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

was screwed. He’d

slightly closer to Chloe and cleared his throat, whispering, “I do like these

forced a smile, “If you like them, what’s

slightly swollen leg, “It’s too

She turned to look at

hers, “Let’s talk about more kids later, okay? Let’s focus

in the midst of everyone’s teeth-gritting annoyance was something to

unwell, and their blatant display of affection was

Jane arrived shortly

a cup of water,

at her, then looked at Chloe, who was being clung to by Damon, and rolled her eyes before

so Jane squatted down, Yulia giving her a faint,

her lips, “Give me your

Yulia handed it over.

checked her pulse, casually asking, “How

“Just now.”

“About a week.”

first response was Elizabeth, cut off

second was

Elizabeth paused, “What?”

eating well these past few days, but this is the first time she’s thrown

then at each other. When did this kid

Impressive!

on

barely noticable smile appeared on Jane’s mouth as

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

“She’s fine. Just make sure she’s well taken care of. In eight months, you’ll be holding a chubby

room fell silent for a

head shot up,

“Yes, congratulations, you’re pregnant.”

“Oh my gosh!”

“Good heavens!”

jumping for joy

holding Anya, looked up with a rare

moment of stunned silence, looked at Yulia and planted a firm kiss on her

an eyebrow and turned her

goofball

face darkened in an instant, as he realized that the fool was

that’s been calling me ‘daddy’

congrats to you too, man. You’ve got another nephew on the way. And, my two big nephews are about to become a big

for once? What was there to be so excited about

just be happy about having a child?!

happy occasion into a reason for everyone

a celebration into something that made

aligned with Chloe’s. Just as they were basking in the joy of welcoming another child, Nathan had to ruin the

unable to take it anymore, tugged at his shirt, “Nathan,

on the other hand, couldn’t stand it and punched him

only to find Elizabeth glaring at him, “Is there anyone in the world more annoying than you? You actually have the talent to suppress people’s happiness and make them want to

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

fist landed on Nathan, emphasizing her

and weaving

moment, he still had the mood to think of

been watching with

Yulipop being pregnant mean she’s got a baby

his voice gentle, “Yes, Anya, you’re going to

clasped her little hands together, “Wow, Yulipop has a

so adorably excited that Royce couldn’t help but smile and nod

hands joyfully, but soon

going to have lots of brothers and sisters, huh? From Aunt’s twins and now

to Yulia, “How

as all the adults turned

or

rubbing her forehead, “We should probably get a proper check-up at the

“Right. No matter what, a thorough check-up at the hospital is necessary. Yulia, are you

sip of water, shaking her head slightly,

quickly added, “The kitchen’s stocked up and ready anytime. Whenever you’re hungry, just have Nathan

Chloe smiled, “Will do.”

to be busy, busy, busy—hahaha! My

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

with joy. “Me, too. My great-grandsons. I now have four

and laughter, except for Damon, who sat with a cold expression, clearly out of

was delighted by the news but noticed Damon’s mood and nudged him

brought it to Chloe’s lips. She accepted

expression remained stern, but the

—

Yulia

a car was already waiting for them. Nate stood by the car door, greeting them as they

at the car blocking the entrance and raised

“Mr. Damon asked me to take you guys to

the fuss, I’ve got my own ride, and

concerned about his nephew’s health. He insisted that I accompany you throughout the visit, and he’s already made arrangements

eyes. Was it just to find out how many babies Yulia was carrying at the very first moment possible? Why went through all this trouble for such

held his tongue, and they all got

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

were done and they emerged, Nate was right there waiting.

his teeth. Could his brother’s motives be any more

one, one is good. It won’t

Once he got the answer he

already a

up his call

Yulia close. “One’s

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

—

confirmed, Damon’s brooding expression lifted like mist in the

barely finding rest in her sleep

window on a call, his voice low, but Chloe could make

all that just to get the

lips quirked

helped her

she asked, “Is

his lips together. “The Harper legacy is

lips twitched at his grandiose

I’ll go

“Mhm.”

on her phone. Checking the

Rose found out about Yulia’s pregnancy, she was over the moon. “Is pregnancy contagious or something? They keep coming

front of his brother. Oh, and last night he confirmed Anya is his

into laughter. “That guy sure isn’t quick on

he came over, suspecting Anya was Damon’s, then claimed

night’s drama

incessant. “Could

he’s just

daughter out of the blue. Oh gosh, Chloe, I’m getting nervous. My due date is

tightened. “Morrison will be

said he’d be with me in the delivery room, but it’s

grew more sensitive

spontaneous exclamation made Morrison freeze as he entered the room. Approaching her, he said, “If I

for you to say when it’s

in, his

guard. They kissed