The Enticing CEO’s Chosen Bride
Chapter 1991-2000
“I said, this is something between the two of us.” Seth’s tone left no room for
argument.
Creighton squinted at him for a moment. “I thought you didn’t like her? I
intended to entrust her to you, but if you feel it’s too much, I won’t force you.
What’s important is that I don’t want to give you another chance to break her
heart.”
Seth didn’t reply, but his intentions were clear and firm.
At that moment, Brody walked in, followed closely by his son Issac. Both men
wore grim expressions.
“Sir.”
Enter title…
Creighton turned his attention to Brody. “What’s the matter?”d2
Brody glanced at Seth before saying, “We’ve just been to the hotel to get a
handle on the situation. The banquet had to be cut short because of an incident.
Mr. Ray’s personal misconduct has been leaked, and his family’s company is in
damage control mode. But given the number of reputable media outlets present
as witnesses, it’s unlikely their PR spin will do much good. We’ll have a clearer
picture by tomorrow morning.”
This result was exactly what Seth had initially desired. He understood that, even
without Brody spelling it out.
Creighton snorted, unsurprised by the news.
“There’s something else, sir.” Brody hesitated, his expression more serious than
before.
“Out with it.”
“Yes, sir.” Brody nodded. “According to the hotel receptionist, Mr. Ray was
forcing himself on Miss Danielle. She tried to resist but called for help when she
couldn’t fend him off. However, in the end…”
Creighton’s head shot up, his face a storm of rage. “In the end, what?”
“Well, apparently, Miss Danielle was so frightened that when she saw Mr. Ray
dragging Cicely into the room, she… she ran away.”
Creighton bolted upright from the couch.
He stared at Brody for a long moment before bursting into a grim laugh. “You’re
telling me Cicely saved Danielle, and then Danielle left Cicely behind and ran
off?!”
Rarely had Brody seen Creighton lose his temper, and he dared not speak
further.
Issac stepped forward, pulling out his phone. “Here’s the security footage from
the hotel. It should make it very clear whether Miss Danielle acted out of fear or
deliberately.”
Creighton practically snatched the phone from his hand.
Issac withdrew, casting a glance at Seth. “I bet you already have an idea
whether Miss Danielle was deliberate or not, without even seeing the footage.”
Seth, with his stoic good looks, stepped beside Creighton.
On the screen, Danielle was seen helping Ray into a room, struggling at the
door. Barefoot, Cicely walked into the lounge, high heels in hand, trying to help
Danielle.
Then Cicely got caught by Ray, looking back at Danielle with a gaze that
seemed to expect the obvious—that Danielle would help her in return.
But Danielle just stood at the door, coldly watching Cicely struggle, shaking her
head and deciding to leave.
The confusion and fear in Cicely’s eyes as she was dragged into the room and
the door slammed shut, cutting off all hope, sank into the hearts of the
onlookers.
The phone’s screen began to shake as Creighton’s hand trembled
uncontrollably. The footage continued with Danielle encountering reporters, then
meeting Seth, and pretending to know nothing as she hurried away with him.
With a loud “thud,” Creighton threw the phone onto the coffee table. “Where’s
Danielle? Where is she?!” His booming voice detonated like a bomb in the living
room.
Knowing something had gone wrong that night, he had guessed what Seth had
been plotting. Even if Cicely ended up the victim, he had thought it was just an
unfortunate accident. He hadn’t anticipated that this “accident” was
orchestrated.
Issac said calmly, “I’ve sent people to look for her.”
Outside, two cars pulled up to the house.
Danielle was brought out of one, followed by Erik from the other. He didn’t even
glance at Danielle as he hustled into the living room, leaning on his cane.
“Where’s Cicely?!”
Issac had barely finished when Erik’s anxious voice filled the room. He was
asking about Cicely’s condition as soon as he entered.
Creighton tried to contain his rage in front of his father but failed.
Brody quickly said, “Miss is resting now, sir. Please be at ease.”
Seeing so many people in the living room, Erik asked, “What in the world is
going on?”
There was a moment of silence. Then Creighton saw Danielle coming in from
behind, her hands crossed in front of her, her face a mix of anxiety and evasion.
He approached her slowly, his icy gaze lingering on her face. Finally, he raised
his hand and slapped her hard across the face.
Danielle fell to the ground from the blow.
Erik furrowed his brow deeply. “What are you doing? Have you lost your mind?!”
Creighton stood towering over Danielle, pointing shakily at her. “Ungrateful…”
Blood trickled from the corner of Danielle’s mouth.
Creighton swayed, and Brody quickly stepped in to support him. “We’ve always
tolerated your mutual disdain, and if you think it’s your right as a member of the
Ellis family, then fine. But just on the matter at hand, Danielle, how could you
convince yourself to abandon her? She was trying to save you! And you
deliberately left her to fend for herself! How could you!”
Tears splattered onto the floor as Danielle clutched her face, but no words could
escape her lips.
