The Enticing CEO’s Chosen Bride

Seth ended the call, the screen displaying a mere 54 seconds of conversation. His phone lingered in his hand as his emotionless gaze stared at the digital numbers. His chiseled face held no warmth, and his narrow eyes seemed to gaze into an abyss.

A sense of vague disquiet settled over him.

He had felt her rage bubbling just beneath the surface, and noticed her restraint and the shadow of disappointment. Her final, resigned “I see” echoed in his mind, painting a vivid picture of her slumped over a desk, a mix of defiance and vulnerability etched into her posture.

With a slight shift in his eyes, Seth pocketed the phone and pushed through the library doors.

Kane, draped in a black cardigan, lounged on a chair, its four legs precariously balanced on two, his whole frame swinging to maintain equilibrium.

Noticing Seth’s stoic entrance, Kane propped himself up on the table, his expression brimming with curiosity. “When will she get here?” he asked, his voice tinged with mischief.d2

Seth glanced at him. “It’s not her.”

Kane paused, his eyes whirling with thoughts. “Ellis family’s little princess, huh?”

Seth remained silent.

Kane, knowing Seth’s temperament well, smirked. “You’re in for it now, caught the eye of that girl.”

He settled back, stroking his chin thoughtfully. “Surprising, though. She’s always so aloof, like no one’s good enough for her. Cold to everyone, hard to figure out. Then again, I never really got to know her, so who knows what she’s really like. But she is stunning. Ever wonder what she’d be like as a girlfriend? The type to get all cute and cuddly?”

Seth’s brows knitted together, his pen pausing mid-sentence, as Kane’s words stirred an unexplained irritation within him. “If you’re not here to study, then get lost.”

reality. “Aren’t I supposed to help you

his pen down, his

ever the opportunist, raised his hands in surrender. “Alright, alright, my bad, okay? But considering your sudden mood, is it because I mentioned Cicely? You don’t

“Kane.”

was unmistakable. Kane nodded frantically, “Fine, fine, I’ll shut

he couldn’t help but probe, “Do

sharp snap, Seth closed his book, and Kane immediately clammed up, sitting ramrod

didn’t linger on Kane for long.

youthful boy’s eyes met Seth’s icy stare, a flash of panic crossing

just before withdrawing his gaze, Seth’s

Eighth-grade curriculum.

back at the boy, who was now avoiding his

“Who’s that?”

in construction materials. The business is stable.

piqued,

Harpers, the Ziems, the

—

in his hands, dozing off. Seth, on the other hand, sat upright, supporting his head with his hand beneath his jaw. His distinctively slender fingers pinched the corner of the book page, as if ready to turn

watching him for a moment before softly saying,

onto the table at the sound of Danielle’s

glancing up before his eyes shifted to the seat

to his book. Feeling a bit deflated, she placed two cups of milkshake on the table. “I

a beauty with a warm touch,” Kane chimed in, grabbing a