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.

ready. Go on

spoke with a

Seth’s usually impassive eyes,

of me to show how devoted and wronged you are? If I’m not moved by your efforts, wouldn’t I be ungrateful

gazes turned dark

water’s getting cold. Go take

pulled her into his embrace, “What are you

tensed for a

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

away, her face cold as she

been isolated from the world, learning only how to survive on her own.

still held Cicely as they slept. The soft and warm body was in his arms, their breath mingling, his lips

nudged her chin upward, her rosy lips revealed. Without

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

desire touching her. If

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

neck erratic and heavy. She was held tightly in his embrace, and a wave of sourness suddenly flooded her heart. Her eyes, brimming with unshed tears,

No. This can’t happen.

No way.

Absolutely not.

not

with Chloe, strolling through the neighborhood, shopping at

Seth, the dinners together, the kiss before heading out, and the evenings wrapped in his arms,

morning, he witnessed Cicely planting a quick kiss

clearly sense that Seth was in the best

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

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 touch with her. I’ve been using the excuse of your busy

which had been quite pleasant

Ms. Danielle, being sensitive, has had people

and tight on security, Ms. Cicely would likely have been

of silence, Seth

Charlie was still

Understand what?

*

Cicely’s mood had improved

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

eating all by yourself?” Cicely didn’t even look up, her tone nonchalant as

Damon’s coming

with mischief as she returned the smile. “In normal circumstances, shouldn’t I tactfully leave you two to

was the most natural thing to

for you, I’m

and Chloe headed straight to the bedroom, leaving Cicely

started preparing dinner, yet there she was, still seated on the couch, immovable

“Determined to squat here?”

wife was lonely and

Lonely.

want to kick

“If your so-called gratitude is worth a dinner for you and

table laden with food, the person who had been shamelessly

CEO dines with

was a list of dishes supposedly shared by

Premium imported steak

Recently auctioned bluefin tuna

painstakingly prepared by a top

crafted by a master pastry

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

once again, unable to believe

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 tone carefree, as if she didn’t have a

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 his stunt today, he might keep an even tighter leash

felt he had done

Chloe had an epiphany.

catching the word “orphanage,” inquired, “What

her lip; she hadn’t really discussed this

Seth was his

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

out of the orphanage and bringing him to Granny’s to celebrate

Chloe could

Cicely, “When you settled our accounts back then, was it so you could hide away and have a child? How long did you think

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

matter of choice for

had never considered that Cicely might make such a request.

you mean?

pressed his lips together and took Chloe’s hand, “I wasn’t

frowned, “Did you

Damon denied it firmly, “I first found out at the orphanage. I don’t have the time to concern myself with

you for where I stand today, as

us. He needed me, I helped, and keeping your jail saga under wraps was your only ask for compensation. What if I chose not to

“So, not only were you involved, but you

“Chloe, that was in the past. Even if I was wrong then, I’m innocent

herself, Damon was such a

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

passed