The Enticing CEO’s Chosen Bride

Creighton couldn’t help but chuckle and shake his head as the maid informed him that his daughter Cicely had followed Seth to the office. He knew all too well that it was his darling girl who insisted on tagging along.

Creighton always wanted to shield his daughter from any hardship and had envisioned her future partner to be someone exceptional and loving. However, he had never anticipated that it would be Cicely chasing after her betrothed.

There was a twinge of frustration in his heart, but since his daughter liked it, there was nothing he could do. Besides, he mused, if any other lad had pursued her, she likely wouldn’t have given them the time of day.

With Cicely’s temperament, the only possibility for her was to fall for the guy first before she took the initiative.

Just, of all people, she had to set her sights on the aloof Seth.

When Cicely arrived, Seb naturally spared no effort in making her feel welcome.d2

Cicely shared an office with Seth, a space that Creighton had specifically instructed Seb to set aside for Seth. Lounging casually on a leather couch, Cicely munched on a fruit platter that Seb had arranged to be brought in. Nestled by the floor-to-ceiling windows, she could gaze out at the distant blue sea and clear skies.

Seth sat at his desk, discussing work matters with Seb, while Cicely paid little attention to the conversation, content to just listen to Seth’s deep and steady voice, which inexplicably filled her with a sense of accomplishment—more so than acing an exam. Oddly enough.

Popping a piece of cantaloupe into her mouth, Cicely knelt on the couch, resting her chin on the backrest as she watched Seth. Next to Seb, he looked so young. Yet, without a hint of panic, his composure spoke of someone both grounded and dependable.

If this was him at the beginning, how much more dashing would he be once he grew into his role, confident and adept?

Cicely’s unabashed gaze was intense enough to finally draw Seth’s attention. “Can you learn by staring at my face?” he asked with a raised eyebrow.

Cicely blinked and then burst into laughter. “That’s exactly what my teacher used to say.”

Seth’s expression darkened slightly as Seb, sharing a similar memory, chuckled along.

“If you don’t do your homework, then leave.” Seth said, a hint of irritation in his voice.

Sensing that Seth was genuinely annoyed, Cicely pouted and turned back to the couch, pulling out her textbooks and pen from her backpack.

Once Seb left and the office quieted down, Cicely studied on the couch while Seth worked at his desk.

Time passed until Seth got up to get some water, his gaze inadvertently falling on the too-quiet corner of the room.

The so-called studious young lady was now sprawled on the couch, a book pressed to her chest and a pen in her hand, already soundly asleep, resting her head on the armrest.

Seth smirked in a hint of mockery, but his feet carried him toward her nonetheless. Her appearance was devoid of any image-consciousness, yet her sleeping form was orderly.

She was dressed in a plain long dress, with a hint of disarray to be seen. Her skirt was neat, her legs modestly placed together, revealing just her shapely calves. Her head tilted slightly to the side, her dark hair cascading over the armrest.

He could understand why Danielle always talked about her. It wasn’t just her; any woman would likely feel jealous in Cicely’s presence.

Flawless beauty, born with a silver spoon, the cherished princess of the Ellis family in P City…

Danielle’s sensitivity, from being around her constantly, was certainly justifiable.

Seth’s gaze lifted from her face, pausing midway to rest on her hand resting on her stomach. After a moment, he stepped forward, gently removed the pen still loosely clutched in her hand, and thoughtfully twirled it between his fingers before snapping it in half with a decisive flick.

The sound stirred Cicely, her body shifting slightly on the couch.

tossing the pen

sound of a book falling to the floor was followed by rustling from the couch, then a tousled head of hair emerged,

looked more like the

table, she peeked from

was drowsy and tinged with a hint of softness. She almost draped her entire body over the armrest

Seth retorted. She just woke

from the couch, and walked over to him, leaning lazily against the edge of the

“Look, it’s almost noon.”

closed the file he was working on and stood up, stepping around her

plans with someone

I’m inviting

at the girl who had caught up with him, and coldly said,

“Then I’ll just

compromise. The Ellis family

ordered completely different dishes. Seth preferred lighter fare, while Cicely went for

a rib without waiting for his consent. “You’re not exactly a

of her plate. Cicely seemed to catch his gaze and smiled knowingly, “It’s all your favorites, as

can order for

with health food. Everyone knows those overpriced goods are supposed to be beneficial but

you’re all that, Seth. Sometimes you need someone to nudge you in the right direction. You take care of

his expression unreadable, “I can’t

can help you out

interactions were not lost on the surrounding

smitten with Seth. She never hid it, and everyone could see it. Whispers and

hint of displeasure. She picked up her fork and tried some of his salad. It’s… well, it’s just salad. That was the thing about vegetables – they couldn’t be overcomplicated. Meat dishes, on the other hand, required a variety of seasonings and not everyone’s palate was

understand why he opted for a vegetarian dish, but since he also ate the beef and ribs she gave him without complaint, it seemed

Seth looked up, “Cicely?”

was chewing and managed

us, could you tone it

caught a few stares. Raising an

Seth was silent.

leaned back in her chair, “Seems like you don’t. Guess

“Cicely.”

“What?”

stared at her, his lips parting slightly but no

a mischievous smile. She never thought Seth was slow on the uptake. If others

and acting on it, she’d done it all. Rather than call him oblivious, she figured he just wasn’t ready to face

After all, she wouldn’t allow him to fall for someone else. Sooner or later,

if I said I know?” Seth’s voice

looked up in surprise, finding an unexpected hint of teasing

resting her chin in her hands, and smiled at him,

lip, harboring a faint hope to see her flustered. A

“I’ll pass.”