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.

in college life, cruising with girls and his entourage, Seth had forsaken those invitations, making the library his sanctuary. Indeed, even

night’s dinner, his mother had volunteered him to tutor Danielle. He always tried to avoid conflicts with Patty. Besides, tutoring wasn’t hard;

the previous night, but when he

at the university library after school for the tutoring session, but the anticipation and happiness were soon overshadowed by the

fighter. That polished demeanor made it impossible for her – or anyone, for that matter,

figure before her – his trousers stained and scuffed, his once pristine shirt missing buttons and bearing more

lawn, three guys were picking

man. Just you

slowly. His gaze was seemingly light, but it was like a razor-sharp icicle,

exchanged glances, and

mind went blank. “What

turned to the person next to her. He shook his head,

flicked to Seth, and his voice dropped a few notches,

of nowhere,” the person murmured to Danielle as 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. I

for no reason? But then again, even if there was a reason, what on earth could it be that made him

dare stick around after the trio that got beat up had left, and

out of here before he turns on us. He’s terrifying. You… you can’t even imagine how vicious this guy can look in a fight, considering how calm and collected he

a word. Yeah, she couldn’t imagine. But there were plenty of others who had gotten a glimpse of that

thought about it, she realized that besides Patty, she probably interacted with Seth more than anyone else in the world. However, in reality, it felt like she and Seth were the farthest apart. She even felt like she was less connected to

cleared out, she

as icy and fierce as it had been when he looked at those three guys, and Danielle instinctively stepped back,

he readjusted his disheveled

scene that must have

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

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.

to her. He treated helping her with her studies

limited understanding of him over the

night before, during dinner, she had cunningly mentioned her need for tutoring in front of Patty. She hadn’t been certain of the outcome, but Patty seemed to pick up on her hint,

the time, and she had been elated. Perhaps human nature was greedy;

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

quickly followed, and after a while, she gathered the courage to speak up. “But Seth, you should really get those

didn’t stop or show

When Seth walked in, looking worse for wear, everyone turned to look at

far as it went though. No one dared to approach him to ask what had happened. They knew

sat down to read. Danielle used this time to message the driver to buy some medical supplies. She couldn’t

Danielle could feel the chill and lingering anger radiating

didn’t dare ask him any questions. If she didn’t initiate

that she dared to glance at Seth. As he appeared to be absorbed in his book, impassive, she stood up and whispered that she was stepping out before heading

small bag in her hand, no

Seth. “Seth, can I

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

face turned pale. “It’s

closed his book. “If you don’t have any more questions, we’re done