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.
seeing Cicely personally shopping for clothes and shoes
leisurely, Charlie kind
The things she said, they were enough to set anyone’s heart racing.
a thing for Mr. Diaz, her words might
confession.
*
Cicely stepped out of the café and rushed back to the
Seth to finish work – not counting his habitual
departures.
on his way, knowing she’d
soon enough.
the office, Seth was hammering
her with a nonchalant lift
in work?” Cicely
monitor, Seth asked blandly, “Didn’t you go
What’d you buy?”
her tongue out, weighing the truth.
him off, she thought. “Just browsed a bit, didn’t get
typing paused. “Browsing aimlessly, huh? Was there really a need to
place was
felt guilty, “Who rushed out?
entry, saved the file, and shut down
or will
annoyed by his pressing demeanor. “Do
sell you out, or cheat on you? What could I possibly
to check up
there’s nothing you
you can’t
get all jealous and
something you’ve done that would make
still act like
suddenly died down. She couldn’t outplay this man. “So if
you promise not to get
up and moving closer
it to yourself. As
you up.”
“Eh?”
to question when
and into his arms.
was happening, she kicked and struggled, “Hey, don’t! I
what are you
kicked open the door
her into the bed.
exercise some restraint. Save some
wedding night.”
doesn’t need to
not really looking forward to
“Heh.”
silenced her, and she had
thoroughly at his
kicked him weakly a couple of times,
but her efforts feeble.
came through,
got up to take the call, something apparently requiring
to stay put and
obediently was not in her
out of bed and decided to wander
employees were preparing to leave, so
department. They were used to
to mess with her.
out of her league, but
employees’ feathers.
Cicely appeared, everyone
smirked and
around, wasn’t there,
work today,”
They were suffering every day she visited. Poor
yet not daring
“I didn’t hear about
many things
ask for leave today. He might be
hard. I’ll have a
cut Camden some slack.”
chair next to the programmer, “I’m
looks like Seth for me. I need to take
at her and sighed silently.While waiting for a coder to work
it to find a text
wedding dress is
dying to see
response touched on every girl’s soft spot. Cicely was
dress was the envy of another girl.
she texted
tomorrow
was followed by a string of
Enter title…
an eyebrow, [Tomorrow’s Friday. Alright, we’ll have dinner and
take a look.]
[Yay!!! Love you!!]d2
[Sure. Dismissed.]
[Got it, your Highness.]
career took off, Emiliana had become
more familiar and comfortable with each
Creighton and Erik. Cicely had gotten
just weren’t into texting
phone and turned her
“Are we almost there?”
more minutes,
bored. “Do you tech
drive to
steal trade
write viruses, but it’s rare and targeted. We’re mostly into
or upgrading and reinforcing firewalls. As
steal secrets, those kinds of machines are
computers here—our firewalls are
by Mr. Diaz. We’re well-protected,
worries.”
if there’s corporate espionage, it must be
job?”
that’s a crime. No
“Right.”
“It’s ready, ma’am.”
“Huh?”
eyes moved to the cartoon character playing on the scree. It bore
to Seth. The character was adorably
brows and a
Seth’s
but laugh, “So this is how you see Seth,
upright, “Mr. Diaz is a commanding leader. Please go
ma’am.”
out loud and said, “Move
showed her a few game
character threw punches with “pow, pow, pow”
Seth could even
was laughing her head off. It was hard to
taking a hit.
simple game for over half an hour, and if Seth hadn’t
for her in the office, suspecting she was causing chaos
would
through the office space. The
Seth approach with a thunderous expression, then
Mr. Diaz getting pummeled on the screen and felt his legs go
“Ma’am.”
in the game,
“Mr. Seth…”
pow” continued. The office, which had been filled with the
making Cicely’s
something was off, she sensed a chilling presence behind her.
eyes with Seth’s dark,
intense she blinked rapidly.
glanced at the screen, his
“Yeah.”
“Enjoying it?”
“Sorta.”
shivers down her spine. “Should I
getting yourself so excited?”
speechless. This man had the nerve
comment in public.
her arm, lifting her from her seat,
had my fill.
tight against her skin, and she felt herself
try harder when you’re this
gaze, Seth whisked Cicely
engineering department collectively
heavens!
*
the car, Cicely put as much distance between herself and Seth
looking for
chuckle at Cicely’s scrunched-up figure as he
and let
department isn’t some playground. They work tirelessly
deadlines, and you’re there distracting them with
that. “I was there to boost morale,
work hard. You should
paid for their work, but now they have to entertain
seem fair.”
“It’s really because you’re the bully. They’re just taking the
You owe them
gave her a sidelong
his voice teasing. “How have
you know Camden called in sick today?” A
change
eyes narrowed slightly,
you to care for
her briefly, then turned to
Camden.”
“Sure.”
light. Charlie quickly
phone rang for a good ten seconds before it was answered,
speaker crackling to life. “Hello, Charlie, is
frazzled, prompting Charlie
Camden? Something wrong?”
came up, and I didn’t have time to
here on behalf of Mr.
that. Mr. Diaz is right here.
directly.”
You are
don’t even have
cut through the air, while
such scenes, merely watched as Camden’s trembling voice grew
on the
sorry, Mr. Diaz, it won’t happen again. It’s just that I might
make it back for a couple of days, and I was hoping
a few more
and then it’s the weekend. You can’t make
days?”
should do it, that’s plenty. Thank you, Mr.
“Alright.”
back against the cushion, drawling
years older than you,
shaking like he’s about
hefty salary is me. Anger your
when you
glanced out the window at a couple
an ice cream
have ice cream
Tomorrow, Emiliana.
be joining you for dinner tomorrow night. I’ve got
Emiliana.”
time will you
dinner,
I’ll be home before
ten at the latest. Otherwise,
I not get to have a
not providing you with
Charlie, who was driving
choked unexpectedly.
anticipated this side of Mr.
if scalded by boiling water.
the most shameless
*
reservation at the restaurant Seth had
Danielle was discharged from the hospital. Emiliana naturally gave it
reviews as well.
catch a movie. The cinema was
They bought a
taking a
nights were bustling with life. The square
conversation revolved
on the
For groomsman, Issac’s a
be Mr.
the more the merrier! If not, Issac can just join my
bridesmaids.”
