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?”

Noah’s eyes. “Are you

harm Ella’s reputation. Besides,

was ice-cold. “So what? And what right do you have to talk to me about this? If you want

into a sardonic smile. “Actually, that’s not the case. Grandpa Jon has no objections to me pursuing her. All I need now is for Ella to say yes. And you might want to remember, she’s just your niece. You don’t have that many rights to

throbbed dangerously

only her

a rational cord inside Noah snapped under

why don’t

just as

get some rest. I’ll

stared at her for a long moment before nodding. “Alright, make

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

“can’t you see he’s got

pursed her lips, surprised he would stay to question her after she’d asked him to leave. “I can see it, but there’s no need for you to worry. I had a few too many drinks at the dinner. He was just seeing me

don’t you keep your distance if

frowned. “He’s a classmate, a friend. He has his sights on me, but he hasn’t done anything inappropriate. How else am I supposed to find out if he’s worth my trust if I keep him at

to freeze. “What did you say?” He stepped close, his grip on her chin

with 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 his character over the years; there’s nothing to pick at. Only a fool would keep distance from

only tightened his grip on her jaw. “Ella, I’m wondering what I need to

her eyes, took a deep breath, then suddenly said, “Uncle

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

shoulder, her voice carrying a hint of coquetry, “I feel awful now, and I know I was wrong. Please, let’s forget about

of heart.

her consciousness, leaving her without the strength to stand

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

to think about

she instinctively snuggled closer

a dampness in the air. Ella had dressed simply in

But this time, as he laid her in bed, she frowned and

hovering over the hem of her shirt.

but a bra. Her skin

and innocent girl had grown into

arms, he ignored the boobs against his chest and

with a blanket, he stood up in the temperature-controlled room, drenched in

*

alarm in the morning. Despite a pounding headache, she forced herself up. These were her last few days at Summit Ridge University, and the closer she got to the end, the more she didn’t want

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

remembered Noah’s shirt from

face was etched with displeasure. “Is

closed the door behind her. “No, it’s just that I’m not sure what the point was of you buying this apartment

silent for a

silent. Was he

just a few days away, and this place is indeed convenient.

“Did I

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

“Things are different now.”

the

Paul’s call

you have my book

the entrance area, and Ella bent down to apply some lipstick, carefully adjusting her hair. “Uncle Noah, I’m

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

I’m going to school with…

“Ella!”

“Bye, Uncle Noah.”

to fear Noah might say more. She rushed through her goodbye and disappeared in the blink

finding no outlet for release. Almost reflexively, he moved to the living room window and watched as Ella

holding. Ella took it eagerly, pulling out a carton of almond milk

that letting her live on her own was not a good idea. As

*

of the school gate when she saw Noah’s car. He was leaning against the car door, one hand in his pocket, the other holding a smartphone, busily tapping away. His casual stance had

thought that there seemed to be more students hanging around the north gate

that

come to pick you up

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

offered a strained

sense something amiss and looked up directly at her. His gaze lingered for a second before he

face and walked over to him. “Uncle

her,

passenger

Noah remained silent.

him earlier in the morning,

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.

that moment, Ella felt a mix of panic and helplessness. In the end, her recent

could just disappear overnight. God knows how torturous these past few days,

me, how should I act around you so it doesn’t

don’t have to do

Ella yanked open the rear car door and got in, slamming it

at the passenger seat before letting

back to his villa, but instead, he drove her to meet Rebecca. They arrived at a wedding planning studio, decorated in a dreamy and luxurious style, with white

carpet, surrounded by notebooks and paperwork. She sat barefoot, leaning over a crystal coffee table, engrossed in her

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

a chill. A creeping coldness started at her feet and spread to every corner of her body, every drop of

there, her face pale, her lips

words trailed off as she looked between Noah and Ella, confused and uncertain. “Noah, what’s

and upon seeing her ashen face and the

a cold laugh, suddenly swatting Noah’s

The room went still.