“Do you really think you can keep this hidden? Or did you think, even if Cicely
were in trouble, I wouldn’t lay a finger on you?!”
From those words, Erik could sense something amiss. When he spoke again,
his voice was heavy with disappointment, “What happened, Danielle? What
does it mean that you abandoned Cicely?”
Creighton pointed an accusing finger at Danielle, “This… this ungrateful brat.”
He tried to speak but was too choked with rage to continue.
Issac stepped forward, picked up the smartphone, and handed it to Erik. “This is
the security footage from the hotel. You’ll see everything you need to know.”
Danielle trembled, suddenly looked up, and her gaze fell straight onto Seth, who
was standing off to the side, his expression unreadable. He was cool and
detached, revealing nothing but indifference. And yet, Danielle felt a shame so
deep it seemed to scald her.
Erik didn’t finish watching the video before tossing the smartphone at Danielle’s
feet. “What did you think you’d gain from doing this, other than possibly
destroying Cicely? All these years, where did your uncle fail you? Did Cicely
ever wrong you in a way that warranted this betrayal? He pratically raised a wolf
in sheep’s clothing, a snake ready to strike!”
The humiliation, the crushing accusations, they left Danielle with nowhere to
hide. One was her so-called uncle, and the other was her grandfather. The two
people in this world closest to her, now, for the sake of Cicely, they were
dragging her name through the mud.
Rising slowly to her feet, Danielle said, “I’m sorry, okay? I made a mistake.
Everything you’re saying is right. I’m ungrateful, an ingrate. Cicely has her real
father’s doting, and her grandfather’s love; if she’s wronged, you all jump to her
defense. But it’s different for me. The whole sky falls down for Cicely’s slightest
discomfort. The surveillance shows I was the one insulted first. Yet none of you
mention that?”
Creighton’s face contorted with anger. “Don’t you dare distort the truth! Cicely
was trying to save you!”
“So it’s only right that I’m the one who should be bullied today?” Danielle said,
her voice cold. “I’m not trying to excuse myself. It was wrong to leave Cicely
behind, and selfish, too. I admit to all of it. So, what’s next? What do you want to
do? Come on, I’m ready to pay for my actions.”
Creighton trembled with fury. She had been so sure from the start that he
wouldn’t do anything to her, which was why she dared to commit such a
heartless act. She lacked compassion, but as an elder, he could not act without
honor.
“This matter is between her and me, Dad, Grandpa. Please, don’t interfere.”
A detached and indifferent voice came from upstairs – Cicely, leaning against
the railing in her pajamas, looked down at the chaotic living room. With such a
commotion below, it was impossible for her not to hear.
Seth looked up, Cicely was descending the stairs, barefoot. A flicker of concern
crossed his face as he went to her and scooped her into his arms.
“Do I need to remind you how annoying you’ve been today?” Cicely asked,
gazing at him.
His voice low and husky, Seth replied, “You’re not wearing shoes.”
At that, Cicely barely smiled, and she let Seth carry her, her gaze settling on
Danielle. Their eyes met, and Danielle felt another wave of embarrassment.
“Hold me closer. I have a few things to say to Danielle.”
As Seth approached Danielle with Cicely in his arms, Danielle instinctively
stepped back. Cicely’s eyes held a faint smile, “Seth just asked do I want to
break up with him?”
Seth’s complexion changed subtly, his grip tightening.
“Do you think if I told him I wanted to split, he’d choose you over me?”
Danielle’s lips pressed tightly together, her fists clenched.
Cicely turned to Seth, “Would you?”
“No.”
Cicely looked back at Danielle and continued, “To be honest, before tonight, I
might never have asked him that question because I wasn’t sure he’d say ‘no.’
But now, do you know why I asked? He probably feels some kind of debt
towards me. I’m okay now, so I can afford to feel relieved that it was me who
took the hit tonight. If it had been you, his guilt would have shifted to you. And if
you wanted to take advantage of that guilt to make him stay with you, it might
just work..”
Danielle’s eyes, which had been filled with doubt, widened in shock. “Why…”
“Because I’m his girlfriend, but I had to play your knight in shining armor. So
tonight, if either of us had gotten hurt, he would’ve been to blame. Why do you
think he’d feel guilty?”
The possibility that had begun to dawn on Danielle shattered with Cicely’s
words.
Creighton frowned at her. After all this, she was still covering for Seth.
However, having Danielle know the whole truth would cause trouble, not just for
Seth, but for her, too, assuming she didn’t want to break up with him.
“But let’s be clear, what you did tonight, abandoning me, that’s a debt I still
intend to settle. I hold grudges, and I won’t let you off easily if I catch you. Can
we just let it go for tonight? I’m feeling terrible, and I can’t sleep with all this
noise.”
Grandpa and Dad couldn’t really kill Danielle, but without her stepping in, it
seemed this scene tonight could never end.
“I’m going back to bed. She was your responsibility, after all, so it’s only right
you see her out. If you’re planning to take her home, put me down.”