“You want him in
actually suggest it, he
spoils
a proud
by posters of movie stars,
glamorous than the last.
fame by now, and to avoid unnecessary trouble,
hat.
was bustling. They grabbed their tickets and glanced
the promotional boards—several were talents
reminds me, I saw Danielle at the studio today. We were
to be there,” Emiliana
the electronic posters.
it’s the biggest studio in
actors, bumping into
“I saw their costumes and crew today, so lavish.
it’s a top-notch production.”
smile, “If he promised to help out, he wouldn’t skimp. But a toptier production, that I
favor. Mr. Diaz’s favors
Cicely agreed with
some high-profile lady at the set
probably rest over the weekend. Let’s drop it,
on it when you’re about to announce your wedding to the world.
find
could guess who Emiliana was referring to, but
about Danielle. She nodded and let Emiliana
it was nine o’clock. Cicely
they went
us to
“Got it.”
*
whole building was eerily quiet over the weekend. Cicely,
her own access
to the top floor, they headed
“I thought
are we at
the dress, but who knew he’d decide
his office?”
Cicely figured the man
lounge. They entered Seth’s office, flicking on
instantly bathed in brightness.
here, and even without
help but feel tense.
decor and arrangement screamed grandeur and formality.
ignored the little table next to the big desk.
trinkets, a plush cushion on the chair,
mats.
cooped up in this place
couldn’t suppress a chuckle.
“What’s so funny?”
next to him
work done? I can’t imagine
a deck of cards out of
affairs of Diaz International
supposed to do
point there.” Laughter brought tears
chair and hurled it at her, “Laugh
want, but let’s
waved her hands frantically, “No, no, I’m not up for that. Alright,
me the wedding
moved to a concealed door in the lounge
froze
we going in…” Emiliana couldn’t wait
her words stopped
she turned back with a mischievous wink. “You two got
business this
bed was a testament to their
crept up Cicely’s ears.
she had hit the nail on
corner of a cabinet. She gasped.
a hand over her mouth, scurrying
displayed, now illuminated under
it had been in
diamonds? I’m getting
bell sleeves
so lush and
thread embroidery,
is
reaction to the stunning bridal gown was
overstatement.
air of pride, “Did you expect anything less
the sneak peek before the
nodded, snapping a few high-resolution photos with her phone.
you wear it at the wedding. You’re going
those pictures, okay?
on the wedding day.”
such a beautiful dress, you must have repaid the favor in
her a glare, “Are you
the dress’s side, “I could
and it still wouldn’t
keep looking. I’m
“Hey, wait for me…”
was loath to leave, she couldn’t really stay all
here and you’re
as it is.” Cicely grabbed her purse from the couch,
annoyed.
“Late for what?”
wants me
an eyebrow, “That strict,
if the curfew was her
anything wrong. Even if you are late, what’s
perhaps flirt a little, and all’s
door, “I hope you get
little’ to keep him
the elevator, and just as
hand froze in mid-air, her gaze fixed
button herself, “What’s
on the top floor, and upon opening, Emiliana
on.”
entered, deep
the ground floor, then pulled out a compact
up her makeup. She had plans to drag
drink.
the elevator began to run,
floor, Cicely suddenly reached down and pressed the
for the twelfth floor.
elevator halted almost
and Cicely stepped out just as they were
of her retreating figure. “This is the
floor!”
“Wait for me downstairs.”
doors shut completely, and Emiliana couldn’t tell if Cicely heard her
words.
familiar to Cicely, second only to Seth’s office at
– it housed
all three elevators had been on the
have remained there, so why had
at the twelfth?
Department was home to Diaz International’s largest
two years in the making. The
leak or malicious sabotage could
no room
had left something crucial behind and was coming back for
it would be one thing. Or maybe someone was just a
do. The thought made Cicely scoff. Such
they did, why
a single
tiptoed through the foyer and down the hallway to the entrance
office. Inside, the flash of a smartphone’s flashlight
a hidden angle
for something in a
actions tightened Cicely’s
who else could have a security badge for free access to
company?
your office?” The stranger sounded nervous, a
with anger and urgency.
earpiece, occasionally
they communicating with someone inside
private office
tremulous voice on
something. That explained how the stranger had
security badge.
stranger something significant, and the
for
path
any tricks on me, and you’ll
That voice…
flashing in her mind. Was that
of Ray’s face suddenly merged with the
hospital door when she had picked up Danielle from
pain pulsed at the center
the pieces of information started connecting
Ray dropped out of
comeback or something more extreme.
opted for the latter.
due to a
threatened
the annual company gathering, Ray had vowed to make Seth
executing his sinister
software development was well-known within the
to find out, he certainly could have.
world to Diaz International. So, he
either steal the program or destroy it. Then,
had worked for would come tumbling
today was clearly no different from a desperado.
to face
text Issac
through the silence of the empty office space, the sound
walls.
Cicely’s mind went blank.
light suddenly hit her face, and she squinted, drawing a deep
hand to shield her eyes from the
Everything okay? When
Cicely’s face as she inhaled a quiet breath,
moment more.
“Make it snappy.”
