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?”

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

care. You’re not allowed

Seth said no more.

sight of Cicely’s happiness and shook his head. Indeed, there’s a lid for

no longer strictly observed, even in the most well-mannered families

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

Seth, ever the stoic, could hardly stomach such fervor. “That’s enough.” Watching the heap of food in

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

from her, Danielle looked on with a detached air, her eyes painting a picture of scorn upon hearing Seth

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

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

he looked at the plate of food before picking up

take a bite of food, his face showing no emotion. Naturally exuding an air of elegance and cold nobility, he

Cicely like

couldn’t hide a triumphant gleam. She knew Seth too well to expect him to admit he was one of the Ellis family. It was just about getting him to eat

Seth wasn’t ignorant to

as she wished, she turned her attention to Joel. Being a

owe you one for tutoring me these

peers in P City were somewhat wary of the Ellis family’s haughty heiress, those who got close knew

for the sake of the Ellis family’s influence or for her as a person. But her nature was such that, in his

softly, shaking his head. “I’m happy to

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

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

ever so slightly, his expression darkening where no one

yourself. You’re smart, and I

smiled again, turning her attention back to Seth at her side. The plate was nearly empty now, with only a few stalks of

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,

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

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

you like?” Cicely asked

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

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

As Cicely’s fork reached

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

piercing coldness. Cicely, still

cheerful demeanor, everyone felt the

finally intervened,

me stirring up trouble? It’s premium mussel,

even if you want to play games, there’s

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

Danielle’s complexion darkened further.

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

again, “Are you hard of

maid quickly moved to

spoke with 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 trying to prove? How petty can you

yourself with such an air of superiority, like some high-and-mighty heiress. The Ellis clan isn’t fussy about dining

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

to Seth, she asked,

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

candid

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

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

it,” she

they realized that Cicely was just

servant a nod, “Bring a fresh set, please.” It was clear whom it

lost my appetite.” No one wanted to linger after such

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

he received from 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

would not have left in such a manner, especially not when guests were present and after he had given her a chance