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.
fall for Cicely, not Millie’s daughter. You just can’t! Do you
hysteria, her body language screaming of
control slipping away.
he rose to his feet. Patty, her elegant
her head in
it always her? Why can’t I ever
shadow?!”
the office had grown too loud,
worst, rushed in only to find Patty in the
and the onlookers scurried
with
Patty’s shoulders, trying to
a canvas of
Seth? Be a good boy, and listen to your
for her daughter. Isn’t Danielle good enough?
Ellis family’s eye, and
any other girl, any girl at all, just not her.”An hour
brought Patty’s private physician,
down. Patty was now resting in the break
recent
this. What
Seth’s expression was icy.
wasn’t talking and looked rather pallid,
“Please do not upset her again,
been doing so well with
Enter title…
the break room, silently watching Patty’s
thought for a
to
from Patty, remained silent for a few
spoke softly, “I understand.”
walked to his desk, pulled open a drawer, and
lit it and then picked up
window.
office was silent. The figure by the window stood rigid as if rooted to
faint wisp of smoke rose from
vanished into the air.
for a while, pausing
cigarette was down to the butt, he turned and stubbed
the desk. Once again he looked at
it.
subsided. When she woke up in
appeared to be
Creighton had joined her for breakfast,
they felt much relieved.
Got everything you need? If you don’t feel up to
someone prepare everything for you,” Creighton
a moment, “Clothes, shoes?
later, and pick out some nice pens
hadn’t really visited a stationery
can go with
of porridge, pausing briefly
then nodded
upstairs to change. While she was halfway
It was Seth
she
“Hello?”
hadn’t expected her to answer so quickly, and
prolonged silence.
number or what?”
indeed him.
Seth to speak,
asleep.”
“So you decided to bother me while I was
sleeping?”
you hadn’t answered, I wouldn’t have
frowned, “What are
your fever gone?
was I supposed to keep burning
pause from the other end, “And
time, Cicely didn’t respond right away. Silence fell
first, “Seth, what do you really want
Do I
scrape heal completely in
to argue,
take care and we’ll talk
suddenly froze, her grip tightening on the phone.
said “Okay”
only wearing jeans; her T-shirt lay beside her
her
yet they were still uncertain. She wanted
but anxiety held her back. She
answer she least wanted to
the bed for several minutes until there was
visitor downstairs. Mr. Creighton wants you to come
no reply, “Miss? Are
swung open, and
any visitor have to do
maid just
Cicely descended the stairs.
a young, handsome man whose appearance
suggested that he was no
her, he stood up, a slight forced
I manage The Watson Hotel. I’m terribly
that
from the hotel coming to
She gave a wry smile, approached him,
face across from her,
of The Watson Hotel? You
to run
stepped back a half-step, maintaining
to my father’s influence.”
as it clicked, “Ah, so you’re the son of
That explains it.”
nodded, acknowledging her
I felt
in person. How can we make amends to
tilted her head, pretending to
smile, “Do you have a
smiled lightly and
chin up and said
about you keeping me company
worried
you from accompanying
or to me?”
“I do not
apologies.”
raised an eyebrow, “Alright then. You’re coming shopping with
in at just the right
Who’d want to cross the
personally opened the car door
step aside, taking
like disinfectant,”
about that.” Without further
they drove away from the Ellis family estate,
two strangers. Claud broke the silence,
heard from your dad that your
the seatback, watching the sycamore leaves
got a call
story behind
not too familiar with P City, so do you have a specific
today?”
hit the
her, “What
that
“No problem.”
for a while longer until
stop at
“Sure.”
smartphone model and got herself a
took out her old phone, “Trade
nearly
“Sure.”
quietly, offering no comment. He’d
woman on a shopping spree would be the
to
and out of the stationery store
few pens and notebooks.
need a break. Let’s sit
a coffee shop stop and a restaurant meal, they had
minutes buying a phone, another ten in the
the rest of the day spent
mission based
through the mall for three
mood was souring by the
*
and
with endless
their managed celebrities starting to
pressure from other shareholders eager to dump them before
producers were
push Ray’s family to
three days, Ray’s family were forced to
those scripts, but no one was
didn’t expect all the highquality scripts to be snapped up
news caused widespread confusion. Who was this new player?
name on the screen, couldn’t
Who indeed?
been orchestrated by him, and now, there was no way
leave any
She knew he had intentions in the film
to actually pull off starting a company and securing topnotch
the ins and
lucrative. High quality, solid teams,
success was
action, it was obvious he wouldn’t
unless it was of significant importance. He had
firm foothold in the industry –
what she admired in a
the morning, Claud arrived at the Ellis family
day was stationery
second day, malls and
the third day, Claud asked directly, “Which mall
let’s skip the mall today. I’m sick
I’ve never been
her feet, “You sure you want
“Absolutely.”
four in the afternoon, Claud was carrying Cicely back to the
butler
happened?”
the household gathered in the living
met Seth’s for a brief moment, the intensity in the other
unforgettable.
