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.”

but after seeing Ella’s wink, she realized somwthing. “Why wouldn’t it be convenient? Your uncle adores you. If you crave my cooking, he wouldn’t stop you from

smiled, “I’m starving.

Dinner

clothes in the bedroom closet were untouched; Noah never skimped on anything for her. The things he had moved to her apartment were almost all newly purchased. The clothes in this closet were

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

threatening to surface, she picked out a few of her regular

the hallway. His

here. I’ll probably head straight home. I figured I’d just pack now so I can leave from there when I go on

Her explanation was flawless.

replied, “There are clothes for you back

are my favorites,”

her for a moment before he pressed his lips together and descended

breathed a sigh of

In truth,

after having eaten out. They used to have breakfast and dinner together,

just begun, and summer vacation was hot

school only occasionally due to work commitments, but lately, he seemed to have more free time, asking her every day when her classes ended and waiting at the school gates without

a fiancée to attend to, an engagement party to plan, and a

her up seemed to be his top

the journey, Ella kept looking out the window, not initiating any

without her initiating conversation, they seemed to lack common

her chatter about trivial matters could be annoying,

made her feelings known, the distance between them seemed to grow,

pulled out a pair of earbuds, and

by her shutting

the car screen and finally

his car was all downloaded to her taste. He seldom listened to music, preferring classical ones, while she enjoyed current pop hits, catchy

wildly in his car, and he would let

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

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

Ella unbuckled her seatbelt and stepped out without

that belied the tension from the car ride. Noah’s gaze

the weekend and had been looking forward to

to spend lots of time with you at home and

big talk,” Jon laughed

However, Ella’s thoughts

only stayed for dinner at the estate before leaving. Ella didn’t question it, and everyone knew the situation. He had his own life now, almost as if he were already

of her grandfather. After Noah left, she felt

her fruit in silence, Jon sighed.

hand in hers. “I told Uncle that I’d be traveling abroad. You understand that staying by his side wouldn’t allow me to remain indifferent. To let go of these feelings, I need time and space without

narrowed his 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

I’m

her hand tighter.

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 dual bachelor’s degrees from

forceful, even trembling slightly. She suppressed the sourness in her heart and continued, “I only told my uncle about my plan to go to Western Europe, and he wanted me to come back before his and Rebecca’s engagement ceremony, but I don’t want

to let the guards stop me or to tell Noah too soon. I’m not sure how he’ll react when he finds out

marks of time, trembled slightly. “A student exchange program? That sounds wonderful. Your uncle won’t stop

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

you go abroad for two years, won’t you come back? Not even for holidays

Ella’s cheeks as she pressed her forehead against the back of her grandfather’s hand. “I’m sorry, Grandpa. While I’m away, you must take care of yourself. Don’t worry me.

child…” Jon shook his head, his eyes brimming with murky

so

*

a cocktail party that evening and came home slightly tipsy

around him. Since she left the villa, he just couldn’t get used to it. He tried to adapt for a few days, but 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,

few days, Ella had been keeping her grandfather company, playing chess, going for walks, and even trying to cook her grandfather’s

promise not to mention Ella’s plans to study in Y Country to

Ella left, Noah came

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

a fruit bowl, non-stop talking, her gaze fixed on

living room was oppressive due