The Enticing CEO’s Chosen Bride

Noah instinctively stepped back, his shoulder pressing against the nearby digital billboard.

Shock flickered through his dark eyes as he reached out to push her away, but Ella leaned in again, nibbling at his lips.

A tremor ran through Noah’s heart as he lowered his eyelashes, shock mingling with the sight of the girl’s delicate face. Her eyes were tightly shut, but her long lashes quivered.

She was nervous and scared. The moment her lips touched his, her heart ached fiercely. She truly loved him.

She yearned for more of this touch, but sadly, he could never be hers.

Her kiss was clumsy, retreating one moment and pressing harder the next. Finally, she slowly lifted her eyelids, her dazed eyes glistening with tears.d2

“Uncle Noah, I like you. But this is enough. Let’s pretend I had you just this once. When we meet again, you’ll just be my uncle and I’ll be your niece for the rest of our lives.”

After she spoke, she pushed him away forcefully, as if afraid he’d lose his temper, and then she hurried toward the security checkpoint.

Noah, coming back to his senses, could still feel the lingering warmth and softness on his lips. After the initial shock, he shoved aside the hint of longing in his heart, his brows furrowing deeply as he turned to look at the girl who had already reached the security area.

She had just passed through the manual check, grabbed her bag without looking back, and ran off.

Her figure and her actions, especially those resolute eyes and words, tightened his heart suddenly. The emotions he had been holding back these days surged once again.

He detested this persistent feeling, his face cold as he walked out of the airport terminal.

Outside, the chauffeur stood by the car, chatting with another driver. Seeing Noah, the chauffeur quickly ended the conversation and opened the car door for him.

As the chauffeur circled to the driver’s side, he bid the other driver farewell.

“I guess I’ll have an easier time without having to chauffeur him around; we should grab a beer sometime.” The other chauffeur patted the chauffeur on the shoulder, “Hit me up with a call.”

“Sure thing!” The chauffeur agreed cheerfully, smiling as he hopped into the car.

“Sir, shall we head straight to the office?”

It was still early to head to the office, and he could easily go home or leisurely enjoy a breakfast instead, but Noah simply hummed in affirmation. The chauffeur wasn’t surprised.

Noah looked unwell, his mind replaying Ella’s words and gaze at the airport, and that unexpected kiss.

“Sir, are you concerned for the young lady’s safety traveling alone?” The chauffeur hesitated before speaking. The entire Tretton family, even the whole of P City, knew how Noah doted on his niece. And Miss Ella was indeed smart and lively, endearing to all.

Noah didn’t respond, his eyes closed, his slender fingers pressing against his forehead, his ring finger brushing his lips, feeling again that tender sweetness.

Unaware of what had transpired between them, the chauffeur thought Noah was just worried about Ella’s safety. So he continued, “You don’t have to worry too much, sir. We’ve arranged bodyguards, haven’t we? If you’re really concerned, why not call Mr. Paul? I heard from his driver that he’s also heading to Western Europe.”

Noah’s fingers stiffened, and he suddenly looked up at the rearview mirror, his voice cold and ominous. “What did you say?”

The driver flinched at Noah’s tone and his intimidating look. “I just said not to worry too much.”

Noah cut him off, “Which Paul?”

“Well, Mr. Paul from the Reeves family. If I remember correctly, he’s quite close with Miss Ella.”

In a flash, Noah’s eyes flickered with numerous thoughts, and then a tide of rage surged in his chest.

She deceived him?

She wasn’t going on a trip alone. She had planned to go with Paul. They had kept their overseas trip a secret from him?!

“Turn back.”

The chauffeur’s hand trembled, “What?”

“Back to the airport!” He nearly roared those three words.

The chauffeur fell silent.

When the car continued on straight for a while longer, Noah took a deep breath, his voice now seemingly calmer than before, but even more chilling. “Didn’t you hear me say back to the airport?”

“Sir, we are on the overpass…”

A vein throbbed on Noah’s forehead.

