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?”

her sideways, “Don’t you

not allowed to leave

Seth said no more.

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

dinner table, Danielle and Joel were virtually silent throughout the meal, only occasionally engaging when Creighton directed a question to 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

was different. Raised in the Ellis family, known as the pampered princess in P City, she sat in front of Seth, ceaselessly offering him dishes from the table. Using the serving spoon was one thing, but she used

enthusiastic. And Seth, ever the stoic, could hardly stomach such fervor. “That’s enough.” Watching the heap of

much of an eater. With a table full of dishes, she didn’t need to sample each one to feel full. In the end, it was about her taking a bite,

air, her eyes painting a picture of scorn upon hearing Seth finally speak up

the more so. Did such a person

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

twitch crossed Seth’s brow as he looked at the plate

of food, his face showing no emotion. Naturally exuding an air of elegance and cold nobility, he ate with a deliberate, refined, and

Cicely like someone who

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 of the Ellis family. It was just about getting him

And Seth wasn’t ignorant to

she wished, she turned her attention to Joel.

really owe you one for tutoring me these past

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 Joel thought few

been accustomed to being alone, but if she wanted, there would be 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 such that, in his estimation, she didn’t care for idle chitchat. She was one of those rare people whose favor

mouth lift slightly, her eyes shimmering beautifully. He smiled softly, shaking his head. “I’m happy to help. I hope

in her hand, clearly

I’ve got to perform exceptionally well now or else it would be a disservice to the time and effort

who had been eating steadily, tightened his jaw ever so

pressure on yourself. You’re smart, and I have every faith you’ll

to Seth at her side. The plate was nearly empty now,

the kitchen was always careful with the meals, incorporating celery into nearly every dish, whether as a main or

carried a mix of surprise and amusement, as if she’d discovered something novel or caught him in a fault. Thinking back, she couldn’t

her, continuing to eat everything but the celery in his plate. Suddenly, a fork appeared over

as the fork took his celery and brought it to her mouth,

else don’t you like?” Cicely

as her crimson lips moved, forming words, and he

silent as Cicely scanned the table, her gaze settling on a dish in front of Danielle that she hadn’t touched—steamed

intentions. As Cicely’s fork reached toward the dish, Danielle said coldly, “He

pretentious expression, she still served a piece of the sea

a a piercing coldness.

her cheerful demeanor, everyone felt the atmosphere

Creighton finally intervened, breaking the

premium

slammed down her fork, unable to contain her frustration. “Cicely, even if you want to play games, there’s a time and place. Do

gaze turned frosty as she watched Danielle for a moment before turning to a

Danielle’s complexion darkened further.

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

the maid again, “Are you hard of hearing or

maid quickly moved to Danielle’s

Danielle spoke with an icy edge in her voice, “What’s it to you if he doesn’t eat seafood? Throwing a tantrum like a child, really, what are you trying

an air of superiority, like some high-and-mighty heiress. The Ellis clan isn’t fussy about dining etiquette among family, but we certainly don’t

her piece, she glanced at one of the maids whose face tightened with embarrassment

to Seth,

a cool glance and said matter-of-factly, “I don’t eat

His candid admission seemed to confirm

because Danielle, having known Seth for years, understood him too

using her fork to transfer a piece of

she

that Cicely was just unwilling to acknowledge how well Danielle

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

lost my appetite.” No one wanted to

had not lightened. Ever since Danielle 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 prided

the same level of dedication, the starkly different returns he received from Danielle and his daughter were clear to all. Moreover, to avoid any bitterness on Danielle’s part, he had been more critical

manner, especially not when guests were present and after he had given her a chance to save