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.

…

University. The south gate led directly to the

arrived at school twenty minutes early. Cicely’s car had hardly stopped for a minute when Seth’s figure appeared not far from

out 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

eyes were drawn to her. Despite the numerous young coeds who had painstakingly prepared themselves for university

directly toward Seth and stopped in front of him. Looking up at him, she met his gaze, then spoke first, cutting through the morning

this semester’s classes. Tutor me over the break?” Her request was straightforward, her

for a few seconds, his lean lips finally

dating? What could you possibly be busy with? If it’s studying, then we can

he looked at her. “Why come to me today, all of

“Seth, I don’t play games, especially not with someone I like. Do you really 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.

did she want that the Ellis

will

stared at her quietly,

Cicely nodded. “Never.”

Seth’s face,

continued, unfazed by his expression, “Of course, if I wanted to deceive you, I wouldn’t

tutoring Danielle over the break, and you’re here trying

from Seth’s

you think? Jumping in halfway through the game isn’t

impatience. “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

fault, never hers. She had a way of twisting things to make herself the innocent

what you think. But remember, I’ve told you before – I’m not your guy. I’m not interested in playing high school sweetheart

agreed to tutor Danielle, and I don’t back out of my commitments for no good reason. Since you’re struggling

to meet his gaze. “So, you want me to step aside for Danielle? Let the guy

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

be so presumptuous as to define everything with your

raised an eyebrow. “Is it presumptuous of me

It wasn’t either. They had nothing to

With those cold

too far away to have heard their conversation, but Seth’s dark mood and the way he left a

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 crowd’s curiosity faded, and they headed into the school

was that girl? She’s absolutely

that figure?

ride – a Mercedes S-Class with a private driver, and that air of untouchable grace.

talk, ogling her like the

doesn’t appreciate

chuckled and headed towards the main building, while Seth watched them go,

…

but it didn’t matter much. She was just