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