The Enticing CEO’s Chosen Bride
Chapter 2041-2050
Before he returned, Seth had found Cicely’s words in the car utterly baseless
and irrational.
What had he said to her? He told her not to be too greedy, and not to be so
fussy. He accused her of sentencing him to death without cause, of making a
fuss over nothing.
When she said she could forgive him even if he fooled her just once, he told her
she was living a lie, and it was meaningless.
What else did he say? He mentioned he needed to think about whether he really
liked Danielle and that maybe he could give it a shot with her.
Enter title…
The memory of Cicely standing at the car door with that panicked and helpless
look in her eyes resurfaced in his mind. A bitter taste suddenly rose in his throat,
and as Issac clasped his collar tightly, Seth’s hands clenched into whiteknuckled fists at his sides.
She had given him so many chances, even waited for him to deceive her.d2
Seeing Seth’s stricken expression, Issac, regardless of his own raging anger,
realized he had to step out of their world. Issac let go, stepped back,
straightened his clothes, and left the bedroom.
The room fell silent.
Seth gazed at her for a long moment before slowly approaching her. “Why didn’t
you say anything?”
Cicely looked sideways at the slight gap left by the closet door not being
properly shut. “I guess I felt it would be too dramatic to say it out loud. Besides,
what’s done is done. Speaking about it won’t change anything. Why humiliate
myself further?” She threw his earlier words back at him.
“I’m sorry.”
A flicker passed through Cicely’s eyes as she slowly turned to meet his gaze.
“The last thing I wanted to hear was an apology because I really don’t want to
tell you it’s okay. It’s all so trivial, confirming indeed that you messed up, and it
doesn’t undo what’s happened.”
Seth watched her silently, as if waiting for her to vent all the pent-up resentment
in her heart.
Cicely took a deep breath, closed her eyes, and when she opened them again,
she looked at him with a faint laugh, “Am I being unreasonably stubborn again?
Are you always right, and everything I say is just adding to my mistakes?”
As she spoke, she glanced casually at the digital clock on the table, then
lowered her eyes, concealing the turmoil behind them, and spoke indifferently.
“I’m going downstairs to join Grandpa and Dad for New Year’s Eve.”
Seth stepped forward, “I’ll carry you down.”
Cicely turned her head away, her posture as she sat waiting for him to carry her
was notably stiff and unwelcoming.
Seth bent down, his long arm sweeping under the bend of her legs, his voice
low and dim as he spoke. “I didn’t go to the hospital.”
Cicely wrapped her arms around his neck to avoid falling. She didn’t respond.
Seth lifted her up and headed for the door, continuing, “Because I seriously
violated traffic laws.”
A sardonic smile played on Cicely’s lips. She had seen it all before.
“U-turning on the overpass, driving the wrong way, crossing the median. I got
detained, and had to pay a 200 dollar fine.”
Cicely’s brows twitched, and she looked up at him. “What are you trying to say?”
“Nothing much, just I deserved paying my fine for leaving you there.”
Cicely pulled a wry smile, “Don’t shift the blame to me. I’m not the one who
made you lose points or pay a fine.”
Seth cast a glance down at her, stopping by the stairwell wall to carefully set her
down.
Cicely frowned, looking at him with her injured foot raised. “Do you think now
that Issac is gone, you’re the only option I have to get downstairs?”
Seth grasped her waist and leaned in close, his back slightly bending to meet
her forehead, his voice carrying a hint of hurt as he reiterated, “I didn’t go to the
hospital.”
Cicely’s eyelids flickered slightly. She was once again struck by how deviously
manipulative this man could be. He was actually playing the victim and acting
hurt, and she was amazed he had it in him.
“Not going to the hospital is a regret? I never stopped you from the beginning,
so there’s no need to feel hurt with me, and you won’t gain anything.”
Seth’s grip tightened slightly, his voice deep and husky, “Do you really have to
play dumb with me?”
Cicely’s frown deepened, “While wasting time with me here, aren’t you afraid
Danielle might actually drop dead in the hospital without seeing you?”
Anger began to cloud Seth’s eyes, his emotions turning murky. “You don’t have
to say such nasty things.” His breath lowered, “That was not very wise to make
you into someone you are not because of her.”
Cicely chuckled lightly, “Perhaps the truth is harsh. What’s the point of living a
lie?”
Seth’s eyes darkened further, a flash of sharpness passing through, quickly
suppressed. “I shouldn’t have said those things in the car. I didn’t go to the
hospital, I never considered liking her, and I wasn’t really planning to try with
her. Stop using those words against me, okay? They were wrong. It’s my
mistake.”
His current attitude gave Cicely an illusion, that to continue arguing with him
seemed pointless. It made her feel even more like a petty, vindictive shrew.
But if he admitted he was wrong, did that mean the pain those words caused
could be completely erased?
She closed her eyes, pushing down the sadness in her heart.
Her slightly pursed lips were seized by his cool ones, gently probbing, “The
countdown is about to start. Even if you don’t forgive me, can we leave this
behind? Let’s welcome the new year together, okay?”
Leaving this in the past year and starting anew the next?
Cicely was carried downstairs by Seth, and both Erik and Creighton looked a bit
weary. It wasn’t common for people their age to stay up for New Year’s Eve, so it
must have been tough for them to hold out until now.
However, seeing Cicely seemed to invigorate them. “Let’s hurry, the countdown
is about to begin. Let’s go outside for the fireworks.”
The TV show was also gearing up for the New Year’s countdown.
Seth wrapped Cicely in a blanket and a warm down coat before carrying her
outside.
In the yard, Brody and a few men had already set up the fireworks, ready to be
ignited at the right moment.
The TV in the living room was turned up to the loudest volume, the thrilling voice
counting down second by second.
“Ten, nine, eight…”
“Five, four, three, two, one! Happy New Year!”
The final second ticked by, and the fireworks in the backyard ignited, shooting
into the sky with a cacophony of whistles and pops. They exploded in a dazzling
array of colors, painting the night with their brilliance.
Amidst the festive clamor, Cicely thought she heard Seth’s voice near her ear.
She paused, turning to look at him with a puzzled expression, “What did you just
say?”
Seth looked down at her, his dark eyes reflecting the colorful lights from the
distant fireworks.
A faint smile played on his lips, and the icy look in his eyes seemed to melt
away as he gazed intensely at her, then leaned down to gently peck her lips.
“Happy New Year.”
Cicely’s eyes flickered with a hint of subtle disappointment, but it was fleeting.
She looked back up at the sky and replied softly—
“Happy New Year.”
*
Happy New Year.
There was the new year, but joy seemed absent.
Cicely’s winter break was marred by a foot injury that set her back over twenty
days.
Even so, even after a spat they had on New Year’s Day, Seth, upon returning to
work from his holiday, still bombarded her with a flurry of company emails. He’s
determined as ever.
Bored at home, Cicely read a couple out of the ten emails and then spent her
time tucked in a corner of the living room, piecing together a castle from a set of
building blocks she’d bought.
Seth came home several times to check on her progress, and finding it wanting,
he went straight to Creighton with his complaints.
Creighton could hardly contain his bemusement as he pointed at her, and from
then on, he took it upon himself to supervise her. Even as she sat in the corner
building her castle, Creighton would drill her on the company’s history, the
famous projects they’d pushed forward, their progress, outcomes, and the
comprehensive reasons behind their inception.
Cicely’s head spun with the daily analysis. She chewed Seth out in her mind
while stacking blocks—a grown man, tattling, of all things.
Danielle’s condition was not dire. The checkup revealed minor issues but
nothing significantly worrisome, only a slight delay in her recovery.
Seth still visited her occasionally, accompanying her to the hospital when it was
time for her bandages to be changed. He even went so far as to bring in a
renowned rehabilitation specialist from abroad. The Ellis family also extended
their utmost support.
Whether Danielle was spurred by some unseen motivation, her cooperation with
the therapy was surprisingly zealous, and her recovery progressed remarkably.
After New Year’s Eve, Cicely stopped bringing up Danielle. It didn’t matter if
Seth visited the hospital, arranged for experts for Danielle, or ensured someone
was always there to watch over her. Sometimes, Seth wondered if he was
uncomfortable with a life too tranquil.
Cicely fought with him over Danielle, and he was dissatisfied. Now that she no
longer made a fuss, he was still displeased.
He felt Cicely did not really care about what he did. It’s like as long as he was
there in the end, she could tolerate anything he did. He did not like this feeling.
Once Cicely’s foot was nearly healed, Seth brought her back to his side. He
personally drove her to the office, ensuring she stayed within his sight, whether
she was playing or dozing off from boredom.
He had even set up a desk for her in his office at Diaz International, right next to
his own. Her desk was smaller, a bit shorter than his, and whenever he brought
her there, her petite figure seated beside him exuded an air of endearing
obedience that he found quite pleasing.
Aside from work, she took an interest in almost anything. Her desk soon
became cluttered with little trinkets, including some on his desk—everything she
deemed unsightly was replaced with items she favored. He let her be.
The progress on their wedding home was on track for completion in two months.
Wedding planners had begun to consult with Cicely on the details, and she
spent her days in front of the computer in discussion. Every now and then, she
sought Seth’s opinion, which he occasionally provided with superficial
consideration. Eventually, Cicely found his advice lacking and stopped asking.
The venue was set in P City’s largest church, a testament to the Ellis family’s
penchant for indulging their loved ones. The church was funded and built by the
Ellis family over a decade ago, as a gesture of goodwill and safety for their
daughter who had married abroad.
The hotel was the most luxurious one in P City.
Just the selection of these two sites had made Cicely’s wedding preparations
the talk of the town, with everyone eagerly anticipating the event.
Cicely had become quite the busy bee, taking on some of the Ellis Group’s less
crucial matters since Seth had oddly entrusted her with them.
Though reluctant, she had picked up a few things, and she was getting to know
the company’s leadership quite well.
But life in the Ellis Group always came with its share of troubles, so she
preferred spending her time at Diaz International. Lounging idly there was
easier, as there was no need for her to get involved in company affairs.
Seth never hid anything from her. So, when she overheard Seth mentioning a
software project that had been in preparation since last year, requiring a
substantial investment and loan arrangements with the bank, curiosity got the
better of her. “What kind of software development requires such a huge sum?
What field is it in, and are you confident about it?”
Seth replied coolly, “Sixty percent confident.”
Developing the software was one thing, and market adaptability was another. If
it couldn’t seamlessly integrate into the market, failure was the only path that
awaited him.
Cicely frowned, clearly puzzled. “The Ellis Group has been dragging on that
mechanical construction project until now, and you know my dad has been
holding onto it for you. You pass up a project that’s practically handing money to
you to chase a new development you’re not entirely sure of. Two years of
preparation, and you’re only sixty percent confident now.”
“You want to prove yourself, to claim your dignity, not to play second fiddle to the
Ellis family. C&P has already succeeded, and now you’re the one calling the
shots at the Ellis Group , with notable results. Now who would dare to speak ill
of you? People are falling over themselves to get in with the Ellis Group . So
why does it seem like you’re the only one running in the opposite direction?”
Seth’s face was stern, his voice low and serious, “I’m not avoiding the Ellis
family. This project was something I intended to pursue from the start,
regardless of whether the Ellis family extended an olive branch or not.”
Cicely took a deep breath, “But what if it fails? What will become of Diaz
International? Seth, why not let Diaz International take shelter under the Ellis
Group’s wing? They can invest in your development project.”
Seth pinched the bridge of his nose, clearly irritated by Cicely’s suggestion, “I
don’t need it. If I truly fail, then the Ellis Group can consider taking over Diaz
International without any resistance.” To acquire a shell of a company would be
a piece of cake, wouldn’t it?
“Even if the Ellis Group did take over Diaz International, it would be for the good
of Diaz International.”
Seth inhaled deeply, “Let’s not talk about this anymore. Aren’t you busy planning
a wedding? That should be more important to you right now.”Cicely watched as Diaz International began to buzz with activity. The newly
established Engineering Department was already in full swing with a senior
engineer at the helm. It was apparent that Seth had been planning for this
moment for years, with a team ready to hit the ground running.
She knew that the best way she could support him was to stand back and let
him take the reins, even though she wished she could do more to help.
Opportunities for her to get involved were just scarce.
On a quiet afternoon, Cicely took a stroll through the Engineering Department,
where the team—dressed in their plaid shirts and casual blazers—worked
diligently. They were the epitome of understated brilliance, their fingers dancing
Enter title…
across keyboards as screens filled with cryptic code that Cicely couldn’t begin to
decipher.