“Will do.”
phone and tucked it
sheen of cold sweat.d2
we have a certain fate, haven’t
Enter title…
eerily calm, as if being
thing in the
herself to relax, offering a
him.
you in the wrong
chuckle escaped Ray, “Not at all. It’s rare for
weekend, Ms. Cicely.
reply immediately, taking a moment before she
about getting caught,
a nearby desk, legs crossed, the
just now didn’t blow my cover, does that
perhaps strike a deal?”
burst into laughter. “So,
Seth that day outside
“Pure coincidence. I was just there to
their conversation as
be honest, our first
misunderstood
the romantic type,
smile widened as he removed his face
could you hand over your phone?
for backup, and then I’d really
reached into her purse to
pressed the unlock button, the screen lit up, revealing
had been lying
moment the phone’s screen illuminated, Ray snatched
her hands. He checked the phone and saw no calls made, and
Still not satisfied, he emptied her
cards, and other
with the unassuming USB
eyebrow with a smirk, “Can
same reason as me today,
her gaze fixed on the USB drive before
head, “Not sure.”
“Hmm?”
face-to-face
“Everyone knows that Seth is cold and aloof.
him are his mother and Diaz International, left to him by his
is no secret, and even though
when he might leave
important to him, he
favors Danielle, and to this day her desire to set him up
is still alive and well. There was no way for me to break
sights were set on
transferring Diaz International to my name a few times,
that if the software development fails and
Diaz International would easily fall into my hands.
Ellis Group, Diaz International is
to me; I just
who had been listening
not sure if your goals align with mine. I intend to
Diaz International will then face a huge debt crisis, and with
the company will be mine.
start anew, I’m sorry, but I won’t let you. Ruining
Helping you profit
planning, you’ve left no room
reap any benefits. Even if
Seth will eventually catch on, and he won’t let you
it be the best
expression contemplative, then he
in love can be terrifying, willing
analysis isn’t wrong. I’ve kidnapped
destroyed the most important
sure he tastes the loss of his
International”
no intention of making a quick
point of money? Better to
his gaze on her, “Aren’t you worried that
this, he’ll leave
heart, “You had the audacity to
you afraid of the cameras catching
scoffed, “With the head of engineering Camden
the surveillance was a piece
evidence, no
me.”
gaze on her, a sardonic grin playing on his
together?”
strode toward Camden’s office.
the door
up the computer,
given him—spot
he fished out his own flash drive from his pocket, aiming
voice, cool as a cucumber, stopped him in his
Ray.”
as he looked
sabotage, I’ll
You moving files with that plain Jane flash drive? Any
lost files without breaking a sweat. What’s the point
your little exercise?”
a backup plan?
should we
“Destroy the computer itself.”
asked, “Smash
bit out
hard drive remains intact, smashing it
the data
was starting to panic. “Then what do we
drive he had placed aside,
her bag. “That flash drive
Once it’s in the system, it’ll shred everything, including
operational data. The files will
will be rendered useless.”
sounded like something out of
It wasn’t
I
better option? We’re both in too deep now. If I’m
you’d let me
and finally,
Cicely.
give me back the flash drive. It
use it to get back at someone else down
it truly wipes the computer as you claim, then it’s useless to
eyebrow
breath and inserted the
showcasing a flurry of
across the darkness.
minutes, the display halted, and five seconds later, the screen
ceased to hum,
light faded
It worked.
bit. She had thought Joel’s
bold claims, but it seemed there was no need for
the power
and the same went for the monitor. She
Cicely, easily noticing the faint smile playing on
love indeed could drive people to
a force
meet his, raising an eyebrow,
mind?”
Just that Seth really did a number on you. To push the P
princess to this extent.”
over, reached over and tried the computer switch
on, and bent over to pull the flash drive out. “To me, it’s
International could put up a fight,
of the Ellis Group shares.
of the
generous,” he said with a laugh as he stood up. “Well,
is done, the rest is up to you. Take care of yourself.
for now. Once I’m safely out
by the fountain
Cicely remained stone-faced.
Ray left the building, Cicely made
and Issac waiting in
lot.
hurried over. “Cicely, you were gone
from the
with a pale face, “Nothing much. Where are you staying
have Issac drive you.”
and realizing she wouldn’t get far
I’ve booked a hotel nearby.
should head home
careful on your
nodded, urging Cicely
the vehicle, Cicely leaned back,
happened?” Issac inquired.
took a deep breath and responded with a faint “hmm”
“Didn’t you see anyone else
were downstairs?”
voice tensed. “Did you run
“Ray.”
a stop on
her, his expression grave. “Are you
shook her
relief, restarted the car, and asked, “What was he
International?”
Seth more than
program.”
a moment. “So, did he succeed in
“Well… Oh, right.”
sat up straight, retrieved her
Joel’s phone was answered quickly. He
little unsure about getting a call from Cicely.
drive you gave me,
crack the program?”
been on the back burner for a
suddenly asking about this?”
lip, a tremor in her voice
files on it. Why is it on hold? Is it too
to crack?”
through the phone. Joel,
his bed ready to play with
hard, just that other
I’ll contact our senior right now and see
the phone tightly, tears circling her
hear what he says,
“Okay, hold on.”
to the landline to call
software came up,
we put it on hold because
projects. What happened?”
feeling Cicely’s urgency, blurted out, “The flash drive’s
to recover the files urgently. Can
“That urgent?”
hummed affirmatively, “Better if we start
silence on the other end before a
as she wiped her tears, “Are we heading
university? I’m coming, too.”
“Sure.”
up, Cicely bit her lip and sent a message to
tonight. Don’t wait up. Go to
a pouting emoji
heading to
pursed his lips, “Miss, you won’t be any help there. Better
and wait for news.”
how to face him. I caused
fix it. Let’s just go to the university, and you turn off your
Seth can’t reach you.”
“Understood.”
Cicely arrived at the university,
after another.
eyes and a look
start working on the
trying to understand their jargon-filled
with red eyes before, much less
for her pride, would cry. “You really don’t need to be here.
Go home,
her head, gripping his arm, “I can’t, Joel… You’ve got to crack it.
do otherwise.” As she
mix of heartache and guilt,
the blame. If you won’t go home, at
try
and knowing she was of no help, let Joel
nearby seat.
