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

Seth said no more.

of them descended the stairs, Creighton caught sight

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 manners flawless. Especially in front of Seth,

Cicely was different. Raised in the Ellis family, known as the pampered princess in P City, she sat in front of Seth, ceaselessly offering him dishes

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

wasn’t much 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

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

Cicely, all the more so. Did such a person ever leave

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 can

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

bite of food, his face showing no emotion. Naturally exuding an air

Cicely like someone

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 the Ellis family. It was just about getting him to

it. And Seth wasn’t ignorant

invited, and now that Seth was eating as she wished, she turned her attention to Joel. Being a gentleman from a distinguished family, Joel’s

you one for tutoring me these

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

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 priceless. Never

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

her hand, clearly pleased as she took another

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

had been eating steadily, tightened his jaw ever so slightly, his expression darkening where no

smart, and I have every faith

side. The plate

had high blood pressure, so the kitchen was always careful with the meals, incorporating celery into nearly every

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

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

paused. He watched as the fork took his celery

else don’t you like?” Cicely

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

scanned the table, her gaze settling on a dish in front of Danielle that she hadn’t touched—steamed

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

at Danielle’s pretentious expression, she still served a piece of the sea cucumber

a a piercing coldness. Cicely, still smiling,

cheerful demeanor, everyone

Creighton finally intervened, breaking

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

“Cicely, even if you want to play

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

Danielle’s complexion darkened further.

was clear Cicely was making a statement.

again, “Are you hard of hearing

moved

something you should tell yourself!” Danielle spoke with an icy edge in her voice, “What’s it to you if he

such an air of superiority, like some high-and-mighty heiress. The Ellis clan isn’t fussy about dining etiquette among family, but we

the maids whose face tightened with embarrassment as she quickly

turning to Seth,

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

silently. His candid admission seemed to confirm

years, understood him too

merely smiled wryly, using her fork to transfer a piece of mussel from Seth’s plate to her

she said

was silent. Almost simultaneously, they realized that Cicely was just unwilling to acknowledge how

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

standing. “I’ve lost my appetite.”

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

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,

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