The Enticing CEO’s Chosen Bride

Even if the waiter knew, he wouldn’t spill the beans to them. But one thing was clear—the girl standing before them had some deep connection with Mr. Kane.

“Enjoy yourselves, folks. If you need anything, just holler.”

“Sure thing!”

As Angie began to relax, her nervousness faded, replaced by a bubbling excitement. “I wonder what kind of entertainment we’ve got lined up tonight?” You could tell she was really looking forward to it.

The kind of show Kane sets up was unlikely to disappoint.

However, choosing this kind of venue for a mixer was a bit out of the ordinary, and while the girls were quite thrilled, the guys felt somewhat restrained. After all, the goal was to find a serious romance, and showing too much interest in a place like this—acting like it was their regular haunt—might just nip any budding romance in the bud. They looked at each other, all a little stiff and formal in their seats.d2

Angie’s sparkling eyes had swept across the whole floor when the waiter finally brought their drinks. She reined in her curiosity and settled back into the booth, casting a glance at the men opposite her.

The two girls beside her had already struck up a conversation, and Angie could tell their attention was mainly on the guy sitting across from Phoebe. He was the same guy who had just asked them to move aside, dressed in crisp, clean clothes, with handsome, refined features that gave off an impression of modest warmth, like a spring breeze—soothing and amicable. In this noisy, chaotic setting, he managed to stand out without seeming out of place.

Angie, spotting something intriguing, nudged Phoebe’s arm with her elbow and handed her a glass, whispering as she did so.

“Babe, that guy across from you, Oakley, is the finance department’s golden boy, got in on a scholarship, topped the freshers’ list of honors with a headshot that claimed the ‘Campus Heartthrob’ title.”

Phoebe took a sip from her glass, relieved to find the alcohol content low. “How come you’re always clued up on the gossip but still single, huh?”

Angie pouted, “I just felt bad about making a move on a younger guy…”

“And now?”

“Well… if I’m looking at school, younger guys are all that’s left, right? Can’t fight the march of time…”

Phoebe couldn’t help but laugh, “You’re not even old…”

“Hehe, let me tell you, Oakley has no shortage of girls after him. If he wanted, he could have his pick of the bunch, but he’s been single for two years. He’s never been to one of these mixers before. Tonight’s his first time.”

“Good luck to you then.”

Angie shook her head and gave Phoebe a meaningful look, winking and nudging her again.

Phoebe gave Angie a puzzled look, “What’s up with you now?”

“When I asked someone to invite him, guess whose name I used?”

Phoebe shook her head, “No idea.”

Angie shrugged, “Never mind then. Just know it wasn’t under my name.”

The conversation among the group eventually turned towards Angie and Phoebe.

Phoebe had this selective introversion thing going on. Sometimes she was quiet, almost never initiating conversations, responding only when spoken to. Other times she was quirky and lively, a natural at lifting spirits. It all depended on her mood, and who she was with.

atmosphere lightened up, and with a few drinks mixing into their conversations, her mood visibly loosened. She

a pair of clean, white hands reached

she saw Oakley, who had been sitting across from her all this time. His expression was neutral as he poured some soft drink into her glass. “This place is a bit wild. You should take it

of girls nearby who were already flushed from drinking too much, then raised an eyebrow at

she didn’t say a word, her point was loud and clear. Those girls had

could respond, the music up on stage came to a

stage, the crowd erupted into cheers. They were minor celebrities from the entertainment industry, wearing glittering silver fringe dresses that barely

go all out.

into the realm of risqué numbers. The dancers switched from airline attendant getups to nurse garb, and even schoolgirl outfits. The cheers grew louder, the crowd more excited, and the performers on stage began to thin out, disappearing

huh? If this keeps up, are we going to see a lingerie show next? Stop, let’s just play our own

fit the scene, right?” Another girl, eyes alight with mischief, chimed in and Angie waved

game possibly be more outrageous than what the stars on stage were

a shot,

“Deal!”

*

five women in diverse outfits stood in front of a coffee table, each wearing a practiced

slightly obscuring his handsome features. His narrow eyes glanced at the man sitting by the window, his mood darkening, and let out a chuckle. Leaning forward to snub out his cigarette in the ashtray, he said, “Seems

flick of his wrist, he motioned to the women, “Bring

shot him a chilly glance. “Building a crew isn’t a walk in

headfirst into the cutthroat world of dreams. Here they were, paraded

with people’s lives, squandering and trampling them without a shred of guilt. He just smiled, a casual lean back into his chair, idly toying with a platinum lighter in his hand. “Having the honor to serve Mr. Azriel should be considered a blessing for them. Or you could tell me your preference, Mr.

be bothered to spar with him.

teasing mirth. “Should you fancy someone someday,

grabbed the crystal whiskey glass from the table and glanced casually at the raucous scene below, his movements

the window, his lips almost imperceptibly twitching before his face

*

People were cheering

with a twist—passing a slip of paper

and two girls ended

paper, passing it to Phoebe with a bit too much cheek-to-cheek contact. Even among girls, this close encounter had the bystanders

and she knew she was in a pickle. If she didn’t pass the paper

held a teasing glint as he watched Phoebe’s expression flip through various stages of horror, his gaze drifting to the white slip of

be caught by Oakley’s firm, reassuring grip. The subtle action, unnoticed by the others, sent a jolt through Phoebe’s

Oakley spoke,

the paper from Phoebe’s

heart skipped a beat upon seeing Azriel’s icy

his lips seemed like a barbed hook ready

Azriel’s eyes with a glint of coldness.