*
left the house when he received Cicely’s message.
call yesterday, Seth had a hunch that something
it and
had no clue where they were. Then they
son had vanished, and Mrs.
from school. Camden was
see his wife and
had been 24
location – they’d been retrieved and were on their way
company.
confirming she
urgency
*
the man
wept bitterly. “Mr.
threatened
face darkened ominously. “Who threatened
“It was Ray.”
demeanor, already frosty, became glacial as he
ice. “And what did he want
company’s access cards, my office’s key
storage path
chill run down his
that targeting Ray’s family without reason and then acting
ruthless, which was why he
he tossed Ray into
not pursue the matter further afterward.
he didn’t expect him to really take
doesn’t seem to
I still
expression only grew more severe at this. “When did he
paused, “He left after getting my stuff. Wasn’t
who quickly left
scrambling behind.
*
floor, in Camden’s office, Charlie bent over
boot it up
approached the computer with a
screen fruitless. Frantically, he switched to
remotely access the first. Within minutes, his face drained of color,
looking like
lacking Seth’s
seeing Camden’s
“Mr. Diaz,
clean from that computer.”
chill in his
was a cold snap threatening
you mean ‘all its data has been
on the verge of passing out, stammered,
operate,
good as a piece
his eyes in
two years of preparation, a fortune invested, all for what? A pile of
world’s most expensive junk.
hands hung by his sides, clenched into fists
he didn’t know anything about
I remember he took a
files to it was enough. But this, this is the
not some amateur.”
paused, catching a glimpse of Seth’s
his head down, “Mr.
had help. There’s no way he could’ve done
spun on his heel, “I’ll check the security
What good would it
with fear, added, “He had me erase
tapes.”Charlie’s stride halted, his fury cresting.
streaming down his cheeks. “My son
Mr. Diaz. I can’t risk their lives for
I’m willing to do that. But I can’t put
line. It’s just not
moment. Charlie watched his expression carefully,
pond, eerily composed. “How long
over?”
still cowering, thought for a second. “It’s a
ass off,
Enter title…
Seth closed his eyes.
month… It was too
if he
eagerly, “Right, right, right! Maybe he still has a
find him fast
into action and dashed
*
night in his
become their
the school, Cicely had fallen asleep at her desk numerous times,
uneasy. She had hoped it was all a dream, but
and the two
feeling. Anxiety and helplessness welled up, followed by silent
spent two years and a fortune on this,
facing ruin was unbearable.
Disappointment? Regret? Defeat? Despair?
want to see him like that. Just the thought
enough.
they could not get married, but she couldn’t bear to
on his
side the whole time, pained to see
breakfast. Two portions for Joel
he placed
always the
all night, didn’t stand on ceremony.
buns without taking their eyes off their screens. The room
hearty scent of the
Issac pushed the bag toward her,
breakfast.”
around, sniffed at the
hand over
room, Cicely leaned against the
up.
After rinsing her mouth and quenching
she
draped her dropped jacket over her and
you to the hospital.”
her head, “I’m fine. Just didn’t sleep
pulling the jacket tight around her, and
smell in there. Can you check on their progress
crack it?” Pale and weak, her
left her to ask Joel
hopeful, “We should be able to do it. We’re
we can’t give a definite timeline. Just tell her to hang
and that it’ll work
Issac nodded, “Thank you.”
Cicely. Despite being promised
her without getting a successful decoder
biting her
will do when he finds out the program is
“He won’t lose it.
ever fails at something, he won’t
he’s
years.”
avoided her pained expression, “Everyone
his life to be smooth. I
because of me.”
and the harshness of reality made Cicely’s heart ache with
tears falling, drop by
gently placing a hand on her head, soothing her. “The
the flash drive. They’ll
worry this much. Speak to him clearly, and
for his sake. Even if it’s
leaked, and these programs are made by
a matter
with Issac’s comforting logic. She looked up, “What
is it?”
to do now is
at the
he’ll be worried if he finds out.
Issac held her back
two hours before going to
in the hotel next door. Go rest a
this time
get
…
to see
evening, so
were up early, ready to head back to the
breakfast in their room
downstairs.
as they were about to walk
by someone who appeared out of nowhere. She let out
instinctive scream.
familiar, anxious voice rang out.
and saw that
glanced at a startled Patty and quickly shook
“Let go
around and took out a cellphone from his
like you,
can do for
I wish you
to Diaz International before noon to see
him, you can ask him to
are you talking about? Why
why should I go see
I’m out of time, I have to go. Just remember what
on his surroundings as he
cap down low, and
scene, asked, “Who was that guy?
Is there
that moment, Patty’s driver approached,
and
check it out
*
a stroll outside, Creighton received a
off the bat, Patty’s
eardrums.
piece of work! She’s so heartless and ruthless,
can’t afford to have her, nor would we dare.
will never agree to let her marry into the Diaz family in
him, Creighton wouldn’t have minded, but she
daughter to nothing, and Creighton’s
in the morning?
deserve such strong opinions?!”
snorted, “Where did she wrong me? She
you think she wronged me?! Is she at home? If so, tell her to come
now. We’re going to
“Patty, Ray advised us
International this morning. Let’s ask them to
instead.”
go to Diaz International?! Since
depend on his say-so.”
was understandable for Patty
her chest heaving with indignant rage, her fury was palpable. “I
I had to
but managed to drag Diaz International down first. What
disaster!”
International!” Patty almost roared at the driver.
demeanor, didn’t dare
her
*
annoyed after being yelled
to call Cicely to ask what was going
asleep. Instead,
phone was off.
furrowed in
He immediately called Seth.
phone was picked up quickly, and he
did you and Cicely have
Seth paused, “No.”
did your mother just call me wanting
Cicely like she’s the worst? Are you with
There was an issue at the company last night. I didn’t go home,
She was out with friends last
can’t reach her. Could
that there was a
happened?”