Seth looked at her, said nothing, but turned and carried her upstairs.
Cicely smiled, letting him take her away.Danielle watched as Seth cradled Cicely in his arms and walked away, her mind
swirling with Cicely’s recent words.
“He probably feels some kind of debt towards me. I’m okay now, so I can afford
to feel relieved that it was me who took the hit tonight. If it had been you, his
guilt would have shifted to you. And if you wanted to take advantage of that guilt
to make him stay with you, it might just work.”
“There are so many kinds of love. It doesn’t always have to be romantic to be
together.”
Patty’s words from Cicely’s debutante ball suddenly crowded Danielle’s thoughts
at this moment. She hadn’t understood then, but now, she was beginning to. It
Enter title…
didn’t have to be love that brings people together, guilt could do the trick too.
“To be with the one you love makes you a winner in life. You must learn to be
content and not ask for too much.”
Patty’s words from the past now seemed to resonate deeply within her, but it
seemed Cicely had beaten her to the punch.d2
Seth felt guilty towards her. He felt guilt for not protecting her tonight. Everyone
could see that the power in their relationship had never been in Cicely’s hands,
but now, it seemed to have shifted to her. As long as she played her cards right
with that guilt, Seth would stay by her side.
And the one who made it all possible was Danielle.
Cicely stepping in to stop any further pursuit had also given Erik and Creighton
a way out. Digging deeper wouldn’t change anything.
“Issac, see her out,” Creighton ordered coldly, motioning towards Danielle.
Issac nodded, stepping outside to make the arrangements.
Erik’s gaze on Danielle was heavy with disappointment and chill.
“How can two kids raised under the same roof turn out so different, one with
such a selfish and spiteful heart?”
Danielle felt desolate and met his words with a bitter laugh. “In your eyes, she’s
always been the better one.”
Erik took a deep breath. “No one’s been comparing you two. It’s you who’s
made her your rival all these years. You both are Ellis’, and her successes don’t
threaten you, nor do yours affect her. Eventually, the family legacy will belong to
just you two, and no one wishes more for you two to get along than us. Forget it,
if you were going to change, it wouldn’t have taken till today. You’re grown with
your own mind, and we can’t constrain you. Pursue your dreams if you wish, but
if you’re going to measure yourself against Cicely, just stay with the Ellis family.
We can afford to keep you.”
“No need. I’ve been a thorn in your side for years, and I don’t deserve to be a
freeloader.” With those final words, she turned and left coldly.
Erik’s brow knitted in frustration.
Creighton’s breathing grew heavy, he sank into the sofa, his head lowered,
struggling to get over the hurdle.
The tension in the air thickened, and Brody felt a sense of helplessness beside
him. “Sir, perhaps Miss Danielle is just more sensitive since she’s an orphan.
Her attitude over the years might stem from being hung up on her mother’s
story.”
At the mention of this, both Erik and Creighton’s expressions shifted slightly.
“If she’s unsatisfied, she should take it up with me. It was solely my decision to
stop her mother from entering our family. She has no right to take it out on
Cicely.”
Brody said no more. Creighton had always worried that living with Erik might
make Danielle uncomfortable or even worsen their conflicts, which was why he
allowed her to stay, but it hadn’t changed anything.
After a while, Creighton sighed and waved his hand dismissively. “Let it go, Dad,
don’t bother with it anymore. Tonight, Cicely… it didn’t lead to irreversible
consequences, so let it be.”
Again with ‘let it be.’
Brody stood aside, watching Creighton’s helpless demeanor, feeling a pang of
sympathy. Time and again, it was Creighton who made the concessions
because of Danielle.
Family skeletons were meant to stay in the closet, and no matter how ruthless,
one couldn’t cut off their own flesh and blood, especially the only child left by his
own brother.
“Sir, perhaps you should stay here for the night. It’s getting late.” Brody tactfully
changed the subject.
Erik, not wanting to go through any more trouble, nodded in agreement.
*
Cicely was placed back into bed by Seth, burrowing beneath the covers.
“I really feel awful right now, so do the smart thing and leave. You must have a
lot to deal with, just close the door on your way out.”
Seth watched her turn her back to him as usual, standing still for a long while
before finally turning to leave.
Exiting the Ellis family home, he took out his phone, which had been vibrating all
night. It was filled with calls from Patty. He gave it a cursory glance and then
switched it off.
*
The next morning, the events of the previous night had fully fermented and
exploded. Negative comments and skeletons from the past were dragged into
the light.
Fans of their signed artists were clamoring for contract terminations, and scripts
under
Ray’s management faced a near-universal boycott.
The turn of events was within Seth’s expectations except for one thing—Ray’s
crippled.
He had never considered it.
Even when he decided to use Danielle, he had never thought he’d lay a hand on
Ray. But who could have foreseen it would come down to Cicely?
Unacceptable.
He had wanted to shelter her from the darkness and filth of society, keep her
untouched by its ugliness. How then could he bear to see her consumed by it?
