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

not allowed to leave after

Seth said no more.

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

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

of Seth, ceaselessly offering him dishes from the table.

“That’s enough.” Watching the heap of food in the plate grow to an

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 Seth two,

on with a detached air, her eyes painting a picture of scorn upon hearing Seth finally speak up coldly to stop

far. People like Cicely, all the more so. Did such a person ever leave a good impression in

“You’ve barely touched your food, and

Seth’s brow as he looked at the plate of food before picking

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

could Cicely like someone who wasn’t

gleam. She knew Seth too well to expect

it. And Seth wasn’t ignorant to it

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

you one for tutoring

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

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

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

resting her cheek in her hand, clearly pleased as

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

ever so slightly,

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

attention back to Seth at her side. The plate was

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

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

fork took his celery and brought it

like?”

words, and he could clearly see the

settling on a dish in front of Danielle that she hadn’t touched—steamed

her intentions. As Cicely’s fork reached toward the dish,

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

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

cheerful demeanor, everyone felt

Cicely,” Creighton finally intervened, breaking

up trouble? It’s premium mussel,

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

turned frosty as she watched Danielle for a moment before turning to a maid, “It

Danielle’s complexion darkened further.

servant hesitated, not daring to move. It was clear Cicely was making a statement. Removing someone’s place

“Are you hard of hearing or did you

moved to Danielle’s

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?

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. Who do you think you’re

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

to Seth,

glance and

silently. His candid admission seemed to confirm

having known Seth for years, understood him too well. Had

smiled wryly, using her fork to transfer a piece of mussel from

it,” she

that Cicely was just unwilling to

the servant a nod, “Bring a fresh set, please.” It

need!” Danielle snapped, abruptly standing. “I’ve lost my appetite.” No one wanted

him to maintain any semblance of affection for her. He prided himself on treating her as he treated

knew how to cheer him up, and he felt his care for her was warranted and 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 efforts, Danielle’s favor remained elusive. All these years, it had been him

thoughtful person would not have left in such a manner, especially not when guests were present and after he had