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.

Ella’s reputation. Besides, you’re about

to talk to me about this? If you want Ella, you’ll

objections to me pursuing her. All I need now is for Ella to say yes. And you might want to remember, she’s just

vein throbbed dangerously

“Besides, you’re only her

inside Noah snapped under the weight of his rage.

don’t you head

through just as Noah’s anger

some rest. I’ll see you

long moment before nodding.

him before turning to Noah. “Uncle Noah, you should head out too. I’m

“can’t you see he’s

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

distance if you see his

friend. He has his sights on me, but he hasn’t done anything

you say?” He stepped close, his grip on her chin was menacing, and his dark

a try 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

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

voice was so cold that Ella shivered. She closed her eyes, took a

by him. “I shouldn’t have drunk. I shouldn’t have let a drunk man into my place. It won’t happen

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

rising anger crumbled at her sudden change of heart. He was

her consciousness, leaving her without the strength to stand off

did something wrong and admitted it with good grace, playing the pitiful card, she

herself to think about it, it seemed to

long sigh, she instinctively snuggled closer into his

fog and a dampness in the

peaceful sleeper, even when drunk, she didn’t thrash about, just slept quietly. But this time, as he laid her in bed, she frowned

hand hovering over the hem of her shirt. Finally, as she twisted again

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

and innocent girl had grown into a

shadows rising within him. Taking her into his arms, he ignored the boobs against his chest and quickly removed her hoodie over

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

*

in the morning. Despite a pounding headache, she forced herself up. These were her last few days at

as Noah exited

shirt from

with displeasure. “Is that a

sure what the point was

for a

fell silent. Was

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

brows furrowed. “Did I make

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

“Things are different now.”

about to grab her book from the living room coffee table but

then, Paul’s

eat… Thanks… Oh, you have my book from last night? Great, I’ll come down

up the phone, Ella 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 hair. “Uncle Noah, I’m heading out. Drive safe, and don’t forget to lock

tone was as decisive as

need, I’m going to school

“Ella!”

“Bye, Uncle Noah.”

to fear Noah might say more. She rushed through her goodbye and

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

paper bag he had been holding. Ella took it eagerly, pulling out a carton of almond milk with a straw, and began drinking it

Noah’s belief that letting her live on her own was not a good idea. As he watched their retreating figures, Noah’s gaze darkened

*

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

there seemed to be more students hanging around the north gate

that your

come to

boyfriend for two years. With such an impressive

a strained

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

and walked over to him. “Uncle Noah, what

her, “Get in

instinctively looked at the passenger seat.

Noah remained silent.

had said to him earlier in the morning,

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

helplessness. In the end,

deny she’d been avoiding him deliberately. Her feelings for him weren’t something that could just disappear overnight. God knows how torturous these past few days, putting on a brave face, had been for

So tell me, how should I act around you so

have

car door and got in, slamming it

at the passenger seat before letting her be. He

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 dazzling chandeliers

in the VIP area on a white fluffy carpet, surrounded by notebooks

you are. I just

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

there, her face pale,

were too apparent, and Rebecca’s words trailed off as she looked between Noah and Ella, confused and

upon seeing her ashen face and the tremble in her lips, his

laugh, suddenly

The room went still.