Destroy Ray? He had wanted to kill him.
Seth sat alone in his office, his expression as frosty as the atmosphere, the
room itself felt like it was in the grip of winter.
Suddenly, the door swung open. Patty stormed in, her shawl tight in her grip, her
face set in a stormy expression.
Seth gave her a brief glance before turning away, picking up a document from
his desk. He didn’t say a word, allowing Patty’s upcoming tirade to unfold.
His indifference only fanned the flames of Patty’s fury. “I specifically asked you
to help Danielle shake off Ray’s obsessive grip, Seth, but instead you practically
gift-wrapped her and handed her over to him. What the heck were you
thinking?!”
“She wants to act, and Ray’s got the connections and the clout in the theater
scene. She wants it, and she didn’t say no. It was her choice.”
Patty squinted at him, a fierce glint in her eyes. “And was it her choice when she
almost got raped by that bastard? You can’t keep seeing Cicely. Call it quits,
now. If we’re talking crushes, Danielle’s probably head over heels for you too.
Personality-wise, Danielle’s a way better match for you. And let’s not forget,
because of your negligence yesterday, Danielle almost got herself in a real
mess. Do you have any idea how devastated a girl with a spotless reputation
can be if she’s nearly raped? You are responsible for this, Seth.”
Seth looked up, his gaze icy as he met Patty’s accusation. “If you’re so keen to
bring up last night’s fiasco, then you should know it wasn’t Danielle who nearly
got raped.”
Patty scoffed with disbelief. “She was asking for it.”
A frown creased Seth’s brow.
“She’s narrow-minded, jealous because you’re getting too close to Danielle. She
went to that party of her own volition. Nobody invited her. If she gets in trouble,
she’s asking for it.”
After a moment, Seth’s stern features suddenly twisted into a mocking sneer,
accompanied by a low, cold chuckle. He tossed his pen onto the desk and
leaned back in his chair, his posture relaxed but his voice laced with a frosty
edge. “So, if my girlfriend Cicely gets into trouble, she’s asking for it, but I’m
supposed to take responsibility for Danielle? Isn’t that a bit hypocritical?”
Patty had never seen Seth so wickedly nonchalant, and for a second, she
seemed utterly lost.
“So you’re that eager to set me up with Danielle, huh? She’s all grace and poise,
a perfect match for me.” Seth reached for a drawer to pull out a cigarette, but
then he stopped himself and pushed it shut. “Since she’s so graceful and
compliant, does that mean I can parade around with other women, push them
onto someone else, and then take responsibility when things go south?”
Patty’s face was a picture of disbelief. “You… what?”
“At that point, will this perfectly suited, adoring woman be able to stay calm and
magnanimous, welcoming them into our lives?”
Patty stared at Seth as if he were a creature from another world. “Have you lost
your mind?”
“Am I crazy?” Seth’s laugh was tinged with sarcasm. “I’d have to be out of my
mind to agree to take Danielle to that party, knowing full well it would cause
drama with Cicely.”
Patty’s brow furrowed as she digested Seth’s words, her expression suddenly
turning ashen. “Don’t tell me you had an ulterior motive for taking Danielle to
that party.”
“Curious about my motive?” Seth’s smile was thin. “The current state of Ray’s
family is my motive.”
Patty’s eyes widened in shock. “So you… you deliberately set Danielle up.”
“Too bad Danielle ended up pushing Cicely out in the end.” The icy humor in
Seth’s eyes faded as he spoke.
“What do you mean Danielle pushed Cicely out?” Patty stopped mid-sentence,
her puzzled gaze freezing as it met Seth’s. It seemed unthinkable, yet her
rational mind told her it was exactly something Danielle would do.
“Cicely said she was actually relieved it was her and not Danielle. Because if it
had been Danielle, I might have felt guilty enough to agree to be with her. But as
it stands, it wasn’t Danielle.
“The truth is, I’ve put up with Cicely smashing my car and creating a scene, and
I never thought about breaking up with her. But I still decided to take Danielle
out. Because, from the get-go, I never intended to take responsibility for her.
“I ignored Danielle at the party, I didn’t lay a finger on her when we got back to
the Ellis estate, and the fact that she’s still fine now is the most dignity I’ve
afforded her—just because I planned to use her from the start.”
Seth looked straight at Patty. “After all this, do you get my point? If you think my
attitude doesn’t matter, go tell Danielle that I only wanted to use her last night.
See if she’s heartbroken or just upset, and if she still wants to keep her crush on
me.”
Patty was speechless. She was filled with confusion and doubt about Seth.
When had he become so hard and merciless? When had he become so
ruthless?
“Why did you change like this? You’re just…”
“If I don’t change, the world will leave me behind. Do you think I want to live the
rest of my life branded as some trophy boy living off a woman?”
