The Enticing CEO’s Chosen Bride

“Ms. Cicely, could you please go check on Mr. Diaz?” Charlie asked, with a hint of desperation in his voice.

Cicely narrowed her eyes, her frown carrying a chill. “I thought after all his efforts, he was over it, ready to let me go.”

Charlie swallowed hard, the comely man’s eyes reddening before her. “Yes, Mr. Diaz thought so too. Ms. Cicely, he’s been back from abroad for over twenty days now. He hasn’t shown up around you, has he?”

A tight sensation gripped Cicely’s chest, her fingers curling slightly. After a long silence, she turned her head aside. “So? What’s wrong with him?”

Clutching his fists, Charlie slowly said, “If you go, maybe then we will find out what’s really going on with him.”

Cicely spun around, her gaze piercing as she stared at Charlie. Seconds later, she let out a scoff. “You think it’s fun to play me?”d2

Charlie took a deep breath, his eyes closed. “Do you really think I’d leave my work, and risk my paycheck, just to play a trick on you? Ms. Cicely, you’re the apple of Mr. Diaz’s eye. Would I dare to play you?”

*

Charlie drove Cicely back to her mansion, her expression colder than the frost on a winter’s window.

“He gets you to play the sympathy card just to bring me back home?” she questioned, her tone icy.

Without a word, Charlie drove past the grand gates of Cicely’s Mansion and into the adjacent, more imposing estate. He opened the car door for her, and at the entrance of the villa, a man stood waiting. As she approached, he strode forward and gave her a thumbs-up.

“Well done! I’ve never been so enlightened,” he said with a mix of sarcasm and awe.

Cicely frowned at the burly man before her and took a step back. “What’s this about?”

Kane sneered, turning to admire the splendid villa. “The house is grand, the decor lavish, but it’s all wasted on that asshole living alone.”

Cicely’s brows knitted even tighter. Kane’s crude language was grating to her ears. “Kane,” she warned.

“What? Is it just my language you can’t stand, or do you not like hearing Seth called an asshole?”

Cicely’s expression turned icy.

Kane took a deep breath. “I’m amazed. To think he’d drive himself to the brink of death over a woman.”

Cicely’s fingertips trembled slightly.

“Go inside. Could you at least check if that idiot is still alive?”

Usually, Seth was as cunning as a fox, not swayed by hard or soft tactics, except for Danielle.

In the end, it was all a facade.

What they said about Danielle being the one he held dear to his heart and soul was all a lie. He was just deliberately deceiving a woman’s feelings to make her a willing blood bank.

His methods were damn despicable.

Even if Danielle was a heinous woman, she didn’t deserve this. He should’ve kept things separate.

How did he convince himself to become such a despicable person?

And now, after all his wrongdoing, he suddenly wanted to be a good man. How idiotic.

“Ms. Cicely,” Charlie interjected, pulling her from her thoughts.

She glanced at the villa and pursed her lips. “You two are his trusted assistant and best friend. I doubt my presence will make things go your way.”

Kane suddenly turned, his frown deepening as he looked at her, then he kicked the car beside him in frustration. “For heaven’s sake, just try, okay?! What do you want me to do, get down on my knees and beg?”

Kane was known for his carefree, wealthy playboy antics. No one had seen him this crazed or grim.

Her trembling fingers clenched tightly, the pain sharp in her palm. Without another word, she stepped into the villa, Charlie and Kane following.

The familiar design, furniture, and decorations were all her doing.

The living room was empty.

“He’s upstairs in the master bedroom,” Kane said from behind her. “He’s been locked in there for seven or eight days now. At first, he was dealing with business matters, but these past few days, he’s shut down completely. Not eating or drinking, acting like a lunatic.”

Cicely was called over without any clue of what had happened. Now hearing this, all she could do was frown deeply. “Not eating or drinking for seven or eight days?”

Kane’s face was grim as he gave a dark laugh. “He’s been worse, locked away for a month once, surviving on glucose. He’s tough.”

Cicely’s heart clenched, her eyes trembling before she looked up at Kane. Her lips parted as if to speak, but no sound came out.

Charlie glanced at her, then after a few seconds of silence, took a deep breath and suggested, “Ms. Cicely, I’m sorry we called you here on such a short notice, but now that you are here, maybe we could talk first.”

Cicely’s brow twitched involuntarily. “Talk about what. I don’t want to know too much.”

“Perfect, because I’m curious to hear what’s to be said. Let’s all listen.” A deep, steady voice came from the entrance, and everyone turned to see Damon walking in with Chloe.

“Damon! Chloe!” Kane greeted them, though his enthusiasm was lacking.

Charlie nodded respectfully as well.

