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.

was the only one who

remember!” She was loud, desperate for him to hear, “I’ve always remembered. Only you would give me candy after I cried. Others… other people… ah…”

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,

I’m here. There’ll be plenty of

“I’m not much

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

“Alivia?”

and I grew up together,

connected the dots, “Alivia likes

didn’t agree. Later, I could sense Grayson’s resentment and understood why. I made my position clear, and

did you

gaze, an instense look passed between

away, embarrassed, “Ah.

was indeed curious

self-righteous so as not to

almost happen’… Phoebe mulled over those words, feeling a strange tightness

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 that made sense to

anything, which

a fiancée. Forget it, he’s always

arranged engagement his family set up. And there he was, fooling around with other women while betrothed. Didn’t he spare a single thought for the girl he was actually into while sleeping with

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

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

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

sound too pitiful, Phoebe followed up with a sweet smile. “The Alonso family’s 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 to it my whole life, rather than letting Wendy wreck it,

lips and nodded,

I bet most people would hear this and think

Azriel

child praised by

*

next day, Angie’s

“It’s him. I couldn’t believe it, after all these years he’s

he? And then he teased you? Made you his personal

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

okay, I was wrong to suggest he had

towards me?” Phoebe’s mouth fell open in shock,

you’re in the prime of youth, blooming like a rose.

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

her face all swollen up. Looks like she got a good

then

surprised, “They

their heads high, this

see it

face, “You really don’t know? Could it be your lollipop guy

Phoebe shook her head.

it was hard to believe that the Alonso family would stand up for her,

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

my grandfather, he even kicked Damon out of

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

let out a sigh, “When you think about it, Damon leaving the Harper family was mostly

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

of our families in the end. One wrong step,

about their futures, the clock struck noon. Noticing the time,

He nodded at Angie as a greeting and approached

gaze landed on the lunchbox he was carrying. She rose from her

mouth hung open, her expression oddly