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.
can’t fall for Cicely, not Millie’s
voice pitched into hysteria, her body
control slipping away.
concern as he rose to
on the floor, clutched her head in her hands, her
“Millie, Millie, Millie, why is it always her?
shadow?!”
commotion in the office had grown too loud, and secretaries
to find Patty in
barked coldly, and the onlookers scurried away, closing the
them with a
trying to
her face a canvas of desperate pleading and
hear me, Seth? Be a good boy, and listen
fall for her daughter. Isn’t
Ellis family’s eye, and
any other girl, any girl at all, just not her.”An hour
private physician, who administered a sedative
down. Patty was now
been sick in recent
What
Seth’s expression was icy.
and looked rather pallid, so the doctor carefully
not upset
wishes. You’ve been doing so well with
Enter title…
stood by the bed in the break room,
in thought
to him uncertainly,
remained silent
spoke softly, “I understand.”
the break room, Seth walked to his desk, pulled
it and then
window.
office was silent. The figure by the window
smoke rose from that direction, then
vanished into the air.
for a while, pausing midway before
to the butt, he turned
Once again he looked at his phone,
it.
had subsided. When she woke up in the morning,
appeared to
and Creighton had joined her for
they felt much relieved.
Got everything you need? If you don’t
someone prepare everything
a moment, “Clothes, shoes? Maybe
out some
realized she hadn’t really visited a stationery store in many
Isaac can go with you
of porridge, pausing briefly
then nodded
upstairs to
phone rang. It was Seth
hesitation, she
“Hello?”
to answer so quickly, and for a moment, there was
prolonged silence.
wrong number or what?” Cicely glanced at the
indeed him.
moment for Seth to speak, his voice deep. “I thought
asleep.”
to bother me
sleeping?”
you hadn’t answered, I
frowned, “What are
gone? You sound
what, was I supposed to keep
end, “And your foot? Is
time, Cicely didn’t respond right away. Silence fell
first, “Seth, what do you really want
I have some kind
scrape heal completely in less than
to argue, she
take care and we’ll talk
her grip tightening on the
simply said “Okay”
was only wearing jeans; her T-shirt lay beside her on the bed, and
her
yet they
held her back. She feared
the answer she least wanted
bed for several minutes until there
a visitor downstairs. Mr. Creighton wants you
reply, “Miss? Are you
moment, the bedroom door swung open, and Cicely
visitor have to do
maid just
Cicely descended the stairs.
sat a
he was no
a slight
manage The Watson Hotel. I’m
night that caused
someone from the
the damage. She gave a wry
handsome face across from her, her gaze
Watson Hotel? You don’t look much older than
did you get to run the renowned Watson
man casually stepped back a half-step, maintaining a
to my father’s influence.”
as it clicked, “Ah, so you’re
That explains it.”
simply nodded, acknowledging her assumption.
undone, I felt it was necessary to apologize
How can we make amends
her head, pretending to
playful smile, “Do
lightly
that settles it,” Cicely tilted her chin
about you keeping me company until
“Not worried about your
from accompanying
or to me?”
smile held a hint of chill. “I do
apologies.”
raised an eyebrow, “Alright then. You’re coming
at just the right moment, “Cicely,
to cross the Watson
outside, Claud personally opened the car door for Cicely, and had
step aside, taking
smells like
about that.” Without further ado,
the Ellis family estate, there wasn’t
strangers. Claud broke the silence, “You looked
came downstairs earlier. I heard from your
the seatback,
ground. “Yeah. I got a call I
seemed to be a story behind those words,
P City, so do you have a specific destination in
today?”
the stationery
at her, “What grade
that
“No problem.”
silence for a while longer until Cicely
a stop at a
“Sure.”
latest smartphone model and got herself
her old
the nearly new phone, “We’ll take
“Sure.”
quietly, offering
a woman on a shopping spree would be the
beside him seemed to have
the stationery store in less than ten minutes,
few pens and notebooks.
a break.
a coffee shop stop and a restaurant meal, they had spent
minutes buying a
day spent at the coffee shop and now the
mission based on
the mall for three hours
souring by the
*
in showbiz, and the
with
only were their managed celebrities starting to rebel,
eager to
and producers were watching closely,
full-scale boycott to push Ray’s family
were forced to sell off
had their eye on those scripts, but no one was
time. They didn’t expect all the highquality scripts to be snapped
Who was this new player?
the screen, couldn’t help
Who indeed?