“What’s going on…
thing after another lately.
expression, said tersely, “She hurt her foot
and refused to go
was a moment of silence before Creighton acted, ordering Brody
doctor.
right, upstairs. If you think you can handle
longer.” Cicely, who had
suddenly spoke up.
to approach,
look and carried
on the bed, Claud dusted off his
“That’s enough. I accept your
staring at her before suddenly lifting the hem of
back, “What
a glimpse of blood seeping out from the edge of her sock
at her and asked, “Do you
in, and Cicely’s eyes caught the
her
pulled his hand back, casually grabbing a wet wipe from the
beside Cicely’s bed.
nonchalance, and said, “Hey,
to the amusement park. You got hurt on my watch,
doesn’t seem right.”
here is done,”
his gaze dropping to meet hers as a faint
on a
without an
at him, a hint of surprise flickering
a quirk of his eyebrow, Claude’s eyes briefly darted to her feet
closer, tossing the wet wipe aside. “Let me
reaching
make contact, another hand intercepted. Claud lifted
to meet Seth’s
from here,” Seth said coolly. “It’s the least I can do,” Claude
gaze narrowing slightly at the scene before him.
that you’re obliged
withdrew his hand and
me to
him a sidelong glance, her tone laced with impatience. “Aren’t
I am right now? Just
standing there.”
as they rested on her, a sure sign of
concern.
Enter title…
shadow pass over his features,
mixture of anger and
thick hostility rolling off Seth, Claud averted his gaze. “Since
me, I can’t have you fretting any longer. I’ll
my number. Call me
absently, her mind clearly elsewhere, coping
foot that threatened
response seemed to carry a
pursed his lips tightly, silently sitting on the edge of the
then shifted his gaze to her
Cicely flinched.
for her leg, his grip firm despite
tighten and eventually allowed
pants, and slide off
just one sock revealed a foot that was starkly pale
her heel, with blood matted and flesh raw. The fabric
eyes well up with tears from the sheer
did you manage to do this to
the pain at the
lifted his gaze, looking at
a cry, “Dad, my foot hurts,
me. Soon my whole
shoe. He
word.
family doctor, practically dragged in by Isaac, wore a look
“My lady, aren’t you the one who hates pain the most?
notice such severe abrasions?” As he spoke, he opened
finding antiseptic
No need to show up
the doctor added.
of the antiseptic bottle in his hand,
stay away from
know you don’t like me. If you
hurt again.” He turned, with tweezers and cotton
hand.
tried to pull her foot back, but
“Do you think
her vulnerability
doctor,
her.”
pain!” Cicely’s face turned
the medicine.”
help, but he
solve anything.
bear it for a moment,” he said before
“Dad! It hurts!”
the ordeal of dressing the wound, the doctor, his
at the sobbing girl on the bed and shook
to get it wet; otherwise, the infection will be
You can’t take any more.” he
his arms, supporting her with bent legs.
he lifted the blanket and gently placed her back down. Her
glistened with sweat on her forehead and
red, and her hair damp at
crying?” Seth’s cold demeanor
him, her voice tinged with frustration and
done for, and you’re telling me I
done for? Usually, you make a
around like
time
was muffled as she
kinda fun.”
stared intensely
quilt and slipped beneath it. “I’m fine for now. You can
Enter title…
move from her
for a moment, his eyes landed on the smartphone
different from what
up, noting that she hadn’t bothered to set a
two contacts in
Issac. The
was a call history with the Ellis family’s landline
of emotion, Seth blocked and
be able to call in, nor
his head to look
He dialed his own number from her phone and
number to
it yourself? You’ve
knitting together.
how,” Seth stated firmly, leaving no
phone from him, a mix of irritation
“Are you
gaze fixed on the phone
saved his number.
