The Enticing CEO’s Chosen Bride

The director on set was momentarily at a loss.

He didn’t want to offend Chloe personally, especially now that she was Damon’s wife, someone he had to tread lightly around.

And then there was the lady standing before him, the once well-known princess of P City, now the wife of the new darling of the business world, someone whose mere glance could determine life or death in their circles—Seth.

He couldn’t afford to cross either of them.

Xenia really didn’t know what she was getting herself into. Barely rising to fame, riding the wave of CP Entertainment’s resources, she dared to cross the path of these influential women.

Was she asking for trouble?d2

“Ms. Summers, well..” the director tentatively asked Chloe, unsure of what to do with Xenia.

Chloe’s eyes held a distant, polite smile, “Director, I’m not the one who was wronged today.”

The director quickly turned to Cicely, “Mrs. Diaz…”

Cicely, not one to mince words, opened her mouth with a cold look in her eyes, “Do I look like someone with a good temper?”

The director got the message.

Xenia’s assistant, who had widened her eyes in shock upon hearing Cicely’s title, was now visibly panicked. Cicely’s intentions were clear, and the assistant couldn’t help but scramble, “Mrs. Diaz, the company is counting on Xenia’s film to sweep awards this year. Mr. Diaz has invested a lot, and it’s not just about the money; there’s a lot of people’s efforts at stake.”

“Yes, so it’s unfortunate that because of one person, Xenia, it looks like everyone’s efforts might go to waste.”

The assistant couldn’t believe her ears. Could such a large investment really go down the drain just like that?

“Mrs. Diaz, please reconsider…”

“Reconsider what? To forgive her?” Cicely flicked her hair back over her shoulders with a cold laugh, “That would make me look like the fool here.”

Having said her piece, Cicely gathered her coat around her and strode off.

Chloe stayed behind to exchange a few words with the director before following Cicely out.

The recording continued despite Xenia’s absence, with another actress filling in. The incident on set didn’t leak to the public, but that didn’t stop Seth from finding out.

On the way back to the company, Xenia’s assistant confidently reassured her, saying that Seth would ultimately think of the bigger picture and not let Cicely have her way. Xenia, after much thought, found her assistant’s words to be sensible. If she could secure the Best Actress award, her value would soar, and Seth would indeed have to think twice before trying to blacklist her.

But when they arrived at the company, the looks they received unsettled their recently adjusted mindset once again.

I’m the lead actress. How can I rest at a time like this, when we’re promoting the film. The promotions will have other arrangements;

her feigned ignorance. He slammed his pen down on

you think you got your spot as a

image. Xenia, you’ve really dug your own

her chair, her

but she didn’t answer. She stayed at the Harper family home as if nothing

family’s living room. Clad in a crisp, dark suit that couldn’t hide his weariness or the sharp edge

to see him, which made Seth

is she?” Seth asked, his voice

the room by the window,” Chloe pointed without much

another word, Seth strode past her, his

Chloe with concern, slightly intimidated by Seth’s ominous demeanor. “It’s okay,” Chloe reassured him with a smile. “Go rest.

“Understood.”

—

now paused at the door to the third-floor guest room. His well-defined

his senses, easing the tension

the subtle rise on the

—

morning to the arm wrapped around her waist and the slow, steady breaths at her neck, her

I’m not in the

He remained still.

to strangle me in my sleep to clear the way for someone else

with redness, his voice hoarse,

have an inkling of what Chloe might be thinking. I allowed her to have her way purely because I wanted to, willingly falling into her trap. Frankly, when that coffee stain hit my shirt, I didn’t care if it was an accident. She was going to pay for it. I mean, what’s her deal anyway?

a calmness that belied the slowly easing tension in his brooding gaze. His thin lips curled into a faint, subtle arc, and

her hand back, “Next time I

bed and made a beeline for

quiet authority. “I’ll let this one slide, but next time you want something, come straight to me. I’m not a fan of beating around the bush, and I don’t need Damon blaming me for stressing you

of nonchalance about her, “Sounds like I’m

a leg up for Crysti. She’s got her pick of better opportunities. If Damon really blames you for tiring

seconds, his eyes

me down and still expect me to thank you

“I haven’t bankrupted

softly, a cold edge to his voice, “After all, the role of Best Supporting Actress isn’t without

“Here’s to a

at the corner of his mouth, choosing not to say

must go on despite yesterday’s hiccups, and the incident with Xenia had been neatly

hinged on Crysti seizing that award through the play. It was the only intersection between them. Whether he came out on top or lost it all depended on this tiny bit of “collaboration” with her. From now on, any move