orchestrated by him, and now,
leave any chances
alright. She knew he had intentions in the film industry, but
expected him to actually pull off starting a company and
about the ins and outs, she understood that
highly lucrative. High quality, solid teams,
was almost
clear and extravagant action, it was obvious he wouldn’t make
unless it was of significant importance. He had been planning
a firm foothold in the
exactly what
arrived at the Ellis family
was
second day,
the third day, Claud asked directly, “Which
skip the mall today. I’m sick of
park. I’ve never
“You sure you
“Absolutely.”
four in the afternoon, Claud was
butler
happened?”
household gathered in the living room, Claud entered
Seth’s for a brief moment, the intensity in the
unforgettable.
on…
thing after another lately.
expression, said tersely, “She hurt her
and refused to
of silence before Creighton
doctor.
the right, upstairs. If you think you can handle it, I
carrying me a bit longer.” Cicely, who
suddenly spoke up.
who had just started to approach, stopped in his tracks
look and carried her upstairs,
the bed, Claud dusted off his impeccable
“That’s enough. I accept your apology. You can
before suddenly lifting the hem
flinched back, “What
blood seeping out from the edge
at her and asked, “Do you
eyes
her feet
hand back, casually grabbing
beside Cicely’s bed.
a nonchalance, and said, “Hey, it was
hurt on my watch,
doesn’t seem right.”
job here is done,”
his gaze dropping to meet hers as a
says I’m here on a job? Can’t a guy just
without
a hint of surprise
his eyebrow, Claude’s eyes briefly
the wet wipe aside.
he offered, reaching out
contact, another hand intercepted. Claud
meet
it from here,” Seth said coolly. “It’s the
you’re obliged
Claud withdrew his hand and
to
a sidelong glance, her tone laced with impatience.
right now? Just
standing there.”
they rested on her,
concern.
Enter title…
shadow pass over his
mixture of anger and
off Seth, Claud averted his gaze.
I can’t have you
my number. Call
absently, her mind clearly elsewhere, coping with
that threatened to knock her unconscious.
to carry a different
lips tightly,
then shifted his gaze
Cicely flinched.
grip firm despite her attempt
tighten and eventually allowed him
of her pants,
revealed a foot that was starkly
of her heel, with blood matted and flesh raw. The
eyes well up with tears from the sheer
sharply. “How on earth did
feel the pain
lifted his gaze, looking at
a cry, “Dad, my foot hurts, and
me. Soon my whole
removed her other shoe. He held her foot without
word.
dragged in by Isaac,
Cicely’s foot. “My lady, aren’t you the one who hates pain the
notice such severe abrasions?” As he spoke, he opened the
practiced ease, finding antiseptic and bandages. “Isn’t school
Maybe you should wait it out. No
the doctor added.
antiseptic bottle in his hand, Cicely’s eyelashes
away from me? I hate seeing
you don’t like me. If you truly
let yourself get hurt again.” He turned,
hand.
tried to pull her foot back, but Seth’s grip did not relent. Seth met
stern face. “Do
pale, her vulnerability and weakness
to the doctor, his grasp on her
her.”
in pain!” Cicely’s face turned
the medicine.” Seth
She looked to Creighton for help,
solve anything.
for a moment,” he said before
“Dad! It hurts!”
of dressing the wound, the doctor, his hair in disarray,
the bed and shook his head
it wet; otherwise, the infection will
take any more.” he advised before quickly
lifted her in his arms, supporting
lifted the blanket and gently
forehead and the tip of her
and her hair damp
are crying?” Seth’s cold demeanor softened somewhat at
voice tinged
done for, and you’re telling me
knew they were done for? Usually, you make a fuss over
you are running around like a
time of
gaze dropped, and her voice was muffled as she admitted,
kinda fun.”
intensely
slipped beneath it.
