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?”

“Don’t you have someone

not allowed to leave

Seth said no more.

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

to 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. 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

the Ellis 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,

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

of an eater. With 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

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

the more so. Did such a

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. I can leave food on my plate, but you can’t. Unless you admit you’re one

as he looked at the plate of food before picking up his fork

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

could Cicely like someone

smirk played at the edges of Cicely’s mouth, hinting at a tinge of disappointment, yet her eyes couldn’t hide a triumphant gleam. She knew Seth too well to expect him to

Seth wasn’t ignorant to

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

one for tutoring me these past few

family’s haughty heiress, those who got close knew she wasn’t as difficult as

for her as a person. But her nature was such that, in his estimation, she

eyes shimmering beautifully. He smiled softly, shaking his head. “I’m happy to help. I hope you ace your exams the day after tomorrow.

arched an 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

ever so slightly, his expression darkening where no

smart, and I have every faith you’ll do

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

with the meals, incorporating celery

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

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

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

you like?” Cicely asked with genuine

words, and he could clearly see the

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

Cicely’s fork reached toward the dish, Danielle

cold glance at Danielle’s pretentious expression,

at her with a a piercing coldness. Cicely, still

her cheerful demeanor, everyone felt the

Cicely,” Creighton finally intervened, breaking

premium mussel,

slammed down her fork, unable to contain her frustration. “Cicely, even if you want to play

moment before turning to a maid, “It seems

Danielle’s complexion darkened further.

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

the maid again, “Are you hard of hearing or did

moved to

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

plucked a 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

said her piece, she glanced at one of the maids whose face tightened with embarrassment as she quickly cleared

turning to Seth,

a cool glance and

tensed silently. His candid admission seemed to

attitude was because Danielle, having known Seth for years, understood him too well. Had Seth remained silent or denied it, the

to transfer a piece of mussel from Seth’s

it,” she said

Cicely was just unwilling to acknowledge how

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

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

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

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

such a manner, especially not