The Enticing CEO’s Chosen Bride

The gathering at Academic Bridges had everyone in high spirits—and more than a little tipsy. Ella, buoyed by the joy of the occasion and the persistent toasts from well-meaning friends, had overindulged. Her head felt heavy, but her mind was surprisingly alert.

As more revelers approached to offer her drinks, it was Paul who stepped in to intercept them. The teasing started soon after, hinting at a budding romance between Ella and Paul.

“You two have been the talk of the campus love watch. Come clean, are you guys dating?”

“Yeah, both of you jetting off to Y Country together. Was that a secret rendezvous planned?”

“It’s just so sweet, two high-achievers studying abroad together. You’re giving us serious couple goals.”

“Don’t go eloping and surprise us with a wedding once you’re back, alright?”d2

As the conversation became more and more absurd, Ella felt helpless. “There’s nothing going on. And even if there was a wedding, I’d come back to collect your gifts.” she joked.

“Ooh, sounds like there might be a little truth behind the teasing after all?” someone chimed in, sniffing out the gossip with a grin plastered on their face.

Ella shook her head with a chuckle, stood up with her glass in hand—slightly unsteady—and raised it for a toast. “Last one for the night, folks. Here’s to success in our studies and a future bright as the stars.”

*

Paul had thoughtfully arranged for his family’s chauffeur to wait outside, ready to escort Ella back to her apartment near the campus. He glanced at Ella, who rested her head against the car window, her brows knit together as if in discomfort, and asked, “Feeling rough?”

“No,” she shook her head.

“Have you talked to your grandfather, or your uncle about this?” Paul seemed hesitant but broached the subject nonetheless.

Ella’s posture didn’t change, but she slowly opened her eyes. “Not yet. My uncle’s engagement is the priority right now, and I doubt they’ll have time for my issues.” Her voice was calm, devoid of any emotional tremor.

Paul continued, “You might miss your uncle’s engagement party…”

“I won’t,” she replied calmly, cutting him off. “As inappropriate as it may sound, I’d rather not attend, so I won’t postpone my departure.”

Paul nodded, a slight relief washing over his face. After a brief silence, he suggested, “Since we have some time over the summer, why not travel a bit before the term starts?”

Ella paused, then looked up at him.

Paul smiled. “I’ve always wanted to tour Western Europe. With a few free days over the summer, we could see as much as we can. Care to join? We could start in the Netherlands.”

Ella pursed her lips, her gaze drifting to the fleeting colors outside the window. When the car stopped at her building, Ella stepped out on her own but immediately felt a wave of dizziness and nausea.

She rushed to the nearby flower bed, bent over, and Paul was right there, supporting her. After holding it in all evening, she couldn’t keep it down any longer.

Paul gently patted her back as the driver handed her a bottle of water. Without having eaten much earlier, she felt utterly drained after vomiting and slumped into Paul’s embrace.

He opened the water for her, and Ella took a few sips, rinsed her mouth, and then drank again, her hand trembling around the bottle.

“I’ll walk you up,” he offered.

Ella could only murmur an acknowledgment, too weak to nod.

Paul decided to carry her upstairs, and they reached her apartment door. Ella pressed her fingerprint on the smart lock, and with a click, Paul kicked the door open with his foot.

Inside, the lights were all on, revealing a tall, stern man in the living room, exuding an imposing aura.

Ella, sensing the tension, lifted her head from Paul’s arms and locked eyes with the man, her brow furrowing. “What are you doing here?”

“Put her down,” commanded Noah, ignoring her question and fixing his gaze on Paul.

Paul remained composed. “She’s had too much to drink.”

As Noah approached, the tension became palpable. “Give her to me,” Noah insisted, brooking no argument.

“Paul, put me down,” she requested, feeling the awkwardness of the situation.

Paul complied, and as Ella’s feet touched the floor, she swayed but managed to stabilize herself with Paul’s support. “Why are you here? Didn’t you say this apartment was a gift for me? How can you just walk in whenever you want?”

“I bought it, so why can’t I come in as I please? Ella, you’ve got some nerve, getting drunk and bringing a guy home with you?”

Ella staggered toward the sofa, then Noah pulled her back. “Didn’t you hear me talking to you?”

“What’s it to you?!”

“I’m your uncle—does that answer your question?!”

The living room fell silent.

After a moment, Ella took a deep breath and nodded. “Fine, Uncle. I’m not feeling well. Can I rest now?”

Noah’s expression softened slightly as he saw her weary face, and his tone mellowed. “Need a shower?”

The familiar gentleness in his voice made Ella’s heart twinge. She nodded, “Yes.”

“Go lie down. I’ll run a bath for you.”

“I can just take a quick shower.”

“Can you even stand properly? Go lie down.” His words left no room for debate, and Ella, accustomed to obedience, simply nodded.

