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

care. You’re not allowed

Seth said no more.

sight of

while eating” was no longer strictly observed, even in the most well-mannered families of today. It was all about finding the right balance.

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 without

stomach such fervor. “That’s enough.” Watching the heap of food in the plate

end, it was about her taking a bite, serving Seth two,

her eyes painting a picture of scorn upon hearing Seth finally speak up coldly to

Cicely, all the more so. Did such a person ever leave a good impression in

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

as he looked at the plate of food before

showing no emotion. Naturally exuding an air of elegance

could Cicely like

gleam. She knew Seth too well to expect him to admit he was one of the Ellis family. It was

it. And Seth wasn’t ignorant to it

as she wished, she turned

for tutoring me

got close knew she wasn’t as difficult as rumored. In fact, Cicely’s reputation was mixed, but Joel thought few truly

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

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

her hand, clearly pleased as

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

tightened his jaw ever so

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

again, turning her attention back to Seth at her side. The plate was nearly empty now, with only

blood pressure, so the kitchen was always careful with the meals, incorporating celery into nearly every

she’d discovered something novel or caught him in a fault. Thinking back, she couldn’t

the celery in his plate. Suddenly, a

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

don’t you like?” Cicely asked with

lips moved, forming words, and he could clearly see the upward curve

silent as Cicely scanned the table, her gaze settling on a dish

As Cicely’s fork reached

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

at her with a a piercing coldness. Cicely, still smiling, said, “Why aren’t you

her cheerful demeanor, everyone felt the atmosphere turn

Creighton finally

it me stirring up trouble? It’s premium mussel, how could I let him

frustration. “Cicely, even if you want to play games, there’s a

watched Danielle for a moment before turning to a maid, “It seems Ms. Danielle is done

Danielle’s complexion darkened further.

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

quickly moved

should tell yourself!” Danielle spoke with an icy edge in her voice, “What’s it to you if he doesn’t eat

You always carry yourself with such 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 tolerate sulking or slamming cutlery at the dinner table. Who do you think you’re impressing with that

the maids whose face

turning to Seth, she asked,

glance and said

others tensed silently. His candid admission

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

smiled wryly, using her fork to transfer a piece

she said

was silent. Almost simultaneously, they realized that Cicely was just

exhaled in relief and gave the servant a nod, “Bring a fresh set, please.” It was clear

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

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 even count on her for

clear to all. Moreover, to avoid

was predictable, but a thoughtful person would not have left in such a manner, especially not when guests were present and after he