“I’ll
“Alright.”
unsettled, especially since
company. Given Patty’s hysterics on the call, he
check on
*
No
she just took a shower, changed
and left the room.
door, and seeing her like this, he
“Going to Diaz International?”
Cicely nodded.
to grab some
Cicely shook her head.
longer insisted. They
company,
big issue,
on a weekend. That was the logical
office?”
her with an
the
tone and terse reply caused a hitch
expression, she muttered, “I’ll go
him.”
followed Cicely this time, accompanying
quiet on the weekend.
to wait at the door while
eyes turned
Danielle stood before Seth, seemingly in the middle
with him.
desk was in disarray, the computer
across
glance was towards Seth, whose bloodshot eyes met hers
“Sleep well last night?”
raspy to the extreme.
handle tighter and after
didn’t go home last
late…”
you spent the night
home?”
gaze never wavered from her, each question sounding like
something else.
bit her lip and shook her
eyes darkened, and he looked away. “As
back, there’s no issue. I’m busy now,
leave.”
glanced at the chaos of the office. As she was about
say something, Patty’s shrill voice suddenly cut through the air. “That’s
you even hear what we just told you, or are
dumb?”
project! Doesn’t this mess prove
is gone, and the
International might go
woman!”
turned to Patty and
her. “How did you know about
anger, pointed at her, her eyes
and you still don’t believe
stepped closer to Danielle, her gaze
know
a crisp slap, Patty’s hand struck Cicely’s
violently, and he abruptly stood up from his
burst through the door
him.
beyond control, glared at Cicely. “What
you’ve done, you still act so superior.
shameless!”
“Madam, the
down.”
clarity do you need? Does this
mockingly, pulling out a phone from her bag – the one Ray
after pressing something, tossed it onto the
Seth.
began to play, its
expression at the time:
is cold and aloof. The most
to him by his father.
secret, and even though we’re set to marry, he’s never said
I don’t know when he might leave me, so I thought, if I
wouldn’t
day her desire to set him up with
no way for me to break in from his
were set
my name
the software development
Diaz International would easily fall
International
value is irrelevant to me; I just
is to completely destroy this program. Diaz International
loan issues, then the Ellis family will help,
fall into my hands.
proof of who did
I’ll do it thoroughly. I
these files with a regular USB, any engineer here could recover
exactly. What’s the point
is infected with a virus I had specially prepared for
the computer, it
the computer’s operational data, resulting in both
hardware failure.”
…
but it no
which didn’t have much of a
looked towards Seth, who was also
from grim to mocking, and he even let
quite something, obliterating even the computer’s
a thorough
head frantically and approached him, “It’s not like
hand, batting away hers as
staggered, steadying herself on the nearby
eyed her coldly, his gaze like nails laced
through her nerves inch by inch. “You’ve mentioned more than
you wanted to get your hands
you were just being flippant,
everything dull, and you can’t stand to look at a single
teeth, but
codes, always scurrying off to the
deal with that,
on the recording would you say are not true? Maybe you’re
Without surveillance, I’d have no
There’s no
fixed on a crack in the
face. It looked like she
Cicely was done for.
terrible, her head was spinning, and
on the recording, but none of it was true. I only said
Ray.”
and turned to look
desk beside him. It seemed like he was thinking, trying
looking for a
at that moment, Danielle suddenly spoke up, “If it was just to trick
flash drive would
that he might get caught, and to
if he was going to do it? Don’t you see
words?”
from Danielle completely overturned all
explanations.
flickered, and when he looked up again, they had returned to
cold state. Just as Cicely was about to bring up
drive, his
the same time, four
quickly said, “You guys are from Department of Justice,
with others to maliciously destroy company
losses, and the evidence is irrefutable.
We’re preparing to
he turned to look at Patty, but
phone over to
Justice,’ Cicely’s
she looked towards
me? Are you going to press charges against me?” Charlie’s stride halted,
streaming down his cheeks. “My
hands, Mr. Diaz. I can’t risk their lives for the company. I’m just a regular
my hump for the firm, and I’m willing to
the line. It’s just
long moment. Charlie watched his
eerily composed. “How long would it
over?”
second. “It’s a six-month job. If we
off, two
Enter title…
Seth closed his eyes.
wedding next month… It was too
Ray, see if he has a backup
nodded eagerly, “Right, right, right! Maybe he still
fast
into action
*
spent the whole night in his office, waiting for Charlie’s response.
become their
Cicely had fallen asleep at her
She had hoped it was all a dream,
and the two busy figures
and helplessness welled up, followed by silent
Seth, who had spent two years and a fortune on this,
facing ruin was unbearable.
Disappointment? Regret? Defeat? Despair?
want to see him like
enough.
could not get
on
been by her side the whole time, pained to
out to buy breakfast. Two portions
one he placed
cafeteria’s offerings were always the
his friend, having worked all night, didn’t stand on ceremony.
taking their eyes off their screens.
the hearty scent of the
again, and Issac pushed the bag
breakfast.”
groggy, looked around, sniffed at the bag, then her face turned, and
over her
room, Cicely leaned against the wall, heaving with
up.
her water. After rinsing her mouth and quenching the
stomach, she
jacket
you to the hospital.”
shook her head, “I’m fine. Just
sat down by the flowerbed, pulling the
you check on their progress for me?
weak,
left her to ask
“We should be able to do it.
can’t give a definite timeline. Just
and that it’ll work
Issac nodded, “Thank you.”
