The Enticing CEO’s Chosen Bride

Grandpa was truly content with Ella’s life over the years. Paul had confirmed it too. She was doing well, leading a healthy lifestyle, studying hard, and maintaining a clean and wholesome social circle.

“Finally, you’re back. I was scared I might never see you again!”

“Grandpa.” Ella gripped Jon’s hand tightly. “You’re going to live to be a hundred.”

Jon chuckled, “If only it were that simple.”

“It is,” Ella insisted. “You deserve it, even if I had to give you some of my own years.”

“You silly girl, coming back all educated and still talking nonsense.” Though he pretended not to enjoy her words, Grandpa couldn’t block the wave of affection that washed over him. “I heard from Paul that you’re planning to stay abroad to teach. Does that mean you won’t be settling back home?”d2

Ella shook her head with a smile, “I’ll be staying here for now. They’ve made a special arrangement for me; I’ll be a visiting professor there and partake in a faculty exchange with Summit Ridge University here.”

Grandpa asked, puzzled, “What does that mean?”

“It means that while a professor from Summit Ridge University goes to Y Country, I’ll take up a position at Summit Ridge University back home.”

This explanation delighted Grandpa. “That’s wonderful, absolutely wonderful. Now you can stay close to me.”

“Grandpa, I’ll spend holidays with you, but once I start working, I might need to live on my own for convenience.”

Grandpa paused, not entirely supportive, “Why live alone?”

“Because it’ll be easier for work. But don’t worry, Grandpa, I’ll come to visit whenever I can.”

At that moment, the butler called in a maid to bring some refreshments. Noticing Grandpa’s slightly displeased expression, he chuckled: “The youngsters need their space, sir. Besides making work easier, it also makes dating more convenient.”

Grandpa’s gaze immediately landed on Paul.

Caught off guard by this direct look, Paul felt a bit awkward but still managed a smile, “Of course, selfishly, I support Ella’s decision.”

Grandpa instantly brightened up, “Well then, that’s settled.”

With Grandpa cheered up, the butler coughed softly and cautiously broached another subject, “Should we ask Mr. Noah to join us for dinner tonight?”

Grandpa’s smile instantly faded, and the atmosphere in the living room tensed. Everyone turned to look at Ella.

Ella appeared unfazed and inquired, “What’s wrong with him?”

Jon pursed his lips and gestured dismissively, “No need. He’ll just rile me up like always. He can come back if he wants, or just forget it – I’m not begging him to return.”

The butler sighed softly and went back to his duties.

“Grandpa, you and Uncle…”

Jon cut her off, “That’s none of your business. He’s been nothing but trouble lately. Just the sight of him irks me. Don’t bring him up.”

Ella nodded, saying no more.

Grandpa observed Ella’s expression discreetly, noting no trace of concern. His feelings were a complex mix of relief and resignation. So many years had passed, and it seemed she truly had moved on.

Ella didn’t have much to say or ask. She had occasionally heard from Paul about the developments in P City over the last couple of years. Naturally, this included mentions of Noah.

Talking about the Harper family inevitably led to Chloe, then Cicely and Seth. Mentioning Seth invariably brought up the entertainment industry and the media. Speaking of the media meant discussing the TV industry titan, the president of Summit Media, Noah.

Over the years, she had never deliberately sought out information about him. At first, there was resistance, but gradually she learned to accept it, from initial panic to eventual peace.

She knew of his endeavors but never delved into the details. He was doing well. After all, he was her uncle, and no problem was too big for him. He never needed anyone to worry about him.

“You are having dinner with us tonight, Paul.” Grandpa declared, unwilling to let Noah disrupt the mood.

Paul glanced at Ella and shook his head with a smile, “Ella just got back. I wouldn’t want to intrude on your time together. You guys should get some rest early.”

As they spoke, Paul stood up to leave. Despite Grandpa’s insistence that he stay, Paul departed.

were now overcast. Dark clouds

Ella

“Spend the next few days with Grandpa. I’ll pick you up in a couple of days

“Sure,” Ella agreed readily.

tossed her hair across her face, creating a soft,

tender as he looked at her for a long moment, his fingers gently caressing her

“Okay.”

car drive away before she turned and re-entered

*

unsurprisingly all of Ella’s

been craving these dishes, and Grandpa made

Ella, truly exhausted, didn’t even bother to unpack her suitcase. She simply pulled out her pajamas, took a shower, and after silencing all alarms and setting her phone to mute, she fell

morning she awoke feeling adjusted to the local time zone, having conquered jet lag

continued off and on. The estate’s lush greenery, previously wilted from the

rain, the air infused with the vitality of fresh greenery and the earthy scent of damp soil. However, the elderly, like Jon, couldn’t muster

among the older folks – a stubborn reluctance to seek medical attention. No matter how much discomfort they felt, they often endured in silence rather

a couple of days to keep Jon company and slowly noticed his spirit waning. It was then

still be hiding something from her, she decided to take the bull by the horns, insisting on

butler was in full support

them was

but Ella still remembered her. It seemed that in addition to

exit the car, Rebecca quickly approached, trailed by a couple of interns

seems to be

too stubborn to sit in the wheelchair, “Just the usual aches and pains with this wet

the moment you feel unwell. I work here, and I’m a doctor. If you just ignore this,

at his impatience whenever Noah was mentioned, Jon finally acquiesced and sat in the

Ella with a polite, distant

Rebecca, how’ve

treat

off with the rain, and I wanted to get him

words, Rebecca gave a

hands in her coat pockets, nodded, “Thanks,

took time, with visits to various departments, but it seemed everything

room, Rebecca and Ella had a moment to talk. Rebecca, hands in the pockets of her white coat, asked casually, “When did you get back?

worry, so

they want to keep you as

“That’s right.”

the glass at the MRI room, Rebecca inquired nonchalantly, “So, is this visit

brief pause before responding, “Just for the summer for now,

brow furrowed subtly, “Does Noah know

struck Ella as odd, considering Rebecca’s close relationship with Noah. Wouldn’t she

“He doesn’t.”

her tone sounding

upset about her leaving without telling him years ago. Perhaps his

stopped talking and entered the room

was taken in, Ella saw a tall, imposing figure striding down the hectic hospital corridor

and Rebecca stepped forward with a smile to greet the man approaching at a brisk pace. “You’re

swept past Ella without pause, focusing on Rebecca as he asked in a low

the usual age-related joint wear and the dampness of the rainy season

simply nodded with

suggested, “Ella told me you didn’t know

tone indifferent, “When

“In about an hour.”

“Okay.”

conversation dwindled once

room door, leaning slightly against the wall, her hands clasped in front of her. She avoided looking at Noah, instead keeping her

as Jon emerged, Ella immediately went to

soured at the sight of

things over with a laugh, “Jon, don’t be like that. I