Her impending marriage to the head honcho of Diaz International was no secret
in P City, so her presence in the department went largely unremarked. The
place was abuzz with rumors of her being a pampered lady, hardly a tech wiz,
making the complex code on screen all the more alien to her.
The department manager, Camden, a tall and lean man sporting a slick suit and
a confident air, made sure to greet her with a touch of charm. His humor and wit
were a breath of fresh air in the otherwise grave environment, making him the
darling of the coding engineers.
“Ms. Cicely, here for an inspection, are we?” Camden quipped with a grin, as
Cicely casually scanned the rows of computers, humming thoughtfully.d2
“Do you have any instructions for us, Ms. Cicely?” Camden asked, following her
gaze to the screens full of incomprehensible code.
Cicely glanced at him and then at a nearby workstation. “How are other people,
like me, supposed to make sense of all this code?” she inquired.
With a knowing smile, Camden nodded to the engineer at the desk, “Show our
future Mrs. Diaz what we can do.”
The engineer swiftly switched screens and within moments, following a flurry of
keystrokes and one final resounding press of the Enter key, a simple animation
graced the monitor. A white kitten, lollipop in paw, bounced across the screen
under the twinkling words “Wishing Mr. Diaz and Mrs. Diaz a lifetime of
happiness.” The animation was simple, but the speed with which it was created
impressed Cicely
“The code may be difficult to understand, but the result is clear enough,”
Camden remarked with a smile.
Cicely nodded, genuinely impressed. “You guys really are quite something.”
“Thank you for the compliment, ma’am.” Camden replied.
After Cicely left the department, she immediately started Googling introductory
courses in engineering.
Later, Seth returned from a meeting to find Cicely squinting at her computer
screen with such intensity, he teased, “Planning on going blind?”
Cicely shot him a sidelong glance and continued her focus on the screen.
“Meeting over, huh?” she replied nonchalantly, eliciting a frown from Seth who
took a glimpse at her screen and saw the C programming language. “Why are
you looking at this?” he asked, puzzled.
Cicely replied with newfound interest, “It’s fascinating. I visited the Engineering
Department today, and they whipped up an animation for me in minutes. It
seemed magical.”
Seth chuckled, “You won’t get it. You might as well give up.”
Cicely glared at him but didn’t persist, although she wasn’t ready to give up just
yet. A few days of learning and the novelty could wear off, but she wasn’t about
to guarantee anything to Seth.
To Seth’s surprise, Cicely’s persistence outlasted his expectations. For a week
straight, she devoted herself to mastering C programming language, bringing
her books to the office and frequently visiting the Engineering Department. She
was scarcely seen except for lunch and at the end of the day.
Her casual approach to college, where she was known as the little princess of P
City, seemed to work in her favor as no one expected her to fail. The campus
had become more of a hobby, with occasional visits to maintain appearances.
During one of those visits, Joel struck up a conversation about coding, and
Cicely, now with a bit of coding knowledge and confidence, admitted she was
studying it too. Joel invited her to join a club at school run by a senior who was a
programming whiz.
[Does he have the patience for it?] she typed back to him, aware of the slight
irritation she had been causing at the Engineering Department.
[Of course, and you’ve got me, right?] Joel assured her.
[Fine, I’ll check it out tomorrow,] Cicely agreed with a sigh.
…
The next day, Camden and a few engineers couldn’t help but suppress their
excitement when they realized Cicely wasn’t accompanying Seth to work.
Camden cautiously asked Seth about her whereabouts.
“She’s at school,” Seth replied casually, and Camden’s mood lifted slightly.
Perhaps having Mrs. Diaz around wasn’t so bad after all—it meant no overtime
work for them.
Without hesitation, Cicely joined the club Joel had mentioned. It turned out Joel
had learned more than she had, and he patiently tutored her through the basics.
Before the after-school club wrapped up, Joel casually handed Cicely a USB
drive, given her noticeable dedication to studying these past few days, he
couldn’t resist asking:
“Why are you suddenly interested in coding?”
Cicely toyed with the drive in her hand, replying nonchalantly, “Just seems cool
and interesting. Seth’s working on a new project, and I figured I might be able to
help him out if I learn a bit.”
Joel’s eyes darkened slightly, then he let out a resigned sigh, “Since it’s software
development, it’s probably all advanced code. We’re talking a good three to five
years before we’re at that level.”
Cicely didn’t seem bothered, “Knowing a little is better than nothing. At least I’ll
understand what they’re talking about.”
After thinking for a moment, Joel nodded in agreement.
Suddenly, Cicely lifted the USB drive, “What’s this for?”
Joel then remembered, “Well, that’s got a program I developed with a friend.”
Cicely uttered an acknowledgement, about to plug the drive into a computer,
“Let’s see what it’s about.”
Joel quickly restrained her wrist, “Wait a second.”
“What’s up?”
Joel explained, “It’s a blank drive. The program code is embedded within. It’s a
virus. You can’t see it.”
Cicely’s mouth hung open in surprise, “A virus? So what happens when you
plug it into a computer? Does it just die?”
He nodded and then shook his head, “The drive has a huge capacity. Once you
plug it in, it’ll automatically back up all the stored files on the computer at
lightning speed. Once it’s done copying, the computer will crash.”
Cicely looked repulsed, “Then how do you use it? Even if you copy the files,
what will hold them for extraction?”
This seemed to be Joel’s pride and joy. The usually modest and polite boy now
displayed an unmistakable air of satisfaction. “The ‘virus’ will only spread to one
computer. On the second machine, it acts like a normal USB drive, but the files
are hidden and need to be cracked to show up.”
Cicely found this intriguing, “Is this to prevent corporate espionage?”
“That’s the idea if you have a specific target.”
Cicely shook her head, “Sounds complicated. Where’s the decryption code?”
Joel shook his head, “Still working on it. It needs time.”
“So why give it to me? It’s useless to me right now.”
“I wanted you to have a piece of my achievement, as a keepsake.”
Cicely raised an eyebrow and slipped the drive into her bag. “Make sure to send
me the cracked version when it’s ready.”
“Of course.”
*
Dusk had settled. The two chatted as they made their way toward the school
gates. “Did you arrange a ride? I can drive you home if not.”
“No, it’s fine. Seth said he’d pick me up.” Cicely hadn’t finished her sentence
when someone bumped into her shoulder, causing her bag to fall and her to
stagger, but Joel quickly steadied her.
“Sorry.” The person mumbled an apology. Cicely wasn’t one to hold a grudge,
but before she could regain her balance, Joel stepped in front of her,
protectively moving her behind him.
Cicely, puzzled, peeked around and saw Ray, whom she hadn’t seen in a while.
Ray seemed to recognize them too. His gaze lingered on Cicely before he let
out a sardonic laugh, “Ms. Cicely, aside from everything else,
there is something destined between us, right?”
Ray looked haggard, the once polished young guy now appeared disheveled.
His long hair was carelessly styled, and his chin sported a patch of stubble. His
clothes were wrinkled. It was clear he was trying to maintain his image, but the
effort only made his disarray more evident.
Although Cicely was almost raped by him, given the whole story and what lay
behind it, she actually felt Ray had been dealt a raw deal.
With his penis ruined and hiss family fortune lost, Ray’s current state evoked a
twinge of pity from Cicely.
“Mr. Ray, I assume there’s nothing else?” Joel interrupted, wary of Ray’s attempt
to converse with Cicely.
Ray’s laugh held a hint of scorn, “No. The Ellis family’s darling is loved by all, I
hear. You’re getting married in a month, I guess congratulations are in order.”
Without waiting for a response, he turned and walked towards the school
entrance.
As they watched Ray disappear into the distance, Joel finally relaxed, turning to
Cicely. “You okay?”
“I’m fine. You had me covered.”
Joel bent down to pick up her bag, dusted it off, and handed it back to her. “Talk
about bad luck, I thought you wouldn’t see him at school. And yet, here we are,
running into him on the last day.”
Cicely took her bag, her voice tinged with confusion, “Last day?”
“Ray came to school today to drop out. With everything that happened at home,
and it’s probably best he leaves, given how he’d be treated here.”
Joel left the sentence hanging, but Cicely understood what he meant. “I see,”
she responded flatly, “I guess that makes sense.”
“Now his family is just him, and those who used to flock around are now
avoiding him. I heard he sold off his properties a few days ago, not sure what he
plans to do.”
Cicely paused, “Sold them?”
“Yeah.” Joel nodded, “There are plenty of rich kids around here; a few bought
from him. If he’s planning to use that money to make a comeback, that’s great.
But there’s the fear he might do something drastic. I heard he had a serious
clash with Seth not too long ago. You might want to warn him to be careful.”
Cicely’s expression grew somber.
At the school gate, a familiar luxury car with its hazard lights flashing was
waiting. The understated, yet imposing black sedan was boldly parked right at
the entrance. Clusters of students leaving the school cast curious glances its
way.
Cicely recognized the car immediately. She stopped and turned to bid Joel
farewell. The silent vehicle suddenly sprang to life as Seth emerged, dressed
sharply in a suit, his demeanor austere, drawing murmurs from the onlookers.
Nobody could mistake him. In the hallowed halls of the prestigious academy, it
was rare to find a young prodigy who, even before donning their graduation cap,
had already carved out a substantial niche in the elite echelons of the business
world. He was a legend whispered about in the corridors and classrooms, his
name synonymous with success and mystery.
His visits to campus were infrequent, his presence more myth than man to most
of the students. Thus, when he did appear, it was as if a celebrity had walked
among them, causing a stir of excitement and awe.
Cicely was mid-farewell with Joel when a sudden chorus of animated whispers
erupted around her. A gaggle of girls huddled by the nearby school monument,
their excitement bubbling over as they bounced in place, their voices a mix of
disbelief and delight.
Was all this fanfare really necessary?
She turned slightly, casting her gaze back to Seth. Well, perhaps the fuss was
justified.
Just right now, his expression was less than pleasant. His brows were furrowed
in a frown, his stance aloof, as if the weight of his glare could be felt from a
distance, cold and as deep as an abyss.
Cicely belatedly pieced together the puzzle. Right, that man had a minor clash
with Joel before.
Joel had been kind enough to part with friendly advice, cautioning her to warn
Seth to beware of a certain Ray. Comparing their temperaments, Seth’s current
demeanor seemed rather off-putting.
“Alright, I should head back. Take care on your way,” Cicely said, choosing not
to provoke him further despite her lack of enthusiasm for his attitude.
Joel replied with a smile, nodding. “You too, and remember, if you run into any
trouble, just give me a shout. I’m here for you.”
“Will do.”
They exchanged smiles and waved goodbye, but Seth’s expression only soured
further.
It wasn’t until Cicely approached him, seeing the stern cast of his face up close,
that she felt a mix of irritation and amusement bubble up. “Who got under your
skin?” she asked, a teasing lilt in her voice.Seth shot Cicely a frosty glance, “How come you’re hanging out with him?”
Cicely replied as if it was the most natural thing in the world, “We’re in the same
class and part of the same club. Isn’t it pretty normal for us to hang out?”
Seth turned and opened the passenger door. As Cicely bent to get in, Seth
grabbed her arm. “What club are you talking about?”
“Uh, the coding and programming club.”
Seth narrowed his dark eyes, “Still can’t shake off this hobby, huh? It’s been
quite a while. How come the enthusiasm hasn’t faded?”
Enter title…
Cicely smiled, her eyes curving, “I’m surprised myself that I’ve stuck with it for so
long. Who knows? In a few years, you might be offering me a high salary to
work for you. Let go. You’re hurting me.”d2
Seth released her arm with a snort and a chuckle, “I bet you haven’t written that
many lines of code. If a corporate spy got their hands on you for a little
interrogation, I doubt it would take two minutes before you’d spill all my secrets.”
The smile vanished from Cicely’s eyes. Glaring at Seth, she retorted,
“Underestimate me? I could last five minutes, at least.”
“Heh,” he couldn’t help but laugh softly, his lips curling. “Get in the car.”
Cicely huffed and slid into the seat.
As soon as the car started, Cicely began to recount her recent run-in with Ray.
Seth hit the brakes, glanced at her, then eased off again.
“I’m fine. Joel was there too, didn’t even get a chance to exchange words with
him.”
Seth’s lips tightened slightly.
