The Enticing CEO’s Chosen Bride

At that moment, Phoebe desperately wanted to ask him why he cared about such things, but she feared the answer might be one she didn’t want to hear.

She clung to her fantasies, scared to shatter them.

She had been rather dismissive of Angie’s suggestion earlier, but now it hit her that maybe there was some truth to it.

Maybe she should try dating, get to know what it feels like. Maybe what she felt for Azriel wasn’t really love.

With a deep breath, she stacked their plates together. “Of course, I’m choosy. Otherwise, I wouldn’t still be single,” she said, picking up the dishes and heading toward the kitchen, chopsticks in hand. But her answer didn’t reassure Azriel.

He followed her into the kitchen and saw her turn on the tap, ready to wash up. He frowned, took her by the hand, and pulled her away from the sink.d2

“What are you doing?”

“I didn’t hire a maid to be just for show.”

Without further discussion, he led her away from the kitchen. Clutching her delicate wrist in his hand, he remembered the sensation of having her close during the party. She was slight, her waist so slender. She had looked stunning at the business dinner, his own creation.

Now out of her fancy clothes and makeup, she was simple and pure—a side of herself he was sure she hadn’t shown to other men. And yet, now she was contemplating love, even marriage.

He couldn’t explain the tightness in his chest, but he couldn’t deny she wasn’t wrong either. He let go of her wrist and stared at her clean, innocent face for a few seconds before letting out a deep sigh and patting her head gently. “A girl needs to take care of herself. If you do find a boyfriend, be sure to bring him by for my approval. Not just any guy is worthy of being your boyfriend.”

A knife seemed to twist in Phoebe’s heart. She had been avoiding this very question all night, not wanting to face it, and here he was, giving her the answer in another form. Thankfully, she hadn’t impulsively confessed to him, or she would surely be another Alivia.

To him, she was the grand-daughter of his mentor, perhaps a cherished younger sister, but not the object of the affection she wished for. She could have figured it out herself eventually and let go, but he chose tonight to give her such a brutal answer.

Suppressing the sourness rising within her, she adjusted her composure and, with a forced smile, looked up at him. “Sure, I know… Definitely!”

Her smile was too bright, as if she harbored a strong yearning for a romance yet to begin.

Azriel looked down at her smiling face, his hand still resting on her head, his eyes deep and dark. “Why are you crying?”

Phoebe paused, “I’m not crying.”

She knew whether she had cried? After all, what she had mastered over the years was how to hold back her tears.

“It’s getting late; I’m going up to rest. You should sleep soon too.”

Phoebe bent her knees slightly, dodging Azriel’s hand, and dashed up the stairs with agile movements.

*

Azriel, in the end, arranged a driver for Phoebe to ferry her to and from school. Phoebe didn’t protest; after all, she couldn’t expect Angie to go out of her way to pick her up every day.

The Alonso family’s affairs seemed to have settled for now, and Phoebe racked her brain but couldn’t imagine how Wendy could stir up more trouble.

The news was still hot online and in business circles the next day. Even at school, many classmates were discussing it. After all, many students aspired to join the Alonso family’s empire.

Now with the Alonso family changing hands and Chloe taking the helm, speculation about the company’s future was rife. While Chloe’s competence was evident, corporate transitions and reforms inevitably lead to upheaval and potential problems.

Phoebe had always kept a low profile at school, and few knew she was the Alonso Corporation’s second daughter. Aside from a few wealthy peers, she didn’t mingle much.

However, Alyna’s scene at the school gates had exposed her identity somewhat. As she entered the campus, she drew a lot of curious and sympathetic glances. Phoebe was prepared for this and chose to ignore the attention.

into the science building, Angie bounded over and threw her arms around

They’ve been so persistent

bit surprised. “Isn’t that a bit too

will be taken. Let’s just check it out, think of it as fun. No one’s forcing you to date anyone. I want

added a whine to her plea, leaving Phoebe with little choice. She couldn’t just let her go alone. What if someone took an interest in her

fun. Try not to drink, or at least keep it to a minimum. Don’t let your guard down when you’re

I click with. I want to bring

gave her a look. “Don’t

“I won’t, I won’t.”

“Where is it?”

putting

“Angie…”

is owned by

*

Obsidian. Damon and Seth were already in the conference

between his brows and a shadow casting over his

aloof men gave him an extra glance that day. The man who always appeared full of vitality at work, as if it

in his chair, pinching the bridge of his nose, clearly bothered by

table, scrolled through the news on his phone. When he came across a picture of Chloe, he casually saved it. Glancing up, I couldn’t help but throw another look his way. “It’s not every day I see you like this, so tell

table, but within moments,

basis do you ask?”

look from Damon, but Azriel couldn’t help

furrowed, and his demeanor grew

away, coolly remarking, “Looks like someone’s

his eyes. “Since when do you

phone as he spoke, “It’s just a shame to waste all that

was puzzled. “What

“How have I never noticed you had so many questions before?”

that Azriel, the acting CEO of Obsidian Corp, was being treated as “dense” was nothing short

desires really

expensive, creaseless charcoal suit, even while seated. His defined fingers toyed with a pen, weaving it through with an air of boredom, his smile cool and detached. “If you really need to, just let me

looked away, replying

from the brink single-handedly, and his rapid success was astonishing.

decisive and open in his actions, unlike Seth, who was cunning and ruthless—a wolf in sheep’s clothing. A slight misstep, and

was no open conflict between them, instinctive caution

put up.

family man now, so make sure it’s all above board.” With the boss joining in, Azriel couldn’t

“Of

“Keep it

laughed softly, but the conversation ended

took a deep breath, massaging his temples as the faces began popping up on the conference

his hair, “The post-shower Adonis

Everyone else sighed.

brushed back his hair,

are you mooning over your

picked out your

Not taking well to the local scene, or is