The Enticing CEO’s Chosen Bride

Who would give a second thought to a crumpled piece of paper? Yet there she was, somehow so acutely aware of every little thing about Seth. The scrawl on the paper beneath her shoe was all too familiar.

Cicely couldn’t fathom why she, who couldn’t even remember half her classmates’ names, had such a vivid recollection of a few scribbled words.

Danielle spotted the stray paper fluttering at her feet, and her complexion turned ashen. She shoved her way past the housekeeper, rushing to grab it, only to find Cicely had beaten her to the punch.

Not quite ready to give up, Cicely scrutinized the handwriting.

“Give it back!” Danielle’s voice was sharp, her hand outstretched, reaching desperately for the paper now in Cicely’s possession.

Cicely dodged her attempt. Holding up the paper, Cicely looked at Danielle, who appeared visibly nervous. In her mind, she could hear Seth’s impatient voice on the phone.d2

She couldn’t help but let out a chuckle. Her face, previously unreadable, now shone with a touch of mirth. It was like a delicate bud on the verge of blooming in spring, yet encased in a thick layer of ice.

The atmosphere around them grew colder by the second, casting a chill over the entire living room. Everyone was used to Cicely’s privileged tantrums as the princess of the Ellis family and remained silent, even though they all knew how juvenile young love could be.

“Give it back to me!” Danielle was fixated on recovering the homework sheet, her hand open and her tone thick with indignation.

With a faint smile still gracing her lips, Cicely slowly brought the item between them into view.

“At first, I was a bit puzzled. With your holier-than-thou attitude, acting like everyone owes you a fortune, who in their right mind would bother to study with you? But then I figured, in a world of billions, a few fools are to be expected. Never did I guess that one of those fools would be Seth.”

Danielle faltered, accustomed to Cicely’s occasional barbs but not expecting her to drag Seth into the fray.

She had been holding back, her emotions building up inside. If it weren’t for Uncle Creighton by her side, she might already be confronting Cicely head-on. Some things she could tolerate, but not when it came to Seth being belittled because of her.

“Cicely, you need to stop this. I’ve lived with Seth for so long. Even if you are the untouchable princess of the Ellis family in the P City, in front of him and me, what are you? In this world, not everything has to be yours just because you want it.

“At the very least, if you want to be with Seth, you should ask if he even wants to be with you. Flaunting your one-sided affection and acting all high and mighty, don’t you find it pathetic?”

Cicely listened patiently, her face a mask of derision as the servants and even Creighton, her father, looked on with disapproval. His daughter, coddled and cherished, should be treated like a treasure by everyone.

“Did I ever tell you to stay away from him?” Cicely’s voice was laced with sarcasm, the question seemingly unrelated to Danielle’s tirade.

Danielle hesitated.

Cicely stepped closer. “Whether or not he likes me is his business. And what are you to lecture me? Suddenly clinging to him after I’ve laid my claim? Where was your affection for him before?”

“How do you know I didn’t…”

“Do you?” Cicely interjected smoothly, “You know what Seth’s like. If you liked him, would things have come to this?”

to respond, “What are you

Cicely continued, “Do you think he’d tolerate a girl with ulterior motives hanging around him without showing

laughed mockingly, “Cicely, you really don’t know how annoying you are.” The implication

voice, and she nodded, “It seems he

smile tinged

because he knows about my feelings, what does his indifference towards you signify? Affection? If that’s how he shows he likes someone, then I suppose,

tightened at

washed hair behind her shoulders, her pale, beautiful face glowing

choice makes you better than me? What’s bothering you so

furrowed slightly at his daughter’s

a wasp, retorted, “What nonsense are

Ask yourself if I’m

don’t pin your baseless accusations on me to justify your own ‘noble’ feelings. No one’s a fool here. And don’t be so sure of yourself, thinking everyone should like

a slight in my life. Whether I’m seen as an imperious brat, or as a spoiled drama queen, my family raised me this way, not to be trampled on. If I have to suffer the slightest injustice, you all will pay a

words were nothing

tightly, her body trembling. Suddenly, she snatched the

didn’t bother to hold onto

gone stupid to fancy someone like you? I’d love to see what you’ll look like in ten years if you don’t end up with him. What

her piece, Danielle glared venomously at

glanced at Creighton but said nothing, and walked over to the couch, tossing a decorative pillow

down and pick up the glass of milk from the coffee

maid chuckled almost imperceptibly, just for an instant. The timing was perfect,

staring at Cicely as if she were a lunatic, Danielle picked up her books from the floor, slung her backpack over her shoulder, and told Creighton she was heading up

turned

Cicely puffed out her cheeks, apparently in a silent huff with Creighton, who could only offer

was indeed seething, “Am I not allowed to feel

meet, it’s either silence or a

didn’t care about your feelings, I would’ve slapped her the moment she opened her mouth

didn’t work and instead made him feel even guiltier. Knowing his daughter’s temperament, he didn’t doubt she would indeed resort to violence. In

glass on the coffee table,

“Cicely.”

think I’d hold a

that, Cicely

let herself take a few deep breaths, then slowly calmed down. Her gaze fixed on the pink canopy

in sixteen years, never bending to anyone’s will. And yet, for Seth, she’d already experienced a lifetime’s worth

today, thinking she had truly disturbed his studies, refraining from seeking him out, only to find he had spent the day with Danielle,

…