“Ray was at school today to drop out. I heard he’s sold off several of his
properties, too. Joel’s worried he might do something drastic again, especially
towards you…”
“Can’t you speak without bringing up Joel?” Seth’s voice was heavy with
displeasure, cutting her off mid-sentence.
Cicely paused, “Of course, that’s what I think too.”
The car sped up, taking Cicely straight to her apartment.
*
With just a month until the wedding, July was shaping up to be the happiest
month of Cicely’s life. Her birthday, her marriage anniversary, and her wedding
day were all coming up.
Her wedding dress had been custom-made by a designer Seth had flown in
from France a couple of months ago. It was due to arrive any day now. The
jewelry was specially ordered by Creighton from Belgium.
The wedding home was finished, decorated under Cicely’s meticulous
supervision, with every detail personally designed and arranged by her. After all,
it was where she and Seth would spend their lives together.
Some custom furniture was still due to arrive, but that too would be sorted out in
the next couple of days. Seth was so worried about her overdoing it, and he had
carried her back from the wedding house several times.
He had scolded her in various ways. She had pleaded for mercy, and Seth had
believed her, for a while. But she would dare to do it again next time.
The last time was just the day before when she received a call from the
renovation company saying that the custom furniture had arrived and needed
her direction for placement. She was about to leave when Seth pressed her to
the bed, leaving her weak and unable to get up until the next day.
After the Seth’s threats in bed, she was scared out of her wits, swearing she
wouldn’t dare again. Now, recalling their shameless romp, she didn’t even have
the courage to face people outside. Cicely chewed Seth out a countless number
of times alone in her room for being a brute.
Seth had Charlie take over the finishing touches on the renovation.
The third day before noon, Seth called Cicely to Diaz International.
Desperate to get out, Cicely got ready as quickly as she could, digging out
summer clothes that would cover her up as much as possible.
Black slim pants, and a white ruffled silk blouse – she was wrapped up tight.
Just stepping out of the car downstairs, Seth’s call came through. “Where are
you?”
“Downstairs at the company.”
“Wait there, I’ll come down and take you to lunch.”
“Okay.”
Seth raised an eyebrow at Cicely’s outfit today. He’d never seen her dressed like
this before. She looked like a delicate girl who somehow managed to pull off the
look of a professional woman.
“Aren’t you hot?” he quipped, noting her long sleeves and pants, which seemed
out of place in the summer heat.
Cicely shot him a glance, “Whose fault is that?”
Seth caught on instantly and chuckled lowly, wrapping his arm around her waist
as they left the building.
The lunch venue showed he had put in some effort, and the food was decent.
“You didn’t call me out just because you found this nice restaurant, did you?”
“No. I’ve got a surprise for you this afternoon.”
Cicely raised an eyebrow, asking a somewhat silly question, “What kind of
surprise?”
Seth just looked at her, saying nothing.
Cicely didn’t press further. A surprise wouldn’t be a surprise if it was revealed
ahead of time.
After lunch, Cicely leisurely savored her cake, taking in the tastefully decorated
restaurant. She was quite pleased until she noticed Seth checking his watch for
the third time, deflating her mood. “Do you have urgent work?”
Looking up at her, Seth’s gaze was calm and serious, “She’s being discharged
from the hospital today.”
Cicely paused, remembering her father mentioning this the day before, which
she had forgotten.
Swallowing the last bite of cake, she casually remarked, “Well, let’s go then.”
Seth’s eyes followed her hand as it rested on the fork beside her, his
unfathomable dark eyes briefly betraying an indiscernible emotion. “Finished?”
“Yes.”
Standing up, Seth said, “Then let’s go.”
Cicely took her time drinking some water, then slowly rose to her feet, flashing
Seth a smile as she approached him. He took her hand, and they left together.
“Did you finalize the script you’ve prepared for her?”
“Mhm.” Seth buckled her up with straightforward honesty, “It’s C&P’s big feature
this year.”
“But the script you picked for Emiliana wasn’t from C&P, and she even won an
award for that role. Big features aren’t exclusive to C&P, you know.”
Cicely turned to look at the man whose expression was a bit tense. Her smile
deepened, “Remember our deal, okay? Once she’s discharged, you promised
her a role in a show, and then you’re free of any entanglement.”
“Understood.”
Cicely didn’t say much more. She had been holding back until now, just one step
away from the outcome.
At this point, there really wasn’t any need for words or actions. It should all go
smoothly.
Danielle got discharged, and started filming. Cicely would marry Seth, and they
would announce it to the world.
Everyone would be happy, square and fair.
＊
At the hospital, everyone was there. Erik, Creighton, and Patty.
Everything was packed up. It seemed they were just waiting for them, or rather,
for Seth alone.
Danielle was dressed in a plain, ankle-length dress, revealing a stretch of her
slender, pale leg, moving as gracefully as before.
When Seth arrived, Patty finally breathed a sigh of relief. “Alright, let’s head
home. I can’t stand another second in this hospital.”
Cicely was holding a bouquet of flowers, but seeing Danielle, she didn’t seem
inclined to hand them over. Instead, she just raised an eyebrow and smiled
faintly, “Congratulations on your recovery.”
Seth stepped forward, handing over a folder to Danielle. “The promise I made to
you.”
Danielle took it, flipped through it, and found a script. Her grip tightened
suddenly, and looking up with a laugh, her eyes began to fill with tears. “Are you
that eager to be rid of me? I haven’t even left the hospital, and you’re already
looking to sever ties?”
Seth’s face was impassive, “A discharge gift.”
Danielle bit her lip hard.
Patty quickly came to soothe Danielle, glaring at Seth, “Couldn’t you have
picked a better time to give this to her?”
“Sooner or later it had to happen. She knows it well. Filming starts next month.
You’re the lead actress. Be prepared.”
Danielle’s tears fell in drops, infuriating Patty to the point of clenching her teeth,
“You…”
Suddenly, Creighton spoke up with a stern voice, “Enough! If you want a role,
the Ellis family has plenty of resources to help you. We all knew what you were
thinking when you made that deal with Seth. Having agreed to it has already
granted you significant favor. Now that we’re simply fulfilling a promise, do you
still expect to choose a time that suits you?”
“And what time would that be, to your liking?”
Cicely was taken aback; her father seemed unusually firm today. Danielle had
not even left the hospital and was already feeling slighted by Seth, and now her
father had given her another blow.
Danielle’s face froze, apparently not expecting Creighton to speak those words.
Her tears, in Cicely’s eyes, were like a fountain, flowing on command, never
drying up.
“Creighton, what nonsense are you spouting at such a time?” Patty was getting
frantic, glaring at him.
“Nonsense? Cicely and Seth are about to get married. When does Danielle plan
to give up and leave them alone?”
“We came to pick her up from the hospital, and what then? She sat there
determined to wait for someone. If she doesn’t move, we all have to sit and wait
with her. No matter how spoiled Cicely might be, she’d never stoop to such low,
selfish, disrespectful behavior. For years, the Ellis family has offered her nothing
but genuine care, and what has it gotten in return?”
It turned out Danielle was really waiting for Seth. Cicely regarded Danielle with
eyes brimming with irony.
After Creighton finished his words, he pulled Erik up, who was sitting in a chair,
leaning on a cane, with a scowl that barely hid his exhaustion.
“If it were just me today, I could wait with you. Your grandfather, at his age,
came personally to take you home for lunch, and you have the nerve to sit here
waiting. You really are something.” Creighton took almost every ounce of temper
he’d ever had in his life out on Danielle. Danielle had quite the skill to drive such
a gentle and courteous man to this state.
Danielle’s eyes blinked, and she suddenly realized her fault, but she looked up
not at Creighton or the tired-looking Erik who was still hungry. Instead, her gaze
was fixed on Seth, who stood beside Cicely. Even in embarrassment, it seemed
she only cared about Seth’s opinion.
Cicely walked to the bedside and tossed the bouquet she had been cradling into
the trash bin. She approached Danielle, her smile chillingly cold.
“What are you going to do?” Patty said defensively, stepping forward to shield
Danielle.
Cicely’s lips twisted into a discernible curve, her clenched hand in her pocket
gradually relaxing. “Why so nervous? Do you also feel Danielle indeed deserves
a good scolding?”
“Danielle, as the Ellis family’s granddaughter, it’s okay for you to be proud and
arrogant. But you need to know your place. If someone’s trying to teach you
manners, you should be humble enough to learn, not keep thinking you’re above
everyone else.
“How long have you lived, and how long have grandfather and my father lived?
The Ellis Group has remained stable under their guidance and is now a worldrenowned enterprise. How many people want to connect with them, or be
friends with them? Whether they succeed or fail, even a fool can see it clearly.
How come when it comes to you, even the most basic respect is lost?
“No wonder Seth doesn’t see anything in you, and to think otherwise would be
foolish. In fact, aside from Ray, no man would be so blind as to truly fancy you.
Unless, of course, your looks have some selling point.”
Danielle was so angry she shook all over, biting her lip until blood seeped out.
Cicely chuckled, “Since you have been discharged, what’s the point in lingering
with everyone here? Go home and prepare well for your role; after all, this script
wasn’t easy to come by.”
Patty held Danielle’s trembling arm tightly, “Let’s go, Danielle. Whatever it is, we
can talk after you’re discharged.”
They had to leave eventually.
Danielle glared at Cicely’s retreating figure, her eyes filled with undeniable
hatred. Patty squeezed Danielle’s arm and patted her back gently. The tension
in Danielle’s eyes blinked away, and her body slowly relaxed.
The group reached the hospital entrance, where three cars were parked,
arranging for everyone to get in.
Cicely now stood on the hospital steps, her arm linked with Seth’s, her gaze
faint and distant as she watched Patty and Danielle inseparable like shadows.
“Seth, tell me, do you think Danielle will really keep the promise she made to
you?”
Seth looked down at Cicely with a pensive frown. “Why do you ask this all of a
sudden?”
Cicely looked up at him, a wry and somewhat ironic smile playing around her
eyes. “I just suddenly felt that she’s not the type to keep her word. She’s too
competitive, especially against me. She won’t just give you up. You say you’ll
take care of her until she’s better, and you’ve promised her a role in a
screenplay. Do these things really mean more to her than her own life? Thinking
about it, this deal of yours doesn’t seem to favor her much, does it? Can she
really just let it go?”
Seth’s brow furrowed deeper. “I am married, Mrs. Diaz.”
Cicely chuckled softly. “But if I can’t manage to get along with my mother-in-law,
it speaks volumes, doesn’t it?”
She sighed then continued, “As long as your mom likes Danielle, she’s bound to
dislike me. That means I could be kicked to the curb at any moment.”
A deep, cobalt flame seemed to ignite in his eyes, his voice tight with tension.
“Stop that nonsense.”
Cicely sighed again, tiptoed, and rested her chin on the man’s shoulder.
“Danielle has your all-important mother to back her up. Look at me, what do I
have? Isn’t that pitiful? Won’t you consider handing over Diaz International to
me? At least then I’d have a fighting chance.”
Seth looked at her with a light gaze. “We’ve talked about this already.”
Cicely pouted in disappointment. As she turned her head, she suddenly caught
sight of a figure standing behind the hospital’s reinforced glass door, wearing a
black hat and a black mask, revealing only a pair of eyes that were coldly fixed
on her.mHer heart skipped a beat at the sight, her body staggering slightly.
When she looked again, the person seemed to smile at her, lifting a cellphone in
their hand, then turned and disappeared around the corner.
Seth steadied her promptly. “What’s wrong?”
Cicely pointed towards the door. “I thought I just saw someone I know.” She
could only say familiar, but with that disguise, she couldn’t make out who it was.
Seth looked back, but the crowd in the lobby was too thick to spot anyone
familiar to Cicely. “Who?”
Cicely furrowed her brow in thought, then finally shook her head. “I must have
been mistakenSeth whisked Cicely back to the company without a moment’s hesitation.
The whole ride there, her mind was a whirlwind of curiosity about who that
person could possibly be. She mentally flipped through every face she
remembered, but couldn’t match those eyes with any of them.
“What’s on your mind?” Seth glanced over at her several times during the drive,
each time finding her lost in thought.
She thought about it and couldn’t really think of who that person was, so she
could only shake her head, “Nothing.”
Taking a deep breath, she expelled the frustration from her system, her
eyebrows lifting playfully as she spoke, “So, any more surprises in store for me
Enter title…
today? Don’t tell me Danielle getting discharged is your big reveal.”
Seth’s lips curled slightly, “You didn’t know she was getting discharged
today?”d2
Cicely pursed her lips, “Dad called me last night.”