The next moment, Noah carried her straight to the bedroom, a rare physical closeness that had become uncommon in recent years.

He gently placed her on the bed, looking down at her coldly. “Don’t think we’re done discussing tonight’s events,” he said before leaving the room.

Noah then faced Paul, still standing in the living room, and his presence chilling the air further. “Are you not leaving?”

Paul stood his ground. “Isn’t it inappropriate for you to enter Ella’s place like this?”

glint appeared in Noah’s eyes. “Are you

harm Ella’s reputation. Besides, you’re

to talk to me

is

throbbed dangerously on Noah’s

“Besides, you’re only her

inside Noah snapped under the weight of

don’t

from behind cut through just as

rest. I’ll see

for a long moment before nodding. “Alright, make sure

behind him before turning to Noah. “Uncle Noah, you should head out too. I’m feeling much better, just need a

“can’t you see he’s got designs

many drinks at the dinner. He was just seeing me home, and it won’t happen again. And don’t think I’m playing some game. This is

don’t you keep your distance

done anything inappropriate. How else am I supposed to find out if he’s worth my trust if I keep him at

his grip on her chin was menacing, and

him.” Ella was brutally honest. “There’s no better candidate than him for now. We’re of the same age, share the same major, and have a lot in common. I’ve seen

tightened his grip on her jaw. “Ella, I’m wondering what I need to do to teach you a lesson

shivered. She closed her eyes, took a

aggrieved demeanor she used in the past when scolded by him. “I shouldn’t have

her voice carrying a hint of coquetry, “I

of heart. He was at

blurring her consciousness, leaving her without the strength

In the past, whenever she did something wrong and admitted it with good grace, playing the pitiful card, she always managed to get off the hook.

she couldn’t bring herself to think about it, it seemed to

out a long sigh, she instinctively snuggled

dampness in the air. Ella

But this time, as he laid her

the bed, watching her for a while, his hand hovering over the hem of her shirt. Finally, as she

but a bra. Her skin was glowing and flawless, her delicate curves

once sweet and innocent girl had grown into a

into his arms, he ignored the boobs against his

a blanket, he stood up in

*

a pounding headache, she forced herself up. These were her last few days at Summit Ridge University, and the closer she got

bedroom just as Noah exited the adjacent room. She paused. “You stayed here last

vaguely remembered Noah’s shirt from

face was etched with displeasure.

her. “No, it’s just that I’m not sure what

was silent for a moment. “You’re moving back

silent.

break is just a few days away, and this place

brows furrowed. “Did I make your life that

Ella couldn’t answer. After all, Noah had always taken care of her every need, down to the smallest detail. She hadn’t

“Things are different now.”

to grab her book from the living

Paul’s call came

my book from last night?

had already reached the entrance. There was a half-length mirror in the entrance area, and Ella bent down to apply some lipstick, carefully adjusting her

school.” Noah’s tone was as decisive as ever, his expression had turned inexplicably

need, I’m going to school with…

“Ella!”

“Bye, Uncle Noah.”

She rushed through her goodbye and disappeared in the blink of an eye

the living room window and watched as Ella hurried down to where a man stood waiting by the grove of trees at the downstairs of her

then handed her a paper bag he had been holding. Ella took it eagerly, pulling out a carton of almond

not a good idea.

*

car. He was leaning against the car door, one hand in his pocket, the other holding

there seemed to be more

is that your

come to pick you up from

so handsome, no wonder you haven’t had a boyfriend for two years. With such

a strained

to sense something amiss and looked up directly at her. His gaze

a brave face and walked over to him. “Uncle Noah, what

her, “Get

the passenger seat. “Where

Noah remained silent.

remembered what she had said to him earlier in the morning, “I’m about to have my

voice was stern. “Are you avoiding me deliberately? To spite me, you’d pick any random guy to be your boyfriend. That’s irresponsible towards your own life. As long as you’re part of the Tretton family, and under my watch, some decisions are not yours to make. I don’t want to tell you a third time. Get

In the end, her recent actions, in his eyes, were just another

deny she’d been avoiding him deliberately. Her feelings for him weren’t something that could just disappear overnight. God knows how torturous

I act around

don’t have

overthinking, Ella yanked open the rear car door and

frowned slightly, glancing at the passenger seat before letting her be.

her to meet Rebecca. They arrived at a wedding planning studio,

was sitting in the VIP area on a white fluffy carpet, surrounded by notebooks and paperwork. She

waved her over. “There you are. I just can’t decide. Everything looks so

feet and spread to every corner of her body, every drop of

stood there, her face pale, her lips

as she looked between Noah and Ella, confused and uncertain. “Noah, what’s wrong with

ashen face and

laugh, suddenly swatting Noah’s hand

The room went still.