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 someone

care. You’re not allowed to leave

Seth said no more.

As the four of them descended the stairs, Creighton caught sight of Cicely’s happiness and shook his head. Indeed, there’s a

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 manners flawless. Especially in front of Seth, she strove for

Raised in 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, but she

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

to sample each one to feel full. In the end, it was about her taking a bite, serving Seth two,

eyes painting a picture of scorn upon hearing Seth finally speak

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

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

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

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

like

his actions, a 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

Seth wasn’t ignorant to

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

you one for tutoring

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

whether for the sake of the Ellis family’s 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

shaking his head. “I’m happy to help. I hope you

her hand, clearly pleased as she took another bite

would be a disservice to the time and effort you’ve invested in me

his jaw ever so slightly, his expression darkening where

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

smiled again, turning her attention back to Seth at her side. The plate was nearly empty now, with

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

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

celery and brought it to her mouth, chewing

like?” Cicely

forming words, and he could clearly see

settling on a dish in front of Danielle that

As Cicely’s fork reached toward the dish, Danielle said coldly, “He doesn’t like

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

piercing coldness. Cicely, still smiling,

her cheerful demeanor, everyone felt

Cicely,” Creighton finally intervened, breaking the

premium mussel, how could

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

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

Danielle’s complexion darkened further.

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

hard of

moved to

“What’s it to you if he doesn’t eat seafood? Throwing a

nonchalantly reached over and 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 Ellis clan isn’t

glanced at one of the maids whose face tightened

turning to Seth, she

cool glance and said

others tensed silently. His candid admission seemed to confirm

him too well. Had Seth remained silent

using her fork to transfer a piece

she

that Cicely was just unwilling

nod, “Bring a fresh set, please.”

snapped, abruptly standing. “I’ve lost my appetite.” No one wanted to linger after such an

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

own daughter always 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,

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