“You think her discharge counts as a surprise?”
Cicely rolled her eyes, “I’d rather she stayed there for the rest of her life if she
wasn’t wearing you out with every passing day she spent in the hospital.”
“Then it’s not that.”
Knowing she’d get nothing out of him, Cicely switched gears to another question
that had been nagging at her. “Actually, there’s a lunch at home because
Danielle is getting discharged. Why did you insist on us grabbing a bite before
heading over?”
“Weren’t you satisfied with today’s lunch?”
“It could’ve waited for another day.”
Their car slipped into the company’s underground parking lot, darkness
enveloping them, the sound of the tires rolling over speed bumps echoing
emptily.
“I’d hate to spoil your appetite; keeping your stomach happy seemed like the top
priority.”
Cicely paused, a smile she couldn’t suppress playing at her lips, “Since when
did you get so smooth?”
“Just stating the facts.”
They rode the elevator straight up to the top floor office.
As the door swung open, Cicely fixed her gaze on Seth, her eyes sparkling,
filled with anticipation for the surprise Seth had promised.
Seth, as cool as a cucumber, took his seat and began going through paperwork
as Charlie came in to report on the company’s project progress.
Seth browsed through the documents with a calm demeanor, signing off on
them after hearing Charlie’s update. Charlie handed over the signed documents,
and Cicely hurried over, her eagerness palpable.
Seth’s eyes hinted at amusement watching her. It had been a long time since
he’d seen her this lively and spontaneous in his presence. It was a rare sight
these days, but still deeply missed.
“Where’s my surprise?” Cicely pressed.
But no sooner had she asked than there was another knock on the door. Seth’s
eyebrow quirked up as he called for the person to enter.
Charlie walked in, only to be met with Cicely’s dark, stormy gaze. “Charlie, can’t
your updates wait to be reported all at once? Do you really have to come in and
out just to catch glimpses of Seth?”
Corner of Charlie’s mouth twitched, a bit caught off guard as he glanced toward
Seth, who was busy pretending to be fascinated by his pen. “Ma’am, this work
just came up unexpectedly, and I couldn’t delay.”
Cicely pursed her lips, leaned against Seth’s desk, arms crossed, and huffed to
show her displeasure.
Charlie cast a tentative look at Seth, feeling a tad nervous. Had he managed to
ruffle the lady of the house?
With a nod from Seth, Charlie placed the latest market research report on the
desk – a hot-off-the-press issue. Seth flipped it open and glanced through it.
Charlie continued, “Mr. Diaz, there’s already a software of similar nature making
rounds on the internet, boasting nearly three hundred thousand users. Our
development is in the final stages, and to prevent these competitors from getting
too savvy about our direction, I suggest we hold off on any further market
research to keep our information close to the chest.”
Seth, looking satisfied with the report, responded, “Do you really think that the
program I’ve spent a fortune and time to design could be so easily overtaken by
those shortcut-seekers and copycats? We’ve got the patents. Let them take a
shot at it. This research shows that our brand recognition and acceptance are
on the rise. Let them test the waters for us; it’s good publicity, after all.”
Charlie nodded in agreement.
The room fell into a brief silence, broken only by Cicely’s cool stare. “Charlie,
we’re not expecting any more last-minute documents in the next half-hour or so,
right?”
With an awkward chuckle and a couple of ‘no, no’s, Charlie beat a hasty retreat
from the office.
Cicely stood up, eyes narrowed, “You’re not tricking me into accompanying you
to pick up Danielle from the hospital, are you?”
“Tired?” Seth deflected, not directly answering her question.
Furious, Cicely retorted, “I’m going to sleep. Don’t bother waking me if my
‘surprises’ are not here!” With that, she stormed off to the office’s rest area, her
face a mask of indignation.
Ten seconds.
Fifteen seconds.
A thrilled shriek pierced the silence from the rest area, followed immediately by
the door swinging open as Cicely burst out.
Seth, lounging in his chair with a pleased expression, wasn’t surprised by her
reaction; it was as if he had expected it all along.
Cicely bounced up to him, pointing excitedly inside, “When did it get here?”
“About two hours ago,” Seth replied calmly, which meant it had arrived right
around the time she had reached the company’s lobby.
“Why didn’t you tell me sooner?!” She dashed back into the rest room, a
whirlwind of excitement, while Seth watched her, amused. Her curiosity was
clearly piqued by the contents inside. He pushed back from his desk and
followed her in.
In the center of the rest room stood a dazzling pure white wedding dress, its
surface almost entirely covered in delicate diamond sparkles. Despite the drawn
curtains, even the faintest light made the gown shimmer with a rainbow of
colors.
Not a detail was spared, even the gloves were adorned. The dress,
conservative in design with an off-the-shoulder cut and long lace sleeves,
exuded an air of top-tier elegance and charm. The train of the veil was so long it
hardly fit in the room, cascading down, wide enough to cover her shoulders
entirely.
She suspected every detail of the dress bore Seth’s influence, designed with
conservatism in mind.
Still, it was utterly breathtaking.
She had visited countless bridal shops before, but never had she found a dress
that captivated her heart quite like this one.
Cicely twirled in front of the mirror, her hands caressing the delicate lace of the
wedding gown she couldn’t seem to part with. “Do you think I’ll be the most
beautiful bride in the world if I wear this?” she asked, her eyes sparkling with
excitement as she clung to the dress.
Seth watched her, an amused smile curling his lips. “That’s a question for the
Magic Mirror, love.”
Cicely’s brow furrowed in mock annoyance. “Oh, c’mon! Can’t you just say yes?”
Approaching her with a relaxed stride, Seth’s fingers grazed the edge of the veil.
“Sure, you’re the most beautiful to me, but I prefer it when everyone agrees
you’re the fairest of them all. A princess only gets one answer from the Magic
Mirror.”
Well, the guy sure had a way with words.
Delighted, Cicely whipped out her phone and started snapping pictures of the
gown from every angle.
Seth stepped back, “Aren’t you going to try it on?”
“No way,” Cicely shook her head. “If I try it on in front of you now, you won’t get
the full effect on our wedding day.”
Her eyes danced with mirth as she looked at Seth. “Just you wait until the big
day to see the magic happen.”
Seth pressed his lips together, a sign that his patience was being tested.
“I’m gonna send these pics to Grandpa, Dad, and Issac.”
A shadow passed over Seth’s eyes, a hint of displeasure seeping through his
gaze. “Do you have to share everything with Issac?”
Cicely was busy typing out a message, replying without thinking, “Uh-huh.”
But then, sensing Seth’s mood, she looked up, her eyes still warm with smile.
“Issac has always been there for me since we were kids. I didn’t have many
friends, so naturally, he’s the one I talk to the most. He even bought sanitary
pads and underwear for me during my first period. And I remember once I
stained his shirt. I think he washed it himself.”
It seemed like a sudden recollection, and now, thinking back, she blushed a bit.
Back then, boys were so concerned with keeping their image, getting
embarrassed over the smallest things. They were especially offended by things
like girls getting their periods, and the boys often made fun of girls for such
things.
But Issac never did.
The more she thought about it, the more she realized how good Issac had been
to her. He’s quietly standing by her side, always there when needed, without a
single complaint. Because of his silent presence, she took him for granted all
these years, treating him like part of the background. But, he was as essential to
her as her nose, her eyes, her limbs – any part of her body.
Taken for granted, yet indispensable.
Cicely’s expression grew more serene as she pondered what life without Issac
would be like. What kind of Cicely would she be now?
Her contemplation caused Seth’s face to darken further.
“Cicely, what are you thinking about?”
His voice was deep and brooding, snapping Cicely back to reality just as her
phone vibrated in her hand. She looked down to find a message from Issac.
[Beautiful. You’ll definitely be the world’s most beautiful bride.]
Cicely’s lips curved into a gentle smile. See? That was the kind of answer that
satisfied a girl.
Upon seeing her reaction, Seth strode over and snatched the phone from her
hand.
He glanced down at the message Issac had sent so promptly. “I didn’t realize he
had it in him to say such things. Does that please you?” His jealousy wasn’t
even trying to hide itself.
“What girl doesn’t like to be called beautiful? Someone’s a bit too obvious with
their jealousy, Mr. Diaz.”
“Jealous?” Seth scoffed, then he tossed the phone back to her. “Shouldn’t I be?”
Cicely caught the phone, finding it amusing to see such a display from him. “Of
course, you should. Anyway, I might be out this afternoon for a bit, so you hold
down the fort at the office, champ.”
She pecked him on the lips and turned to leave, only to be yanked back by her
arm. “You didn’t mention having plans this afternoon. Where are you going, and
what for?”
Cicely thought for a moment. “Shopping.”
Seth’s brow furrowed. “Tell me what you need, and I’ll have someone buy it.”
“No need. Shopping is more meaningful when done personally.”
“I’ll have Charlie follow you.”
“Why suddenly assign Charlie to tail me? I’ll have Issac.”
Seth’s expression became even more strained.
Cicely sighed, her fingers fiddling with the smooth fabric of Seth’s suit sleeve.
“Issac and I have been like two peas in a pod since we were kids. He’s always
been good to me. He’s handsome, fit, even-tempered, and capable.”
Seth abruptly brushed her hand away, but she just laughed softly and caught his
sleeve again. “So, if there was anything romantic between Issac and me, you
wouldn’t have the change with me. If there was anything to develop, it would’ve
happened long ago.”
Seth tried to pull away, but Cicely held on tight.
“I’m married, Mr. Diaz. If you keep getting jealous, should we take out our
marriage certificate and give it a good look to calm your current mood?”
“The person who needs a good look is you.”
“Alright, alright. We’ll look at it together tonight at home.” She patted his hand
soothingly. “There, there. I’ll come pick you up after work, and we’ll head home
together.”
Seth just stared at her, and sighed.
*
As soon as Cicely left the office, she messaged Issac. [Going shopping.]
[Got it.]
Charlie, noticing Cicely’s departure, quickly got to his feet and greeted her. “Mrs.
Diaz, it hasn’t been an hour yet.”
Cicely gave a nonchalant “Hm” in response. “I’m leaving it to you. It seems like
you’re itching to spend more time with my husband. Didn’t want to keep you
waiting.”
The secretaries nearby couldn’t help but stifle their laughter at the exchange.
Charlie turned beet red. “Mrs. Diaz, it’s really just work.”
Cicely raised an eyebrow, giving him a knowing smile before heading for the
elevator.
Charlie, under the secretaries’ amused gazes, carried the freshly delivered
paperwork into Seth’s office.
Seth had just returned to his desk when he saw Charlie. He stopped in his
tracks. “You, follow Cicely.”
*
Stepping out of the office building, Cicely found Issac’s car already waiting for
her. He quickly opened the door and stepped out to greet her. “Miss, which mall
would you like to visit today?”
Cicely paused at the door, looking up at him. “Where do you usually shop for
clothes?”
Issac paused, his expression subdued as he spoke, “If I’m really short on
clothes, I’ll find the nearest small department store to buy some. It’s not the
place for you, Miss.”
Cicely frowned slightly, her gaze landing on Issac’s shoulder. She didn’t have
much of an idea about men’s suits or brands. She saw him every day, decked
out in a suit and leather shoes, impeccably neat and tidy. Yet, she had never
considered that his clothes might actually be so cheap.
Suddenly, she reached out and pinched the collar of Issac’s suit. Issac flinched,
instinctively stepping back.
“Don’t move.” Cicely leaned in closer, examining it carefully. In terms of color,
fabric, and craftsmanship, it was a far cry from any of Seth’s suits.
“It’s certainly not suitable for me.” Cicely let go of his collar and gracefully slid
into the car. “Then we’ll head to the most upscale department store in P City.”
“Alright.”
*
After parking the car in the underground lot, Cicely unbuckled her seatbelt.
“Issac, come with me.”
“Okay.”
A warm feeling suddenly washed over Cicely. The words Issac used most often
in her presence were “okay” and “yes.” Regardless of whether her proposals
were right or wrong, he was always like that
They walked into the elevator, and Cicely pressed the button for the men’s
designer floor.
The women’s section was mostly populated by female shoppers, while couples
dominated the men’s section.
Cicely was now the bride-to-be who was the talk of P City, and in this luxurious
place, there was no one who wouldn’t recognize her. Whenever she approached
a counter, the sales associates would surely offer their congratulations. “Ms.
Cicely, are you shopping for Mr. Diaz?”