Cicely’s face paled, her grip on her purse tightening as she instinctively stepped back, her desire to flee obvious.

seemed to hold her captive. “You followed Charlie here today, so you must have some idea of what’s happening, right? Charlie said Seth’s not doing well, and

quivered, a flash of vulnerability crossing

you came here to lend a hand, right? You

pointless. She knew Chloe was sharp as a tack, a woman who’d weathered many storms. Chloe had clawed her way to where she was by learning how to read people like a

Cicely closed her eyes for a moment and then slowly nodded. “Alright.” Cicely gave a wry smile. “Let’s hear

recent words had struck a chord with everyone

hate Seth. She even hoped he was doing well. So

sit on the couch. “He’s had a tough time, and it breaks your hearts. You’re anxious for him to find forgiveness here, as if my not forgiving him makes me heartless. So, you

silence for

ushered her to sit beside him on the couch. “If you don’t wanna hear it, just go upstairs and bring him down. No one’s stopping

Chloe grasped his hand, not in

bring him down? Nobody told her

breathed a

spring her from jail, but then all news of her

he was the one who had her locked up. The online backlash was relentless. I know Mr. Diaz doesn’t care

all contracts with their talent were frozen, production deals were stalled, and money was sunk with no returns. Without the funds for Diaz Tower’s rebuild or to repay the bank loans, there were sharks circling to buy out Diaz International, including the land Diaz Tower stood on, offering dirt-cheap

to collect himself before continuing. “Later on, Mr. Diaz sold the Diaz

and her poised figure on the

had lived there for generations. Despite renovations, it was the Diaz family’s roots. And it sold for a hefty price due to its prime location. But it was nowhere near enough to rebuild Diaz International or pay back the bank. Mr. Diaz worked tirelessly, wining and dining,

together, trying to oust the Ellis family from power. Between the overt pressure and underhanded tactics, Mr. Diaz was also wrestling

you is

that hectic time, I thought the incident with

dwell on unchangeable facts or a woman who despised him. He was always composed, never mentioning you, even indifferent when others did. I thought getting past that chaos without a scratch wasn’t a bad thing, but two months later, when things started settling down, he began to withdraw, staying away from the office, eventually shutting himself in his room. At first, he was still dealing with company paperwork,

fought to keep Diaz International because you wanted it; he intended to present it

locked away. Was it guilt over your father and Isaac’s deaths, or was he feeling your prison sentence was your way of getting back at him, proving

hadn’t fallen critically ill, who knows,

Her gaze was hollow as she stared at the spotless coffee table. In her clasped hands,

her, Damon frowned. “You didn’t knock the

what happened last time. No sooner had I finished speaking than that jerk opened

handpicked by Ms. Cicely, including that door.

people lost in their thoughts, until Kane let out a snort, breaking

“I won’t go into details, as I suspect Ms. Cicely isn’t in the mood to hear more. But this time, I think the reason behind all this is still Ms. Cicely. Recently, Mr. Diaz had me lift the travel ban that had been placed on her aunt. Ms. Lana has been back for a couple of weeks, and Mr. Diaz has been increasingly agitated. I’m guessing

within him; he wanted her free yet

emotions battling within her. What would happen if things

ill, and Seth survived for three years

this time? There wouldn’t be another illness, nor any desire for someone else’s blood. So, what to do

with Charlie’s approach. It was all up to Cicely

hadn’t moved an inch, her head still lowered, and her expression unreadable. Chloe couldn’t say anything;

eyes were on Cicely, waiting for her to make the

the most impatient, and seeing her unmoved, his brow knitted

a mask of calm. “He’ll come out for me, right? And then what? To prevent

Kane blinked.

“That would be

over

open, and he gave Damon a thumbs-up.

think that

out of her obsessive love and hatred towards your father.

then she scoffed mockingly,

The most important thing is to choose what makes you happiest. Why trap yourself in

smile on her face slowly fading. “All of this started because of his mother. My dad never loved her, and the so-called grievances were

Don’t be surprised if others lose their sanity over emotions too. You could keep

Cicely’s eyes trembled fiercely.

better than to judge others’ affairs, let alone offer such leading advice. But Damon’s words were on point. That

her mind for a comeback, but found none. “If you were him and Chloe

steal, or deceive. Any tactic is fair as long as she’s mine, and by my side as I wish. What’s right? Getting

Had Damon developed a smooth-talking routine from all his

to be able to make Kane crack a smile. Damon shot him a

was stunned by his rhetoric and

I love and cherish should stay by my side. I think no one in this world can claim a purer love for him than me, and I’m the one who wishes him the best.

her hand into his large, warm palm. “What

did you ever come to choose him so resolutely? When you decided to go to prison, did you have any doubts, or were you certain that

her agitation. It took Cicely a moment to compose herself before she

are such a powerful duo. I can’t argue with

those words, Cicely spun

*

the closed barrier before her, not moving an inch forward. How could they simplify and beautify their words so

oneself away in a bedroom for over a month

sneaking glances, could stand it no longer. He strode forward and rapped sharply on

Cicely sighed.

response. Behind the door, there

arm resting on his knee and his head buried in

a series of knocks echoed again. They were

and then a voice, tranquil as water, seeped

who had been

he lifted his head, staring blankly into the empty room, his dark

She couldn’t possibly

“Seth, open up.”

the door, his eyes bloodshot. He hesitated for just a moment before pushing himself up with the help of

swung open. Her kick met air, and she stumbled forward. In

disheveled face of the man who was staring at her in surprise, his eyes reflecting