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 daughter. You just can’t!
pitched into hysteria, her body
control slipping away.
furrowed in concern as he rose to his feet.
on the floor, clutched her head in her hands, her eyes blazing
always her? Why can’t
shadow?!”
the office had grown
to find Patty in the throes of near
coldly, and the
them with
Patty’s shoulders, trying to steady her, but she
her face a canvas of desperate
Seth? Be a good boy, and listen to your mother,
for her daughter. Isn’t Danielle good
the Ellis family’s eye, and she’s my best friend’s girl,
any other girl, any girl at all,
private physician, who administered a sedative to
calm down. Patty was now resting in the
in recent years, and you’ve
this. What
Seth’s expression was icy.
talking and looked rather pallid,
not upset her again, and don’t
been doing so well with
Enter title…
the break room, silently watching Patty’s
thought for a long
doctor called out to
remained silent for
spoke softly, “I understand.”
break room, Seth walked to his desk, pulled open a drawer,
He lit it and then picked
window.
figure by the window stood rigid as if rooted to
wisp of smoke rose
vanished into the air.
for a while, pausing midway before
down to the butt, he turned and stubbed it
the desk. Once again he looked at his phone,
it.
When she woke
to be
her for
they felt much relieved.
soon. Got everything you need? If you don’t feel up
prepare everything for
moment, “Clothes, shoes? Maybe I’ll pop by
out some
hadn’t really visited a stationery store in
go
of porridge,
suggestion, then
upstairs to
It
hesitation, she picked
“Hello?”
to answer so quickly, and for a moment, there was
prolonged silence.
wrong number or what?” Cicely glanced at the screen; it
indeed him.
took a moment for Seth to speak, his voice deep. “I thought
asleep.”
bother me
sleeping?”
you hadn’t answered, I
are you
your fever gone? You
to keep burning
pause from the other end, “And your foot? Is it
right away. Silence fell on Seth’s side as
what
I have some kind of rapid self-healing
completely in
valid point to argue,
take care and we’ll talk after
suddenly froze, her grip tightening on the phone.
simply said “Okay” and
lay beside her on
it over her head, then
to her, yet they were still uncertain.
her back. She feared that asking
she least wanted
for several minutes until there was a knock on
there’s a visitor downstairs. Mr. Creighton wants you to
reply, “Miss?
a moment, the bedroom door swung
any visitor have
just
Cicely descended the stairs.
living room sat a young, handsome man
that he was no
her, he stood up, a slight forced warmth in his otherwise
Cicely, I manage The Watson Hotel.
that caused you
was someone from the hotel coming
She gave a wry smile, approached
handsome face across
Watson Hotel? You
to run the
man casually stepped back a half-step, maintaining a
to my father’s influence.”
as it clicked, “Ah, so you’re the son of
That explains it.”
her assumption. “Though the
undone, I felt it
in person. How can we
to do?” Cicely tilted her head, pretending to ponder
smile, “Do
smiled lightly
tilted her chin up
in three days, so how about you keeping me
a beat, “Not worried
accompanying me?
or to me?”
held a hint of chill. “I do not
apologies.”
“Alright then. You’re coming shopping with me
the
it. Who’d want to cross the
personally opened the car door for
taking the
like disinfectant,”
that.” Without further ado, Claud
they drove away from the Ellis family estate, there wasn’t much
broke the silence, “You looked a
earlier. I heard from
leaned lazily against the seatback, watching
got a call I shouldn’t
to be a story behind those words,
too familiar with P City, so do you
today?”
hit the stationery
“What grade are you
Is that a
“No problem.”
in silence for a while longer until
a stop at a phone store
“Sure.”
latest smartphone model and
She then took out her old
nearly new phone, “We’ll
“Sure.”
quietly, offering
on a shopping spree would be
beside him seemed to
out of the stationery store in less than
few pens and notebooks.
a break.
shop stop and a
minutes buying a phone, another ten in the
the rest of the day spent at the coffee shop and
mission based on Cicely’s physical strength,
the mall for three hours
the
*
in showbiz, and the recent scandal had
with endless
managed celebrities starting to
from other shareholders eager to
producers were
to push Ray’s family to
forced to sell off their most
eye on those scripts, but no
the highquality scripts
widespread confusion. Who was this
on the screen, couldn’t
Who indeed?
and now, there was
leave any
was capable, alright. She knew he had intentions in the film
a company
about the ins and outs, she understood
highly lucrative. High quality, solid teams, and
was almost
it was obvious he
was of significant importance. He
in
was exactly what she admired in a
morning, Claud arrived at the Ellis
day was stationery
second day,
third day, Claud asked directly, “Which
skip the mall today. I’m sick of
never
glancing at her feet, “You sure you
“Absolutely.”
the afternoon, Claud was carrying
pallor alarmed the butler who opened the door. “Miss,
happened?”
in the living room, Claud entered carrying Cicely.
moment, the intensity
unforgettable.
going on… What now?” It seemed
thing after another lately.
expression, said tersely, “She hurt her foot at
refused to
before Creighton
doctor.