Cicely just smiled faintly without answering. She casually perused the suits on
display, occasionally pulling one out and having Issac, who was standing by the
entrance, try it on for size.
Issac stood ramrod straight, allowing Cicely to use him as a temporary
mannequin.
After visiting three or four brand stores and trying on no fewer than ten suits,
Cicely finally spotted a white suit at another counter that caught her eye. After a
quick measure-up on Issac, she turned to the nearby sales associate and said,
“This one, get his size for him to try on.”
Issac glanced at the white suit, his lips tightening slightly. Hesitating for a
second, he still couldn’t help but speak up, “Mr. Diaz probably doesn’t like
white.”
“Who cares about that?”
She continued to pick out a shirt and tie, and then handed them to Issac to try
on. She went back to browsing the other styles on display.
Just a few minutes later, the fitting room door swung open, revealing Issac in a
white suit. Wearing a black shirt paired with a blue-gray diagonal striped tie, his
white waistcoat peeked out from beneath his open suit jacket. The jacket was
decorated with a row of carefully crafted black buttons. His overall look was a
balance of refinement and elegance.
His usual wear was always a modest black suit. This color, which he had never
tried before, turned out to suit him as well.
Cicely was pleased. “This is the one. Wrap it up when we’re done here.”
“Miss, I think my size is one down from Mr. Diaz.”
“Who said I was buying for him?”
Issac paused, mentally running through images of the Mr. Erik and Mr.
Creighton, yet none seemed to fit. “Could this be for…”
“Mm-hmm, hurry up and change. We need to get shoes next.”
“Miss,” Issac felt uneasy, glancing down at the suit he was wearing, “I’m often
working outside; this outfit doesn’t really suit my needs.”
“Who said anything about wearing it to work?” Cicely laughed lightly. “You think
I’d have you drive around in a high-end white suit? That’s not my style.”
“Then this is for…”
Cicely took a deep breath, “Did you really think I’d let you attend my wedding in
something off the rack from a small department store?”
Issac fell silent for a moment, “I’ll prepare something myself.”
“But I don’t trust your taste. You’ll be sitting with my family at the wedding. You
need to uphold the image of Cicely. If you don’t want the suit, then don’t bother
coming to my wedding.”
Of course, Issac would attend Cicely’s wedding. It was a given, no question
about it. However, Cicely’s words gave Issac pause, “Could I purchase it
myself?”
“That’s not an option.”
Silently, Issac turned and went back into the fitting room. Cicely smiled with
satisfaction and paid the bill.
After buying shoes, Issac found himself trailing behind Cicely, his arms filled
with bags of his own belongings for the first time.
Passing a café, Cicely stepped inside, ordering two cups of coffee without
hesitation. Issac couldn’t feign ignorance any longer and took a seat opposite
her.
The tall, handsome man exuded an aura of discomfort. Cicely rested her chin on
her hand, watching him, her voice soft, “Seeing that wedding dress today, I feel
like I’m finally getting married, stepping into the next phase of life, and it all hit
me hard. I thought about my life. Few people have been by my side, but they’re
the most important to me.”
“I considered what Cicely would be like without you in my life, and I can’t
imagine an answer.” Cicely sipped her coffee, gazing out the window at the
passersby. “Since I can remember, you’ve been there with me as a friend and a
brother, supporting me unconditionally, right or wrong. Wherever I am, whenever
I need you, you show up without fail. You never say much, always going along
with me, and I took that for granted, then easily overlooked you.”
Cicely turned back, catching the unguarded disappointment in Issac’s eyes. She
pressed her lips together, smiled gently. “But if you were absent from my
wedding, I think I would be very lost. Apart from the groom running away, your
absence would sadden me more than anyone else’s.”
Issac looked at her in surprise.
Cicely straightened up, stirring her coffee. “It’s the most important moments of
my life, and you won’t be absent, right?”
Issac nodded, “Right. I’ll always be there.”
At first, Charlie didn’t understand why Mr. Diaz had suddenly asked him to follow
his wife. Whenever she went out, Issac was always by her side, without fail. And
today seemed no different. Adding him to the mix seemed redundant.
for clothes and
café chatting leisurely, Charlie kind of got why Mr.
she said, they were enough to
Diaz, her words might
confession.
*
café and rushed back to the office, there was
hour to wait for Seth to finish work – not counting his habitual
departures.
had already sent Issac on his way,
soon enough.
was hammering away
at her with a nonchalant lift
in work?” Cicely flopped down
fixed on the monitor, Seth
What’d you buy?”
out, weighing the truth. Telling this
him off, she thought. “Just browsed a bit,
aimlessly, huh? Was there really a need
the place
“Who rushed
entry, saved the file, and shut down the
dig, or will you
his
on you? What
check up on
darkened, “If there’s nothing you could do, then
can’t
get all jealous
something you’ve done that would make me
act like
down. She couldn’t outplay this man. “So if
you promise not to
a laugh, standing up and moving closer to her. “I
to yourself. As you thought, I
you up.”
“Eh?”
to question when suddenly, she was swept off her
and into his arms.
what was happening, she kicked and struggled, “Hey, don’t! I
what are you
open the door to
her into the bed.
think we should exercise some restraint.
wedding night.”
need
not really looking
“Heh.”
silenced her, and she
was thoroughly at his
a couple of times,
but her efforts feeble.
wasn’t long before Charlie’s call came through, as if he had
call, something apparently requiring his attention. He
to stay put and left the
drained, waiting obediently was
out of bed and decided to
preparing to leave, so she ambled over
to
to mess with her.
out of her league, but that didn’t mean she
employees’ feathers.
appeared, everyone sat up straight,
Cicely smirked and scanned the room. Noticing
who usually loitered around, wasn’t there, she
didn’t come to work today,” a programmer
every day she visited. Poor Camden must’ve
and yet not daring to take a
“I didn’t hear about him taking a day
things she wasn’t aware
today. He might be marked
been working really hard. I’ll have a word with Seth and
cut Camden some slack.”
spoke, she pulled up a chair next to the programmer, “I’m in
like Seth for me. I need to
a coder to work his magic on her code, Cicely’s
new message. She checked it to find
The wedding dress is gorgeous. I adore it
dying to see it in
touched on every girl’s soft spot. Cicely was
her wedding dress was the envy of another girl.
she
tomorrow night
message was followed by a string
Enter title…
eyebrow, [Tomorrow’s Friday.
take a look.]
[Yay!!! Love you!!]d2
[Sure. Dismissed.]
[Got it, your Highness.]
her career took off, Emiliana had become
more familiar and comfortable
and Erik. Cicely had gotten used
older folks just
and turned her attention back to
“Are we almost there?”
more minutes,
bored. “Do you tech guys ever write
in a hard drive to mess
to steal
it’s rare and
upgrading and reinforcing firewalls.
steal secrets, those kinds of machines are too
Take our computers here—our firewalls are crafted
abroad, commissioned by
worries.”
murmured, “so if there’s corporate espionage,
job?”
a
“Right.”
“It’s ready, ma’am.”
“Huh?”
the cartoon character playing on the
to Seth. The character was adorably
and a
Seth’s typical
laugh, “So this is
upright, “Mr. Diaz is a commanding leader.
ma’am.”
said, “Move
and showed her a few game
“pow, pow, pow” sounds, and
even swell up a
her head off. It was hard to
taking a hit.
the simple game for over half an hour, and if Seth
her in the office, suspecting she was causing chaos
would have
giggles echoed through the office space. The tech, whose
with a
cartoon Mr. Diaz getting pummeled on the screen and felt
“Ma’am.”
engrossed in the game, ignored
“Mr. Seth…”
pow, pow” continued. The office, which had been filled with
fell silent, making Cicely’s computer sound
sensed a chilling
eyes with Seth’s dark, ominous glare.
intense she blinked rapidly.
the screen, his
“Yeah.”
“Enjoying it?”
“Sorta.”
a sound that sent shivers down her spine. “Should I
getting yourself so excited?”
was speechless. This man had the nerve to make such
comment in public.
her from her seat, “Let’s continue
need, I’ve had my fill. Don’t
his hand tight against her skin, and
when you’re
gaze, Seth whisked
engineering department collectively exhaled in
heavens!
*
Cicely put as much distance
a game. Stop looking for excuses to pick on
chuckle at
let
engineering department isn’t some playground. They work tirelessly
and you’re there distracting them with
for that. “I was there to boost morale, and I realized
You should consider giving them
now they
seem fair.”
“It’s really because you’re the bully. They’re just taking the fall
owe them that
I bullying you?” Seth gave her a sidelong glance, pulling her
his voice teasing. “How have I
know Camden
to change the
eyes narrowed slightly, “And that
you to care
then turned to Charlie as
Camden.”
“Sure.”
light. Charlie quickly dialed
good ten seconds before it
crackling to life.
tad frazzled, prompting Charlie to
Camden? Something wrong?”
came up, and I didn’t have time to
here on behalf of
was even, “Not that. Mr. Diaz is right here. You can speak to
directly.”
are
don’t even have a minute
Seth’s deep and stern voice cut through
scenes, merely watched as Camden’s trembling
on the other
again. It’s just that I might not be
back for a couple of days, and I was hoping to
for a few
weekend. You can’t make
days?”
it, that’s plenty. Thank you, Mr.
“Alright.”
hanging up, Cicely lounged back
older than
and shaking like
me. Anger your
cry when you lose your
window at a couple
an ice cream
could have ice cream with
Tomorrow, Emiliana.
you for dinner tomorrow night. I’ve got plans
Emiliana.”
time will you be
dinner, a movie, or maybe just
be home before midnight for
by ten at the latest. Otherwise,
I not get
you with a
cough.” Charlie, who was driving with utmost
choked unexpectedly.
anticipated this side of
cheeks burned as if scalded
the most shameless of
*
the restaurant Seth
Danielle was discharged from the
reviews as well.
they spontaneously decided to catch a movie. The cinema was
restaurant. They bought a couple
taking a leisurely
summer nights were bustling with life. The square was crowded,
revolved around
particularly focused on the
you. For groomsman, Issac’s a
be
the merrier! If not,
bridesmaids.”
“You want
suggest it, he
he spoils
let out a proud “Hmph,” “You
the cinema lobby, they passed by
glamorous than the last.
by now, and to
hat.
bustling. They grabbed their tickets
on the promotional boards—several were talents under
Danielle at the studio today.
to be there,” Emiliana
the electronic posters.
didn’t react much, “Considering it’s the
bumping into each other
their costumes and crew today, so lavish.
it’s a top-notch production.”
“If he promised to help out, he wouldn’t skimp. But a toptier production, that I
Diaz’s favors are
true,” Cicely agreed
high-profile lady at the
rest over the weekend.
to announce
find
Emiliana was referring to, but she really didn’t
Danielle. She nodded and let
nine o’clock. Cicely had called
cinema, they went straight
us to
“Got it.”
*
eerily quiet over the weekend. Cicely, often visiting
naturally had her own access card.
floor,
astonished, “I thought we were to see the
we at Mr.
but who
his office?”
that, Cicely figured the man probably just wanted to corner her
flicking on the
instantly bathed in brightness.
first time here, and even without
help but feel tense.
office’s decor and arrangement
ignored the little table
trinkets, a plush cushion on the chair, and
mats.
the thought of Cicely cooped up in this place crossed
couldn’t suppress a chuckle.
“What’s so funny?”
you holed up next to him at work cracks
work done? I can’t imagine it. All I see
cards out
dismissively, “The affairs of Diaz International
else am I supposed to
you’ve got a point there.” Laughter brought tears to
decorative pillow from the chair and hurled it at her, “Laugh
want, but let’s
“No, no, I’m not up
me the
huff, Cicely moved to a concealed door in the lounge area
froze for a
couldn’t wait and squeezed
but her
turned back with a
business this afternoon, didn’t
testament
crept up Cicely’s ears.
the nail on
corner of a cabinet. She
a hand over her mouth, scurrying to the center of the lounge
dress was displayed, now illuminated under
more stunning than it
that all diamonds? I’m
bell sleeves
that veil, so lush and
silver thread
design is just
to the stunning bridal
overstatement.
air of pride, “Did you expect anything less for
get the sneak peek before the
a few high-resolution photos with her phone.
see you wear it at the wedding. You’re going
pictures, okay? Wait
on the wedding day.”
must have repaid
glare, “Are you done? If
leave the
and it still wouldn’t
keep looking. I’m out of
“Hey, wait for me…”
Emiliana was loath to leave, she couldn’t really stay all
and you’re already rushing
is.” Cicely grabbed her purse from
annoyed.
