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.

understand?” Patty withdrew

nodded, but then hesitated once more, “I don’t expect him to

to fight

elevator, followed by a procession of

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 romantic love that brings people

confusion,

—

elevator, her arms wrapped around his neck, her face buried in his chest. The pain from

the third floor, and Seth

on the far

Seth turned right.

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

sofa. The

squatting in front of her, with a handsome and

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

was confident in her own worth. Her feet were

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

bore these

looked up at her with a cool

yet to subside. Such an injury

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

his eyes falling upon her swollen ankle, his defined fingers gently tracing around the inflamed

sore too.” Cicely lowered her voice, a soft, plaintive tone

Seth remained silent.

fault, I told you I

its circular massage of her foot. “You could have told me

I wouldn’t 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 the deal afterward, like

for affection; it was Seth’s affection she craved. She lacked for

for a long time, just continued to massage her other foot. “Put your feet up.” It took a while

couch,

returning with a first aid kit in

Cicely had already wrapped her arms around

down beside her, looking into her eyes,

any other gifts for me

as he surveyed her now rosier cheeks, “Didn’t you

was something I asked for. There’s a difference when it’s

bring any

face slowly growing frustrated. With a pout, she glared, “You come to my coming-of-age party empty-handed, and you really didn’t bother with a

subtly, “What could you possibly need that

gift? I made it so obvious. Did you not hear or understand? It’s a coming-of-age party, Seth.

short by an unexpected kiss. Her eyes widened, taken

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

in his scent, tinged with the faint aroma of wine. Clutching at

breaths mingled, chaotic and heated, the warmth spreading like flames on

was lost in the fog. The kiss was long and deep. Not until