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

usually impassive eyes, “Are you

“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

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

cold. Go take your

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

for

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

him away, her face cold

how to survive on her own. And

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

nudged her chin upward, her rosy lips revealed. Without

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

could feel the desire touching her.

her 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

No. This can’t happen.

No way.

Absolutely not.

better not feel sorry

days, Cicely spent every moment with Chloe, strolling through the neighborhood, shopping at the mall, visiting the office, and stopping by Granny

the dinners together, the kiss before heading

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

routine. He could clearly sense that Seth was in the best mood

clue what had transpired between the two to bring about this apparent reconciliation, perhaps the strange hunch nagging at

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 schedule

had been quite pleasant until now, slowly

Danielle, being

Charlie hadn’t been so vigilant and tight on security, Ms. Cicely would likely have

silence,

was still

Understand what?

*

could easily tell that 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 mooch off my

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

coming

she returned the smile. “In normal circumstances, shouldn’t I tactfully leave

if it was the most natural

“Unfortunately for you,

arrived, he and Chloe headed straight to the bedroom, leaving Cicely ignored

dinner, yet there she was, still seated

“Determined to squat here?”

lonely and I’ve

Lonely.

immediately want to kick me

watched her with an indifferent expression and simply glanced at her sharply in response. “If your so-called gratitude is worth a dinner for

with food, the person who had been

Entertainment’s CEO

was a list of dishes supposedly

Premium imported steak

Recently auctioned bluefin tuna

painstakingly prepared by a top

and ice cream crafted by a

it with the term “astronomical” – enough to feed an ordinary person

again, unable to

her 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 kill me.” She spoke up,

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

time he felt he had done something wrong,

Chloe had an epiphany.

word “orphanage,” inquired,

hadn’t really discussed this

wasn’t something she could easily bring up, considering Seth was his friend. She was assisting Cicely,

Hugo. Initially, Chloe and Damon had an unspoken agreement not to meddle in

of the orphanage and bringing

over, and Chloe could only

Cicely, “When you settled our accounts back then, was it so you could hide away and have

If I had asked you to take

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

had never considered that Cicely might make such a request. People need to know

confused, “What do you mean? Were you involved in their affairs

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

you

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

I stand today, as someone who

it was between us. He needed me, I helped, and keeping your jail saga under wraps

to catch the drift. “So, not only were you involved, but you also played a pivotal

Chloe with a hint of resignation. “Chloe, that was in the past. Even if I

herself, Damon was such

played it safe back then. What about Hugo, who’s come out of nowhere now? What’s your

passed through