The Enticing CEO’s Chosen Bride

Ella collapsed onto her bed at home after her nightly routine, her phone buzzing with activity from a group chat that included Rebecca. Since Rebecca’s arrival, the chat seemed to come alive with chatter every single day.

At this very moment, the group was particularly animated, discussing engagement party plans. Rebecca, ever the thoughtful hostess, was inquiring about everyone’s preferred vibe for the event. The conversation eventually even steered towards wedding talk.

The men in the group, eager to please Rebecca, were surprisingly invested in the discussion—a stark contrast to their usual indifference towards their own matrimonial plans.

Ella peered at her screen where the messages flied by, a wry smile playing on her lips before she exited the chat.

Let it be.

After the embarrassment that Ella had just caused in the afternoon, it was surprising that Rebecca would openly discuss such matters in a place where she knew Ella was present.d2

As a woman, Ella could sense Rebecca’s hostility towards her. It was a warning, as clear as the one she felt from Noah, telling her to keep her distance.

She was curious, how Noah had placated Rebecca so quickly, that she accepted a truth that must have been shocking for her. Perhaps he held her, whispering reassurances that his relationship with Ella was nothing more than the well-known fact that they were uncle and niece, and that would never change.

Thinking of Noah’s tender demeanor with other women sent a chill through Ella’s heart. She couldn’t fathom what was going through Noah’s mind.

Rebecca was aware of Ella’s feelings, and tonight, Ella had certainly returned the favor by embarrassing her. Did Noah ever consider how they were supposed to interact in the future?

As long as she remained within the Tretton family, and under his watchful eye, she was bound to encounter Rebecca, wasn’t she? Or perhaps, he didn’t take her feelings seriously at all? That was why he didn’t bother to contemplate the complexities?

Taking a deep breath, Ella tossed her phone aside. What was the use in overthinking?

*

The next day at school, Ella shared her plans with Paul. “I haven’t told my uncle about my plans to study in Y Country yet. I’ve just mentioned a vacation. He’s arranged everything for me—flights, hotels, and even two bodyguards. He doesn’t know you’re joining me, so it’s best to keep it that way. Otherwise, he’d never let me travel.”

Paul nodded, “We leave on the 5th. So what you’re saying is…”

“Yes, exactly what you’re thinking. I don’t know how he’d react if I were honest with him. If he says no, I’m not going anywhere,” Ella said, her expression stoic.

Paul’s expression hardened as well, since he didn’t doubt Ella’s suspicions for a second. Noah, though Ella’s uncle, exhibited a peculiar possessiveness over her. Despite the personal growth opportunity at hand, the mere thought of Ella stepping out from under his watchful eye might lead to a refusal. Ella knew Noah too well after all these years by his side.

“I understand. But what about the bodyguards?”

“We’ll see if we can shake them off. It might not matter if they come to Y Country. Once there, he can’t do much about it.”

“Alright,” Paul said thoughtfully, a small smile creeping onto his face. “I’m looking forward to it. I’ve almost finished the itinerary. I’ll send it over. See if there’s anywhere else you’d really like to visit.”

“Sounds good.”

*

That afternoon, Noah’s car was once again parked outside the school. Ella, tired of the back and forth, approached the vehicle and opened the passenger door, sliding into the back seat.

“I’m not your chauffeur,” Noah’s displeased voice came from the driver’s seat, laden with icy undertones.

Without a word, Ella glanced at the queue of cars waiting to pick up students and scooted further into the seat before closing the door.

Noah remained motionless. The honking from behind grew more urgent, and Ella could almost visualize the anger of the drivers through the incessant sound. Yet, looking at Noah through the rearview mirror, he was stoic, unmoving. When he caught her gaze in the mirror, he briefly met her eyes. “Come sit in the front.”

Gritting her teeth, Ella retorted, “What’s so bad about playing chauffeur just once?”

“I don’t want to.”

The honks were starting to rattle Ella’s nerves. Reluctantly, she moved to the front passenger seat, buckling up as soon as she sat down. The car shot forward the moment her seatbelt clicked.

Upon her return to the villa, the household staff greeted her with concern.

“Miss, have you been eating well these past few days? You look like you’ve lost weight.”

“Please change your clothes first. Mr. Noah has specifically ordered your favorite dishes for tonight.”

“Why stay by yourself? It’s so inconvenient. No more tantrums. In the few days you were gone, I could tell Mr. Noah was moody. He’s definitely not used to you being away from home.”

