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.

this point, Ella’s attitude these past 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 out of

days. Even if she went with Paul, she would have to return eventually,

familiar, loathsome feeling in his

thought it impossible, that the unnamed

Noah then dialed Paul’s number. The mechanical voice that

expression darkened, as if a storm was brewing. He then made another call, “Delay the next flight to

interjected nervously, “I believe Miss Ella’s flight

on his phone; it had been more than ten minutes since the flight’s

he had arranged, only to find their

a long moment, he let out a low

sent a shiver down the chauffeur’s

“Proceed to the office.”

The chauffeur: “Yes.”

murmured

throbbing temples,

days. That was all the liberty he had given her. He’d let her

he had even prepared himself for the possibility that Noah might question him. However, Jon

something. The chauffeur had also already given Jon the lowdown on the day’s events. From the driver’s shaky

delay

the following days, Noah behaved as if

the night, but never once mentioned

Ella’s was likely to dilute more than just her own feelings. Jon had a hunch that it was his seemingly indifferent son who was in

days? You shouldn’t leave all the engagement party planning to Rebecca. Women are sensitive

his father’s face. “Once the theme’s settled, there’s little to fuss over.

marriage. Now, whatever’s on your

might go wrong with the engagement party?” Leaning back on the couch, Noah’s gaze once again

back, “Before asking me, you ought to

will go off without a hitch, and it will be a splendid affair. Ella wants to have fun, right? After her little

engagement party is

pleasing both

“What do you mean by ‘pleasing both’? What nonsense are you spouting? What does Ella have to do with your engagement party? You think she’d be keen to

Noah suddenly clench his fists.

as he realized he’d

Such a convoluted ruse…

tightly, weariness washing over him, and then he shut his eyes. “Get out. I’m tired and not

gaze lingered on Jon before he

arriving in the Netherlands, Ella and Paul didn’t check into the hotel arranged by Noah. They bought new SIM cards and checked into a different hotel. The bodyguards assigned

catching up on sleep, they contacted the

to go with the same agency. The reason was to avoid Noah catching on too soon. If his agency reported they couldn’t see

him at work, but she

the agency back home, and hearing that Ella was dutifully participating did indeed

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

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

Everything continued smoothly.

the 13th, he arrived at the airport early in the

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

lot all day, and as the hand struck four, he stepped out

and imposing, he stood motionless, an aura

as the plane’s landing time approached, Noah’s expression turned even

Noah’s fist clenched white in his pocket.

until midnight, he waited through every incoming flight, but the one person he sought,

about anything, just gambled that Ella was merely

came back, he would simply give her a good scolding. All the suspicions that had unsettled him before were deliberately

again, that she didn’t have the guts,

answered, and Jon’s words were direct, “Come home. Ella isn’t

coming back?” Noah’s voice was ice as he turned and strode towards

the Reeves family?” His tone was heavy,

followed, “What

I’ll make the Reeves cough her up. And as for your little matchmaking plans with Ella and Paul, you

his voice raspy with

hung up the phone abruptly, and drove

a mask

butler stood by, equally shaken by

trembling, handed his phone over and, with a heavy heart, ordered, “Get the

“Yes, sir.”

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