contacts?” Cicely’s voice was cold
me admitting it?” Seth’s tone was equally
a soft chuckle escaping her. “I guess I want to
you’d delete my contacts.”
deep breath, resignation in her voice. “Never mind, I don’t
now? These next few days,
hell for me, so I don’t want to see you. Even
your hands full with your victories, so I
and I’d
watched her quietly as she finished speaking. Her
held an undeniable beauty and
me for a few weeks,
alone, or do you need someone else to
His voice was devoid of
his stoic, handsome face. Her
in her chest, threatening to
eyes.
these years, a few weeks shouldn’t
who I want to be with. As long as it’s not you,
Right?”
to conceal untold
passing through them, subtle as the ripple of
in the
you want Claud to keep you
days,”
didn’t deny it. “Can we not talk
was suddenly sharp and cold, “are
with me?”
smile. “I
you’re thinking of breaking up, you can’t
a matter of principle.”
them, heavy
Cicely clenched the quilt, looked Seth in the eyes, and after a moment
“Fine, I can get
without anyone’s
touch landed on her brow. Fluttering her lashes, she opened
caressing her face,
His voice was a low, husky whisper, “Did you hurt yourself
to avoid seeing me?”
eyes flickered, trying to turn away from his intense
back, fingers gently stroking her hair.
with another man?”
like
wait until I’m fully recovered?
we broke up, of
I supposed to stay
don’t have lofty ambitions, nor the desire to
I certainly don’t want to be alone. I want to date, to marry, to have
a complete home as a dependable refuge for the
and it’s also my
much
So if not
Your questions are pointless.”
spoke seemed to darken
date, to marry, to have children… Each word tightened his
on her hair.
can you love me,
spat the last words out as if they left a bitter taste
his mouth.
felt a chill
Seth
with restrained anger. “Did
to
Intentionally…
the implication to hit Cicely, and her eyes widened
“What do you mean
her denial, Seth’s lips captured hers in a
Cicely didn’t even close her eyes,
move from this man.
the moment, his
locked on hers in a silent exchange. As their gazes met, there
stopping the passionate kiss.
intensity that left
to her senses, tried to push him away, but
above her head. She
the heat of him seeping through the blankets. She
yet she couldn’t claim to be familiar
bed, under the weight of his desire and
encounter in the hospital that had her heart
thought. Perhaps it was her
to start all over again, with no
two continued to rise, and
kisses. She found herself pressed into the bed,
would stop at an appropriate
plans, trailing down to her
to undo the buttons of her blouse and
her earlobe. Almost
against his shoulders.
she found herself lost in his dark,
avert her gaze, but he forced
a rasp she’d never
intensely at her. “You did it on
subjecting yourself to this. To say you’re
knows how
double the heartache, intensifying his guilt,
about her future plans with another man. When it came
one could surpass
she retorted, “Am I the master of hearts? Have I captured yours?
I wouldn’t choose such a foolish way.
even a fortnight to confront me
in these next few
of your
“Cicely.”
His dark eyes continued to study
flushed face, his fingers gently caressing her soft skin. As
again, slowly: “Let’s get
what seemed an eternity, she managed to ask, “What
say?”
slight smile, straightened up, and
You’re using this method to
method to hurt
have these
clung to a thread of reason,
thoughts?”
impulsive, and I might
your answer now. Will you
Pity? Guilt for your recent actions? Or
towards me?”
above, would
moment, “Marriage is a
you take full responsibility
immediately, pondering as
me you’re already regretting
married to me might not be the best
you trying to make me
watched her, their silent battle of wills culminating in his
proposing. Your ‘yes’ is
the future; I only know what I want
say this lightly, and you don’t
you loved
were the most ironic
steeped in irony. “So you’re on board then,” Seth concluded, clearly not keen on belaboring
topic.
firm and clear, “Yes,
a moment before suddenly reaching
“You remember my
bring that up all of
the air of a pampered heiress, her memory was
chose to remember. And Seth’s
one of them.
Enter title…
things that shouldn’t
eyebrow, “Not much
her chin for a
once. I won’t
yourself
I a porcelain
he murmured, almost absently, as his hand
softly against her cheek.
was far lighter than before. Even though both of
there was
once only
hypothetically, was about to become
would be the one to bring it up first. Even
it
are feeling unwell? Not
head. “When
book,
the books. Do you want to handle it, or should I have my
step in?”
care of it,” Seth said coolly.
arrange
“So when can we?”
