The Enticing CEO’s Chosen Bride

With a wicked glint in her eye, Danielle suddenly lunged forward and twisted the doorknob to Cicely’s room.

“Cicely…”

Danielle had to admit, there was a deliberate edge to her action, and even in that fleeting moment, a thrill of schadenfreude danced in her heart. But as the door swung open, she was met with the sight of a spotless, empty room.

On the neatly made bed, devoid of a single wrinkle, lay two plush toys. Beside it stood her vanity, while on the other side her desk was adorned with an array of simple trinkets and several books, all arranged with meticulous cleanliness.

Seth noticed a few items that resembled those Cicely had previously brought to his room. The state of the room was testament enough that no one had set foot in it for the day.

“It’s just dinner. What’s the rush…”d2

A familiar voice echoed in the hallway, laced with unmistakable impatience and a hint of irritation, but the words cut off abruptly.

Hearing the sound, Seth turned slowly.

Cicely stood there, staring blankly at him. Her stunning eyes were wide with surprise, fixed on him, tinged with disbelief.

“Seth?”

Indeed, her voice carried the fuzziness of a dream.

Seth’s gaze lifted coolly, sweeping past her to the bookcase anchored against the wall behind her. His eyebrows quirked slightly, the darkness in his eyes dissipating a fraction. “Typical spoiled princess, requiring an invitation and a personal summons just for dinner.” The familiar voice carried the usual indifference.

Cicely snapped back to reality, her joy apparent as she scampered over and wrapped her arms around Seth’s waist.

Caught off guard, his body swayed slightly with the impact of her embrace.

“What brings you here?”

Cicely’s unique, fragrant scent instantly filled his nostrils. Her soft body pressed affectionately against him, marking their second close encounter. It seemed that after the first, the second or third time became more natural.

He remembered how she had barged into the Diaz estate, eager to assertively apply medicine to his wounds.

Danielle’s face darkened on the spot. “Cicely, have you no shame?”

Seth had just reached out to push her away when Cicely, still in his arms, tilted her head to look at Danielle and countered, “Why are you in my room?”

Danielle’s face flushed, her eyes darting away. “I came to call you for dinner. You didn’t respond, no matter how much we knocked.”

Cicely’s eyes flickered, and she gave Danielle a sneer, unaware that Seth had just touched her shoulder.

Joel heard the commotion and walked out of the study. “Cicely.”

Seth’s gaze met his, registering the fleeting shadow of disappointment that crossed Joel’s eyes at the sight of Cicely in his arms.

Upon hearing the name, Cicely glanced back, instinctively straightening her posture. But a sudden weight on her shoulder pressured her back into the hold – a brief force like a sandbag, that felt almost like an illusion. Just as quick, Seth pulled her aside. His movement was neither gentle nor harsh, simply decisive.

Seth’s gaze lingered on Joel for a few seconds before shifting to Cicely beside him. He slightly lowered his jaw, his narrow eyes holding their usual detachment, his thin lips parting slightly. “So when exactly will you be ready for dinner?”

His voice seemed as indifferent as ever, but Cicely could detect an unfamiliar softness. Forgetting her unsettled grudges with Danielle, she replied, “I had no idea. There’s this problem I just can’t solve, and it’s driving me insane.”

Perhaps Cicely was truly vexed by the problem, her voice tinged with irritation, her delicate frown revealing her emotions for all to see.

Creighton wasn’t wrong. She was unaccustomed to deceit, her innocence so pure that she never learned to mask her expressions. She was too easy to read.

“Let’s have dinner first.”

Cicely inhaled sharply, her pert nose wrinkling slightly, “If I don’t solve it, I’ll have indigestion.”

Her voice trailed off, then suddenly she looked up, her eyes seeming to absorb all the light in the room. “Will you help me after dinner?”

Seth walked ahead without a word.

Cicely hurried behind him, “That means you’ll help me with the problem, right?”

sideways, “Don’t you have someone to teach

not allowed to leave after

Seth said no more.

As the four of them descended the stairs, Creighton caught sight of Cicely’s happiness and shook his head. Indeed, there’s a lid

Joel, to which he would politely respond. The old adage “don’t speak while eating” was no longer strictly observed, even in the most well-mannered families of today. It was all about finding the right balance. Yet Danielle adhered rigidly to those archaic rules, always the prim and proper lady of the

in the Ellis family, known as the pampered princess in P City, she sat in front of

the stoic, could hardly stomach such fervor. “That’s enough.” Watching the

one to feel full. In the end, it was about her taking a bite, serving Seth two, and

from her, Danielle looked on with a detached air, her eyes painting a picture of scorn upon hearing Seth finally speak

push their luck too far. People like Cicely, all the more so.

her chin in her left hand and holding a fork in her right, she leaned slightly to watch Seth. “You’ve barely touched your food, and I’m the host here. I can leave food on

crossed Seth’s brow as he looked at the plate of food before picking up his fork

Naturally exuding an air of

could Cicely like someone who

of Cicely’s mouth, hinting at a tinge of disappointment, yet her eyes couldn’t hide a triumphant gleam. She knew Seth too well to expect him to admit he was one

could see it. And Seth wasn’t

that Seth was eating as she wished, she turned her attention to Joel. Being a gentleman from a distinguished

one for tutoring me these past

most peers in P City were somewhat wary of the Ellis family’s haughty heiress, those who got close knew she wasn’t as difficult as rumored. In fact, Cicely’s reputation was mixed, but

many people willing to get close to her, whether for the sake of the Ellis family’s influence or for her as a person. But her nature was

eyes shimmering beautifully. He smiled softly, shaking his head. “I’m happy to help. I hope you

an eyebrow, resting her cheek in her hand, clearly pleased as she took another bite of her

exceptionally well now or else it would be

ever so slightly, his expression darkening where no one

put too much pressure on yourself. You’re smart, and I

again, turning her attention back to Seth at her side. The plate was nearly

kitchen was always careful with the meals, incorporating celery

something novel or caught him in a fault.

eat everything but the celery in

took his celery and brought it

like?” Cicely asked

as her crimson lips moved, forming words, and he could clearly see the upward

her gaze settling on a dish in front of Danielle that

fork reached toward the dish, Danielle said

glance at Danielle’s pretentious expression, she still served a piece of the sea cucumber

at her with a a piercing coldness. Cicely,

everyone felt the

Creighton finally intervened, breaking

premium mussel, how

unable to contain her frustration. “Cicely, even if you want to play

she watched Danielle for a moment before turning to a

Danielle’s complexion darkened further.

to move. It was clear Cicely was making a statement. Removing someone’s place setting mid-meal was the same as

again, “Are you hard of hearing or did you

quickly moved to

voice, “What’s it to you if he doesn’t eat seafood? Throwing a tantrum like a child, really, what are you

air of superiority, like some high-and-mighty heiress. The Ellis clan isn’t fussy

the maids whose face tightened with

Seth,

Cicely a cool glance and

His candid

understood him too well. Had Seth remained silent or denied it,

transfer a piece of mussel

it,” she said

was silent. Almost simultaneously, they realized that Cicely was just unwilling to acknowledge how well

nod, “Bring a fresh set, please.” It was

standing. “I’ve lost my appetite.” No

had brought Seth home, Creighton’s displeasure with her had grown. Now, with this drama at the dinner table, it was hard for him to maintain any semblance of affection for her. He

daughter always knew how to cheer him up, and he felt his care for her was warranted and willingly given. Given the same level of dedication, the starkly different returns he received from Danielle and his daughter were clear

manner, especially not when guests were present and after