Patty finally understood it. Her eyebrows knitted together as her voice took on a
sharp edge. “Is it because of Cicely?! What are you plotting? Because she’s the
Ellis family’s precious daughter, you’re doing all this just to prove you’re worthy
of her, aren’t you?! For her, you’d sacrifice Danielle…”
She caught her breath, horror dawning on her. Her son, her own flesh and
blood, could be such a terrifying person.
For Cicely, for Millie’s daughter, he’d become this obsessed.
But why?
Why was it that Millie had two men so fiercely in love with her? One, who wore
his heart on his sleeve while the other, loved humbly and silently. The man
openly in love with Millie was the same man Patty herself cherished, and the
other was Patty’s own husband, who professed his love for her and pledged to
nurture and protect her for the rest of their lives.
She had thought that not marrying the man she loved and instead settling for a
man who loved her was the right choice. Yet she hadn’t expected that Tod didn’t
love her at all; he loved Millie, who was in Creighton’s arms. He facilitated Millie
and Creighton’s love, trapping her in his world for a lifetime, all to give Millie a
peaceful life.
One was heartless, and the other was a complete fraud.
She hated Millie. She hated Millie for ruining her life.
But why? How could her son fall fr Millie’s daughter?
Seth’s mom had always been the epitome of poise and grace, but now, as she
stood before him, her composure was shattered like a dropped porcelain vase.
The usually serene Patty was a storm of emotions, her voice sharp as broken
glass.
not Millie’s
Patty’s voice pitched into hysteria, her body
control slipping away.
in concern as he rose
the floor, clutched her head in her hands, her eyes blazing
is it always her? Why can’t
shadow?!”
grown too loud, and secretaries from
to find Patty in the throes of
the
with a
trying
hands, her face a canvas of desperate pleading and
me, Seth? Be a good boy, and listen to your mother,
mustn’t fall for her daughter. Isn’t
eye, and she’s my best friend’s
not her, then any other girl, any girl at all, just not
private physician, who administered a sedative
Patty was now
recent years, and you’ve always been
this. What happened
Seth’s expression was icy.
rather pallid, so
advice. “Please do not
been doing so well with this over
Enter title…
bed in the break room, silently
lost in thought for
doctor called out to him uncertainly,
Patty, remained silent for
spoke softly, “I understand.”
to his desk, pulled open
and then picked
window.
by the window stood
smoke rose from that
vanished into the air.
fiddled with his phone for a while, pausing
down to the butt, he turned and stubbed
Once again he looked at
it.
subsided. When she woke up in
appeared to be in good
joined her for breakfast, and now
they felt much relieved.
Got everything you need? If
everything
“Clothes,
later, and pick out some nice pens and
it, she realized she hadn’t really visited a stationery store in many
go with
took another spoonful of porridge, pausing briefly when
then
Cicely went upstairs to change.
phone rang. It
she
“Hello?”
so quickly, and for a moment,
prolonged silence.
what?” Cicely glanced at the
indeed him.
to speak, his voice deep. “I thought you’d still
asleep.”
“So you decided to bother me
sleeping?”
you hadn’t answered, I wouldn’t have
“What are you talking
your fever gone? You
supposed to
end, “And your foot? Is it
respond right away.
“Seth, what do you really
you become so hesitant? Do I have some kind of
heal completely
to argue, she spoke
we’ll
suddenly froze, her grip tightening on
“Okay”
jeans; her T-shirt lay beside her on the bed,
over her head, then
things seemed clear to her, yet they were
held her back. She feared that asking one
she
bed for several minutes until there was a knock
a visitor downstairs. Mr. Creighton wants you to
maid got no reply, “Miss?
door swung
have to
maid just
Cicely descended the stairs.
living room sat a young, handsome
suggested that he was no
up, a slight forced
Watson Hotel. I’m terribly sorry about
night that caused
from the
the damage. She gave a wry smile, approached
face across from her, her
of The Watson Hotel? You don’t look much older
to run the
a half-step, maintaining a polite smile.
to my father’s influence.”
as it clicked, “Ah, so you’re the son of
That explains it.”
simply nodded, acknowledging her assumption. “Though
can’t be undone, I felt it was
person. How can we make amends to
Cicely tilted her head,
with a playful smile,
smiled lightly and said.
Cicely tilted her chin up and
so how about you keeping me
beat, “Not worried
jealousy stop you from accompanying me? Are you
or to me?”
“I do
apologies.”
