The Enticing CEO’s Chosen Bride

Danielle’s lips clamped shut, the fingers entwined with Patty’s tightened suddenly.

Patty winced slightly, her brow furrowed as she watched Seth carry Cicely towards the interior of the room, disappearing into the throng of people.

Her frown deepened.

She wasn’t oblivious to the closeness that had developed between Seth and Cicely over the past couple of years. When she had chosen to leave, she had trusted in Seth’s nature—his likelihood of getting entangled with a girl was slim to none.

With his keen intelligence, almost to the point of world-weariness, how could he possibly be ensnared by emotions?

Besides, even if Seth was to be with someone, it surely couldn’t be someone like Cicely—well-known for her haughtiness, arrogance, and caprice.d2

After all, she knew her son. How much patience could he possibly have? And how much patience could he have for a woman?

Sure, he’d have women, but in her mind, his future wife would be someone like Danielle, quiet, docile, standing by his side. Someone who adored him, therefore utterly compliant, carefully remaining by his side, the epitome of domestic bliss.

But Cicely? Always wanting too much, she had a possessiveness that demanded to be satisfied.

Petulant, proud, pampered… If she were a character in a soap opera, her role would be the haughty and malicious heiress, unreasonably domineering, shamelessly persistent.

All her actions were unlikeable; she was the quintessential villain, universally despised.

Such a girl, so unabashedly bad, so obviously clingy, how could Seth possibly invite such trouble upon himself?

She had left to give time its due, believing time would gradually make Seth realize that a girl like Cicely was entirely unsuitable for him, but now, it seemed her hopes had been dashed.

No wonder Danielle had repeatedly suggested she return home. The photograph had indeed shocked her.

She pursed her lips, turning to look at Danielle whose face had paled, and offered a strained smile. “Did you ever fight for it?”

Danielle paused, turning to her with a blank expression.

“If you don’t even fight for it, how can you expect others to fall into your lap?”

Danielle’s eyes flickered, then she smiled bitterly and shook her head. He didn’t even give her the chance to fight for him, so what right did she have to try?

Patty’s lips twisted, and she walked towards the interior of the room. “The thing is, Cicely sees things more clearly than anyone else, understands her own strengths, and leverages them well. The majority speaks ill of her behind her back, she possesses all the vices of a spoiled rich girl, and she seemed like the very person who seems least deserving of love. Still, she has everything others only dream of.”

Danielle couldn’t tell if it was her imagination, but she thought she detected a heavy dose of sarcasm and chill in Patty’s trailing voice.

As they stepped through the door, Patty’s face lit up with a gracious smile. Danielle looked at her, slightly dazed.

Patty turned to her, her smile as gentle and harmless as ever. “Even she knows what it means to fight for what she wants. What are you hesitating for?”

“But…” Danielle murmured as they blended into the crowd, “Seth probably won’t love me.”

Patty suddenly laughed out loud, stopping in her tracks and turning to face her. The smile on her face sent a chill through Danielle. “Love? Do you think Seth could love Cicely? Or anyone, for that matter?”

Patty raised her hand to tuck a stray lock of hair behind Danielle’s ear, gently caressing her head as she spoke in a tender whisper, “Sweetheart, it’s enough that you love him. Being with the one you love makes you the winner in life. You’ve got your heart’s desire, isn’t that enough? Learn to be content and not ask for too much.”

Danielle was taken aback, yet deep down she agreed. Indeed, to be with the one you love was enough.

Patty withdrew

hesitated once more, “I don’t expect him to love me, but right now, it feels

to

elevator, followed by a procession of well-dressed men. Noticing Patty, he nodded in

observed him walk to the other side of the room, her lips parting to say, “There are so many kinds of relationships. It’s not just

furrowed in confusion, and she fell

—

arms wrapped around his neck, her face buried in his chest. The pain from her feet was sharp, and though her face was pale, the joy was

room is it?” The elevator promptly stopped on the third floor, and Seth stepped out with her in his arms, glancing down

one on

Seth turned right.

wouldn’t have been surprised if Creighton had

soft sofa. The lights in the room had

in his expensive and well-fitted suit. He bent down, squatting in front of her, with a handsome and gentle face so close that she felt a bit dazed for a

removing her shoes with such care, pleased her greatly. She may not have seen his concern in his expression, but she wasn’t

heiress was confident in her own worth. Her feet were delicate and lovely. Even her toes were

impression left by the edge of her high heels. On the

feet bore

and he looked up at

subside. Such an injury might be trivial to others, perhaps painful, but not as if half their blood had

friendly as he stared at Cicely, who pursed her lips in a

falling upon her swollen ankle, his

voice, a soft, plaintive tone slipping

Seth remained silent.

your fault, I told you

before resuming its circular massage of her foot.

have bent over backward for Dad like this. Sure, I’m uncomfortable right now, but I’m happy. You might’ve put me through a lot, but if you sweeten

was Seth’s affection she craved. She

confession, Seth didn’t speak for a long time, just continued to massage her other foot. “Put your feet

couch, lifting her

a knock at the door. He turned to answer it, returning with a first aid kit in hand. He applied antiseptic to her ankle, then secured two band-aids over

already wrapped her arms around his. “Are you

beside her, looking into

plan any other gifts

her now rosier cheeks, “Didn’t you say you’ve already received

something I asked for. There’s a difference when

bring

she glared, “You come to my coming-of-age party empty-handed,

subtly, “What could you possibly need

you not hear or understand? It’s a coming-of-age party, Seth. I’m eighteen, stepping into a new phase of life. On such a significant day, you show no gesture, while even the insincere crowd downstairs at least pretends

short by an unexpected kiss. Her eyes widened, taken aback by his sudden closeness,

found herself leaning back into the couch, Seth pressing down on her, sinking

a kiss that stormed the ramparts, and she was enveloped in his scent, tinged with the faint aroma of wine. Clutching at the lapels of Seth’s suit jacket,

breaths mingled, chaotic and heated, the warmth

to a whirlwind of sensations, Cicely was lost in the fog. The kiss was long and deep. Not until her breaths grew ragged and her cheeks flushed did Seth release