The Enticing CEO’s Chosen Bride

In the evening, at 6:30, there was a knock on the door of Chloe’s apartment.

Chloe opened it with an unsurprised smile. “What brings you here?”

Seth’s voice was casual. “Dinner time.”

“Did you get lost?”

“No.” He paused, before adding, “You did say you’d treat me to dinner.”

Chloe remembered, “Oh, right. But wasn’t that supposed to be some kind of fancy, million-dollar meal? This might be a bit underwhelming for you, don’t you think?”d2

Seth shot her a look. “Let’s not push our luck, shall we?”

Chloe stepped aside with a laugh, “Welcome in.”

As Seth entered, he saw Cicely carrying a plate from the kitchen. Her hair was neatly tied back, her attire simple and homely, adorned with a blue checked apron. She came to a brief halt on catching sight of him.

Chloe came back in and focused on Cicely. “The eggs got a bit scorched.”

“Let me see.” Chloe walked over and glanced at the plate, “Hmm… not too bad, actually. Considering the rest, it’s quite an achievement.”

Cicely followed Chloe’s gaze to the slightly charred dishes on the table, clearly her own handiwork.

Chloe’s expression twisted, “I gave the staff the day off.”

“Let’s not eat this. How about we order some takeout?” Cicely suggested, picking up a plate to dispose of its contents.

But a hand with distinct knuckles reached out, stopping her. Cicely held still, looking up at him.

“No takeout. It’s not healthy.” Seth took the plate from her hands and placed it back on the table, “Hang on a second, I’ll cook.”

Seth led her to the table, unbuttoning his suit jacket in the process. After Cicely was seated, he took off his jacket, draped it over a chair, and confidently strolled into the kitchen.

Shortly after, a hearty meal of three dishes and a soup graced the table.

Seth sat down beside Cicely. “Let’s eat.”

Although Chloe was not surprised that Seth could cook, the presentation of the meal still impressed her. Cicely showed no reaction, as if this was routine for her.

Throughout the meal, Seth kept serving Cicely, who ate in silence, accepting each offering.

Chloe enjoyed her meal in apparent indifference.

By the end, while much of Seth’s cooking remained, Cicely’s dishes were polished clean.

Cicely’s last few bites were slow. Watching Seth eat the burnt dishes with a blank expression, her grip on her fork tightened. She said nothing and did nothing until the end.

She stood to clear the plates but Seth’s hand once again caught her wrist.

“What now?”

“Doing dishes.”

It was only natural to offer help after dining at someone else’s home.

“I’ll do it.”

…

Seth, with his coat in hand, stepped out of the dining room to find the two women watching a movie in the living room. It had only been on for about fifteen minutes.

Seth pressed his lips together, standing still for a moment. Chloe looked over at him. “Want to join?”

He glanced at Cicely, who was indifferent, then lowered his eyes, “I’ll head upstairs.”

Chloe nodded, “Alright then, take it easy.”

Seth gave the TV screen a final glance before leaving.

The sound of the door closing relaxed Cicely, who had been tense.

“The food was good,” Chloe complimented.

Cicely took a deep breath, “Don’t tell me you knew he was coming over tonight.”

“Why would I know he’d crash here for dinner?”

Cicely fell silent.

As soon as the movie ended, the room’s door rang promptly. Even Chloe was surprised this time. Opening the door, she met the man who had become a frequent sight these past few days. “You didn’t install a camera in my place, did you? Your timing is impeccable.”

“The feature is ninety-three minutes. You were at twelve minutes and thirty-four seconds when I left.”

Chloe surrendered, “Okay, okay, I get it. Take her away.”

Seth, unfazed by the interruption, looked towards Cicely. His silent gaze said it all.

