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. Go on

stood still, then after a moment, spoke with a cool voice. “Was dinner really that

in Seth’s usually impassive eyes,

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

his gazes turned dark

getting cold. Go

smiled, pulled her into his

for a

the corner of her eye. His voice deep and husky, “I won’t eat charred food

away, her face cold as she entered the

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

soft and warm body was in his arms, their breath mingling, his lips tracing her forehead, the tip of her

until he nudged her chin upward, her rosy lips revealed. Without

his chest. His overwhelming presence enveloped her, the charged atmosphere making

the desire touching her.

face in her neck. “Don’t be scared. I won’t do anything.” The muffled, hoarse voice vibrated

embrace, and a wave of sourness suddenly flooded her heart. Her eyes,

No. This can’t happen.

No way.

Absolutely not.

you better not feel sorry for

through the neighborhood, shopping at the mall, visiting the

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

Charlie picked 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

it was the same routine. He could clearly sense that Seth was in the best mood he had been

had no clue what had transpired between the two to bring about this apparent reconciliation,

availability tonight.” Suppressing the odd sensation in his heart, Charlie spoke as he drove, glancing at Seth’s expression in the rearview mirror. “Ever since you were discharged, you haven’t been in

pleasant

in two days, and Ms. Danielle, being

been so vigilant and tight on security, Ms.

silence, Seth replied, “I

Charlie was still

Understand what?

*

Cicely’s mood had improved significantly from when she first

her phone, Chloe leaned against the armrest of the sofa and remarked casually, “Looks like you two are planning to

Cicely didn’t even look

coming home this

her gaze, taking in Chloe’s radiant smile, and her eyes danced with mischief as she returned the smile. “In normal circumstances, shouldn’t

it was

you,

leave. When Damon arrived, he and Chloe headed straight to the bedroom, leaving Cicely ignored

preparing dinner, yet

“Determined to squat here?”

wife was lonely and I’ve been keeping

Lonely.

to kick me out. Isn’t that a bit

gratitude is worth a dinner for you and

food, the person who had been shamelessly freeloading their meals lately didn’t show up. Instead, breaking news

CEO

dishes supposedly shared

Premium imported steak

Recently auctioned bluefin tuna

painstakingly prepared

cream crafted by a

estimated the cost of this dinner and the internet branded it with the term “astronomical” – enough

unable to believe she had

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 kill me.” She spoke up, her

move, Cicely picked up a piece of food, holding it before her mouth, and looked up at her with a smile, “I was planning to join you at the orphanage tomorrow, but with

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

Chloe had an epiphany.

catching the word “orphanage,”

lip; she hadn’t really

considering Seth was his friend. She was assisting Cicely,

Chloe and Damon had an unspoken agreement not to meddle in their affairs, but now,

Hugo out of the orphanage and bringing him

over, and Chloe could only face

our accounts back then, was it so you could hide away and have a

do? If I had asked you to take me

this question wasn’t a matter of choice for him. The answer

such a request. People need to know

“What do you mean? Were you involved in

pressed his lips together and took Chloe’s

“Did you

out at the orphanage. I don’t

thank you for where I stand today, as

helped, and keeping your jail saga under wraps was your only ask for compensation. What if I

the drift. “So, not only were you involved,

eyes retreated as he turned to Chloe with a hint of resignation. “Chloe, that was in the

thought to herself, Damon was

light, detached smile, “you played it safe back then. What about Hugo, who’s come out of nowhere now? What’s

flicker passed