Noah pulled out his phone and dialed Ella’s number. The call was met with a cold female voice indicating the phone was switched off.

few days, her actions at the airport today, the oversized, heavy suitcase, her demeanor with Jon, and even the looks and actions of his father, all seemed

it was just a trip abroad for a few days. Even if she went with Paul, she would have to return eventually, so why such

familiar, loathsome feeling in his chest suddenly surged, doubling

and thought it impossible, that the

after exiting the overpass, the car turned around. Noah then dialed Paul’s number. The mechanical voice that answered was no different from

then made another call, “Delay the next flight

Miss Ella’s flight

been more than ten minutes since the flight’s scheduled

to find their phones off as well. It

out a low chuckle, “Ella,

tone sent a shiver down the

“Proceed to the office.”

The chauffeur: “Yes.”

back, I’ll deal with you properly.” He murmured

his throbbing temples, his hand

That was all the liberty he had given her.

prepared himself for the possibility that Noah might question him. However, Jon waited for

The chauffeur had also already given Jon the lowdown on the day’s events. From the driver’s shaky voice, Jon could imagine

pulling strings to delay an international flight.

Noah behaved as if nothing had

the family home, wined and dined, even stayed the night, but never once mentioned to his father that Ella had snuck off

than just her own feelings. Jon had a

You shouldn’t leave all the engagement party planning to Rebecca. Women are sensitive creatures, especially insecure at times like this. You should

down his father before retracting his eyes just as discontent appeared on his father’s face. “Once the theme’s settled, there’s little to

whatever’s on your mind, you must ensure there are no

the engagement party?” Leaning back on the couch, Noah’s gaze once

“Before asking me, you

party will go off without a hitch, and it will be a splendid affair. Ella wants to have fun, right? After her little jaunt, she can continue to enjoy herself at the party. To ensure her enjoyment, perhaps we should upscale

sipped his tea nonchalantly, unfazed. “The engagement party is for your

pleasing both a better

loud “crash,” a fine cup shattered at Noah’s feet. “What do you mean by ‘pleasing both’? What nonsense are you spouting? What does

suddenly clench his

breathing hitched as he realized he’d been baited into

Such a convoluted ruse…

he shut his eyes. “Get out. I’m tired and not in the mood

Jon before he turned and left,

the hotel arranged by Noah. They bought new SIM cards and checked into a

sleep, they contacted the travel agency set up by

had dicussed this with Paul, so he decided to go with the same agency. The reason was to avoid Noah catching on too

been pressuring him at work, but she needed to keep him at

home, and hearing that Ella was dutifully participating did indeed settle

waiting, gambling. He was sure that Ella would return as

his unease, outwardly calm as he dealt with an unexpected pile of work and prepared for his

Everything continued smoothly.

at the airport early

the villa’s living room all night, not sleeping. At dawn, he grabbed his jacket and drove straight to the airport. The return ticket he had booked for Ella was for a flight that afternoon at

his wrist. He waited in the underground parking lot all day, and as the hand struck four, he stepped out and stood at

and imposing, he stood motionless, an aura

after wave of people left the terminal, and as the plane’s landing time approached,

white in his pocket. He waited stubbornly for forty minutes, fifty

in the evening until midnight, he waited through every incoming flight, but the one person he sought, the disobedient niece, never

just gambled

she came back, he would simply give her a good scolding. All the suspicions that had unsettled him before were deliberately pushed aside. He believed that teaching her a lesson about deceiving him on

had wagered that she wouldn’t deceive him again, that she didn’t have the guts, but it

and Jon’s

you mean she isn’t coming back?” Noah’s voice was ice as he turned and strode towards the

it the Reeves family?” His tone was heavy, resonating

followed, “What

the Reeves cough her up. And as for your little matchmaking plans with

a deep breath, his voice raspy with exertion.

up the phone abruptly, and

at the disconnected call, Jon’s face was a

by, equally shaken by the

trembling, handed his phone over and, with a heavy heart, ordered, “Get the car ready. We’re heading to the Reeves’

“Yes, sir.”

gates of the Reeves’ mansion by Jon’s arriving vehicle. Unable to drive through, Noah stepped out of