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?”

appeared in Noah’s eyes. “Are you

harm Ella’s reputation. Besides, you’re about to

“So what? And what right do you have to talk to me about this? If you want

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 meddle in her

dangerously

continued, “Besides, you’re only her

if a rational cord inside Noah snapped

don’t you

from behind cut through just

I’ll

her for a long moment before nodding. “Alright, make sure you rest up

behind him before turning to Noah. “Uncle Noah, you

said heavily, “can’t you

drinks at the dinner. He was

distance if

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

you say?” He stepped close, his grip on her

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 such an outstanding guy who likes me,

her jaw. “Ella, I’m wondering what I need to do to teach you

closed her eyes, took a

aggrieved demeanor she used in the past when scolded by him.

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

her sudden change of heart.

The alcohol took effect, blurring her consciousness, leaving her without

In the past, whenever she did something wrong and admitted it with good grace, playing the pitiful card, she always

couldn’t bring herself to think about it, it seemed to have worked once

she

had been gloomy all day, with low-hanging fog and a dampness

thrash about, just slept quietly. But this time, as he laid her in bed, she

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

Beneath the hoodie, she wore nothing but a bra. Her skin was glowing and flawless, her delicate curves barely concealed by the

and innocent girl had grown into

filled his eyes as he fought the shadows rising within him. Taking her into his arms, he ignored the boobs against his chest and quickly removed her hoodie over her head. She quieted

he stood up in the temperature-controlled room, drenched in

*

last few

freshening up, she stepped out of the bedroom just as Noah exited the adjacent room. She paused. “You stayed

shirt from the night

was etched with displeasure.

I’m not sure what the point was of you

a moment. “You’re moving

fell silent. Was

a few days away, and this place is indeed convenient. I don’t want to hassle with

furrowed. “Did I make

answer. After all, Noah had always taken care of her every need, down to

“Things are different now.”

book from the living room

Paul’s call

book from last night? Great,

area, and Ella bent down to apply some lipstick, carefully adjusting her hair. “Uncle Noah, I’m heading out. Drive safe, and don’t forget to

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

I’m going to school with…

“Ella!”

“Bye, Uncle Noah.”

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

release. Almost reflexively, he moved to the living room window and watched as Ella hurried down to where a man stood waiting by

been holding. Ella took it eagerly, pulling out a carton

reinforced Noah’s belief that letting her live on her own was not a good idea.

*

car door, one

more students hanging around the

that your

your uncle come to pick you up

wonder you haven’t had a boyfriend for two years. With such an impressive man close by, it’s no surprise

offered a

and looked up directly at her. His gaze lingered for a second

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

at her,

the passenger seat. “Where

Noah remained silent.

him earlier in the morning, “I’m about to have

long as you’re part of the Tretton family, and under

a mix of panic and helplessness. In the end,

for him weren’t something that could just disappear overnight. God knows how torturous

So tell me, how should I act around you

don’t have to

Ella yanked open the rear car door and got

before letting

he drove her to meet Rebecca. They arrived at a wedding planning studio, decorated in a dreamy and luxurious style, with white being the dominant color and

sitting in the VIP area on a white fluffy carpet, surrounded by notebooks and paperwork. She sat barefoot, leaning over a crystal coffee

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

and spread to every corner of her body, every drop of blood, every cell,

stood there, her face pale, her lips

words trailed off as she looked between Noah

face and the tremble in her lips, his expression

cold laugh,

The room went still.