Despite being promised a certainty, no answer
without getting
biting her lip in
when he finds out the program is
lose it. He’s
like this, or if he ever fails at something,
again. “But he’s been working on this for
years.”
expression, “Everyone
smooth. I
because of me.”
the harshness of reality made Cicely’s heart ache with
tears falling, drop by
approached, gently placing a hand on her head,
flash drive. They’ll
this much.
did it for his sake. Even
and these programs are made by people.
it’s just a matter
with Issac’s comforting
is it?”
to do now is get some good
at
worried if he finds out. I can’t
two hours until work starts.” Issac held
can definitely sleep for two hours before
you in the hotel
and this time
to get
…
the set to see Danielle. Danielle
that evening, so they ended up
morning, they were up early, ready to head
finished breakfast in their room and packed up, they
downstairs.
about to walk out
arm by someone who appeared out of nowhere. She
instinctive scream.
it’s me.”A familiar, anxious voice rang out. Danielle snapped
and saw that it
a startled Patty
go of
but looked around and took out a cellphone from
“Danielle, I really like you, but I can’t expect you
This is the last thing I can do for you. I hope you get
wish
before noon
him to meet
you talking about? Why can’t I go
and why should I
have to go. Just
as
down low, and hurried
the scene, asked, “Who was that guy? All
the phone? Is there something important on
approached, and after
and
it out in
*
finishing his breakfast and taking a stroll outside, Creighton received a
off the bat, Patty’s shrill voice almost
eardrums.
raised a piece of work! She’s so heartless and
have her, nor would we dare. This
to let her marry into the
Creighton wouldn’t have minded,
daughter to
into you this early in the morning? Where
deserve such strong opinions?!”
wrong me? She
think she wronged me?! Is she at home?
International right now. We’re going to
hung up, Danielle suggested, “Patty, Ray advised us
Let’s ask them
instead.”
to Diaz International?! Since when does my
depend on his say-so.”
company on the brink, it was
heaving with indignant rage, her fury
a curse, and yet I had to be entangled with her. We got
but managed to
disaster!”
almost roared at the driver.
domineering demeanor, didn’t dare to
her to
*
annoyed after
up on. He wanted to call Cicely to ask what was
asleep. Instead, he called Issac, only to
phone was off.
furrowed
He immediately called Seth.
up quickly, and he
did you and Cicely have a
Seth paused, “No.”
your mother just call
worst? Are
an issue at the company
was out with friends last
can’t reach her. Could you
that there was a
happened?”
lips, “I’ll
“Alright.”
unsettled, especially
happened at the company. Given Patty’s
Brody to check on
*
intention of sleeping. No matter how uncomfortable
just took a shower, changed into
and left the room.
waiting at the door, and seeing her
“Going to Diaz International?”
Cicely nodded.
grab
Cicely shook her head.
They headed
arriving at the company, they saw
a big issue, Seth would definitely be at
That was the
office?”
locked on her with an unfamiliar blend of
the Engineering
caused a hitch in Cicely’s heart. She pressed her
tightly and with a dim expression, she muttered,
him.”
accompanying her upstairs. The
quiet on the weekend.
Issac to wait at the door
Three pairs of eyes turned
seemingly in the middle of a
with him.
the computer tower
strewn across
Seth, whose bloodshot eyes met hers
ferocity. “Sleep well last night?” he asked,
raspy to the extreme.
gripped the door handle tighter and after a brief silence, mustered
I didn’t go home last night. I came back to
late…”
it because you spent the night partying with Emiliana that you didn’t
home?”
gaze never wavered from her, each
something else.
her lip and shook her head, “No, that’s
darkened, and he looked away. “As long as you haven’t
behind my back, there’s no issue. I’m busy now,
leave.”
the office. As she was about to open her
say something, Patty’s shrill voice suddenly
just told you, or are you
dumb?”
project! Doesn’t this mess
data is gone, and the computer
International might go
woman!”
as she turned to Patty and
her. “How did
her, her eyes red with
admits it and you still
Danielle, her gaze sharp. “I’m
you know about the
Patty’s hand
shook violently, and he abruptly stood
through the door and shielded
him.
control, glared at Cicely. “What right do
this? After what you’ve done, you still
shameless!”
“Madam, the
down.”
clear? What more clarity do you need? Does
laughed mockingly, pulling out a phone from her bag
pressing something, tossed it onto the desk
Seth.
its clarity allowing one to
expression at the time:
cold and aloof. The most important
to him by his father.
and even though we’re set to marry, he’s
know when he might leave me, so I thought, if I could
to him, he wouldn’t just
Danielle, and to this day her
well. There was no way for
were set
to my name a few
if the software development fails
easily fall into my
to the Ellis Group, Diaz International is small fry. Whether it fails
irrelevant to me; I just
to completely destroy this program. Diaz International
loan issues, then the Ellis family will help, and Diaz International
fall into my hands.
no proof of who did it. He has no reason to
Ray. If I’m to destroy, I’ll do it
a regular USB,
point of what you’re
with a virus
it
the computer’s operational data, resulting
hardware failure.”
…
voice was interspersed, but it no
have much of a color to it,
Instinctively, she looked towards Seth,
morphing from grim to mocking, and
“You’re quite something, obliterating even the
You’ve done a thorough job
approached him, “It’s not like
away hers as she reached
staggered, steadying herself on the nearby
her coldly, his gaze
nerves inch by
to get your hands on
I thought you were just being
stand to look at a single company
like pulling teeth, but you’re oddly
always scurrying off to
deal with
on the recording would you
I’d have no reason
wrong too. There’s no surveillance,
the side, her gaze fixed on a
Cicely was done for.
felt terrible, her head was spinning, and her heart ached.m“Seth,
things on the recording, but none of it was true.
