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?”

in Noah’s eyes. “Are you lecturing

Besides, you’re about

right do you have to talk to me about this? If

“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,

dangerously

“Besides, you’re only her

as if a rational cord inside Noah snapped under the weight of his rage.

why don’t

just as

get some rest. I’ll see you at

before nodding. “Alright, make sure you rest

the door behind him before turning to Noah. “Uncle Noah, you should head

you see he’s

few too many drinks at the dinner. He was just seeing me home, and it won’t

distance

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

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

age, share the same major, and have a lot in common. I’ve seen his character over the years;

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

She closed her eyes, took a deep breath, then

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

“I feel awful now,

change of heart. He was at a loss for how to

effect, blurring her consciousness, leaving her

it

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

long sigh, she instinctively

low-hanging fog and a dampness in the air. Ella had dressed simply in jeans

when drunk, she didn’t thrash about, just slept quietly. But this time, as he laid her in bed, she frowned and squirmed restlessly,

hand hovering over the hem of her shirt. Finally, as she twisted again in discomfort, he lifted

she wore nothing but a bra. Her skin was glowing and flawless,

girl had grown into a

arms, he ignored

he stood up

*

by her 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

Noah exited

shirt from the

etched with displeasure. “Is that a

it’s just that I’m not sure what the point was of you

silent for a

fell silent. Was

she refused without a second thought, “Summer break is just a few days away, and this place is indeed convenient.

furrowed. “Did I make

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

“Things are different now.”

book from the living room coffee table but

Paul’s

about to eat… Thanks… Oh, you have my book from last night?

Ella had already reached the entrance. There was a half-length mirror in the entrance area, and Ella bent down to

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

to school

“Ella!”

“Bye, Uncle Noah.”

Noah might say more. She rushed through her goodbye and disappeared in the blink of an eye as she opened

outlet for release. Almost reflexively, he moved to 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

her a paper bag he had been holding. Ella took it eagerly,

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

*

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.

more students

that

to pick you up from

no wonder you haven’t had a boyfriend for two years.

offered a strained

and looked up directly at her. His gaze lingered

and walked over to him. “Uncle

at her, “Get

the passenger seat. “Where are

Noah remained silent.

said to him earlier in the

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

felt a mix of panic and helplessness. In the end, her recent actions, in his eyes,

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

you’re right. So tell me, how should I act around

have

yanked open the rear car door and got in,

at the passenger seat before letting

to meet Rebecca. They arrived at a wedding

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

you are. I just can’t decide.

started at her feet and spread to every corner of

there, her face pale, her lips

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

and upon seeing her ashen face and

let out a cold laugh,

The room went still.