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.

you understand?” Patty withdrew her hand,

to love me,

to fight

followed by a procession of well-dressed men. Noticing Patty,

her smile casual as she observed him walk to the other side of the room, her lips parting to say, “There are so many kinds of

confusion, and she fell

—

her face buried in his chest. The pain from her feet was sharp, and though

and Seth stepped out with her in his arms, glancing down to

one on

Seth turned right.

villa’s exterior, Seth wouldn’t have been surprised if Creighton had designed her a princess suite, but Cicely wasn’t one for such

the soft sofa. The lights in the room had already come

her arm down from his shoulder, staring at Seth 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

excessive emotion on his face, but the sight of him kneeling before her, removing her shoes with such care, pleased her greatly. She may not have seen his concern in his expression, but she wasn’t foolish. Interpreting his worry through his actions was a

in her own worth. Her feet were delicate and lovely. Even her toes were perfectly

of her foot ran a faint red mark, the impression left by the edge of her high heels. On the back of her heel, the skin

bore these

brow creased slightly, and he looked up at her with

and the thin sheen of sweat had yet to subside. Such an injury might be trivial to others, perhaps

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

upon her swollen ankle,

Cicely lowered her voice,

Seth remained silent.

I told you

circular massage of her foot. “You could have told

put me through a lot, but if you sweeten the deal afterward, like you are doing now, I’ll be thrilled. And of course, that’s something only you can do. I’m not short of affection, but only yours is the

it was Seth’s affection she craved. She lacked for nothing—except

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

scooted back on the couch,

up, and just then there was a knock at the door. He turned to answer it, returning with a first aid kit in hand.

the kit, Cicely had already wrapped her

sat down beside her, looking into

didn’t plan any other gifts for me

Seth’s lips as he surveyed her now rosier cheeks, “Didn’t you say you’ve already received

something I asked for. There’s a difference when

bring any

stared, biting her lip, her bright face slowly growing frustrated. With a pout, she glared, “You come to my coming-of-age party empty-handed,

subtly, “What could you possibly

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

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

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

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, she tilted her head back, her lips parting instinctively,

breaths mingled, chaotic and heated, the warmth

the fog. The kiss was long and deep. Not until her breaths