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?”

sideways, “Don’t you

don’t care. You’re not allowed to

Seth said no more.

was delighted. As the four of them descended the stairs, Creighton caught sight of Cicely’s happiness and shook his head. Indeed, there’s

would politely respond. The old adage “don’t speak while eating” was no longer strictly observed, even in the most

sat in front of Seth, ceaselessly offering him dishes from

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

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, serving Seth two, and then watching

eyes painting a

the more so. Did such a person ever

however, did not seem 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.

Seth’s brow as he looked at the

emotion. Naturally exuding an air of elegance and cold nobility, he

Cicely like someone

of disappointment, yet her eyes couldn’t hide a triumphant gleam. She knew Seth too well

And Seth wasn’t

wished, she turned her attention to Joel. Being a gentleman from a distinguished family, Joel’s

you one for tutoring me these

close knew she wasn’t as difficult as rumored. In fact, Cicely’s reputation was mixed, but

had always 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 was

head. “I’m happy to help. I hope you ace

hand, clearly pleased as she took another

I’ve got to perform exceptionally well now or else it would be

ever so slightly, his expression darkening where no one could

yourself. You’re smart,

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

pressure, so the kitchen was always careful with the meals,

if she’d discovered something novel or caught him in a fault. Thinking back,

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

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

you like?” Cicely asked with genuine

and he could clearly see the upward

her gaze settling on a

fork reached toward the dish,

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

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

her cheerful demeanor, everyone felt

finally intervened,

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

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

gaze turned frosty as she watched Danielle for a moment before turning to a maid, “It seems Ms. Danielle is

Danielle’s complexion darkened further.

making a statement. Removing someone’s place setting mid-meal was the same as asking

you hard of hearing or did you

maid quickly moved

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

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

at one of the maids whose face

Seth, she

cast Cicely a cool glance and said

His candid admission

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

fork to transfer a piece of mussel from Seth’s

it,” she said

they realized that Cicely was just unwilling to acknowledge how well

gave the servant a nod, “Bring a

“I’ve lost my appetite.” No one wanted

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

Given 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,

such a manner, especially not when guests were present and after he had