Ray.”
look at her, his clenched
him. It seemed like he was
looking for a way out for
moment, Danielle suddenly spoke up, “If
the files onto a flash drive would
he might get caught,
going to do it? Don’t you see the
words?”
one sentence from Danielle completely overturned all
explanations.
he looked up
as Cicely was about
drive, his
same time, four uniformed officers
from Department of Justice, right?
maliciously destroy
evidence is irrefutable. Please
We’re preparing to press
furrowed slightly as he turned to look at Patty,
phone over
‘Department of Justice,’ Cicely’s head
mix of panic as she looked towards
are you suing me? Are you going to press charges against me?” Charlie’s stride halted,
back, tears streaming down his cheeks. “My son
Diaz. I can’t risk their lives for the company. I’m just a
I’m willing to do that. But I can’t put
on the line. It’s just not fair.
a long moment. Charlie
was as calm as a still pond, eerily composed. “How long
over?”
second. “It’s
off,
Enter title…
Seth closed his eyes.
next month…
Ray, see if he
“Right, right, right! Maybe
fast before he leaks
into action and
*
night in his office, waiting for Charlie’s
become their
fallen asleep at her desk numerous times,
was all a dream,
reality of her surroundings and the two busy figures nearby brought
feeling. Anxiety and helplessness welled up, followed by silent
of Seth, who had spent two years and a fortune
facing ruin was unbearable.
Disappointment? Regret? Defeat? Despair?
to see him like
enough.
could blame her and they could not get
on
side the whole time, pained to
buy breakfast. Two
he placed
school cafeteria’s offerings were always the same
worked all
the buns without taking their
the hearty scent of the steamed
again, and Issac pushed the bag toward her, “Have
breakfast.”
around, sniffed at the
hand over her mouth. Issac followed
the wall, heaving
up.
rinsing her mouth and quenching the
stomach, she settled
concerned, draped her dropped jacket
you to the hospital.”
her head, “I’m fine. Just didn’t sleep
pulling the jacket tight around
you check on their progress for
crack it?” Pale and weak, her voice
her to ask
but hopeful, “We should be able to do it.
modify, but we can’t give a definite timeline.
and that it’ll
Issac nodded, “Thank you.”
back to Cicely. Despite being promised a certainty,
getting a
biting her lip in
Seth will do when he finds out the
“He won’t lose it. He’s
if he ever fails at something, he won’t
swollen eyes reddened again. “But he’s been working on
years.”
avoided her pained expression,
I
because of me.”
and the harshness of reality made Cicely’s heart ache with every
hung her head, tears falling, drop
a hand on her head, soothing her. “The
run away from the flash drive. They’ll
don’t need to worry this much. Speak to him clearly, and
since you did it for his sake. Even
leaked, and these programs are made by people. They
just a
Issac’s comforting logic. She looked up, “What
is it?”
What you need to do now is get some good
at
he finds
work starts.” Issac
for two hours before going
for you in the hotel next
truly awful, and this time Issac
to get
…
dropped by the set to see Danielle.
studio city that evening, so they ended up staying at a
up early, ready to head back to the city
breakfast in their room and packed up, they
downstairs.
they were about to walk
the arm by someone who appeared out of nowhere. She let
instinctive scream.
familiar, anxious voice rang
and saw that it was
glanced at a startled Patty
“Let go
looked around and took out a cellphone from
“Danielle, I really like you, but
I can do
I wish you
International before noon to see Seth. If you
ask him to
“What are you talking about? Why can’t I go to
and why should I
I’m out of time, I have to
surroundings as he spoke,
his cap down low,
the scene, asked, “Who was that guy?
phone? Is there something important
that moment, Patty’s driver approached, and after
and they walked down the
out
*
and taking a
the bat,
eardrums.
sure raised a piece of
family can’t afford to have her, nor
will never agree to let her marry into the Diaz family in my
criticized him, Creighton wouldn’t
by belittling his daughter to nothing, and
in the morning? Where did Cicely wrong you
deserve such strong opinions?!”
wrong me?
Is she at home? If so, tell her to
right now. We’re going to settle
up, Danielle suggested, “Patty, Ray advised us not to go
International this morning. Let’s ask
instead.”
can’t we go to Diaz International?! Since when does my
depend on his say-so.”
company on the brink, it was understandable for Patty to
indignant rage,
had to be
Ellis Group but managed to drag Diaz International
disaster!”
International!” Patty almost roared at the
raging and domineering demeanor, didn’t dare to speak
her to
*
was left confused and annoyed after being
on. He wanted to call Cicely to ask what
might still be asleep. Instead, he called Issac, only to
phone was off.
brow furrowed
He immediately called Seth.
phone was picked up quickly, and
you and
Seth paused, “No.”
just call me wanting to call off
she’s the worst? Are you
at the company last night.
She was out
everything’s fine. I can’t reach her. Could you
that there was a
happened?”
lips, “I’ll contact Cicely
“Alright.”
feeling unsettled, especially since Seth
Patty’s hysterics on the call,
check
*
No matter how uncomfortable she
her eyes, so she just took a shower, changed
and left the room.
at the door, and seeing her like
“Going to Diaz International?”
Cicely nodded.
to grab
Cicely shook her head.
no longer insisted. They headed
company,
a big issue, Seth would definitely be
on a weekend. That was the logical conclusion. “Charlie, is Seth in
office?”
looked up, his gaze locked on her with an unfamiliar
the
tone and terse reply caused a hitch in Cicely’s
dim expression, she muttered,
him.”
Cicely this time, accompanying
quiet on the weekend.
Issac to wait at the door while
Three pairs of eyes turned
and Danielle stood before Seth, seemingly
with him.
in disarray, the computer tower and monitor now
strewn across the
first glance was towards Seth, whose bloodshot eyes met hers with
ferocity. “Sleep well last night?” he
raspy to the extreme.
door handle tighter and
speak. “Seth, I didn’t go home last night. I came back to
late…”
spent the night partying with Emiliana that
home?”
her, each question sounding like
something else.
lip and shook her head,
darkened, and he looked away.
my back, there’s no
leave.”
at the chaos of the office. As she
say something, Patty’s shrill voice suddenly cut
did you even hear what we just told you, or are you deliberately
dumb?”
deliberately sabotaged your two-year project!
the computer is trashed. All your efforts
might go under because of her.
woman!”
to Patty and Danielle, who
her. “How did you
teeth clenched in anger, pointed at her, her eyes red with
She admits it and you still
however, stepped closer to Danielle, her gaze sharp. “I’m
you know about the
a crisp slap, Patty’s hand struck Cicely’s
shook violently, and he abruptly stood up from his chair.
through the door and
him.
in a rage beyond control, glared at Cicely. “What right
you’ve done, you still
shameless!”
icy. “Madam, the situation isn’t
down.”
