The Enticing CEO’s Chosen Bride

At the sight of Yasmine, Chloe quickly sat up in bed, a piece of apple Damon had just given her still between her lips.

“Mom…”

Yasmine gave her daughter a cursory glance, her gaze swiftly moving to the swell of Chloe’s belly.

Chloe pursed her lips and gently rested her hands on her abdomen.b2

Yasmine approached, shooting a glance at Damon standing beside the bed, “Her belly’s quite big. Maybe ease up on the snacks.”

Damon’s lips tightened as he stepped aside to make room for her.

Stanley followed, casting a disdainful look at Damon, “Seems like you only care about the babies. You couldn’t care less about our dear Chloe’s well-being. Jerk!”

A vein throbbed on Damon’s forehead as he glowered at Stanley, “Get out!”

Stanley snorted and took Yasmine’s arm, “Take it easy, Yasmine.”

Ignoring Stanley, Yasmine bent down beside the bed and gently touched Chloe’s rounded belly, her usually cold face softening. Then, looking up at Chloe, she said, “Don’t worry, I’ve brought two top OB/GYNs from B country. They’ll get the scoop and coordinate with the hospital to assist during delivery.”

Chloe glanced at Damon, “Damon’s got it covered.”

Yasmine paused, “Most women go through childbirth, and with today’s medical advances, there’s hardly any risk. Just relax.”

Chloe nodded. She’d heard it all before and knew it well. It seemed everyone was more nervous than she was.

“I get it. And Rose had her baby a few days ago—both are healthy, all went well.”

Yasmine nodded, her eyes fixed on Chloe’s belly, her palms sweating silently. She too had been through childbirth, but the sight of Chloe’s twin-carrying belly still made her worry. It looked as if Chloe could give birth at any minute.

Chloe was used to the sight and smiled lightly, “Well, there are two of them.”

When Alyssa and Elizabeth entered the room and saw Yasmine, they were surprised.

“Yasmine!” Elizabeth’s eyes welled up as she rushed over and hugged her, “I thought I’d never see you again.”

Yasmine’s brow twitched, “You make it sound like I’m not in this world anymore.”

Elizabeth shook her head, “Weren’t you kidnapped by a gangster to be his bride?”

Yasmine was silent.

The word “gangster” raised Chloe’s eyebrows as she looked puzzledly at Damon. It seemed their fates were intertwined. Neither could escape being a gangster’s bride.

Damon’s gaze met hers, the corners of his lips curling into a faint smile.

Elizabeth was genuinely teary-eyed. Yasmine didn’t follow her train of thought, but the sight of tears softened her. “There’s no gangster’s bride here.”

“I saw it all at the coronation. You were whisked away by that man, right onto a plane. He’s the President of B Country. We felt so powerless. Oh dear…”

Yasmine let out a chuckle, “Was it that you didn’t dare, or you didn’t want to bring me back?”

Elizabeth’s crying stopped, and she let go of Yasmine, wiping her eyes, “I was just worried you’d get too fond of being a gangster’s bride. I mean, I would have taken care of Chloe.”

Yasmine raised an eyebrow, “You mean you would’ve taken care of Chloe and had your eye on my grandchildren too, right?”

Elizabeth’s smile faltered, “That’s not it.”

Yasmine smirked, knowing that was at least one percent of the truth. The room fell silent for a moment until Elizabeth, perhaps feeling awkward, said: “Dear, how’s your leg?”

Yasmine pushed her away, stood up, and walked confidently in front of her. Dressed in a light green business suit with cropped pants and a casual jacket, her sleeves rolled up to her elbows, she didn’t look like someone who had ever suffered a leg injury. Her presence was formidable, even more so than Chloe’s.

Elizabeth clapped with delight, “It’s healed.”

so I’m fully capable of looking after my grandchildren,” Yasmine

“Fine, we’ll do it together. But will Boyd let you? Are you not going

“Why should I?”

in, curiosity written all over her face, “He’s okay

it matter what

this? Have you grown

it, Chloe? Fancy giving

him, “Which one do

one are you

part with

a girl. A girl’s got to be

are you

expression apologetic. She hadn’t had the

explain that she caved under Stanley’s relentless persuasion and casually agreed to

was clouded with doubt. The thought of her babies enduring hardship alongside Stanley was unbearable, and

It’s got nothing to do with

his gaze to Chloe.

on.

dice. If you don’t agree, well, you might just wake up one morning to find one less kiddo in

breath hitched, panic rising as she clutched her belly and looked to Damon for

“Damon…”

averted her eyes. She shouldn’t have made such a clandestine deal with Stanley. She hadn’t taken it seriously at the time. But now, out of nowhere,

deepened as he looked back at Stanley. “Did you

nonchalantly replied, giving him a

“Absolutely not.”

“That settles it, then.”

of the room watched the drama unfold. Yasmine was the first to speak up. “The babies aren’t even born yet. Let’s cross this bridge when

shrugged. “Sure. I’ll just keep it

Chloe exhaled in relief.

—

the Queen of Y Country arrived in Chloe’s room,

room was crowded with people: Grandma, Mother-in-law, Mom, Dad, Damon, Stanley, Nathan, Yulia, Anya, Queen Julia, Lea, and the

was bewildered. It was like national treasures

who hadn’t shown up yet: those called by Damon, brought by Stanley, and now those brought by Julia, Chloe couldn’t help but picture the scene of her delivery, surrounded by a dozen doctors watching her give birth. She touched her forehead, trying to banish the

Yulia herself had come to P City to visit her granddaughter spread like wildfire

—

her due date, Chloe felt

the delivery room, with Damon following closely

didn’t all crowd into the delivery room. Instead, they gathered in

others all anxiously waited outside the

end

tightly. “What are

those who turned to look at that

man a brief look before turning away. No one

this time was

all chose to keep their distance. The only person who could speak frankly to him here

don’t want you here. Please leave,” she

in the mood for petty squabbles right

is in that room. If you’re looking for your great-grandchildren, look elsewhere. Maybe check the cracks in the sidewalk or under a rock to see if one might

not to react. He just wanted to see his great-grandchildren, the future

no one here cares for your antics. Even if the child bears the surname ‘Harper’, it’s

bear Damon’s surname, it’s still Harper,” Presley couldn’t hold back, raising his voice

slowly said, “As long as Damon doesn’t mind, I can make both kids take Chloe’s

you going to keep messing with me? What’s the

out of my way to cause you trouble. I have no interest in entangling with someone whose morals

now on, I won’t say a word. Is that okay, Alyssa? No matter how much you rage, Chloe’s children are my Harper heirs—no matter what surnames they take.

on a bench outside the