Ella cracked a playful smile, sticking out her tongue as she held Lora’s hand. “I have to learn to live on my own eventually. I won’t be coming back here so much in the future.”

catch on at first, but after seeing Ella’s wink, she realized somwthing. “Why wouldn’t it be convenient? Your uncle adores you. If you

just smiled, “I’m starving. I’m going

up. Dinner is

for her. The things he had moved to her apartment were almost all newly purchased. The clothes in this closet were what she was accustomed to wearing, most of

to a man who cared for her so meticulously in every aspect of

surface, she picked out a

ran into Noah in the hallway. His eyes briefly swept over the luggage in

looked unfazed, “Summer break is almost here. I’ll probably head straight home. I figured I’d just pack now so I can

Her explanation was flawless.

are clothes

are my

before he pressed his

a sigh of

next few days, Ella maintained her composure. In truth, she and Noah didn’t spend much

often didn’t have dinner at home, usually because he came back too late after having eaten out. They used to

and summer vacation was hot on

pick her up from school only occasionally due to work commitments, but lately, he seemed to have more free time, asking her every day

not be busy, with a fiancée to attend to, an engagement party

her up seemed to be his top priority. It

straight to the family estate. Throughout the journey, Ella kept looking out the window, not initiating any conversation. There

wasn’t blind to the fact that without her initiating conversation, they seemed to lack common ground, just like he did with anyone else outside

matters could be annoying, but now her silence felt even

the distance between them

out a pair of

disturbed by her shutting him out. “This music

car screen and finally put away her

The music in his car was all downloaded to her taste. He seldom listened to music, preferring classical ones,

in his car, and he would let her be, except for

voice of a female singer filled the car, prompting Ella to lower her head and immerse herself in a guide to

mood, and the atmosphere turned even heavier. Thankfully, they reached the estate soon enough, thanks to his fast driving

unbuckled her

called out with a cheeriness that belied the tension from the car ride. Noah’s

seen Ella over the weekend and had been looking forward to her return. “You’ve finally home,” he

home and beat you in

big talk,” Jon laughed

Jon this visit, more so than usual. Everyone attributed it to the longer-than-normal separation. However, Ella’s thoughts were on giving

dinner at the estate before leaving. Ella didn’t question it, and everyone knew the situation. He

in front of her grandfather. After Noah left, she felt a pang of sorrow but remained silent, her emotions evident to

her fruit in silence,

fruit in her mouth. She turned to smile at him, taking his withered hand in hers. “I told Uncle that I’d be traveling abroad.

eyes slightly and patted her hand with his other hand. “You’re right. Since it’s vacation time, if you want to travel abroad to clear your mind, go ahead. Has your uncle made

her head gently. “Grandpa, I’m not just talking

gripped her hand tighter.

She couldn’t help but feel a burning sensation in her eyes, “I don’t want to attend his engagement banquet. I don’t want to see him with another woman. I can’t bear this kind of situation without feeling sad and upset. In fact, I have already got the exchange student spot with Y Country’s Golden University, as has Paul. After graduation, we will get

go to Western Europe, and he wanted me to come back before his and Rebecca’s

everything for me, even two bodyguards. I hope you’ll help me when the time comes, not to let the guards stop me or to tell Noah too soon. I’m

“A student exchange program? That sounds wonderful. Your uncle won’t stop

her head. “I don’t want to tell him. If he disagrees,

if you go abroad for two years, won’t you come back? Not even for holidays or to visit me?” The plea in his voice echoed the unspoken fear of their long separation, revealing the love and the pain of

hand. “I’m sorry, Grandpa. While I’m away, you must take care of yourself. Don’t worry me. Don’t make me

child…” Jon shook his head, his

I’m so

*

evening and came

him, chattering nonstop, bustling around

off his tie. He resented his current way of life for no reason. He had never thought about changing his usual lifestyle, but now, for the first time, he felt as though things were no longer under his control. There were things, it seemed, that he could

been keeping her grandfather company, playing chess, going for walks, and even trying to cook her grandfather’s favorite dishes herself. Noah had come

to mention Ella’s plans to

before Ella left,

the living room sofa. Jon’s complexion was off, and he sat in silence, his face stern as

fruit bowl, non-stop talking, her gaze fixed on her grandfather’s

in the living room was oppressive due to