The Enticing CEO’s Chosen Bride

The lock screen flashed away, revealing Seth’s chat window, and she stared at it intently, her hopeful yet anxious gaze gradually fading into disappointment.

On the screen, her last message hung unanswered from the night before. No reply from Seth.

Disappointment tugged at her heart, but a strand of relief was woven through it as well. It was, after all, better than a blunt ‘no’.

Taking a deep breath, she sat up and made her way to the bathroom.

After freshening up, she descended the stairs to find Danielle and Creighton already at the breakfast table, deep in conversation. Danielle’s expression chilled a degree when she saw her, eyes dropping to her plate of eggs and bacon.

Cicely didn’t really care to pry into what Danielle was discussing with her father. Danielle’s cold shoulder was one thing. What she couldn’t ignore was the way Creighton’s gaze lingered on her.d2

Raising an eyebrow, Cicely took a seat and reached for a freshly-baked scone, then turned to Creighton with a casual air, “What are you two chatting about?”

Creighton sighed inwardly, then offered a smile. “Danielle’s going to be joining you in junior year next semester.”

Cicely had just taken a bite of her scone when she paused, her cool gaze shifting toward Danielle, “Thinking of skipping a grade?”

Ignoring her, Danielle continued to eat.

Weighing the situation, Creighton interjected, “If she’s confident she can keep up with the classes, skipping a grade is certainly an option.”

Cicely tossed her scone back onto her plate with a clatter, leaned back, and fixed Danielle with a mockingly sweet smile. “I haven’t heard of you excelling in your class. What’s your plan? Were you discussing hiring a tutor?”

Her last words were directed sharply at Creighton.

Creighton turned to Danielle, “Regardless of her grades, if she’s considering skipping a grade, we might need to hire a tutor…”

“No need,” Danielle cut him off abruptly, “I’ve already found someone to tutor me.”

Cicely’s smile remained unchanged, though her hand under the table had balled into a fist. She simply laughed, offering no response.

Danielle put down her utensils and stood up, addressing Creighton with a detached tone, “I’m done with breakfast. I’m heading to school.”

Creighton grunted in acknowledgment, his eyes on Cicely.

Cicely picked up her utensils again and continued eating as if nothing had happened, leaving Creighton unable to discern her thoughts.

Who would be tutoring Cicely?

After all, the incident had only happened yesterday. Other than Seth, he couldn’t think of anyone else.

However, as he saw her off to her car, Creighton noticed no change in her demeanor.

…

up at the east gate of Summit Ridge University. The south gate led directly

Cicely’s car had hardly stopped for a minute when Seth’s figure appeared not far from the

of the car amidst the morning rush, wearing a loose white tee emblazoned with a vintage band logo, contrasting palazzo pants, and pristine white sneakers. It was a simple ensemble, but it carried the vibrant youth of a student, with a touch of feminine grace. Yet, her bearing was unmistakably proud and

emerged from the car, nearly all eyes were drawn to her. Despite the numerous young coeds who had painstakingly

toward Seth and stopped in front of him. Looking up at him, she met his gaze,

classes. Tutor me over

her for a few seconds, his lean

“Isn’t college all about dating? What could you possibly be busy with? If it’s studying, then we can study together. I won’t be pestering you with questions all the

narrowed slightly as he looked at her. “Why come to me

think I’d try some clumsy scheme on you? Don’t underestimate me. I’m not into playing games, and I don’t have the patience for it. Honestly, Seth, do you think I need to scheme to get what I

Yes, what did she want that the Ellis family couldn’t

I will

at her quietly, his lips

Cicely nodded. “Never.”

across Seth’s face, almost imperceptible

I wanted to deceive you, I wouldn’t make

the break, and you’re here trying

she had suspected as much, hearing it from Seth’s own lips chilled her expression. “What’s

in halfway through the game isn’t exactly

“Look, if Danielle wanted to skip a grade, my dad could easily get her a tutor. I warned her to steer clear of you, but she just doubles down instead. Now you’re painting me as the villain for ‘interfering’? You’re supposed to be my guy, and keeping your distance from other women is the bare minimum, isn’t it? Now, making me the villain is Danielle’s fault and your fault, but it shouldn’t be my

was always someone else’s fault, never hers. She had a way of

dumb enough to try and fool you if that’s what you think. But remember, I’ve told you before – I’m not your guy.

air. “I already agreed to tutor Danielle, and I don’t back out of my commitments for no good reason. Since you’re struggling to keep up, maybe you should consider

turned to face him, her beautiful face tilted up to meet his gaze. “So, you want me to step aside for Danielle? Let the guy I like spend his vacation with another woman with dubious

furrowed. For reasons he couldn’t quite articulate, he felt cornered by her. He didn’t want to admit it, but it felt

so presumptuous as to define everything with your

presumptuous of me to like you, or to

darkened. It wasn’t either. They had nothing to do with the

cold

around Cicely looked puzzled, too far away to have heard their conversation, but Seth’s dark

be heartbroken, maybe even cry, but she did none of that. Her demeanor was calm, devoid of joy, anger, sorrow, or distress. Her poise and confidence were unshaken, and she serenely slipped into her chauffeured Mercedes as the driver held the

until her car had driven off that the crowd’s curiosity faded, and

that girl?

she? And that figure? Who

Look at her ride – a Mercedes S-Class with

her like

who doesn’t

guys chuckled and headed towards the main building, while

…

the detour but it didn’t matter much. She was just the last to hand in