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

a moment, spoke with a cool voice. “Was dinner really

touch of warmth flickered in Seth’s usually impassive

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

gazes turned dark and unfathomable, like the ocean

cold.

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

tensed for

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

her face cold as she

learning only how to survive on her own. And they had mastered the art of peering into and toying

in his arms, their breath mingling, his lips tracing her forehead, the tip of her nose. The hand around her waist tightened and relaxed through

lowered, until he nudged her chin upward, her rosy

shuddered, her hands pushing against his chest. His overwhelming presence enveloped her,

the desire touching her. If this

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

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

No. This can’t happen.

No way.

Absolutely not.

not feel sorry

through the neighborhood, shopping at the mall, visiting the office, and

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

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

it was the same routine. He could clearly sense that Seth was

this apparent reconciliation, perhaps the strange hunch nagging at him

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

had been quite pleasant until now,

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

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

of silence, Seth

Charlie was

Understand what?

*

easily tell that Cicely’s mood had improved significantly from when

leaned against the armrest of the sofa

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

coming

smile, and her eyes danced with mischief as she returned the

as if it was

you, I’m not most

and Chloe headed straight to the bedroom,

preparing dinner, yet there she was, still seated on

“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

the person who had

CEO dines

of dishes supposedly shared by the

Premium imported steak

Recently auctioned bluefin tuna

prepared by a top

cream crafted

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

to believe she had misread a

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

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

time he felt he had done something wrong, he would double down on

Chloe had an epiphany.

word

she hadn’t really discussed

she could easily bring up, considering Seth was his friend. She was assisting Cicely, which indeed

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

I’m taking Hugo out of the orphanage and bringing him

gaze swept over, and Chloe could

then, was it so you could hide away and have a child? How long did you

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

brows furrowed. Clearly, this question wasn’t a matter of choice

considered that Cicely might make such a

on the side, was confused, “What do you mean? Were you involved in their affairs three

Chloe’s hand, “I wasn’t fully aware

frowned, “Did you

at the orphanage. I don’t have

you for where I stand today, as someone who doesn’t matter to

When I lent a hand to Seth, it was between us. He needed me, I helped, and keeping your jail saga under wraps was your only ask

drift. “So, not only were you involved, but you also played a

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

Damon

Mr. Innocent,” Chloe said with a light, detached smile, “you played it safe back then. What about

flicker passed through