If you think you can handle it, I don’t
carrying me a bit longer.” Cicely, who had been
suddenly spoke up.
had just started to approach,
gave her a look and carried her upstairs, with
bed, Claud dusted off his impeccable
from her. “That’s enough. I
lingered, staring at her before suddenly lifting
back, “What
blood seeping out from the edge of her sock
her and asked, “Do you have a tendency
eyes caught the figure
her feet
hand back, casually grabbing a wet wipe from the
beside Cicely’s bed.
a nonchalance, and said, “Hey, it was me
got hurt on my watch, so
doesn’t seem right.”
is
paused, his gaze dropping to meet hers as a faint smile played
“Who says I’m here on a job? Can’t
without an
him, a hint
quirk of his eyebrow, Claude’s eyes briefly
closer, tossing the wet wipe aside. “Let me help
reaching out toward
contact, another
meet Seth’s indifferent
I’ll take it from here,” Seth said coolly. “It’s the least I
slightly at
you’re obliged
Claud withdrew his hand and turned
me to stick
glance, her tone laced with impatience. “Aren’t
than I am right now? Just go, you’re making
standing there.”
in Claud’s eyes changed as they rested on her, a
concern.
Enter title…
the exchange, felt a shadow pass over
with a mixture of anger and something
rolling off Seth, Claud averted his gaze.
me, I can’t have you fretting any longer.
my number. Call me
absently, her mind
in her foot that threatened to knock her unconscious.
her response seemed to
Seth pursed his lips tightly, silently sitting on
Cicely and then shifted his gaze to her
Cicely flinched.
her leg, his grip firm despite her
hand tighten and eventually allowed him
cuff of her pants,
one sock revealed a foot that was starkly pale
matted and flesh raw. The fabric sticking to
up with tears from
“How on earth did you
the pain
his gaze, looking at her with a detached
with a cry, “Dad,
Soon my whole body
methodically removed her other shoe. He held her
word.
family doctor, practically dragged in by Isaac, wore a look of
aren’t you the
such severe abrasions?” As he spoke, he opened the
finding antiseptic and bandages. “Isn’t school
wait it out. No need to show
the doctor added.
antiseptic bottle in his
away from
wryly. “I know you don’t like me. If you truly
let yourself get hurt again.” He turned, with tweezers
hand.
foot back, but Seth’s
with a stern face. “Do you
face was pale, her vulnerability
the doctor, his grasp on her foot tightening.
her.”
in pain!” Cicely’s face turned
medicine.” Seth
to Creighton for help, but he knew
solve anything.
moment,” he said before stepping out of the
“Dad! It hurts!”
ordeal of dressing the wound, the
sobbing girl on the bed and shook
it wet; otherwise, the infection will be more painful.
take any more.” he
in his arms, supporting her with bent legs. With
blanket and gently
pale, glistened with sweat on her forehead and the tip
her hair damp at
you are crying?” Seth’s cold demeanor softened somewhat at the
her voice tinged with
you’re telling me I
done for? Usually,
are running around like a madwoman for three
having the time of your
voice was muffled as
kinda fun.”
intensely
it. “I’m fine for
Enter title…
didn’t move
moment, his eyes
latest model, different from what he had seen her with
that she hadn’t
contacts in her address
Issac. The other,
was a call history with the Ellis family’s landline
emotion, Seth blocked and deleted Claud’s
able to call in,
he lowered his head
He dialed his own number from her phone
my number to
you do it yourself? You’ve
knitting together.
firmly, leaving no room for argument.
snatched the phone from him, a mix of irritation
“Are you looking for
silently, his gaze
saved his number.
my contacts?” Cicely’s voice was
point of me admitting it?” Seth’s tone was equally
her. “I guess I
you’d delete my contacts.”
