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.”

spilled over as Azriel’s words hit home.

“I thought I was the

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

patting her head and handing her tissues. After returning, he had learned a bit about her life. The Alonso family treated her differently than their eldest daughter, but they weren’t stingy with material things. It wasn’t until this morning, when he witnessed her so-called father’s harsh words and attitude, that he truly understood that her life

now on, I’m here.

not much of a crier. I won’t

her, puzzled, and after a moment said: “This mess is indeed my fault. Grayson

“Alivia?”

up together, so did Alivia. When feelings

the dots,

position clear, and Alivia seemed to accept it. She later worked under me, but I moved her to a branch office two years ago.

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

her gaze, an instense look

quickly looked away, embarrassed,

was indeed curious about his

as not to

Phoebe mulled over those words, feeling

did all that just to stick it up for 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

didn’t say anything, which pretty much

“But he’s got a fiancée. Forget it, he’s always

he liked, he still went through with an arranged engagement his family set up. And there he was, fooling around with other women while betrothed. Didn’t

think Grayson was the worst of

her words, and instead, he changed the subject, “Has your father

more focused 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

humanity. I can’t even imagine what else they

his lips and nodded,

would hear this and think I’m a traitor, biting the hand that feeds

Azriel

child praised by a

*

The next day, Angie’s surprised voice filled

believe it, after all these years he’s changed so

he teased you? Made you his personal servant for life? Geez, my spidey senses are tingling with a

being avoided like the plague? Others would be too busy running away from me to conspire. Besides, it’s not

stop, stop, okay, okay, I was wrong to suggest he had ulterior motives towards

in shock, her face turning beet red,

in the prime of youth, blooming like a rose.

help but cover her mouth and laugh at the sight. “Hey, that woman who hit you yesterday,

“She’s sitting in a wheelchair, with her face all swollen up. Looks like she got a good thrashing. That should

the video with Angie, then nodded, “I

“They apologized

a well-known institution backed by magnates, always holding their heads high, this act of

didn’t see it coming

face, “You really

Phoebe shook her head.

stand up for her, rven if the whole

more outrage against Chloe and Damon online. Chloe has really hit rock bottom. Her

even kicked Damon out of the Harper

phone aside, Angie slumped back in her chair with a sigh. “It seems we’re both in the same boat. With all this mess in the Harper family,

you think about it, Damon leaving the Harper family was mostly

were already married. What era are we in that marriage still depends on family status? Besides, could Damon choose a bad

our families in the end. One

also struggling. As the two worried about their futures, the clock struck noon. Noticing the time, Phoebe

in. He nodded at Angie as a greeting and approached

on the lunchbox he was carrying. She rose from her chair with

her expression oddly perplexed, but Angie