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

care. You’re not

Seth said no more.

delighted. As the four of them descended the stairs, Creighton caught sight of Cicely’s happiness and

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.

of Seth, ceaselessly offering him dishes from the table. Using the serving spoon was one thing, but she used her

the stoic, could hardly stomach such fervor. “That’s enough.” Watching the heap of food in the plate grow to an almost

In the end, it was about her taking a bite, serving

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

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

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

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

him take a bite 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 wasn’t

hide a triumphant gleam. She knew Seth

Seth

had invited, and now that Seth was eating as she wished, she turned her attention to Joel. Being

I really owe you one for tutoring me

knew she wasn’t as difficult as rumored. In fact, Cicely’s

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

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

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

perform exceptionally well now or else it would be a disservice to the time and effort you’ve invested in me

had been eating steadily, tightened his jaw ever so slightly, his

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

her side. The plate was nearly empty now, with only a few stalks of celery

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

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

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

his celery and brought it to

you like?” Cicely asked with genuine

lips moved, forming words, and he could clearly see

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

reached toward the dish, Danielle said coldly, “He

cold glance at Danielle’s pretentious expression, she still served a piece

at her with a a piercing coldness. Cicely,

everyone felt

finally intervened, breaking the

stirring up trouble? It’s premium mussel, how could I

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

turning to

Danielle’s complexion darkened further.

servant hesitated, not daring to move. It was clear Cicely was making a statement. Removing someone’s place setting mid-meal was the same as

you hard of hearing or did you

moved to Danielle’s

if he doesn’t

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 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.

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

turning to Seth,

cast Cicely a cool glance and said matter-of-factly, “I

others tensed silently. His candid admission seemed

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

fork to transfer a piece of mussel from Seth’s plate to

it,” she said

realized that Cicely was just unwilling to acknowledge how well

a nod, “Bring a fresh

lost my appetite.”

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

and his daughter were clear to all. Moreover, to avoid any bitterness on Danielle’s part, he

especially not when guests were present and after he had