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 have someone to teach

care. You’re not

Seth said no more.

the stairs, Creighton caught sight of Cicely’s

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

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 her own

was rarely this enthusiastic. And Seth, ever the stoic, could hardly stomach such fervor. “That’s enough.” Watching the heap of food in the plate grow

didn’t need to sample each one to feel full. In the end, it was about her taking a bite, serving Seth two, and then watching him take one.

a picture of

more so.

Seth. “You’ve barely touched your food, and I’m the host here. I can

brow as he looked at the plate of food before picking up

his face showing no emotion. Naturally exuding an air

could Cicely like someone who wasn’t

triumphant gleam. She knew

And Seth wasn’t

Joel was a guest Cicely had invited, and now that Seth was eating as she wished, she

I really owe you one for tutoring me

haughty heiress, those who got close knew she wasn’t as difficult as rumored.

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

shimmering beautifully. He smiled softly, shaking his head. “I’m happy to help. I hope you ace your exams the day after tomorrow. You can thank

an eyebrow, resting her cheek in her hand, clearly pleased as

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

ever so slightly, his expression darkening where no

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

back to Seth at her side. The plate

meals, incorporating

or caught him in a fault. Thinking back, she couldn’t recall ever

to eat everything but the celery in his plate.

fork took his celery and brought

like?” Cicely asked

her crimson lips moved, forming words, and

Cicely scanned the table, her gaze settling on a dish in front

on to her intentions. As Cicely’s fork reached

moment. After a cold glance at Danielle’s pretentious expression,

with a a piercing coldness.

everyone felt the

Creighton finally intervened, breaking the

It’s premium mussel, how could I let him

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

before turning to a maid, “It seems Ms. Danielle

Danielle’s complexion darkened further.

was clear Cicely was making a statement. Removing someone’s place

“Are you hard

quickly moved

icy edge in her voice, “What’s it to you if he doesn’t eat seafood? Throwing a tantrum

carry yourself with such an air of superiority, like some high-and-mighty heiress. The

at one of the maids whose face tightened with embarrassment as she

to Seth,

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

tensed silently. His candid admission seemed to

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

her fork to transfer a

it,” she

Cicely was just unwilling to acknowledge how well Danielle knew

“Bring a fresh set, please.”

Danielle snapped, abruptly standing. “I’ve lost my appetite.” No one wanted to

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 himself on treating her as he treated his own daughter, not expecting gratitude in return. However, it seemed he couldn’t

received from Danielle and his daughter were clear to all. Moreover, to avoid any

thoughtful person would not have left in such a manner, especially not