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?”

glanced at her sideways, “Don’t you have someone to teach

You’re not allowed to leave after

Seth said no more.

the four of them descended the stairs, Creighton caught sight of Cicely’s happiness and shook his head.

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

in P City, she sat in front of Seth, ceaselessly offering him dishes from the table. Using the serving spoon was

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 to an almost mountainous proportion,

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

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

all the more so.

bothered by Seth’s coldness. Resting 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 my plate, but you can’t. Unless you admit you’re one of the Ellis family, then you can leave whatever you

as he looked at the

an air of elegance and cold nobility, he ate with a deliberate,

like

his actions, a smirk played at the edges of Cicely’s mouth, hinting at a tinge of disappointment, yet her eyes couldn’t hide a triumphant gleam. She knew Seth

see it. And Seth wasn’t

and now that Seth was eating as she wished, she turned her attention to Joel. Being a gentleman from a distinguished family, Joel’s manners needed

you one for tutoring me these

haughty heiress, those who got close knew she wasn’t as difficult as rumored. In fact, Cicely’s reputation was mixed, but Joel thought

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

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

in her hand, clearly pleased as

well now or else it would be a disservice to the time

eating steadily, tightened his jaw ever so slightly, his expression darkening where

smart,

The plate was nearly empty now,

careful with the meals, incorporating celery

celery?” Cicely’s voice 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 recall ever

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

fork took his celery and brought it

else don’t you like?” Cicely asked with genuine

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

on

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

pretentious expression, she

looked at her with a a piercing coldness. Cicely, still smiling,

demeanor, everyone felt the

finally intervened,

trouble? It’s premium mussel, how could I

you want to play games, there’s a time

before turning to a maid, “It seems Ms.

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 asking them to

hard of hearing

quickly moved to Danielle’s

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

nonchalantly reached over and plucked a stick of celery from Seth’s plate, chewing with deliberate slowness before replying, “Pick your battles, darling. That’s advice you might want to take to heart. You always carry yourself with such an air

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

turning to Seth, she asked, “Not

and

His candid admission seemed to

because Danielle, having known Seth for years, understood him too well. Had Seth remained silent or denied it, the incident might have

transfer a piece of mussel from Seth’s plate to

it,” she said

silent. Almost simultaneously, they realized that Cicely was just

servant a nod, “Bring a fresh

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

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

Danielle and his daughter were clear to all. Moreover, to avoid any bitterness on Danielle’s part, he had been more critical of his daughter lately. Yet, for all his efforts, Danielle’s favor remained elusive. All these years, it had been him making the concessions, toiling

manner, especially not when guests were present