The Enticing CEO’s Chosen Bride

Phoebe hesitated for a moment, her gaze fixed on him, her lower lip bitten so fiercely it had turned white, visibly trembling. Her eyes were a fierce red, tears swirling but stubbornly refusing to fall.

“Just let it out if you want to cry!”

His temper flared, rare anger bubbling to the surface, but it was his very words that made Phoebe bite down even harder on her lip.

Azriel took a deep breath and left the hospital room.

*

Azriel didn’t go looking for Grayson. Instead, he went straight to the Nace residence.d2

The Naces had some old money ties with a hint of political clout and had ventured into business over the years. Now they held a respectable place in the P City business circles.

The elders, always eyeing advantageous matches, had pegged the Naces and the Graysons for a union that would benefit both families.

Grayson, with his bad-boy charm that seemed to attract women like moths to a flame, had caught Alyna’s eye. No surprise there.

Once they were engaged, Alyna became obsessed with eliminating any female competition around Grayson. He let her, unbothered by her tantrums and her relentless theatrics.

To put it nicely, he was a playboy; to be blunt, he was nothing short of a scumbag. Being linked to a woman like Alyna, it was his just desserts.

Azriel had grown up in the same neighborhood as Grayson and the others, and being of a similar age, they naturally fell into the same crowd. They didn’t know much about Azriel’s life abroad, only that he came back as a corporate leader.

Azriel’s car was parked directly in front of the entrance to the Nace family’s villa, and the Nace family’s old butler looked at it for a while before recognizing it was Azriel, whom he hadn’t seen in years.

“Is that you, Mr. Azriel? What brings you here?”

“Is Alyna in?” He cut straight to the chase, his tone icy, his expression stormy, an aura of barely contained fury about him.

Caught off guard, the butler admitted, “Miss Alyna left early this morning and hasn’t returned.”

Azriel let out a cold laugh, “Is that so? Then I’ll wait.”

The butler, now sure that Azriel wasn’t here for pleasantries but to settle scores, led him to the living room.

Someone, alerted by the arrival, came down the stairs, and frowned at the guest below. Upon recognizing Azriel, that frown turned into a beaming smile.

“Is that you, Azriel?”

“Mr. Ricky.” Azriel greeted without a hint of warmth, his voice sending a chill through Ricky, who exchanged a puzzled look with the butler.

Descending the stairs, Ricky asked directly, “What’s got you so heated up?”

“Sorry, Mr. Ricky, I’m only here for Alyna. There’s something we need to sort out.”

Ricky felt an unusual unease. Accustomed to flattery and people seeking his favor, this abrupt, no-nonsense confrontation was unfamiliar territory.

“Look, if there’s a misunderstanding with Alyna, tell me, and I’ll make sure to correct her if she’s stepped out of line.”

“She has indeed stepped out of line, but this is something you can’t correct for her.”

This doesn’t sound good at all. Ricky hesitated, “Azriel, Alyna has been somewhat spoiled over the years, but she has always been principled and has never done anything too outrageous…”

“Her previous adherence to principles, and what she had done that was not too outrageous has nothing to do with me. All I know is that what she did today has offended me, violated my principles, and crossed my lines.”

Azriel appeared gentle and indifferent on the surface, without any sharp and provoking edges. If you didn’t provoke him, he was like a cat napping in the day, but once you did, he could immediately jump up and tear you apart.

The gentler the person appears on the surface, the more terrifying they can be when they lose their temper.

Ricky’s face darkened completely, “What exactly is the matter that you are holding onto so tightly? If it really was Alyna’s fault, I would apologize to you on her behalf!”

“You can’t solve this problem for her.”

The butler listened, bewildered by the tension in the air. This sight of his employer so blatantly disrespected by a kid was rare.

motioned the butler

see we’re in the middle of

this…” The maid whispered, handing the butler a smartphone. “Miss Alyna got into a fight at Summit Ridge University’s gates, and it’s all over

butler watched the video, the volume low, yet the voices still reached

seduce my

When you were luring him in, what were you thinking? I’m telling you, keep away from

voice was faint, while Alyna’s

but

beaten at the university gates, gawked at

Well.

it meant

as Azriel watched Ricky’s fury with a hint

turmoil within. “It’s Grayson

expression frosted over. “Low-class women? Mr. Ricky, your

for a moment before he finally spoke, “It seems there really

landed

his eyes and his face turned cold towards Azriel. “What’s the deal, Azriel? You really gonna hit my daughter in

“Why not.”

“You…”

one else is obliged

that Grayson was coming; it saved Azriel from

screaming that he wouldn’t rest until he saw Alyna, and Ricky, though fuming with anger, couldn’t bring himself to kick him

caught in a prolonged

engine came from outside. Azriel’s face instantly tensed, and he rose from the couch, sending

online? Serves her right. Who does she think she is,

be the first to apologize with a better attitude that could defuse the situation. Yet before he could speak,

as Alyna noticed Azriel

before disconnecting her call, still uncertain

word from Azriel, Alyna excitedly opened her arms and ran towards him. “It really is you! I heard you were back

as she approached to embrace him, Azriel suddenly grabbed her by the shoulders.

tracks, her face contorting as

voice was cold, “That hurts? Didn’t think about the consequences when you were hitting

you here for that slut’s revenge? What do

was beside himself with anger, “Alyna! Will

I wrong? Isn’t it those shameless women who are at fault? If they act shamelessly, they deserve to be hit.

“You…”

but Alyna, today you

words, Azriel slapped Alyna fiercely across the face and followed with two strong kicks to her legs. Gripping her shoulder blades tightly, his voice

your mind? How could you hit a woman?!” Alyna was crying and screaming,

you didn’t act like a

where are you taking me…” Amidst her cries, Alyna was dragged by Azriel towards the

Grayson appeared at the entrance, his face etched

me, Azriel’s gone mad…” Alyna cried

with complicated emotions, “Azriel, isn’t

the cryptic talk. Didn’t you think there’d be a day like today when you staged that scene yesterday? Do you think I’m too forgiving or just plain dumb? Using your own woman to get back at another, does that give you a sense of accomplishment or some twisted satisfaction? You’re not

way!” After finishing his piece, without so much as

so, in front of everyone’s shocked eyes, Alyna was taken away in Azriel’s car. By the time everyone regained

*

watchful eyes of all, Azriel dragged Alyna into the hospital with such force that those around him

room, the voices coming from inside made

days on end, and it turns out

I depriving you of food or clothes? I’ve provided for you, and this

upon the Alonso family. Our family’s reputation is ruined because

this on purpose? Are you

you deaf

room. Cole was livid, pointing his finger and hurling insults at her. Grace glared at her with a grim and disdainful

me to say? What reputation

sister, she did everything for the sake of the Alonso family.

her voice flat, without a trace of fluctuation. “Yeah, I guess I deserve to be sold

“You…”