Enter title…
didn’t move from
his eyes landed on the smartphone on
the latest model, different from what he had seen her
it up, noting that she hadn’t bothered to
contacts in her
Issac.
history with the
Seth blocked
able to call in, nor
this, he lowered his head to look at the
his own number from her phone and
my number
yourself? You’ve got the
knitting together.
how,” Seth stated firmly, leaving no room
from him, a mix of irritation and
“Are you looking
silently, his gaze fixed on the phone as she
saved his number.
delete my contacts?” Cicely’s voice
the point of me admitting
soft chuckle escaping her. “I guess I want
you’d delete my contacts.”
her voice. “Never mind, I don’t
it. Can you leave now? These next few
so I don’t want to see you. Even
your hands full with your victories, so
further, and I’d
watched her quietly as she finished
held an
to see me for a few weeks, and
to stay home alone, or do you need someone else to keep
His voice was
Cicely stared at his stoic, handsome face. Her
emotion rising in her chest, threatening
eyes.
years, a few weeks shouldn’t matter.
want to be with. As long as it’s not you, it is
Right?”
depth of Seth’s gazes seemed to conceal untold thoughts,
them, subtle as the ripple of
the deep
keep you company? You seemed to enjoy
few days,” he
we not talk about
and cold, “are you
with me?”
smile. “I don’t want to talk about this
breaking up, you can’t get too close to other
a matter of principle.”
between them, heavy
Cicely clenched the quilt, looked Seth in the eyes,
closed her eyes tightly. “Fine, I can get through a few
own without
on her brow. Fluttering her lashes, she opened
Seth’s hand gently caressing her face, fingers tangled in
in close. His voice was a low, husky whisper, “Did you hurt
to avoid seeing me?”
away from his intense gaze, but
her back, fingers gently stroking her hair.
with another man?”
stung Cicely like needles to her heart. “Didn’t you
I’m fully recovered? Or
this? If we broke up, of course, I’d be
am I supposed to
lofty ambitions, nor the desire to be a
I want to date, to
to have a complete home as a
and it’s also my father’s greatest wish.
There’s not much I
if not
Your questions are pointless.”
spoke seemed to darken Seth’s expression
marry, to
on her hair.
me? How can you love me,
last words out as if they left a bitter
his mouth.
a chill run down her
purpose,” Seth warned, his forehead pressed
his voice laced with restrained anger. “Did you
to upset
Intentionally…
seconds for the implication to hit Cicely, and
you mean
finish her denial, Seth’s
even close her eyes, completely taken aback by
move from this man.
moment, his chiseled face hovered just
dark eyes locked on hers in a silent exchange. As their
of him stopping the passionate kiss. Instead,
intensity that left
push him away,
pinned them above her head. She could feel the firmness
the heat of him
his kisses, yet she couldn’t
bed, under the weight of his desire and the fervor of
in the hospital
her attempt to
all over again, with no
the two continued
She found
just hoping he would
other plans,
undo the buttons of her blouse
her earlobe. Almost
against his shoulders.
softly, she found herself lost in his dark,
a beat. She tried to avert her gaze, but he forced her to
and husky, carrying a rasp she’d never
yourself suffer,” he stared intensely at her. “You
to this. To say you’re heartless is not
how to play with people’s
the heartache, intensifying his
another man. When it came
one could surpass
I the master of hearts? Have I
such a foolish
wait even a fortnight to
in these
of your
“Cicely.”
cut through her words. His dark eyes
flushed face, his fingers gently caressing her soft skin. As she met
again, slowly: “Let’s get
what seemed an eternity, she managed to ask, “What
say?”
smile, straightened up, and withdrew his hand. “Because
me. You’re using this method to escape,
might use the same method to hurt yourself. If we get married,
have these
a
thoughts?”
This decision was impulsive, and I might
your answer now.
what sparked this impulse? Pity? Guilt for your recent actions?
towards me?”
of the above,
“Marriage is a serious
full responsibility
immediately, pondering as he
panicked, “Don’t tell me
not be the best thing for
you trying to make
silent battle of wills culminating in
proposing. Your ‘yes’ is
the future; I only know what I want now.
this lightly, and you don’t need
if you loved me; promises seem
end, promises were the most ironic and worthless of things.
“So you’re on board then,” Seth concluded,
topic.
and clear,
nodded, studying her for a moment before
“You remember my cell
that up
she might have the air of a pampered heiress, her memory was
chose to remember. And
one of them.
Enter title…
any other guys or things that shouldn’t be
an eyebrow, “Not much to
for
you, but just this once. I won’t accept you
get yourself to
way? What, am I a
he murmured, almost absently,
softly against her cheek.
than before. Even though both of her feet were
was no happier
that once only existed
was about
one to bring it up first.
she’d expected it would be
thought you are
paused before shaking her head. “When
young; by the book, we can’t register for
Do you want to handle it, or should I have my
step in?”
said coolly. He was the one
would arrange the
“So when can we?”
“After your injuries heal.”
then reached into the nightstand drawer
herself up against the headboard. “To
better sign a contract.”
open the notebook. It
it to Seth.
