suddenly turned to Yulia, “How many babies does Yulipop

brought a halt to the conversation, as all the adults turned to

turned out to be twins or even triplets,

“We should probably get a proper check-up at

in agreement, “Right. No matter what, a thorough check-up at

sip of water, shaking her head slightly, “I don’t really have an appetite right

anytime. Whenever you’re hungry, just have Nathan whip something

Chloe smiled, “Will do.”

rubbed her hands together in anticipation, “Oh, I’m going to be busy, busy, busy—hahaha! My daughters-in-law getting pregnant one after

been longing for decades for her sons to bring home daughters-in-law and give her chubby grandchildren to

now have four generations under one roof. I

filled with happiness and laughter, except for Damon, who sat with a

by the news but noticed Damon’s mood and nudged him with her elbow, “I want

picked a grape, and brought it to Chloe’s lips.

expression remained stern, but the fruit

—

next morning, Elizabeth whisked Yulia and Nathan off to

waiting for them.

at the car blocking the entrance

Damon asked me to

for the fuss, I’ve got my own ride, and my driving skills are

about his nephew’s health. He insisted that I accompany you throughout the visit,

many babies Yulia was carrying at the very first moment possible? Why went through all this trouble

they all got into Nate’s

word, Nate was with them every step of the way. If it weren’t for the

Nate was right there waiting. “Well? How

Could his

was light and carefree as she said, “Just one, one is good. It

a word she said after that. Once he got

big deal of having twins? His little princess was already a head taller than those two in the womb. They were destined to call his daughter

up

drew Yulia close. “One’s perfect. Mom’s right,

gave a half-smile. She hadn’t thought that

—

were confirmed, Damon’s brooding expression lifted like mist

rest in her sleep and woke

his voice low, but Chloe could make out the

all that just to get the

Damon’s lips quirked

shifted, and Damon helped her sit up

she asked,

his lips together. “The Harper legacy is something to keep an eye

at

I’ll

“Mhm.”

scanned the latest news on her phone.

the moon. “Is

ecstatic. He’s been strutting like a peacock in front of his brother. Oh, and last night

“That guy sure isn’t quick on the uptake, is he? To only realize under his

then claimed she was a

of last night’s drama to Rose,

incessant. “Could

breath, her smile fading, “Maybe he’s just scared. Maybe he

of the blue. Oh gosh, Chloe, I’m getting nervous. My due date is in two days. I’m both

expression tightened. “Morrison will be there for you,

with me in

in the hospital, she grew more sensitive as the due

he entered the room. Approaching her,

for you to say when it’s impossible.

leaned in, his kiss brazen

guard. They kissed passionately, their