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.”

over as Azriel’s words hit home. “You are that

I was the only

after I cried.

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

on, I’m here.

sobs, laughed. “I’m not much of a

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

“Alivia?”

together, so

the dots, “Alivia likes

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

quietly, then suddenly asked, “Why did you

met her gaze, an

looked away, embarrassed, “Ah. just

these years, she was indeed curious about his

it was me being self-righteous so as not to hold her back.” He spoke diplomatically, preserving a

over those words, feeling a strange tightness in her

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 one that made sense

which pretty much meant

“But he’s got a

set up. And there he was, fooling around with other women while betrothed. Didn’t he spare

couldn’t help but think Grayson was the worst of the

subject, “Has your father always treated you

I spent most of my time at school, and they hardly

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

his lips and nodded, “You’re

so too? I bet most people would

not,” Azriel said

a child praised by a

*

You found your lollipop dude?” The next day, Angie’s surprised voice

it, after all these years he’s changed

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

blinked, “Conspiracy? With the Alonso family being avoided like the plague? Others would be too busy running away from me to conspire.

okay, okay, I was wrong to suggest he had ulterior

open in shock, her face

at Phoebe’s forehead, “You better wise up. Honey, you’re in the prime of youth, blooming like a rose. He doesn’t

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

a wheelchair, with her face all swollen up. Looks like she got a good thrashing. That should shut up the gossipers at

the video with Angie, then nodded, “I know. The school called me yesterday afternoon to

seemed surprised, “They

backed by magnates, always holding their heads high, this act of apology

see it coming

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

Phoebe shook her head.

family would stand up for her, rven if the whole mistress situation

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

kicked Damon out of the Harper

chair with a sigh. “It seems we’re both in the same boat. With all this mess in the Harper family, my dad’s also

out a sigh, “When you think about it, Damon leaving

married. What era are we in that marriage still depends on family status?

knows what will become of our families in the end. One wrong

was also struggling. As the two worried about their futures, the clock struck noon. Noticing the time, Phoebe grabbed Angie’s hand,

they were speaking, Azriel walked in. He nodded at Angie as a greeting and approached Phoebe’s

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

expression