Mr. Seth proposed to Miss Cicely, who has accepted.
to get a marriage certificate as soon as her injuries are healed.
backing out.” She then signed her name
right corner.
at his lips, “It’s just a
promise; I won’t back
hand, “No, we can’t be
your name is
mind at ease.”
her, Seth’s hand flew across
signature behind her own.
put the notebook
*
Seth went straight to
did you say?” Creighton couldn’t
“She’s agreed.”
“You’re both
you afraid
twilight outside the window.
softly, “I’m afraid. That’s why
away.”
at him for a long while, “What are
his hand twitching at his
“Do you love her?”
Seth to speak up, “if we
she’ll find another man, fall in love, get married,
twisted into a smirk, “Yes. No matter
she still needs a man to
rely on. Especially Cicely, she’s never positioned
or independent. If not you, then someone
She might act like she does
listens to me.”
lips were
her words hit a
she can’t be with any other man, no matter
laughed. Two questions and non-answers,
cleared Creighton’s own
knew what he was
*
over twenty days for Cicely’s legs to heal completely, but
marriage certificate ten days earlier.
until she reached the legal
all, a wedding was a public event;
to talk about.
marriage, life hadn’t changed
home for
couldn’t be anything less than grand. He didn’t plan
apartment.
Cicely’s Mansion
Seth declined without hesitation.
to school and usually picked
up, in which case he’d have Charlie do
her up, so seeing Seth in the driver’s seat
your busy
not everything needs to be done today,” Seth
her buckle
pulled away.
we’ve been married three months now. How long are we going
three
any longer.
eyes flickered as he turned to look
eighteen. I don’t like
seemed innocent enough, but
cheeks
a soft laugh escape
“What’s so funny!”
she
laugh, he always
Unfair.
they drove on, Cicely soon realized they weren’t heading
are we not heading back to
her voice tinged with a mix of curiosity and
see when we get
out for a fancy
artisanal
more and more familiar to
gates of Cicely’s Mansion that
“What are we
out of the window.
silent, a mysterious smile playing on his
of Cicely’s Mansion but
gentle halt on a vacant lot nearby.Seth opened the car door for her,
of the car. As she looked at the desolate land in front of
“Why here?”
as he leaned against the
a sense of ownership. “I
simply.
Cicely’s eyes swept across the vast
smooth gesture, Seth drew her close, and his
His gaze dropped
her cheek.
Enter title…
home,” he murmured, his voice a low rumble that danced in
ears.
looked
concealed delight. But then, a shadow
when is this going
traced the curve of her delicate waist,
years,” he promised, his voice as firm as his grip. “After the
from the Ellis clan and bring you
touched, his words a gentle caress,
sparkled with emotion, struck
the Ellis family to our
this place? You didn’t need to
is right
acknowledged, his eyes lingering on her
gently stroked her soft skin. “It’s for those times when
off. It would be quite the workout, and if you go too far, you’d get
to go through a lot of
and pushed him away
and you’re already
scenarios?”
never get mad at me?” Seth raised an eyebrow,
can’t guarantee I won’t
to declare she wouldn’t, but
find me that annoying?”
“If you stay next door, I can find you easily. If
for you.
you rather spend it
her brows, pondering for a moment. The
with the smiling eyes of Seth, but she
it.
make it
was mad enough to leave
that would be more than just a
the moment I see you, I’d still give
make things right.” After all, she loved him too
enough to part ways.
to finish speaking, his eyes still crinkled
say that now, but what if I don’t treat finding you
on?”
you better not let
her smooth cheek, his gaze deep and thoughtful.
I’ll take back what
an eyebrow, not used to seeing Seth this tender. She
his neck and nestled into
close, his posture accommodating her
embrace.
the affection, Cicely rested her head on Seth’s
to her house next door. After a moment of silence,
to come over to
wash filled
his,
nose brushing against her
delicate fragrance.
what it means to invite a man
turned a shade pinker. “I… I don’t
her ears. “Is that so?Cicely’s “I don’t know” was met with Seth’s
approached the villa’s grand entrance, Cicely lowered her
tapped in a few digits
arm encircling her waist as
from above her head.
“020727, and then?”
over the
before he asked in a
Cicely nodded.
Enter title…
into a half-smile as he entered the remaining
91227
for a brief moment, then
lock disengaging echoed through the
to look at him, “How did you
of answering, Seth gently pushed her into the house,
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