“Alright then.
in at just the right moment, “Cicely, that’s
to cross the Watson family’s young
Claud personally opened the car door for Cicely,
aside, taking
like disinfectant,” Cicely
that.” Without further
Ellis family estate,
the silence, “You looked a bit
earlier. I heard from your dad
seatback,
got a call I shouldn’t
behind those words, but Claud didn’t
so do you have a specific destination in
today?”
hit the
at her, “What grade are you
Is that
“No problem.”
for a while longer until Cicely suddenly said,
at
“Sure.”
latest smartphone model
She then took out her old phone,
salesperson glanced at the nearly
“Sure.”
this quietly, offering no
on a shopping spree would be the
woman beside him seemed to have
were in and out of the stationery store
few pens and notebooks.
need a break. Let’s sit
a coffee shop stop and a
minutes buying a
spent at the coffee shop and now the
an easy mission based on Cicely’s physical strength,
lunch, she powered through the
mood was souring by the
*
in showbiz, and the
with endless
their managed celebrities starting
from other shareholders eager to dump them before they
were watching
boycott to push Ray’s
days, Ray’s family were forced to sell off their most
scripts, but
didn’t expect all the
confusion. Who was this
unfamiliar name on the screen, couldn’t help
Who indeed?
by him, and now, there
leave any chances
capable, alright. She knew he had
off starting a company and
about the ins and outs, she understood that
was highly lucrative. High quality, solid teams, and
success was almost
and extravagant action, it was obvious
significant importance. He had
in the industry – he was
audacity was exactly what she admired
morning, Claud arrived at
first day was stationery
day,
directly, “Which
skip the mall today. I’m sick of clothes and shoes. Let’s
never been to
feet, “You sure
“Absolutely.”
Claud was
alarmed the butler
happened?”
the living room, Claud
a brief moment,
unforgettable.
stepped forward, “What’s going on… What now?”
thing after another lately.
a cold expression, said tersely, “She
to go
before Creighton acted,
doctor.
room on the right, upstairs. If you think you can handle
me a bit longer.” Cicely,
suddenly spoke up.
approach, stopped in his tracks at
a look and carried her upstairs, with Creighton following
on the bed, Claud dusted off
enough. I accept your
at her before suddenly lifting the hem
flinched back, “What
seeping out from the edge
asked, “Do you have a tendency
Cicely’s eyes caught the figure behind
her
grabbing a wet wipe from the
beside Cicely’s bed.
nonchalance, and said, “Hey, it was
hurt on my
doesn’t seem right.”
is
paused, his gaze dropping to meet hers as a
his lips. “Who says I’m here on a
alright without
looked at him, a hint of surprise flickering across her
quirk of his eyebrow, Claude’s eyes briefly darted to her feet
the wet wipe aside. “Let me help you with your
he offered, reaching out
make contact,
meet Seth’s indifferent
here,” Seth said coolly. “It’s the least I
long gaze narrowing slightly at the scene before him.
you’re
an eyebrow, Claud withdrew his hand and turned to Cicely.
to stick
glance, her tone laced
than I am right now?
standing there.”
as they rested on her, a sure sign of
concern.
Enter title…
the exchange, felt a shadow pass
mixture of anger
off Seth, Claud averted his
have you fretting any longer. I’ll head
my number.
mind clearly elsewhere, coping
in her foot that threatened to knock her
her response seemed to carry a different
his lips tightly, silently
glanced at Cicely and then shifted his gaze to
Cicely flinched.
first reached for her leg, his grip firm despite her
his hand tighten and eventually allowed him to remove
pants, and
just one sock revealed a foot
with blood matted and flesh raw. The fabric sticking to
well up with tears from the sheer
“How on earth did you manage to do this to
the
lifted his gaze, looking at her with a
Cicely’s voice was tinged with a cry, “Dad, my foot
my
methodically removed her other shoe. He held
word.
family doctor, practically dragged in by Isaac, wore a
aren’t you the one who hates pain the
severe abrasions?” As he spoke,
finding antiseptic and
No need to show up in
the doctor added.
the antiseptic bottle in his hand,
stay away from me?
chuckled wryly. “I know you don’t like me. If you
again.” He turned,
hand.
tried to pull her foot back, but Seth’s grip did
stern face. “Do
was pale, her vulnerability and
his gaze back to the doctor, his grasp on her foot
her.”
pain!” Cicely’s
medicine.”
to Creighton for help, but
solve anything.
a moment,” he said before
“Dad! It hurts!”
wound, the doctor, his hair
on the bed and shook his head
the infection will be more painful. Just one
today. You can’t take any more.” he advised before quickly
her in his
and gently placed
on her forehead and the tip
and her
cold demeanor softened somewhat
Cicely looked up at him, her voice
and you’re telling me
they were done for? Usually, you make
are running around like a madwoman for three
having the time of
and her voice was muffled as she admitted,
kinda fun.”
intensely at
quilt and slipped beneath it. “I’m fine for now. You
Enter title…
Seth didn’t move from
her for a moment, his eyes
the latest model, different from what he had seen
that she hadn’t bothered to
in her address
Issac. The other,
was a call history with the Ellis
of emotion, Seth blocked and
able to call in, nor she
his head to look at the woman peacefully
his own number from her phone and
number
yourself? You’ve got
knitting together.
