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.

zone, staying quiet and speaking little. But as they all got more familiar and the atmosphere lightened up, and with a few drinks mixing into their conversations, her mood visibly loosened.

mixing herself another drink, a pair of clean, white hands reached over and took

she saw Oakley, who had been sitting across from her all this time. His expression was neutral as he poured some

nudging Phoebe subtly. Under Phoebe’s gaze, Angie glanced at a group of girls nearby who were already flushed from

her point was loud and clear. Those girls had definitely had more to drink

stage came to a sudden halt, and the stylish

from the entertainment industry, wearing glittering silver fringe dresses that barely

go all out. Not your

the realm of risqué numbers. The dancers switched from airline attendant getups to nurse garb, and even schoolgirl outfits. The cheers

this keeps up,

scene, right?” Another girl, eyes alight with mischief, chimed in

than what

drinks a shot, straight

“Deal!”

*

private booth, five women in diverse outfits stood in

eyes glanced at the man sitting by the window, his mood darkening,

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

shot him a chilly glance. “Building a crew isn’t a walk in the park. You’re going all out just

for their big break, flinging themselves headfirst into the cutthroat world of dreams. Here they were, paraded in like lambs to the slaughter, a clear one-way ticket to a pit

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. Azriel, and I’ll have

be bothered to spar with him. “Don’t

brimming with teasing mirth. “Should you fancy someone someday, just say the word. I’ll be sure

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

out the window,

*

at Phoebe’s table was drawing quite a crowd. People were cheering them on, turning them into the center

game of Telephone, but with a twist—passing a slip of paper

girls ended up side by side,

girls, she confidently took the paper, passing it to Phoebe with a bit too much

and she knew she was in a

stages of horror, his gaze drifting to the white slip

involuntarily shrinking back, only to be caught by Oakley’s firm, reassuring grip. The subtle action, unnoticed by the others, sent

spoke,

out, yanking the paper from Phoebe’s mouth, tossing it to the floor. Everyone paused, turning

upon seeing Azriel’s icy glare. “What… are you…

like a barbed hook ready to tear flesh. Phoebe was

of her protectively, a move that narrowed Azriel’s eyes with a glint of coldness. They locked eyes, the tension palpable and