The Enticing CEO’s Chosen Bride

Creighton frowned slightly, a mix of joy and concern etching his features. He was pleased because, well, knowledge was power, and who wouldn’t be happy about their child gaining more power? But the worry was, could all this hard studying take a toll on her?

He didn’t exactly expect her to be a straight-A student or a valedictorian. In fact, he wouldn’t mind if Cicely turned out to be a carefree, happy-go-lucky “good-for-nothing.” After all, the Ellis family had the means to indulge such a lifestyle.

He had considered the future of inheritance. However, with his daughter’s temperament, she didn’t seem the least bit inclined to pour her heart into the family legacy.

It wasn’t like he hadn’t discussed it with her. More than once, he had tried every trick in the book – cajoling, enticing, but nothing seemed to sway her. Eventually, he had let go of that expectation.

She was, after all, Creighton’s daughter. Her future was destined to be with the cream of the crop. He wasn’t worried about the future of the Ellis family.

As the saying goes, “The children’s luck is their own.” To him, the Ellis family wealth was nothing more than the financial foundation for his daughter’s future happiness. Nothing was more important to him than her joy and well-being.d2

Besides, that young lad Seth had both the mind and the capability, and had won over the affection of his clear-minded Cicely. With a little nurturing, the Ellis family would surely not decline.

No one knew his daughter better than he did. If Cicely wasn’t thinking along these lines, he wouldn’t have entertained the thought either.

She had always been “without high ambition,” so why the sudden drive?

After pondering for a while, Creighton sighed. At the end of the day, more learning could only be a good thing.

He had barely hung up the phone with Cicely when Danielle’s call came through. She, too, was skipping dinner at home for a tutoring session. Now, dinner would be a solo affair for him.

Might as well, he thought, and instructed the kitchen to prepare just one plate of spaghetti for him.

After school, Danielle and Cicely had bumped into each other at the school gates. Danielle was alone, whereas Cicely was with Joel.

Cicely never hid her disdain for Danielle, and Joel was well aware of it. Now that the three of them had collided, he felt a touch awkward. He wanted to say something but couldn’t find the words.

Danielle glanced at him, surprised to see Cicely this close to him. Everyone knew that Cicely was a loner at school, never one to initiate or indulge in friendships.

“What are you looking at?”

Cicely loathed that scrutinizing gaze from Danielle, as if she was trying to probe her life through Joel.

Danielle’s eyes met Cicely’s, “I won’t be home for dinner tonight, and I’ve already called.”

Hearing this, Cicely frowned, “Are you trying to provoke me?”

Danielle’s expression remained neutral, “I just don’t want you to hassle me like you did last night.”

A faint smile played on Cicely’s beautiful face, “Are you deaf or has your brain been waterlogged?”

Danielle’s usually impassive face now clearly displayed irritation, “No one is more self-righteous than you.” Cicely believed the whole world was hers, that she was the best, irreplaceable, and everyone else was just background to her brilliance.

Danielle had no intention of engaging further, leaving Cicely with a parting shot before walking away.

Cicely watched her leave coldly, saying nothing more, and proceeded to the café she and Joel had reserved earlier.

with Kane now fully immersed in college life, cruising with

night’s dinner, his mother had volunteered him to tutor Danielle. He always tried to avoid conflicts with Patty. Besides,

the previous night, but when he didn’t object, she felt an unfamiliar flutter of

to meet at the university library after school for the tutoring session, but the anticipation and happiness were

not a fighter. That polished demeanor made it impossible for her – or anyone, for that matter, including Seth’s mother – to envision the

the disheveled figure before her – his trousers stained and scuffed, his once pristine shirt missing buttons and bearing more stains and blood spots than his trousers.

on the lawn, three guys were picking themselves up, nursing their wounds and glaring at

man.

seemingly light, but it was like a razor-sharp icicle, piercing and ruthless, aimed

flinched, exchanged glances, and promptly scrambled

went blank.

she turned to the person next to her. He shook his head, “I’m

gaze flicked to Seth, and his voice dropped a few notches, as if

they watched the commotion from a safe distance. “Those three guys were just walking ahead of us, and he went up and started throwing punches.

then again, even if there was a reason, what on earth could it be

trio that got beat

he turns on us. He’s terrifying. You… you can’t even imagine how vicious this guy can

But there were plenty of others who had gotten a glimpse of

realized that besides Patty, she probably interacted with Seth more than anyone else in the world. However, in reality, it felt like she

area cleared out, she slowly approached

and fierce as it had been when

expressionless as he readjusted his disheveled shirt, his long fingers

the scene that

questions you shouldn’t. Head to the library,” he said, his voice deep and clear, devoid of any discernible emotion. His words were harsh and to the point, leaving

a few seconds before she murmured, “You’re in no shape for tutoring

we’ll do it. If not, then don’t bother in the future; I don’t have the patience to waste on the same thing over and over. If

her.

him over the

never defied Patty. Their mother-son relationship was simple and unadorned. If Seth had a red line, it was definitely Patty. So, the night before, during dinner, she had cunningly mentioned her need for tutoring in front of

elated. Perhaps human nature was greedy; now she felt

dare speak again, fearing that any more words might cause him to walk away. She had fought hard for

stood up and walked towards the library. Danielle quickly followed, and after a while, she gathered the courage to

or show

walked in, looking worse for wear, everyone turned to look at him. Their faces showed

went though. No one dared to approach him to ask what had

went straight to a familiar bookshelf, effortlessly found a book, and sat down to read. Danielle used this time to message the driver to buy

his usual quiet. Danielle could feel the chill and lingering anger

didn’t dare ask him any questions. If she didn’t initiate a conversation, Seth certainly wouldn’t start

he appeared to be absorbed in his book, impassive, she

no doubt containing the medicine she had asked the driver

front of Seth. “Seth, can I help you with

his eyes to glance at the bag of medical supplies. “Looks like you won’t have

turned pale. “It’s not

“If you don’t have any