Seth stated firmly, leaving no room for argument. “Do
him, a mix of irritation and challenge in
you
silently, his gaze fixed on the phone as she
saved his number.
you delete my contacts?” Cicely’s voice was cold as
me admitting it?” Seth’s tone was
her. “I guess I want
you’d delete my contacts.”
deep breath, resignation in her voice. “Never mind, I don’t care
Can you leave now? These
don’t want to see
your hands full with
further, and I’d appreciate
she finished
still held an undeniable beauty and
for a
stay home alone, or
His voice was devoid of
stared at his stoic, handsome face. Her nose tingled,
the swell of emotion rising in her chest,
eyes.
few weeks shouldn’t matter. Seth, you don’t
I want to be with. As long as it’s
Right?”
to conceal untold thoughts, a
as the ripple of an unseen
the
Claud to keep you company? You seemed to enjoy his
few days,” he said
it. “Can we not talk
and cold,
with me?”
a weary smile. “I don’t want to talk about this
if you’re thinking of breaking up, you can’t get too
a matter of principle.”
them, heavy
clenched the quilt, looked Seth in the eyes,
closed her eyes tightly. “Fine, I can get through
own without anyone’s
brow. Fluttering her lashes,
her face, fingers tangled
voice was a low, husky whisper, “Did you
to avoid seeing me?”
away from his intense gaze, but
her hair. “If we broke
with another man?”
‘broke up’ stung Cicely like
I’m fully recovered? Or did you come
If we broke up, of course, I’d be with other
am I supposed to stay single
ambitions, nor the desire to be a strong, independent
I certainly don’t want to be alone. I want to date, to
a dependable refuge for the rest of my
it’s also my father’s
can’t keep him worrying. There’s not much I can do for him, but the least
my own happiness. So if not you, it would
Your questions are pointless.”
spoke seemed to darken
To date, to marry, to
on her hair.
love me? How can you love me, while getting married
last words out as if they
his mouth.
chill run
provoke me on purpose,” Seth warned, his forehead pressed
his voice laced with restrained anger. “Did you
to
Intentionally…
took a few seconds for the implication to hit
“What do you
her denial, Seth’s lips captured hers
Cicely didn’t even close her eyes, completely taken aback by
move from this man.
the warmth of the moment, his chiseled face
eyes locked on hers in a
the passionate kiss.
an intensity that left her
push him away,
above her head. She could feel
the heat of him seeping through the blankets.
to his kisses, yet she couldn’t claim to be familiar
the bed, under the weight of his desire and
recalled a recent encounter in the hospital that had her heart racing
was her attempt to interrupt the kiss
all over again, with no sign of
temperature between the two continued to rise, and Cicely’s already
softened under the kisses. She found herself pressed
he would stop at an appropriate
plans, trailing down
buttons of her
tongue brushed against her earlobe. Almost reflexively,
against his shoulders.
herself lost in his dark,
beat. She tried to avert her gaze, but he
a
intensely at her. “You
To say you’re heartless is
the one who knows how to play with people’s hearts the
him feel double the heartache,
her future plans with another man. When it came
no one could
I the master of hearts?
choose such a foolish way.
So, you can’t wait even a fortnight to confront
you do in these
of your
“Cicely.”
cut through her words. His dark eyes continued to study
flushed face, his fingers gently caressing her soft skin. As she met
he spoke again,
what seemed an eternity, she managed to ask, “What did
say?”
straightened up, and
You’re using this method
might use the same method to hurt yourself.
won’t have these wild
but clung to a thread of
thoughts?”
impulsive, and I might regret it in the
answer now. Will you marry
what sparked this impulse? Pity? Guilt for your recent actions?
towards me?”
I said all of the above, would you refuse to marry
moment, “Marriage is a serious matter. If
take full responsibility
answer immediately, pondering
tell me you’re already
me might not be
trying to make me say
battle of wills culminating in his
proposing. Your ‘yes’ is what
future; I only know what I want now.
you don’t need to make any promises.
you loved
most ironic and worthless of things. Only
you’re on board then,” Seth concluded, clearly not keen on
topic.
firm and clear, “Yes,
studying her for a moment before suddenly reaching out to
remember my
up all
have the air of a
chose to remember. And Seth’s number was
one of them.
Enter title…
things
arched an eyebrow, “Not much to
fingers gently caressed her chin for a
but just this once. I won’t accept you getting hurt in any
get yourself to a
What, am I a porcelain doll
a porcelain doll,” he murmured, almost absently,
softly against her cheek.
before. Even though both of her feet
hell, Cicely felt there was no happier
once only existed in her imagination,
discussed hypothetically, was about to
be the one to
expected it would be
are feeling unwell? Not
before shaking her head. “When do
too young; by the book, we can’t
want to handle it, or
step in?”
of it,” Seth said coolly. He was the one who proposed, so
would arrange
“So when can we?”
“After your injuries heal.”
then reached into the nightstand drawer
herself up against the headboard. “To prevent any future denials,
better sign a contract.”
the notebook.
it to Seth.
Seth proposed to Miss Cicely, who has accepted.
get a marriage certificate as
hold, no backing out.” She then signed her
right corner.
tugging at his lips, “It’s just a few
I won’t
“No, we can’t be too sure about
you won’t back out, signing your name is nothing to you, but it will put
mind at ease.”
flew across the page, leaving
signature behind her own.
was satisfied and put the
*
Seth went straight to
Creighton couldn’t believe his
“She’s agreed.”