“Late for what?”
me back by
eyebrow,
as if the curfew was her
doing anything wrong. Even if you are late, what’s
little charm, perhaps
door, “I hope you get a boyfriend someday and
a little’ to keep him
elevator, and just as
in mid-air, her gaze fixed on
button herself,
floor, and upon opening, Emiliana urged
on.”
entered, deep in
hit the button for the ground floor, then pulled
up her makeup. She had plans to drag Cicely to
drink.
closed and the elevator
Cicely suddenly reached
for the twelfth floor.
elevator halted almost
stepped out just
catch only a glimpse of her retreating figure. “This is the
floor!”
“Wait for me downstairs.”
doors shut completely, and Emiliana couldn’t
words.
twelfth floor was familiar to Cicely, second
– it housed the Engineering
been on the ground floor when
The other two should have remained there, so why had
at the twelfth?
was home to Diaz
making. The software was in
malicious sabotage could be a deathblow
was no room for
someone had left something crucial behind and
be one thing. Or maybe someone was just
The thought made
But if they did, why was
a single
tiptoed through the foyer and down the hallway to
Inside, the flash of a smartphone’s flashlight caught her
from a hidden angle as
something in a sneaky
tightened Cicely’s chest
else could have a security badge for
company?
office?” The stranger sounded
with anger and urgency.
the Bluetooth earpiece, occasionally winking blue in
communicating with someone inside
a private office in
Camden’s tremulous voice on the
something. That
security badge.
stranger something significant, and
for Camden’s
warning you, that file path you gave
any tricks on me, and you’ll be
That voice…
a tinge of recognition flashing in her mind. Was
face suddenly merged with the pair of
the hospital door when she had
pain pulsed at the
pieces of information started connecting in
that Ray dropped out of school and
comeback or
opted for the latter.
at work wasn’t due to a
Ray had threatened him with his
vowed to make Seth
executing his sinister
was well-known within the
have. It was no secret that
the world to Diaz International. So, he chose the moment
to either steal the program or
Seth had worked
of today was clearly no different from a desperado. She wasn’t
to face him
reached for her phone to text Issac to come
empty office space, the sound echoing off
walls.
Cicely’s mind went blank.
hit her face, and she squinted, drawing
shield her eyes from the glare and
Everything okay? When are you coming
face as she inhaled a quiet breath, “I’m
a moment more. I’ll be right
“Make it snappy.”
“Will do.”
up the phone and tucked it into her purse. Her palms
sheen of cold sweat.d2
Cicely, I’ve always said we have
Enter title…
eerily calm, as if being caught in the act
thing in the world for
to relax, offering a hesitant smile as
him.
aren’y you in the wrong
Ray, “Not at all. It’s rare for
a weekend, Ms. Cicely. What brings
taking a moment
bothered about
leaned casually against a nearby desk, legs crossed,
didn’t blow
perhaps strike a deal?”
burst into laughter. “So,
that day outside
I was
their
honest, our
and I might have misunderstood you. I wouldn’t
the romantic type, Mr.
smile widened as he removed his face mask, “Ms. Cicely, I am
could you hand over your phone? Just
then
her purse to retrieve her phone. When
screen lit up, revealing a
that had been
phone’s screen illuminated, Ray snatched the
He checked the phone and saw no calls made, and no
tampering. Still not satisfied, he emptied her
cards, and other daily
with the
up the drive, he raised an eyebrow with a smirk, “Can I
for the same reason
her fingers, her gaze fixed on
head, “Not sure.”
“Hmm?”
the desk, face-to-face with Ray, her voice
knows that Seth is
mother and Diaz International, left to him by his father.
secret, and even though we’re
know when he might leave me, so
he wouldn’t
Danielle, and to this day her desire
alive and well. There was no
my sights were
mentioned transferring Diaz International to my name a
software development
Diaz International would easily fall into
Group, Diaz International is small fry. Whether it fails
its value is irrelevant to
on Ray who had been listening quietly,
I’m not sure if your goals align
software. Diaz International will then face a huge
help in repaying it, the company will be mine. If
anew, I’m sorry, but
Helping you profit
all your planning, you’ve left no room for error, so
to take it and reap any benefits. Even if you do
eventually catch on, and he won’t let you off
be the best
to her, his expression contemplative, then he suddenly
“A woman in love can be terrifying, willing
Your analysis isn’t wrong. I’ve kidnapped Camden’s son;
Seth destroyed the most important thing to
so I’ll make sure he tastes the loss of his most
International”
no intention of making a quick buck with this
money? Better to obliterate it.
voice trailed off, his gaze on her, “Aren’t you worried that if Seth
behind this, he’ll
Cicely’s heart, “You had the audacity
of
“With the head of engineering
surveillance was a piece of cake,
evidence,
me.”
gaze on her, a sardonic grin playing on his
together?”
up and strode toward Camden’s
the door to Camden’s
swivel chair, powered up the
had given him—spot
from his pocket, aiming
a cucumber, stopped him
Ray.”
he looked
sabotage, I’ll do it right. I know a bit
with that
recover the lost files without breaking a
your little exercise?”
face blanched. So Camden had a backup plan? Almost had
should we
“Destroy the computer itself.”
puzzled, asked, “Smash
seem to be a bit out
drive remains intact,
the
starting to panic. “Then what do we
drive he
bag. “That flash drive
today’s escapade. Once it’s in the
core operational data. The files will be destroyed, and the
will be rendered useless.”
of
of legendary hackers before. It wasn’t outside the realm of
I
in too deep now. If
think you’d let me
and finally, through gritted
Cicely.
we’re done, give me back the flash drive. It cost me a pretty
I’ll use it to get back at someone else down
wipes the computer as you claim, then
eyebrow but said
and inserted the flash drive
then went black, showcasing a flurry of
across the darkness.
two minutes, the display halted, and five seconds
The central unit ceased to
light faded to
It worked.
bit. She
of her bold claims, but it seemed there
power button of the central unit
response, and the same went for the monitor. She hadn’t fooled
looked up at Cicely, easily noticing the faint
now that love indeed could drive people to madness.
a force
meet his, raising an
mind?”
did a number
princess to this extent.”
and tried the computer switch to make
pull the flash drive out.
could put up a fight,
the Ellis Group shares. Worst
some of
with a laugh
is done, the rest is up to you. Take
phone for now. Once I’m safely
it by the fountain downstairs. Remember
Cicely remained stone-faced.
after Ray left the building, Cicely
department. She found Emiliana and Issac waiting in the
lot.
“Cicely, you were gone for so
the standoff with
much. Where are you staying tonight? I
have Issac drive you.”
seeing Cicely’s pallor and realizing
“No need, I’ve booked a hotel nearby. I’ll
should head home and rest
careful on your
nodded, urging Cicely into
Cicely leaned back, closing her eyes. “Miss,
happened?” Issac inquired.
responded with a faint
anyone else leaving
were downstairs?”
tensed. “Did you run
“Ray.”
jerked violently before coming to a stop on the side
face her, his expression
her head.
relief, restarted the car, and asked, “What was he doing at
International?”
more than
program.”
he succeed in getting
“Well… Oh, right.”
sat up straight, retrieved her
Joel’s phone was
little unsure about getting a
drive
crack the program?”
the back burner
suddenly asking about this?”
bit her lip, a tremor in her voice betraying her panic.
really important files on it. Why is it on hold? Is it
to crack?”
even through the
his bed ready to play with his phone before
it’s too hard, just
senior right now and see what’s
the phone tightly, tears circling her
what he
“Okay, hold on.”
landline to call his
the decryption software came up, “We did have some problems
then we put it on hold because
projects. What happened?”
urgency, blurted out, “The flash drive’s been used,
recover the files urgently.
“That urgent?”
affirmatively, “Better if
silence on the other end before a reluctant
wiped her tears, “Are we heading to
university? I’m coming, too.”
“Sure.”
her lip and sent
tonight. Don’t wait
emoji and
heading
his lips, “Miss, you won’t be any help there.
and wait for news.”
to face him. I
go to the university, and you turn off your
Seth can’t reach you.”
“Understood.”
long after Cicely arrived at the university, Joel and his friend showed up
after another.
and a
start working on
stood behind them, trying to
Cicely with red
girl known for her pride, would cry. “You really don’t need to be here.
home,
head, gripping his arm, “I can’t,
As she
and guilt, “Don’t
the blame. If you won’t go home, at
and try
utterly distraught and knowing she was of no help,
nearby seat.
*
house
yesterday, Seth had a hunch that
into it and found that Camden’s family was
clue where they were. Then
son had vanished, and Mrs. Camden was taken while on
up from school. Camden
see his
been
been retrieved and were on their
company.
message and confirming
watch, Seth felt no urgency to hasten
*
Seth met Camden at the company, the man was a wreck.
Seth, Camden wept bitterly. “Mr. Diaz, I’m so sorry, I had
threatened my son’s
darkened ominously. “Who
“It was Ray.”
glacial as he stood up,
“And what did he want
company’s access cards, my office’s key cards, my
and the storage path
a chill
that targeting Ray’s family without reason and
was too ruthless, which was why
So, he tossed Ray into the police station
and he did not pursue the matter further afterward.
didn’t expect him to really take drastic
doesn’t seem to know much about computers. If he
them, I still might be able
more severe at this. “When did he
left after getting my stuff. Wasn’t it
who quickly left the
scrambling behind.
*
twelfth floor, in Camden’s office, Charlie bent over the
up after several
with a palpable
Frantically, he switched
Within minutes,
like
Seth’s
seeing Camden’s pale
stammered, “Mr. Diaz, all its data has
clean from that computer.”
narrowed sharply, the chill in his brow
was a cold snap threatening to fracture
do you mean ‘all its data has been
of passing out, stammered,
the computer operate, it’s gone. Without it, this
good as a piece of
eyes in
a fortune invested, all for
world’s most expensive junk.
his sides, clenched into fists as
he didn’t
I’m just as lost. I remember he
transferring files to it was enough. But this, this
not some amateur.”
glimpse of Seth’s ominously dark
his head
done this on his own with his halfbaked computer
heel,
What good would it do? What’s gone is
trembling with fear, added, “He had me erase the
tapes.”Charlie’s stride halted, his
down his cheeks. “My
their lives for the company. I’m
my hump for the firm, and I’m willing to do that. But
the line. It’s just not
moment. Charlie watched his
calm as a still pond, eerily composed. “How long would it take
over?”
still cowering, thought for a second. “It’s a six-month job. If
off, two
Enter title…
Seth closed his eyes.
next month…
see if he has a
right, right! Maybe he still has a
to find him fast
action
*
the whole night in his
become their only
asleep at her desk numerous times,
it was all a dream, but each time
reality of her surroundings and the two
helplessness welled
two years and a fortune on
facing ruin was unbearable.
Disappointment? Regret? Defeat? Despair?
him like that. Just the thought was
enough.
not get married, but she
on his
side the whole time, pained to see her this
stepped out to buy breakfast. Two
he placed before
school cafeteria’s offerings were always the same –
friend, having worked all night, didn’t stand on ceremony.
buns without taking their eyes off their screens. The
scent of the steamed
again, and Issac pushed the
breakfast.”
around, sniffed at the bag, then
hand over
against the wall, heaving with
up.
handed her water. After rinsing her mouth and
she
jacket
you to the hospital.”
her head, “I’m fine.
by the flowerbed, pulling the jacket tight around her, and sniffed.
the smell in there. Can you
Pale and weak, her voice barely held
reluctantly left her to ask
but hopeful, “We should be
but we can’t give a definite timeline. Just tell her to
and that it’ll work
Issac nodded, “Thank you.”
back to Cicely. Despite being
without getting a successful decoder
brightening sky, biting her
he
Issac replied, “He won’t lose it. He’s young but steady. Even
like this, or if he ever
again. “But he’s been working
years.”
her pained expression, “Everyone faces
his life to be smooth. I don’t want him
because of me.”
harshness of reality made Cicely’s
head, tears falling, drop
placing a hand on
flash drive. They’ll crack
worry this much.
did it for his sake.
are made
it’s just a matter
Issac’s comforting logic. She looked
is it?”
now is get some
him at
he finds out. I
Issac held her back as she
sleep for two hours before going to the company. I
the hotel
felt truly awful, and this time Issac was insistent.
get
…
dropped by the set to see Danielle. Danielle promised
studio city that evening, so they ended
were up early, ready
finished breakfast in their room and packed up, they
downstairs.
as they were about to walk out the front door,
appeared out of nowhere. She let out
instinctive scream.
voice
that it
at a startled Patty and
go of
and took out a
to Danielle. “Danielle, I really like you, but I can’t expect you
me. This is the last thing I can do for you. I hope you get
wish you
International before noon to see Seth. If you want to
him, you can ask him to meet you
“What are you talking about? Why can’t
why should I go
I’m out of time, I have
eye on his surroundings as he spoke, then abruptly
cap down low,
scene, asked, “Who was that
Is
Patty’s driver approached, and after
arms with Patty and they
check it out in
*
taking a stroll outside, Creighton received a
Patty. Right off the bat,
eardrums.
raised a piece of
her, nor would
will never agree to let her
Patty had just criticized him, Creighton wouldn’t have
to nothing, and Creighton’s temper flared.
you this early in the morning?
deserve such strong opinions?!”
she wrong me? She
she wronged me?! Is she
We’re going to settle
suggested, “Patty, Ray advised us
morning. Let’s ask them to
instead.”