Cicely didn’t linger. She left with Seth, taking the elevator back to the eighteenth floor.

bath’s ready.

a moment, spoke with a cool voice.

touch of warmth flickered in Seth’s usually impassive eyes, “Are you worried about

“Don’t you think it’s a bit much? Finishing those burnt dishes in front of me to show how devoted and wronged you are? If I’m not moved by your efforts, wouldn’t I be

remained on Seth’s face, but his gazes turned dark and unfathomable, like the

water’s getting cold.

eyes, but Seth simply smiled, pulled her into his embrace, “What are you so mad

tensed for

brushed her forehead, then the corner of her eye. His voice deep and husky, “I won’t

away, her face

she had been isolated from the world, learning only how to survive on her own. And they had

lips tracing her forehead, the tip of her

curled up, head lowered, until he nudged her chin upward, her rosy lips revealed. Without hesitation, Seth kissed

overwhelming presence enveloped her, the charged

feel the desire

neck. “Don’t be scared. I won’t do anything.” The

tightly in his embrace, and a wave of sourness suddenly flooded her heart. Her eyes, brimming with unshed

No. This can’t happen.

No way.

Absolutely not.

you better not feel sorry for

strolling through the neighborhood, shopping at the mall, visiting the office, and stopping by Granny

together, the kiss before heading out, and the evenings wrapped in

up Seth the next morning, he witnessed Cicely planting a quick kiss on the man’s lips. It felt odd. As if he’d seen a

He could clearly sense that Seth

bring about this apparent reconciliation,

as he drove, glancing at Seth’s expression in the rearview mirror. “Ever since you were discharged, you haven’t been in touch with

had been quite pleasant until

two days, and Ms. Danielle, being sensitive, has had

so vigilant and tight on security, Ms.

silence, Seth replied, “I

Charlie was

Understand what?

*

had improved significantly from when

armrest of the sofa and remarked casually, “Looks like you two are planning to mooch

lonely eating all by yourself?” Cicely didn’t even look up, her

coming home

taking in Chloe’s radiant smile, and her eyes danced with mischief as she returned the smile. “In normal circumstances,

nodded as if it was the most

you, I’m

arrived, he and

preparing dinner, yet there she was, still

“Determined to squat here?”

lonely and I’ve been

Lonely.

back and immediately want to kick me out.

her sharply in response. “If your so-called gratitude is worth a dinner for you and him,

person who had been shamelessly freeloading their meals lately didn’t show up.

Entertainment’s CEO dines

of dishes

Premium imported steak

Recently auctioned bluefin tuna

soup painstakingly prepared

and ice cream crafted

of this dinner and the internet branded it with the term “astronomical” – enough to feed an ordinary person

to believe she had misread

to eat, but Chloe had already lost her hunger. His gaze fell on Cicely, who had insisted on staying the night. Cicely, however, picked up her fork and took a bite of food, acting as if nothing was wrong. “Chloe, you really should eat more. Otherwise, your husband might just have the heart to

and looked up at her with a smile, “I was planning to

strange; every time he felt he had done something wrong, he would

Chloe had an epiphany.

the word “orphanage,” inquired,

her lip; she hadn’t really discussed

bring up, considering Seth was his friend. She

the compassion born from her connection with Hugo. Initially, Chloe and Damon had

taking Hugo out of the orphanage and bringing him

and Chloe could

silence, his eyes, however, on Cicely, “When you settled our accounts back then, was

and she met Damon’s intimidating gaze head-on. “What else could I do? If I had asked

brows furrowed. Clearly, this question wasn’t a matter of choice for him. The answer was a

make such a request. People need to know their

do you mean?

together and took Chloe’s hand, “I wasn’t fully aware back

“Did you know about

the orphanage. I don’t have the time

I stand today, as someone who doesn’t matter

everyone’s path is their own making. When I lent a hand to Seth, it was between us. He needed me, I helped,

were you involved, but you

a hint of resignation. “Chloe, that was in the past. Even if I was wrong then, I’m innocent now.”

thought to herself, Damon was such

“you played it safe back then. What about Hugo, who’s come out of nowhere

flicker passed through