her voice. “Never mind, I don’t
it. Can you leave now? These
I don’t want to see you. Even if
your hands full with your victories, so
and I’d appreciate the
her quietly as she finished speaking. Her pale,
held an undeniable beauty
don’t want to see me for a few weeks, and
or do you need someone else to
His voice was
in bed, Cicely stared at his stoic, handsome face. Her nose tingled,
in her chest, threatening to spill from
eyes.
these years, a few weeks shouldn’t matter. Seth, you don’t
yourself with who I want to be with. As
Right?”
seemed to conceal
through them, subtle as the
in the deep
you want Claud to keep you company? You seemed to enjoy his
days,” he
“Can we not talk
and cold,
with me?”
a weary smile. “I don’t want to talk
breaking up, you can’t get too
a matter of principle.”
them,
Seth in the eyes, and after a
tightly. “Fine, I can get
own without
landed on her brow. Fluttering her lashes, she opened
hand gently caressing her face, fingers
in close. His voice was a low, husky whisper, “Did you hurt
to avoid seeing me?”
to turn away from his intense gaze, but
gently stroking her hair.
with another man?”
‘broke up’ stung Cicely like needles to her
I’m fully recovered? Or
If we broke up,
am I supposed
have lofty ambitions, nor the desire to
I certainly don’t want to be alone. I want
a complete home as a dependable refuge for the rest of
my father’s greatest wish. I always have to
keep him worrying. There’s not much I can do for him, but
not you, it would definitely
Your questions are pointless.”
seemed to darken Seth’s
marry, to have children… Each word tightened
on her hair.
me? How can you love me, while getting married
the last words out as if they left a bitter
his mouth.
felt a chill run
me on purpose,” Seth warned, his forehead pressed
laced with restrained
just to upset
Intentionally…
few seconds for the implication to hit Cicely, and her eyes
“What do you mean intentionally?
denial, Seth’s lips captured hers in a deep,
her eyes, completely taken aback by the
move from this man.
warmth of the moment, his
in a silent exchange. As their gazes met,
passionate kiss.
intensity that left her
senses, tried to push him away, but he caught her
them above her head. She could feel
him seeping through the
stranger to his kisses, yet she couldn’t claim to be familiar
down on the bed, under the weight of his desire and the fervor
in the hospital that had her heart
mere thought. Perhaps it was her attempt to interrupt the
all over again, with no
two continued to rise,
under the kisses. She found herself pressed into the bed, in
just hoping he would stop at
plans,
to undo the buttons of her blouse and sending shivers down her
against her earlobe.
against his shoulders.
found herself lost in his dark, enigmatic
gaze, but he forced her to face him,
low and husky, carrying a rasp she’d
suffer,” he stared intensely at
to this. To say you’re heartless is not
the one who knows how
the heartache, intensifying his
about her future plans with another man. When
no one could
the master of hearts? Have
wouldn’t choose such a foolish way. You’re the smartest, and you
can’t wait even a fortnight to
these next few days if I
none of
“Cicely.”
her words. His dark eyes
face, his fingers gently caressing her soft skin.
he spoke again, slowly: “Let’s
seemed an eternity, she managed to ask, “What did
say?”
up, and withdrew
to leave me. You’re using this
the same method to hurt yourself. If we get
have these wild
a thread of reason, “Is it really just
thoughts?”
This decision was impulsive, and I might regret it in the next
now. Will you
sparked this impulse? Pity? Guilt for your recent
towards me?”
all of the above, would you refuse
“Marriage is a serious matter. If I
full
immediately, pondering as he gazed
tell me
married to me might not be the
you trying to make
watched her, their silent battle of wills culminating in his
‘yes’ is what
I
and you don’t need to make any
loved me; promises seem too
promises were the most
irony. “So you’re on board then,”
topic.
was firm and clear, “Yes, I
a moment before suddenly reaching out to
chin, “You remember my cell
up all of
might have the air of a pampered heiress,
she chose
one of them.
Enter title…
guys or things that shouldn’t be
eyebrow,
gently caressed her chin for a moment, “For the next
but just this once. I won’t accept you
get yourself to a
way? What, am I a
murmured, almost absently, as
softly against her cheek.
was far lighter than before. Even though both of
hell, Cicely felt there was no happier time than
that once only existed
was about to
he would be the one to bring it up
marriage, she’d expected it
are feeling unwell?
shaking her head. “When do we
by the book, we
do it off the books. Do you want to handle
step in?”
said coolly. He was the
would arrange the
“So when can we?”
