The Enticing CEO’s Chosen Bride

Cole was left speechless. “What did you say?”

Azriel’s gaze slid from Phoebe, who was now hidden under the covers, to Cole. Azriel’s tone was indifferent, yet it seemed to chill to the bone. “Can’t understand what I said, or are you deaf?”

“You…” Cole pointed at him, struggling for words that wouldn’t come.

This guy looked polished on the surface, but his actions and words were always unexpected. From the moment he strode in, bristling with fury, it was clear he wasn’t someone to trifle with.

Everyone else seemed to give him a wide berth, his presence alone demanded it. He didn’t seem like just anybody. Now, his actions to be so bold in his presence made Cole reconsider whether this was a man he wanted to cross.

After all, Phoebe seemed to be on good terms with him, and while he didn’t seem easy to get along with, an ally was far better than an enemy. With the Alonso family teetering on the edge, the last thing they needed was another storm brewing, giving that Chloe an opportunity to exploit.d2

Glancing once more at the still figure on the bed, Cole just snorted and walked out the door.

With the door closed, the room fell silent. Minutes passed before Phoebe couldn’t take it anymore and threw off the covers. Azriel was still there, standing like a sentinel.

Phoebe’s eyes were red-rimmed, but she managed a smile at Azriel. “Thanks for sticking up for me.”

“I got you involved,” Azriel said, locking eyes with her, his own gaze deep and still.

Phoebe shook her head, “It’s my fault. I couldn’t turn Grayson down. But still, I don’t know why Grayson did this.”

“If you wanna cry, just cry. Why hold it in when you feel wronged and sad?”Azriel seemed to have ignored her words, focusing instead on her eyes, which were red yet forced into a smile.

Phoebe stared back at him quietly, “What good would crying do?”

What would it change? It would only bring impatience from those so-called family members, as it was a sign of weakness in others’ eyes.

She was already seen as weak; no need to remind them of that.

“Go ahead with your work. I didn’t sleep well last night.” Her voice was barely a whisper, tinged with a sob.

Azriel watched her silently for a moment, then turned and left the ward.

Under the covers, Phoebe bit her lip hard, but tears still soaked into the pillow. She couldn’t understand why, after all these years of accumulated grievances, this time it hurt so much.

When Angie rushed in, Phoebe was already asleep. Noticing her swollen eyes, Angie sighed softly.

Poor, silly girl.

*

When Phoebe awoke, it was noon. Azriel sat beside her, watching over her. Seeing her awake, he called Jace to prepare lunch.

“Why are you still here?” Phoebe was pleasantly surprised.

Azriel simply looked at her, “Cried it out?”

Phoebe pressed her lips together, slightly embarrassed.

“Give me your hand.”

Phoebe looked at him blankly, “What?”

Azriel nodded towards her arm, “Your hand.”

She extended her hand without understanding, and before she could react, she felt the weight of a lollipop in her palm. The wrapper was light pink, peach-flavored.

Her fingertips trembled as she looked in astonishment at the man across from her, his expression indifferent. “How did you…”

“I told you before, crying kids get candy. Seems like you’ve forgotten completely.”

Azriel’s words hit home.

I was the only one who

hear, “I’ve always remembered. Only you would give me candy after

than their eldest daughter, but they weren’t stingy with material things. It wasn’t

now on, I’m here. There’ll be plenty of

much

a moment said: “This mess is indeed my fault. Grayson probably

“Alivia?”

nodded, “Grayson and I grew up together,

dots, “Alivia

and understood why. I made my position clear, and Alivia seemed to accept it. She later worked under me, but I moved her to a

then suddenly asked, “Why did you suddenly send her away two years

met her gaze, an instense look

away,

these years, she was indeed curious about his

was me being self-righteous so as not to hold

Phoebe mulled over those words, feeling a strange tightness in

Alivia? Because you didn’t give Alivia the time of day, and you chose me instead?” If she had to come up with a reason, that was the only one

anything, which pretty much meant

“But he’s got a fiancée.

a girl he liked, he still went through with an arranged engagement his family set up. And there he was, fooling around with other women while

head, she couldn’t help but think Grayson was the worst of the

instead, he changed the subject, “Has your

on wealth and power. He favors Wendy a little bit more, but we kind of get along. I spent most of my time at school, and they hardly even thought of me. It’s just that the Alonso family’s been in hot water recently. His precious daughter screwed up big time, and that’s when he finally remembered

in shambles now, but I’m not too heartbroken, even kind of glad. The Alonso family seemed like it could devour one’s humanity. I can’t even imagine what else they would be willing to do for the sake of this family. Though I’ve been tied

his lips

Phoebe’s eyes sparkled, “You think so too? I bet most people would hear this and think

not,” Azriel said

a child

*

next day, Angie’s

I couldn’t believe it,

And then he teased you? Made you his personal servant for life? Geez, my spidey

conspire. Besides, it’s not like he recognized me at first

was wrong to suggest he had ulterior motives

mouth fell open in shock, her face turning beet red, “How

“You better wise up. Honey, you’re in the prime of youth, blooming like a rose. He doesn’t look like he’s hurting for cash, so watch out, he might be after your

grew so hot it seemed steam might pour out at any moment. Angie couldn’t help but cover her mouth and laugh at the sight. “Hey, that woman who hit you yesterday, she

up. Looks like

head to watch the video with Angie, then nodded, “I know. The school called

“They

holding their heads high, this act of apology was

I didn’t see it coming

look on her face, “You really don’t know? Could it be your lollipop

Phoebe shook her head.

family would stand up for her, rven if the whole

online. Chloe has really hit rock bottom. Her

kicked Damon out of the Harper family for the

With all this mess in the Harper family, my dad’s also trying to seize control, and everything’s just chaotic. I’m scared he’ll push

about it, Damon

to tango. Just thinking about grandpa forcing Damon to marry your sister makes me sick. They were already married. What era are we in that marriage still depends on

knows what will become of our families in the

it seemed Angie was also struggling. As the two worried about their futures, the clock struck noon. Noticing

nodded at Angie as a

gaze landed on the lunchbox he was carrying. She rose from her chair with a nonchalant

mouth hung open, her expression