What more clarity do
a phone from her bag –
and after pressing something, tossed
Seth.
its clarity allowing
expression at the time:
knows that Seth is cold and aloof. The most important
his mother and Diaz International, left to him by his father. My affection
is no secret, and even though we’re set to marry, he’s
might leave
important to him, he wouldn’t just walk away. You’re
day her desire
There was no way for me to break in
were set
International to my name a few
the software
then Diaz International would easily fall into my hands.
to the Ellis Group, Diaz International is small fry.
value is irrelevant to me; I
this program. Diaz International
loan issues, then the Ellis family will help, and
fall into my hands.
did it. He has no reason to
to destroy, I’ll do it thoroughly. I know
a regular USB, any engineer
exactly. What’s the point
with a virus
into the computer, it will
operational data, resulting in
hardware failure.”
…
voice was interspersed, but it
didn’t have much of a color
towards Seth, who was also
eyes slowly morphing from grim to mocking, and
something, obliterating
You’ve done a thorough job
and approached him, “It’s not
Seth raised his hand, batting away hers as she reached
staggered, steadying herself on the
Seth eyed her coldly, his gaze like nails
nerves inch by inch. “You’ve mentioned
you wanted to get your hands on Diaz International,
down. I thought you were
can’t stand to look at a
teeth, but
off to the
deal with
you say are
thing. Without surveillance, I’d have no
There’s no surveillance,
on a crack
playing across her face. It looked like she didn’t have to lift
Cicely was done for.
head was spinning, and her heart ached.m“Seth, I did
the recording, but none of it
Ray.”
narrowed his eyes and turned to look at
desk beside him. It seemed like he was
for a way
suddenly spoke up, “If it
copy the files onto a flash drive would have
get caught, and to destroy
it? Don’t you see the
words?”
from Danielle completely overturned all of
explanations.
when he looked up again, they had returned
and cold state. Just as Cicely was about to bring up the
the flash drive,
the same time, four
from Department of Justice, right? It’s her,
to maliciously destroy
the evidence is irrefutable. Please take her
preparing to press
he turned to look
over to one of
‘Department of Justice,’ Cicely’s head shot up,
she looked towards the tall,
me?” Seth caught the fear in her eyes, his breath hitched for a
four figures before
investigated.”
suddenly shouted, her angry voice piercing through the
irrefutable, what’s there to
because this woman’s put on a meek
she’s practically driven Diaz International into the ground?
or me anymore,
chest, glaring at Seth, “I’ve already alerted the press.
knows just how cruel
Enter title…
brows knitted together
Diaz,” the lead agent from the
“Since you mentioned that the matter
the inquiry to ensure absolute
indeed innocent, we will ensure
unharmed.”
filing a lawsuit against her immediately!” The malice
and words spiraling out
deep and tranquil as he looked at
her head, tears swirling in her eyes. “I don’t want to go
are taken there.
wouldn’t do anything
Ellis family.”
laden with desperate pleading. No
her so terrified. Not Seth, not
a long moment, taking in
then he spoke slowly, his voice deep and
misunderstanding. Is that
spilling over with the motion. “I wouldn’t
have to believe
him; he had never seen
with tension. Finally, when another tear
her pale cheek, he paused, turning his head away from
was like a sword
yet exceedingly sharp. “Take
the spot. Her wide eyes
been for the tears that suddenly fell from her eyes, everyone might
a statue,
one day these words would pierce her
the two Justice Department
on either side of her, ready to escort
still, her
looked at Seth silently for two
away, seemingly in
blocking their path. “You can’t take
of hope
asking Ms. Cicely to
to speak,
an investigation doesn’t
away. Try taking her
gaze trembled sharply as she lifted her
of her, his expression stern and commanding, exuding an
indomitable authority.
“Mr. Ellis.”
of fury, “What in the world
far? They’re a married couple.
intervene in marital
chairman of the Ellis
respect. But now that they
parties were exerting pressure, they couldn’t
they hesitated, Charlie walked in. “Mr.
here. Let
demanded, unfazed by Creighton’s
agents, feeling like they’d been granted a reprieve, quickly asked Charlie
bring the accused.
Cicely, Ray burst into laughter. “Ms. Cicely, we meet
could escape, huh? And to think, you
almost believed Seth trusted
needing further explanation, his words
Cicely.
Ray, and suddenly realized
“Trying to win over Danielle
man? Should I say you’re devoted or
Cicely’s composure returned. The chaos in her
to settle. Still, the pain
Ray right where it hurt. He glared at Cicely,
to you I got
a pleasure, Ms. Cicely, truly. Without you, I couldn’t have caused Seth
life. I really should thank
or
wonderful. Even now, he
for Danielle. Even if Danielle’s role in
of a third woman who shamelessly clawed her
still supported her.
concerned, everything Danielle did or
deserved.
“Take him away.”
a curse, exploded again within
to pieces, leaving her bleeding and broken.
smile, her expression transitioning from
detachment.
stared at the grain of the gray wooden
trust and support for
envy. In this, I’m clearly outmatched,” she said.
by emotion, resigned to
skipped a beat. So many people
intended for him alone.
believing in her. What good was his
many people waiting? Could his lone
the prejudice against her?
Ellis family, Cicely—was she
in
his eyes darkened, his jaw
back with a
of Justice glanced
we should escort everyone out
Would that
there to say?” Patty strode over, snatched back the phone she had
and hit play again,
Read The Enticing CEO’s Chosen Bride Chapter 2041-2050
Read The Enticing CEO’s Chosen Bride novel Chapter 2041-2050
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