International?! Since when
depend on his say-so.”
it was understandable for Patty to be livid.
with indignant rage, her fury
yet I had to be entangled with her. We
Group but managed to drag Diaz International down
disaster!”
International!” Patty almost roared at the driver. Danielle
and domineering demeanor, didn’t dare to speak up
accompanied her to Diaz
*
was left confused and annoyed after being yelled at
to call Cicely to ask
still be asleep. Instead,
phone was off.
brow furrowed in
He immediately called Seth.
was picked up quickly, and he sounded
and Cicely
Seth paused, “No.”
your mother just call me wanting
worst? Are
There was an issue at the company last night. I didn’t
was out
can’t reach her. Could you try? By
mother mentioned that there was
happened?”
his lips, “I’ll
“Alright.”
feeling unsettled, especially since Seth avoided talking
at the company. Given Patty’s hysterics on
check on
*
no intention of sleeping. No matter how uncomfortable she was,
eyes, so she just took a shower, changed
and left the room.
waiting at the door, and
“Going to Diaz International?”
Cicely nodded.
to grab
Cicely shook her head.
no longer insisted. They
company,
thought that with such a big issue, Seth would definitely
the logical conclusion. “Charlie, is Seth in
office?”
on her with
the
terse reply caused a hitch in
a dim expression, she
him.”
this time, accompanying her
quiet on the weekend.
at the door while she pushed
pairs of eyes turned to her
stood before Seth, seemingly in the
with him.
disarray, the computer tower
strewn across the
was towards Seth, whose bloodshot eyes met hers
coldness and ferocity. “Sleep well last night?” he
raspy to the extreme.
tighter and after a brief
didn’t go home
late…”
spent the night partying with Emiliana that
home?”
from her, each question sounding like an evasion
something else.
and shook her head,
darkened, and he looked away. “As long as
behind my back, there’s no issue. I’m busy now, you
leave.”
chaos of the office. As she was about to open
suddenly
you even hear what we just told you, or are you deliberately
dumb?”
two-year project! Doesn’t
confidential data is gone, and the computer is trashed. All your
International might go under because
woman!”
frown deepened as she turned to Patty and Danielle, who was
her. “How did you know about
her, her eyes red
admits it and you still
stepped closer to Danielle, her gaze sharp.
you know about the
slap, Patty’s hand struck
and he abruptly stood up
through the door
him.
glared at Cicely. “What right do you
what you’ve done,
shameless!”
“Madam, the
down.”
clarity do
mockingly, pulling out a phone from her bag
– and after pressing something, tossed it
Seth.
to play, its clarity allowing one to imagine the
expression at the time:
Seth is cold and
left to him by
though we’re set to
know when he might leave me, so I
wouldn’t just walk
her desire
There was no way for me to
set on Diaz
International to my name a few times,
the software development fails and the company
Diaz International would easily fall
Diaz International is small fry. Whether it
to me; I just want
to completely destroy this program.
loan issues, then the Ellis family will help, and Diaz International
fall into my hands.
who did it. He has no reason
I’ll do it thoroughly. I know
regular USB,
the point of what
a virus
it
data, resulting
hardware failure.”
…
but it
of a color to it, went completely pale all
she looked towards Seth, who was also looking
eyes slowly morphing from grim to mocking, and he even let out a
quite something, obliterating even
done a
frantically and approached him, “It’s not
his hand, batting away hers as she reached for
herself on the
it?” Seth eyed her coldly, his gaze like
through her nerves inch by inch. “You’ve mentioned
get your hands on Diaz International,
were just being flippant, Cicely. All this
stand to look at a
if it’s like pulling teeth, but you’re oddly
off to the
deal with
words on the recording would you
have no reason to suspect
There’s no surveillance,
side, her gaze fixed on a crack in
looked like she
Cicely was done for.
terrible, her head was spinning, and her heart ached.m“Seth, I did
things on the recording, but none of it was
Ray.”
look at her,
desk beside him. It seemed like he was
looking for a way
suddenly spoke up, “If it
onto a flash drive would have been
that he might get caught,
going to do it? Don’t
words?”
Danielle completely overturned
explanations.
he looked up again, they
state. Just as Cicely was about
drive, his
the same time, four uniformed officers stepped
guys are from Department of Justice,
maliciously destroy company secrets,
the evidence is irrefutable. Please take her
preparing
furrowed slightly as he turned to
Ray’s phone over to one of
words ‘Department of Justice,’ Cicely’s head shot up,
of panic as she
me? Are you going to press charges against me?” Charlie’s
shrank back, tears streaming down his cheeks. “My son and wife
Mr. Diaz. I can’t risk their lives for the company. I’m
hump for the firm, and I’m willing to do
It’s just not fair. Why
a long moment. Charlie
as calm as a still pond, eerily composed. “How
over?”
still cowering, thought for a second. “It’s a six-month
off,
Enter title…
Seth closed his eyes.
wedding next month… It
Ray, see if he
Maybe he still has
to find him fast before
action and dashed
*
whole night in his office, waiting for Charlie’s
their
had fallen asleep at her
had hoped it was all a dream, but each
and the two busy figures nearby
feeling. Anxiety and helplessness welled up, followed
who had spent two years and a fortune
facing ruin was unbearable.
Disappointment? Regret? Defeat? Despair?
him like that. Just the thought was
enough.
her and they could not get married, but she couldn’t
on
side the whole time, pained to see her this way. As
he stepped out to buy breakfast. Two portions for Joel and Joel’s
he placed before
cafeteria’s offerings were always the same –
having worked all night, didn’t stand on ceremony.
buns without taking their eyes off their screens.
scent of
pushed the bag
breakfast.”
around, sniffed at the bag, then her face
room, hand over her
the room, Cicely leaned against the wall, heaving with nothing to
up.
her mouth and quenching the
she settled
concerned, draped her dropped jacket over her
you to the hospital.”
shook her head, “I’m
the flowerbed, pulling the jacket tight around her, and
in there. Can you check
Pale and weak,
left her to ask Joel
“We should be able
a definite timeline. Just tell her
and that
Issac nodded, “Thank you.”
Cicely. Despite being
without getting
the brightening sky, biting her lip
will do when he
lose it. He’s
like this, or if he ever fails at something, he
“But he’s been working on
years.”
pained expression, “Everyone faces failure
be smooth. I don’t want him to face failure, especially
because of me.”
of reality made Cicely’s
tears falling, drop by
placing a hand on
the flash drive. They’ll
much. Speak to him
his sake.
made by people. They can
just a matter
comforting
is it?”
you need to do now is get some
at
he’ll be worried if he finds out.
Issac held her back
for two hours before going to the company. I
the hotel next door.
and this time Issac was insistent. She
to get
…
the set to see
around the studio city that evening, so they ended up
morning, they were up early, ready to head
in their room and
downstairs.
about to walk
who appeared out of nowhere. She let
instinctive scream.
it’s me.”A familiar, anxious voice
saw that it was
at a startled Patty and quickly
“Let go
but looked around and took out a cellphone
Danielle. “Danielle, I really like you, but I
last thing I can do for you. I hope you get what
I wish
before noon to see Seth. If you want
you talking about? Why
and why should I
out of time, I have to go.
his surroundings as
his cap down
at the scene, asked, “Who was that guy? All
Is there something important
approached, and after greeting them,
arms with Patty and
it out in the
*
finishing his breakfast and taking a stroll outside, Creighton
Patty. Right off the bat, Patty’s shrill voice almost pierced
eardrums.
of work! She’s
family can’t afford to have her, nor would we dare. This wedding is
let her marry into the Diaz family in my
Creighton wouldn’t have minded, but
belittling his daughter to nothing,
early in the
deserve such strong opinions?!”
wrong me? She
you think she wronged me?! Is she at home? If so, tell her
right now. We’re going to
Danielle suggested, “Patty,
ask them to meet
instead.”
Diaz International?! Since
depend on his say-so.”
the brink, it was
her chest heaving with indignant rage,
curse, and yet I had to be entangled
managed to
disaster!”
International!” Patty almost roared at the driver.
domineering demeanor,
accompanied her to
*
left confused and annoyed after being yelled at
up on. He wanted to call Cicely to ask what was going
Instead, he called
phone was off.
brow furrowed
He immediately called Seth.
up
and Cicely
Seth paused, “No.”
why did your mother just call me wanting to call off the
she’s the worst? Are
at the company last night.
was out with
I hope everything’s fine. I can’t reach her. Could
mentioned that there was
happened?”
pursed his lips, “I’ll contact
“Alright.”
unsettled, especially
at the company. Given Patty’s hysterics on the call, he
check
*
intention of sleeping. No matter how uncomfortable she
close her eyes, so she just took a shower, changed into
and left the room.
been waiting at the door, and seeing her like this,
“Going to Diaz International?”
Cicely nodded.
to grab
Cicely shook her head.
no longer insisted. They headed straight for
company, they saw
such a big issue, Seth
the logical
office?”
her with
the
caused a hitch in Cicely’s
with a dim expression,
him.”
time, accompanying her upstairs. The office was
quiet on the weekend.
Issac to wait at the
pairs of eyes turned to her in
before Seth, seemingly in the middle of a
with him.
the computer
across
first glance was towards Seth, whose bloodshot eyes met hers
coldness and ferocity. “Sleep well last night?” he asked,
raspy to the extreme.
handle tighter and after
didn’t go home last night. I came back to the
late…”
spent the night partying with Emiliana
home?”
each question sounding like an
something else.
shook her head, “No,
he looked away.
my back, there’s no issue. I’m
leave.”
office. As she
voice suddenly cut through the air. “That’s
even hear what we just
dumb?”
sabotaged your two-year project!
the computer is trashed. All your
International might go
woman!”
frown deepened as she turned to Patty and
did you know about
her, her
admits it and you still don’t
to Danielle, her gaze sharp. “I’m
you know
a crisp slap, Patty’s hand struck Cicely’s
abruptly stood up
burst through the door and
him.
a rage beyond control, glared at Cicely. “What right do you have
what you’ve done, you
shameless!”
expression was icy. “Madam, the situation isn’t
down.”
clarity do you need? Does
a phone from her bag – the one
after pressing something, tossed it onto the
Seth.
to play, its clarity allowing one to imagine the
expression at the time:
is cold and
mother and Diaz International, left to him by his father. My affection
though we’re set
know when he might leave me, so I thought,
so important to him, he wouldn’t just walk
this day her desire to set him up with Danielle
well. There was no way for me to break in from
set on
my name
the software development fails and the
then Diaz International would easily fall
Group, Diaz International is small fry. Whether
irrelevant to me; I just
to completely destroy this program. Diaz International will
the Ellis family will help, and Diaz International
fall into my hands.
of who did it. He has no reason to suspect
If I’m to destroy, I’ll do it thoroughly. I
USB, any engineer here could
point
virus
into the computer, it will automatically destroy everything
computer’s operational data, resulting in both
hardware failure.”
