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.

…

car pulled up at the east gate of Summit Ridge University. The south gate led directly to the high school section, while the east gate led to

always arrived at school twenty minutes early. Cicely’s car had hardly stopped for a minute

a simple ensemble, but it carried the vibrant youth of a student, with a touch of feminine grace. Yet, her bearing was

all eyes were drawn to her. Despite the numerous young coeds who had painstakingly prepared themselves for university life, their efforts

Looking up at him, she met his gaze, then spoke first, cutting through the morning

behind on this semester’s classes. Tutor me over the break?” Her request

her for a few seconds, his lean lips finally parting

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

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

more of her slender, pale arms. “Seth, I don’t play games, especially not with someone I like. Do you really think I’d try some clumsy

his eyes slightly. Yes, what did she want that the

remember, I will never deceive

at her quietly, his lips

Cicely nodded. “Never.”

flickered across Seth’s face, almost imperceptible

“Of course, if I

“So you know I’m tutoring Danielle over the break, and

hearing it from Seth’s own lips

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

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 fault. If

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

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

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

“So, you want me to step aside for Danielle? Let the guy I like spend his vacation with another

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.

so presumptuous as to define everything with your own biased

an eyebrow. “Is it presumptuous of me to like you, or to say Danielle’s intentions

either. They had nothing to do with the feeling of being

you want.” With those cold

their conversation, but Seth’s dark

cry, but she did none of that. Her demeanor was calm, devoid of joy,

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

that girl?

that figure? Who

and body. Look at her ride – a Mercedes S-Class with a private driver, and that air of untouchable grace. She’s got to

talk, ogling her like

who doesn’t appreciate

main building, while Seth

…

school ten minutes later than usual due to the detour but