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

reputation. Besides, you’re about to be

do you have to talk to me about this? If

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

dangerously on

you’re only

rational cord inside Noah snapped under

don’t

through just as Noah’s anger was about to

rest. I’ll see you

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

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

Noah said heavily, “can’t you see he’s

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

don’t you keep your distance if you see

but he hasn’t done anything inappropriate. How else

you say?” He stepped close, his grip on her chin was menacing, and his dark eyes churned with a chilling sternness.

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

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

closed her eyes, took

shifted, adopting the same apologetic and aggrieved demeanor she used in the past when scolded by him. “I shouldn’t have drunk. I shouldn’t have let a drunk man into my place. It won’t happen

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. He was at a

exhausted. The alcohol took effect, blurring her consciousness, leaving her without the strength to stand off with Noah any

wrong and admitted it with good grace, playing the pitiful card, she always managed

think about it, it seemed to

sigh, she instinctively snuggled closer into his

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

just slept quietly. But this time, as he laid her in bed, she frowned and squirmed restlessly, her

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

nothing but a bra. Her skin

innocent girl had

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

a blanket, he stood up in the

*

forced herself up. These were her last few days at Summit Ridge University,

bedroom just as Noah exited

vaguely remembered Noah’s shirt from the night

etched with

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

a moment. “You’re moving

fell silent. Was

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

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

“Things are different now.”

her book from the

Paul’s

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

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

tone was as decisive

going to school with…

“Ella!”

“Bye, Uncle Noah.”

say more. She rushed through her goodbye and disappeared in

him, finding no outlet for release. Almost reflexively, he moved to the living room window and watched as Ella hurried down to where a man stood waiting

as he saw her approach, then handed her a paper bag he had been holding. Ella took it eagerly, pulling out a carton of almond milk with a straw, and

not a good idea. As he watched their retreating figures, Noah’s

*

door, one hand in his pocket, the other

that there seemed to be more students hanging

is that your

uncle come to pick you up

wonder you haven’t had a boyfriend for two years. With such an

offered a strained

something amiss and looked up directly at her. His gaze lingered for a second before he spoke in a deep voice.

Ella put on a brave face and walked

glanced at her,

the passenger seat.

Noah remained silent.

to him earlier in the morning, “I’m

own life. As long as you’re part of the Tretton family, and under my watch, some decisions are not yours to make.

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

feelings for him weren’t something that could just disappear overnight. God knows how torturous these past few days, putting on

me, how should I act around you so it

have

open the rear car

seat before letting her be.

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

a white fluffy carpet, surrounded by notebooks

you are. I just can’t decide. Everything looks so good. Ella, come and help

coldness started at her feet and spread to every corner

stood there, her face

and Rebecca’s words trailed off as she looked

her ashen face and the tremble in her lips,

let out a cold laugh, suddenly swatting

The room went still.