…
voice was interspersed, but it
didn’t have much of a color to it, went completely pale all
Instinctively, she looked towards Seth,
morphing from grim to mocking,
quite something, obliterating even the computer’s
done a
approached him, “It’s
away hers as she reached for
herself
coldly, his gaze like nails laced with
inch by inch.
you wanted to get your hands on Diaz International, and you’ve
thought you were
you can’t stand to look
pulling teeth, but you’re oddly fascinated by
off
deal with
on the recording would you say are not true? Maybe
Without surveillance, I’d have no reason to suspect
There’s no surveillance, just the
her gaze fixed on a crack in the
looked like she didn’t have to lift a
Cicely was done for.
her head was spinning, and her heart ached.m“Seth, I did
none of it was true. I only said that
Ray.”
eyes and turned to look at her, his clenched
desk beside him. It seemed like he was thinking, trying
a way
that moment, Danielle suddenly spoke up, “If
a flash drive would have been enough. Why
might get caught,
do it? Don’t
words?”
sentence from Danielle completely overturned all
explanations.
he looked up again, they had returned to
Cicely was about to bring up the
drive,
four uniformed officers
guys are from Department of
with others to maliciously destroy
losses, and the evidence is irrefutable. Please
preparing to
as he turned to look at Patty, but
over to
of Justice,’ Cicely’s
a mix of panic as she looked
going to press
down his cheeks. “My son and wife are
lives for the company.
for the firm, and I’m willing to
the line. It’s just not fair. Why
was silent for a long moment. Charlie watched his
calm as a still pond, eerily composed. “How long would it take
over?”
a second. “It’s
off, two
Enter title…
Seth closed his eyes.
wedding next month… It was
find Ray, see if he has a backup
nodded eagerly, “Right, right, right! Maybe
to find him fast before he
into action and dashed
*
the whole night in his office, waiting for
their only
school, Cicely had fallen asleep at her desk numerous times, her
She had hoped it was all a dream, but each
of her surroundings and the two busy
and helplessness welled up, followed by silent
thought of Seth, who had spent two years and a fortune
facing ruin was unbearable.
Disappointment? Regret? Defeat? Despair?
like
enough.
could not
on his
her side the whole time, pained to see her this way. As
out to buy breakfast. Two
remaining one he placed
school cafeteria’s offerings were always the same –
having worked all night,
buns without taking their eyes
hearty scent of the steamed
pushed the bag toward her, “Have
breakfast.”
looked around, sniffed at the bag, then her face turned, and
the room, hand over her mouth. Issac
leaned against the wall, heaving with nothing to
up.
water. After rinsing her
stomach, she settled
dropped jacket over her and whispered,
you to the hospital.”
head, “I’m
by the flowerbed, pulling the
you check
and weak, her voice barely held
to ask Joel about
should be able
modify, but we can’t give a definite timeline.
that
Issac nodded, “Thank you.”
reported back to Cicely. Despite being promised
to her without getting a successful
up at the brightening sky, biting
do when he finds out
won’t lose it. He’s young but steady.
like this, or if he ever fails at something, he won’t
again. “But he’s been working on this for
years.”
her pained expression, “Everyone faces failure
I want his life to be smooth. I
because of me.”
reality made Cicely’s heart ache
her head, tears
hand on her
drive. They’ll crack the program
much. Speak to him clearly, and
did it for his sake. Even
are made by people. They can
a matter of
mood steadied with Issac’s comforting logic.
is it?”
need to do now is get
him at the
he’ll be worried if he finds out. I
two hours until work starts.” Issac held her back as she tried
can definitely sleep for two hours before going to
in the hotel next
felt truly awful, and this time Issac was insistent. She
to get
…
to see Danielle.
around the studio city that evening, so they ended up staying at a
next morning, they were up early, ready to head
their room
downstairs.
were about to walk out the front door, Danielle
appeared out of nowhere.
instinctive scream.
me.”A familiar, anxious voice rang out. Danielle
saw that it was
She glanced at a startled
“Let go
but looked around and
Danielle. “Danielle, I really like you,
This is the last thing I can do for you. I hope
I wish you
International before noon to see Seth. If you want to
ask him to
you talking about? Why
should I go
of time, I have to go. Just
his surroundings as he spoke, then abruptly cut
cap down low, and
“Who was that guy?
Is there something important on
moment, Patty’s driver approached, and after greeting them,
arms with Patty and they walked down the
check it out in the
*
a stroll
the bat, Patty’s shrill voice almost pierced
eardrums.
sure raised a piece of work! She’s
nor would we dare. This wedding
will never agree to let her
just criticized him, Creighton wouldn’t have minded,
by belittling his daughter to nothing, and Creighton’s temper flared.
the morning? Where did
deserve such strong opinions?!”
did she wrong me? She
wronged me?! Is she
We’re going to
“Patty, Ray advised
International this morning. Let’s ask them to
instead.”
we go to Diaz International?! Since when
depend on his say-so.”
on the brink, it was
her chest heaving with indignant rage, her
yet I had
to drag Diaz
disaster!”
Diaz International!” Patty almost roared
demeanor, didn’t dare to speak up
her
*
left confused and annoyed after being
He wanted to call Cicely to ask
asleep. Instead, he called Issac, only to find
phone was off.
furrowed in
He immediately called Seth.
picked up quickly, and he
did you and Cicely have a
Seth paused, “No.”
call me
Cicely like she’s the worst? Are you with Cicely
issue at the company last
was out
fine. I can’t
mother mentioned that there was a problem
happened?”
pursed his lips, “I’ll contact Cicely right
“Alright.”
unsettled, especially since Seth avoided
Patty’s hysterics
Brody to check
*
no intention of sleeping. No matter
close her eyes, so she just took
and left the room.
at the door, and seeing her
“Going to Diaz International?”
Cicely nodded.
to grab some
Cicely shook her head.
longer insisted. They
the company,
thought that with such a big issue, Seth would definitely be
a weekend. That was the logical
office?”
on her
“In the Engineering
terse reply caused a hitch in Cicely’s
dim expression,
him.”
accompanying her upstairs. The office was
quiet on the weekend.
wait at the door while she pushed open
Three pairs of eyes turned to
seemingly in the middle of
with him.
was in disarray, the computer tower and monitor now
across
whose bloodshot
coldness and ferocity. “Sleep well last night?” he asked,
raspy to the extreme.
gripped the door handle tighter and after a brief
“Seth, I didn’t go home last night. I came back
late…”
because you spent the night partying with Emiliana that you
home?”
never wavered from her, each question
something else.
her lip and shook her head, “No,
and he looked away.
behind my back, there’s no issue. I’m busy now,
leave.”
chaos of the office.
say something, Patty’s shrill voice suddenly cut
even hear what we just told you, or are you deliberately
dumb?”
two-year project! Doesn’t this mess
is gone, and the computer is trashed. All your
International might go under because of
woman!”
turned to
“How did
pointed at her, her eyes red with fury. “Listen
admits it and you
to Danielle, her
know about the data
a crisp slap, Patty’s hand struck Cicely’s
and he abruptly stood up from
commotion, burst through the door
him.
in a rage beyond control, glared at Cicely. “What right
this? After what you’ve done, you still
shameless!”
was icy. “Madam, the situation isn’t clear yet. Please
down.”
clarity do you need? Does
phone from her bag
pressing something, tossed it
Seth.
began to play, its clarity allowing
expression at the time:
is cold and
to him by his
we’re
know when he might leave me, so I thought, if I
important to him, he wouldn’t just walk away. You’re well
and to this day her
way for me to break in
set
transferring Diaz International to my
if the software development fails and the company
Diaz International would easily fall into my
to the Ellis Group, Diaz International is small fry. Whether it
its value is irrelevant to me; I just
completely destroy this
the Ellis family will help, and Diaz International
fall into my hands.
no cameras, no proof of who did it. He has no reason to
do it thoroughly. I know a
USB, any engineer here could recover the
the point
a virus I had specially prepared for
computer, it will automatically destroy
resulting in both data destruction
hardware failure.”
…
interspersed, but
have much of a color to it, went completely pale
looked towards Seth, who
from grim to mocking, and he
“You’re quite something, obliterating
You’ve done a thorough
and approached him, “It’s
Seth raised his hand, batting away hers as she reached
staggered, steadying herself
what is it?” Seth eyed her coldly, his gaze like nails laced with
inch by
you wanted to get your hands on Diaz International, and you’ve
were just being flippant, Cicely. All
you can’t stand
teeth, but you’re oddly fascinated by
off
deal with
would you say are not
one thing. Without surveillance, I’d have no reason to suspect
There’s no surveillance, just the
the side, her gaze fixed on a crack
It looked like she didn’t
Cicely was done for.
felt terrible, her head was spinning, and her
recording, but none of it was true. I
Ray.”
look at her, his clenched fist
the desk beside him. It seemed like he
a way out
moment, Danielle suddenly spoke up, “If
copy the files onto a flash drive would have
get caught, and to
he was going to do it? Don’t you see the
words?”
sentence from Danielle completely overturned all of
explanations.
and when he looked up again, they had returned
Cicely was about to
drive, his look silenced
four uniformed officers stepped
quickly said, “You guys are from Department of Justice, right?
others to maliciously destroy company secrets,
losses, and the evidence is
We’re preparing to
to look at Patty, but Patty went
over
words ‘Department of Justice,’ Cicely’s head
mix of panic as she looked towards the tall, imposing
are you suing me? Are you going to press charges against me?” Seth caught the fear in
at the four figures before
investigated.”
angry voice piercing through
irrefutable, what’s
because this woman’s put
International
International or me anymore,
Seth, “I’ve already alerted
how cruel and shameless she
Enter title…
brows knitted
the Department of Justice
that the matter hasn’t been fully
in the inquiry to
we will ensure
unharmed.”
a lawsuit against her
unchecked, her emotions and words spiraling out of
and tranquil as he looked at
her eyes. “I don’t
are taken there. I can’t bear to
you, and I wouldn’t do anything to bring shame
Ellis family.”
words were fearful and helpless, laden with desperate pleading. No
so terrified. Not Seth, not
a long moment,
his voice deep and
been a misunderstanding. Is that
nodded, tears spilling over with the
have to
alien to him; he
clenched, Seth’s face tight with tension.
he paused, turning
again, his voice was like a sword cleaving through
exceedingly sharp. “Take
on the spot. Her wide eyes
been for the tears that suddenly fell
she was a statue, rigid and
imagined that one day these words
let’s go,” the two
of her, ready
were now utterly still, her gaze
She looked at Seth silently for two seconds
seemingly
their
flicker of hope glinted in Cicely’s
Cicely to cooperate
was about to speak, a deep
him, “Cooperating with an
Try taking her today, I dare
as she lifted her head to see Creighton
his expression stern
indomitable authority.
“Mr. Ellis.”
mask of fury,
things this far? They’re a married
intervene in
agents knew the chairman of the
show some respect. But now that they had been assigned this
parties were exerting pressure, they couldn’t
they hesitated, Charlie walked in. “Mr.
here. Let him
unfazed by
been granted a
bring the accused.
Ray burst into laughter. “Ms. Cicely,
And to think, you were
almost believed Seth
his words were
Cicely.
realized how
“Trying to win over Danielle by fighting
man? Should I say you’re devoted
returned.
to settle. Still,
that word hit Ray right where it hurt. He glared at Cicely, but
thanks to
a pleasure, Ms. Cicely, truly. Without you, I couldn’t have
I have no regrets in this life. I really should thank you, so feel
at me, or even hit
cold laugh. How wonderful. Even
Danielle. Even if Danielle’s role in
who shamelessly clawed her way into their lives,
still supported her.
concerned, everything Danielle did or
deserved.
“Take him away.”
again within her. It felt as though
heart had been blown to pieces, leaving her bleeding and broken.
a smile, her expression transitioning
detachment.
grain of the
distant. “Ray’s unwavering trust and support
I’m clearly outmatched,” she said.
by emotion, resigned to being the
beat. So many people around, yet her
intended for him alone.
blaming him for not believing in
people waiting? Could his lone trust
the prejudice against her?
Cicely—was she to be content
in the
span of a heartbeat, his eyes darkened, his jaw clenched, and
Cicely’s retreating back with a chill
officials from the Department of Justice glanced awkwardly
we should escort everyone out and investigate this
Would that be
strode over, snatched back the phone
over, and hit play again, specifically
Read The Enticing CEO’s Chosen Bride Chapter 2041-2050
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The Read The Enticing CEO’s Chosen Bride by Novelxo.com has been updated to chapter Chapter 2041-2050 .
In Chapter 2041-2050 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 2041-2050 author Novelxo.com mention any details. Follow Chapter 2041-2050 and the latest season of this series at Novelxo.com.
The Enticing CEO’s Chosen Bride Chapter 2041-2050
The Enticing CEO’s Chosen Bride novel Chapter 2041-2050