“You’re both young, haven’t been through
you afraid of
eyes reflected the fading twilight outside the
That’s why we need to get
away.”
a long while, “What are you
gaze dropped, his hand twitching at
“Do you love her?”
Seth to
in love, get married, and have
smirk, “Yes. No
a
on. Especially Cicely, she’s never
or independent. If not you, then someone else. If she doesn’t
I’d help her look. She might act
listens to me.”
were pressed
her words
can’t be
Two questions and non-answers, but
somehow cleared Creighton’s own
probably knew what he
*
for Cicely’s legs
their marriage certificate ten days earlier.
to wait another two years until she reached the
public event; they
to talk about.
life
home for their marriage. The mansion for
be anything less than grand. He
apartment.
they move into the Cicely’s
Seth declined without hesitation.
and usually picked her
up, in which case he’d have Charlie do it.
the driver’s seat today was a pleasant
with your
everything needs to be done today,” Seth replied, his
her buckle up. He started
pulled away.
three months now. How long are we
had held her tongue for three months, but she
any longer.
look at her, “You’re that eager to
You’re only eighteen. I don’t like leaving things
but upon
cheeks flushed deep
blush made a soft
“What’s so funny!”
was something she thought might
he always managed to embarrass
Unfair.
they drove on, Cicely soon realized they weren’t heading where
not heading back to the Ellis
with a mix of
see when we get
Seth to take her out for a
chic downtown bistros that served artisanal dishes, but as they drove
more familiar to her. It wasn’t
wrought-iron gates of Cicely’s Mansion that
they were. “What are we
out of the window.
a mysterious smile playing on his lips.
of Cicely’s Mansion but
halt on a vacant lot nearby.Seth opened the car door for her, and Cicely, with a hint of confusion,
at the
“Why here?”
a half-smile as he leaned against the car, his
land with a sense of ownership. “I bought this place,” he
simply.
eyes swept across the vast property,
drew her close, and his
into his embrace. His gaze dropped
her cheek.
Enter title…
home,” he murmured, his voice a low rumble that danced
ears.
beat, and she looked up at him,
concealed delight. But then, a
this going
of her
he promised, his voice as firm as
you away from the Ellis clan and
words a gentle caress, as
sparkled with emotion,
family to our
didn’t need to go
is right
lingering on her
skin. “It’s for those
storm off. It would be quite the workout, and if you go too far,
go through a
furrowed her brow and pushed him
living together and you’re already
scenarios?”
honestly think you’ll never get mad at me?” Seth raised an eyebrow,
smile on his lips. “I can’t
declare she wouldn’t,
find me that annoying?”
curled. “If you stay next door, I can find
to spend more time looking for you. Do you want to spend
you rather spend
a moment. The answer in
with the smiling eyes of Seth, but
it.
make it easy for you. No matter how
if you knew I was mad enough to leave and
would be more than just a simple spat. As long as
long it takes, the moment I see you,
things right.” After all, she loved him too much to
enough to part ways.
to finish speaking, his eyes still
but what if I don’t
on?”
“Then you better
his
take back
not used to seeing Seth
into his chest. “I’ve heard it
close, his posture accommodating her in
embrace.
the affection, Cicely rested her head
house next door. After a moment of silence,
to come over to my place for
wash filled his senses, her soft and
his, an innocent
slightly, his nose
delicate fragrance.
to invite a man over like
cheeks turned a shade pinker. “I… I
chuckle reached her ears. “Is that so?Cicely’s “I don’t know” was met
villa’s grand entrance, Cicely lowered
code. She’d barely tapped
encircling her waist
from above her head.
“020727, and then?”
fingers hovered over
a “9” before he asked in a low
Cicely nodded.
Enter title…
half-smile as
91227
brief moment, then slowly pushed
disengaging echoed through
to look at
answering, Seth gently pushed her into the house, swung
Read The Enticing CEO’s Chosen Bride Chapter 1991-2000
Read The Enticing CEO’s Chosen Bride novel Chapter 1991-2000
The Read The Enticing CEO’s Chosen Bride by Novelxo.com has been updated to chapter Chapter 1991-2000 .
In Chapter 1991-2000 of the The Enticing CEO’s Chosen Bride series, The passage describes a conflict between Chloe and Keira. Keira has hurt Chloe, and Lance Olson is caught in the middle. An old lady named Hannah observes the situation, and she wants to meet Chloe due to her good nature. However, there is a potential issue with her grandson's arrival......... Will this Chapter 1991-2000 author Novelxo.com mention any details. Follow Chapter 1991-2000 and the latest season of this series at Novelxo.com.
The Enticing CEO’s Chosen Bride Chapter 1991-2000
The Enticing CEO’s Chosen Bride novel Chapter 1991-2000