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.

Ella return to me? She’s my granddaughter, what right do you

sneered, “She’s nothing but an ungrateful brat. Otherwise, could

seething, his whole body shaking, especially the hand that had just

turned and left the

driving in his condition. He called a driver and insisted on escorting Noah to the car,

him a

Sir. Don’t worry Mr. Tretton,”

Noah didn’t resist.

butler returned to report to Jon, who then slowly

took a while to calm himself before picking up his phone to call Ella again. “Ella, your uncle was

forced a smile, “I know, Grandpa. How could I not come back? I’m looking forward to taking care of you. Just look after yourself while I am not

don’t worry about me too much. Focus on your studies, and tell me

“Sure, I got it.”

for you

“Mhm.”

On that day, it was Jon himself who waited at

alone in the

stick, wearing a simple button-up suit, a hopeful smile

It wasn’t for no reason that he slapped Noah that way in the first place. He wasn’t sure if Ella would be hurt by Noah’s words and

Why didn’t

even more upright than two years ago, his features

She’s not coming back this time. The university really values her, wants her to advance, and has offered her a position. It’s likely that Ella will stay there

reddened instantly. “Not coming back?

break it to you. But don’t worry, she’ll come back eventually, she promised she would. She just needs a

steadied himself and nodded. “That’s right, she

Jon blamed Noah for Ella’s absence. If only Noah hadn’t spoken those words, Ella

for a welcome home celebration for Paul. Jon had made reservations there as well, originally thinking to have a grand reunion with both kids. Now, with Ella absent, he still had many questions for Paul and decided to join

ensuring that she was hardworking, smart, and well-liked by both professors and peers, which was

then asked, “How are things between you

hesitated slightly, “We’re good, I’m waiting for

Paul’s answer. “So, in these two

charm, admitted, “After a year there, she finally agreed to give us a

that just dating?

had agreed to be with Paul, she would surely come back. She had her own life, and Paul was her future.

you choose to stay with Ella? It’s always good to advance

eventually. There’s a lot to learn about the business, and taking over sooner means settling down

most important. I

swung open, and Noah’s tall, imposing

years had matured Paul, and they’d only added to Noah’s already composed demeanor. Now, his detached coldness seemed even more pronounced, a barrier of frost that he

the room, not finding the girl who had

of gloom as he recalled the half-finished sentence he had

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

the tension, quickly tried to lighten the mood, “Noah, you’ve arrived. Come, have a

here? Want to lecture Ella? You don’t have the chance.

on the doorknob tightened

dishes on the table, his voice tinged with spite, “As you wanted, she will likely not return. My Ella is exceptional, and in a few years, she’ll be a

be best. She’d justify

deep

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

the door closed firmly behind him, the atmosphere

*

puzzled the others. They knew how angry he had been when Ella left without a word,

behavior tonight was attributed to spite – they thought he was still holding a grudge after all

the Reeves family had faced constant obstacles, all traced back to Noah’s doing. He put pressure on the Reeves family without restraint, brazenly disregarding

he summoned Noah home for a

lounged in an armchair, replying coolly, “I

“Noah!”

calmly, “Anything

angered, began to

rarely visited his family home, breaking the once steadfast rule of returning every

and silence, or Jon would be provoked into breathless

Ella or Noah’s persistent refusal to set a wedding date, the tension was palpable.