“After your injuries heal.”
the
against the headboard. “To
better sign a contract.”
open the notebook. It wasn’t long
it to Seth.
Seth proposed to
certificate as soon as her
no backing out.” She then signed her
right corner.
at his lips,
a promise; I won’t back
hand, “No, we can’t
name is nothing to
mind at ease.”
across
signature behind her own.
was satisfied and put the
*
fell asleep, Seth went
Creighton couldn’t
“She’s agreed.”
breath, “You’re
afraid of having
twilight outside the
spoke softly, “I’m afraid. That’s why we need to get married
away.”
a long
gaze dropped, his hand twitching at his
“Do you love her?”
finally prompted Seth to speak up, “if
fall in
twisted into a smirk, “Yes. No matter how strong
is, she still needs a man to
Cicely, she’s
not you, then someone else. If she doesn’t
She might act like she does
listens to me.”
were
words hit
don’t know. But she can’t be
laughed. Two questions and
somehow cleared Creighton’s own
what he
*
days for Cicely’s legs to
certificate ten days
until she reached
public
to talk about.
marriage, life hadn’t
a home for their marriage. The mansion for the
be anything less than grand. He didn’t plan to
apartment.
Cicely’s Mansion he
Seth declined without hesitation.
her to school and usually picked
Charlie do it. Lately, it
Seth in the driver’s seat today was a pleasant
your busy
but not everything needs to be done today,” Seth replied, his
her buckle up. He
pulled away.
three months now. How long are
Cicely had held her tongue for three months, but she couldn’t
any longer.
look
eighteen. I don’t like leaving things
innocent enough, but upon reflection,
Cicely’s cheeks flushed deep
a soft
“What’s so funny!”
something she thought might
but when he did laugh, he always managed to
Unfair.
soon realized they weren’t heading where
“Why are we not heading back to
Cicely asked, her voice tinged with a mix
when we get
out for a fancy dinner, perhaps to one
served artisanal dishes,
became more and more familiar
wrought-iron gates
were. “What are we doing here?” she questioned,
out of the window.
remained silent, a mysterious smile playing on
grand entrance of Cicely’s Mansion but instead
nearby.Seth opened the car door for her, and Cicely, with a hint of confusion,
she looked at the desolate land in front of her, she
“Why here?”
a half-smile as
of ownership. “I bought this
simply.
swept across the vast property,
smooth gesture, Seth drew her close, and
into his embrace. His gaze dropped to meet hers, his breath
her cheek.
Enter title…
home,” he murmured, his voice a
ears.
heart skipped a beat, and she looked up at him,
delight. But then, a shadow of pragmatism crossed her
this going to
traced the curve of her delicate waist,
years,” he promised, his voice as firm as his
away from the Ellis clan and bring
words a gentle
eyes sparkled with emotion,
the Ellis family
need to go through
is right next
eyes lingering on her
for those times when you
It would be quite the workout, and if you go too far,
have to go through a
her brow and pushed him
living together and you’re already planning for fights
scenarios?”
mad at me?” Seth
“I can’t guarantee I won’t
to declare she wouldn’t, but his words gave her pause.
find me that annoying?”
you stay next door, I can
more time looking for you. Do you want
you rather spend it
for a moment.
of Seth, but
it.
course I wouldn’t make it easy for you. No matter
I was mad
me, that would be more than just a simple spat. As
it takes, the moment
After all, she loved him too much to
enough to part ways.
waited for her to finish speaking, his eyes still crinkled with
what if I don’t treat finding you as a priority
on?”
“Then you better not let
caressed her smooth cheek, his
take back what I said
to seeing Seth
neck and nestled into
posture accommodating her in
embrace.
her head
next door. After a moment of silence,
to come over to
her light, floral body wash
against his,
his head slightly, his nose
delicate fragrance.
know what it means to invite a man over like this?”
a shade pinker. “I… I don’t
ears. “Is that so?Cicely’s
approached the villa’s grand entrance, Cicely lowered
in the code. She’d barely tapped in
behind her, his arm encircling her waist as his voice floated
from above her head.
“020727, and then?”
over the keypad, curling
out, pressing a “9” before he asked in
Cicely nodded.
Enter title…
into a half-smile as he
91227
brief moment, then slowly pushed the enter button.
disengaging
turned to look at him, “How did
Seth gently pushed her into
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