“After your injuries heal.”
paused, then reached into the nightstand drawer
herself up against the headboard. “To prevent
better sign a contract.”
she flipped open the notebook. It
it to Seth.
date, Mr. Seth proposed to Miss Cicely, who has accepted.
marriage certificate as soon
hold, no backing out.” She then signed her name in the
right corner.
at the writing, a smirk tugging at his lips, “It’s just a few days.
a promise; I won’t back
into his hand, “No, we can’t
your name is nothing to you, but it will
mind at ease.”
her, Seth’s hand flew across the page,
signature behind her own.
satisfied and put the notebook
*
asleep, Seth went
say?” Creighton
“She’s agreed.”
a deep breath, “You’re both young, haven’t been through
afraid of having
eyes reflected the fading twilight outside the window. After
spoke softly, “I’m afraid. That’s why we need to get married
away.”
him for a long while,
dropped, his hand
“Do you love her?”
finally prompted Seth to speak up, “if
another man, fall in love,
twisted into a smirk, “Yes. No
a woman is, she still needs a
she’s never positioned
then someone else.
help her look. She might act like she does what she wants, but
listens to me.”
were
then, her words hit
But she can’t be with
questions and
cleared Creighton’s
probably knew what
*
Cicely’s legs to heal
ten days
until she reached the legal age for
all, a wedding was a public event; they
to talk about.
life hadn’t
to prepare a home for
than grand. He didn’t plan to use his
apartment.
move into the Cicely’s
Seth declined without hesitation.
school and usually picked her up unless something
Charlie do it. Lately, it had been
Seth in the driver’s seat today was a
your
be
detachment as he watched her buckle up. He started
pulled away.
married three months now. How
had held her tongue for three months, but she
any longer.
eyes flickered as he turned to look at her, “You’re that eager
eighteen. I
but upon reflection, the implication
Cicely’s cheeks flushed deep
soft laugh escape
“What’s so funny!”
laugh was something she thought
did laugh, he always
Unfair.
they drove on, Cicely soon
we not heading back to
her voice tinged with a mix of
we get there,” came
her out for a fancy dinner, perhaps to one
artisanal dishes, but as they
familiar to her. It wasn’t until the
gates of Cicely’s
where they were. “What are we doing here?” she
out of the window.
mysterious smile playing on his lips. The
of Cicely’s Mansion but
nearby.Seth opened the
of the car. As she looked at the desolate land in front of
“Why here?”
as he leaned against
a sense of ownership.
simply.
swept across the
smooth gesture, Seth drew her close, and his arms encircled her
into his embrace. His gaze dropped to meet hers,
her cheek.
Enter title…
voice a low rumble
ears.
beat, and she looked
then, a shadow
this going to
of her
he promised, his voice as firm as his
the Ellis clan and bring
touched, his words a
with emotion, struck by
Ellis family
choose this place? You didn’t need to go through all this trouble
right
Seth acknowledged, his eyes lingering on
skin. “It’s for those times when you
be quite the workout, and if you go too far, you’d get
have to go through a lot of
furrowed her brow and pushed him away
already
scenarios?”
think you’ll never get mad
on his lips. “I can’t guarantee I
was about to declare she wouldn’t, but his words
find me that annoying?”
you stay next door, I can find
to spend more time looking for you. Do you want
would you rather spend it with
for a moment.
the smiling eyes of Seth, but
it.
course I wouldn’t make it
if you knew I was mad enough to
more than just
how long it takes, the moment I see you, I’d still
make things right.” After all, she
enough to part ways.
speaking, his
that now, but what if I don’t treat
on?”
paused. “Then you better not
smooth cheek, his
back
to seeing Seth this tender. She
and nestled into his chest. “I’ve heard it
held her close, his posture accommodating her in the
embrace.
her head on Seth’s shoulder, her
After a moment of silence, she made
to my place for
light, floral body wash
his, an innocent
nose
delicate fragrance.
means to invite a man over like
a shade
reached her ears. “Is that so?Cicely’s “I don’t
villa’s grand entrance, Cicely lowered
in the code. She’d barely tapped in
arm encircling her waist as his voice floated
from above her head.
“020727, and then?”
hovered over
out, pressing a “9” before he
Cicely nodded.
Enter title…
curved into a half-smile as he
91227
for a brief moment, then slowly pushed the
lock disengaging echoed through the
at him, “How did you
answering, Seth gently pushed her into the house, swung the
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