The Enticing CEO’s Chosen Bride

Noah had not given up on tracking down Ella’s whereabouts, but every path he took was blocked by Jon. All traces of Ella had been wiped clean.

Noah didn’t believe Jon could cover her tracks so perfectly, yet for days his people came back with nothing.

Ella had teamed up with Jon. It seemed that she was determined to stay out of Noah’s reach.

The engagement party was an extravaganza, the kind that made headlines and filled social media feeds with images of opulence and joy. To the outside world, Noah had shown the Minton family great respect and had showered Rebecca with honor and affection, or so it seemed.

Rebecca was radiant that day, her happiness undeniable.

The event was recorded for posterity, sure to garner attention and buzz across the media landscape. Each guest wore a smile, their well-wishes for the couple evident in every handshake and hug.d2

Jon was there, mingling with people he was on good terms with, accepting their congratulations with a practiced grace.

Noah’s gaze, however, kept straying to the entrance of the banquet hall. He was the picture of elegance in a tailored midnight suit, crisp white shirt, and black bow tie – the very image of a gentleman. But the warmth was draining from his striking face, his usually indifferent smile turning cold and sinister.

Ella did not attend. She never showed up.

Suddenly, Noah wondered why he was so desperately searching for someone so determined to escape him. It was self-degradation, plain and simple.

Everyone noticed the change in Noah’s demeanor, but they wisely kept their distance.

Jon kept a watchful eye on his son, relieved when the engagement party finally ended without incident. He breathed a sigh of relief. Deep down, Jon had always knew that Noah wouldn’t do anything rash or make a spectacle of himself. But because of Ella, for the first time in years, Jon doubted his mature, steady, and reliable son.

After the engagement party, life for Noah and Rebecca seemed unchanged. They lived their separate lives, focused on their careers, only now with new titles to their names.

Jon never got to hear Noah ask about Ella again. A few days later, Noah came home early in the morning reeking of alcohol just as Jon was on the phone with Ella. She was settling into school, sorting out many things, and was just updating her grandfather.

Jon hadn’t expected Noah to return at such a moment, and was caught off guard, unsure of what to say.

Noah staggered, his shirt wrinkled, his normally impeccable hair now a tousled mess, looking utterly defeated.

Jon had never seen this side of his son. “What are you doing drinking so much so early in the morning?” Jon asked with a frown.

“Socializing,” Noah replied flatly, his eyes fixed on Jon’s phone.

Suddenly realizing something, Jon tightened his grip on the phone, “You should head up and rest.”

Noah, however, approached him, his gaze still locked on the phone. “Finished talking?”

Ella’s heart skipped a beat when she heard Noah’s voice through the phone.

“If you’re done, then I have a few words.” Before he finished speaking, the phone had switched hands, now held by Noah.

“Noah!” Jon growled in protest, but Noah just let out a cold laugh.

“Don’t worry, I won’t ask where she is.”

Ella didn’t manage to hang up in time before she heard Noah call her name.

“Ella.

“Not talking, huh? Well, you don’t have to. Just listen – you want to leave? Fine. Since you’ve gone, then don’t come back. You think a few years will break our connection? How could that be enough? You’d better stay out of my life forever, you got that?”

Ella felt each word like a demon’s fist, her heart lying bloodied in her chest. The lump in her throat kept her from uttering any syllable for a long time.

“Noah! You’re insane!” The idea of Ella never returning was something Jon could never accept. She’d been sweet, sensible, and had brought him joy for many years.

Jon valued relationships more than anything at his age. How could he agree to never see Ella again?

Noah remained silent, just listening to the breathing on the other end of the line. After a long silence, Noah hung up coldly.

Jon, trembling with rage, stood and slapped Noah across the face. “You’re a disgrace!”

The butler, standing nearby, gasped, “Sir!”

Noah’s face turned to the side from the impact, his eyes darkening.

she come back? Why couldn’t Ella return to me? She’s my granddaughter, what right do you

ungrateful brat. Otherwise, could

body shaking, especially the hand that had just struck Noah. “Get out! Go

and

a driver and insisted on escorting Noah to the car, opening the back

gave him

safety’s sake, Sir. Don’t worry

Noah didn’t resist.

the downtown villa, the butler returned to report

picking up his phone to call Ella again. “Ella, your uncle

back? I’m looking forward to

worry about me too much. Focus on your studies, and tell

“Sure, I got it.”

I’ll be waiting for

“Mhm.”

two years passed, and Ella did not return as promised. On that day,

stood alone

a simple button-up suit, a hopeful smile on his

chill went through Jon. It wasn’t for no reason that he slapped Noah that way in the first place. He wasn’t

Ella? Why didn’t she come back

years ago, his features chiseled,

back this time. The university really values her, wants her to advance, and has offered her a position. It’s likely that

eyes reddened instantly. “Not coming

worry, she’ll come back eventually, she promised she would. She just needs a

himself and nodded. “That’s

heart, Jon blamed Noah for Ella’s absence. If only Noah hadn’t

reserved a private dining room at a local hotel for a welcome home celebration for Paul. Jon had made reservations there as well, originally

and well-liked by both professors and peers, which was

then asked, “How are things between

I’m

“So,

but still exuding a mature charm, admitted, “After a year there, she finally agreed

that just dating? You’re a catch, Paul. Of

Since Ella had agreed to be with Paul, she would surely come back. She had

stay with Ella? It’s always good to

family needs Paul to take over eventually. There’s a lot

stability is most important. I can rest easy knowing Ella is with

the door swung open, and Noah’s

demeanor. Now, his

room, not finding the girl who had left

of gloom as he

his gaze settled on Paul, who met his look without flinching, as the

sensing the tension, quickly tried to lighten the

Jon snorted in displeasure, “What are you doing here? Want to lecture Ella? You don’t

the doorknob tightened

spread of gourmet dishes on the table, his voice tinged with spite, “As you wanted, she will likely not return. My Ella is exceptional,

then chuckled, “That would be best. She’d justify the

took a deep breath,

is a welcome party for Paul, I won’t impose. You guys have a nice

and the door closed firmly behind him, the atmosphere

*

had been when Ella left without a word, and they

was still holding a grudge after all these years. They couldn’t have known that

Reeves family had faced constant obstacles, all traced back to Noah’s doing. He put pressure

home for a harsh reprimand.

armchair, replying coolly,

“Noah!”

Noah continued calmly,

angered, began

Ella left, and Noah rarely visited his family home, breaking the once steadfast

either exchanged cold stares and silence, or Jon would be provoked into breathless

Noah’s persistent refusal to set a wedding date,