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

don’t care. You’re not allowed to leave after

Seth said no more.

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

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 the prim and proper lady of the Ellis household, her table

family, known as the pampered princess in P City, she sat in front of Seth, ceaselessly offering him dishes from the table.

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

each one to feel full. In the end, it was about her taking a

her eyes painting a picture

too far. People like Cicely, all the more so. Did such

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

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

no emotion. Naturally exuding an air of elegance and cold nobility, he ate with a deliberate, refined,

Cicely like someone who wasn’t

hinting at a tinge of disappointment, yet her eyes couldn’t hide a triumphant gleam. She knew Seth too well to expect him to admit he was one of

it. And Seth wasn’t ignorant

wished, she turned her attention to Joel. Being a gentleman from a distinguished family, Joel’s manners needed no

for tutoring me these past few

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

Ellis family’s influence or for her as a person. But her nature

He smiled softly, shaking his head. “I’m happy to help. I hope you

arched an eyebrow, resting her cheek in her hand, clearly pleased as she took another

got to perform exceptionally well now or else it would be a disservice to the time and

ever

yourself. You’re smart, and I have every faith you’ll do

her attention back to Seth at her side. The

kitchen was always careful with the meals, incorporating celery into nearly every dish, whether as a main

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 seeing celery in

the celery in his plate.

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

don’t you like?” Cicely asked

words, and he could clearly see the upward curve of her

as Cicely scanned the table, her gaze settling on a dish in front of Danielle that she

to her intentions. As Cicely’s fork reached toward the dish, Danielle said coldly, “He

expression, she still served a piece of the sea cucumber

a a piercing coldness. Cicely, still smiling, said,

demeanor, everyone felt

Creighton finally intervened,

it me stirring up trouble? It’s premium

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

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

Danielle’s complexion darkened further.

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

again, “Are you hard of hearing or did you not understand

quickly moved to Danielle’s

icy edge in her voice, “What’s it to you if he doesn’t eat seafood? Throwing a tantrum like a child,

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

her piece, she glanced at one of the maids whose face

Seth, she asked,

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

His candid admission seemed

having known Seth for years, understood him too well. Had Seth remained silent or denied

wryly, using her fork to transfer a

she said

Cicely was just unwilling to acknowledge how well Danielle

relief and gave the servant a nod, “Bring a fresh set,

appetite.” No one wanted

didn’t say more, though his mood had not lightened. Ever since Danielle had brought Seth home, 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 in return. However, it seemed he couldn’t even count on her for the slightest bit of

willingly given. 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, he had been more critical of his daughter lately. Yet, for all his

but a thoughtful person would not have left in such a manner, especially not when guests were present