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.

the door. Stepping outside, she noticed the skies that had been blazing hours ago were now overcast. Dark clouds that had

weather here is always so unpredictable.” Ella sighed. “You

next few days with Grandpa. I’ll pick

“Sure,” Ella agreed readily.

gust of wind fluttered her white dress and tossed her hair across her face,

ear, his gaze tender as he looked at her for a long moment, his fingers gently caressing her soft cheek. “Better get inside before

“Okay.”

away before

*

unsurprisingly all of

and Grandpa made sure she had

promptly encouraged her to rest. Without protest, 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 asleep to the sound of the gentle

the local

Grandpa company while the rain continued off and on. The estate’s lush greenery, previously wilted from the sun’s scorching heat, now

cherished the rejuvenating feeling that came with 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 the same enthusiasm for rainy days. The dreariness seemed to seep into his bones, making

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

and slowly noticed his spirit waning. It was then she realized that he had

the situation, Ella insisted on calling a doctor without further ado. And, fearing that Jon might still be hiding

full support and promptly made

was a strikingly tall woman

addition

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

to be the

“Just the usual aches and pains with this wet weather. Ella’s making a mountain out

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

at his impatience whenever Noah

with a polite, distant

Rebecca, how’ve

Rebecca’s reaction. It was quite common for Rebecca to treat her this way, and Ella preferred this

feeling off with the rain, and I wanted to get

words, Rebecca gave a

her coat pockets, nodded,

but it seemed everything had been pre-arranged by Rebecca, so there were no

in the MRI 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? How come I didn’t hear

want grandpa to worry, so I didn’t

values you, and they want

“That’s right.”

MRI room, Rebecca inquired nonchalantly, “So, is this visit just

a brief pause before responding, “Just for the summer for now, but I might stay longer in the country,

subtly, “Does Noah

struck Ella as odd, considering Rebecca’s close relationship with Noah. Wouldn’t she know whether or not he

“He doesn’t.”

usually measured smile grew slightly, her tone sounding peculiar to Ella, “He’s

could only guess that Noah was still upset about her leaving without telling him years ago. Perhaps his concern was more about

MRI session concluded, the two women stopped talking and

echocardiogram. As soon as Jon was taken in, Ella saw a tall, imposing

a second, and Rebecca stepped forward with a smile to

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

are still normal. It’s the usual age-related joint wear and the dampness of the rainy

simply nodded with a

tense with silence until Rebecca, linking her arm with Noah’s, suggested, “Ella told me you didn’t know she was back. Maybe we should all have

tone indifferent, “When

“In about an hour.”

“Okay.”

conversation dwindled

door, leaning slightly against the wall, her hands clasped in front of her. She avoided

soon as Jon emerged, Ella immediately went to his side, with Noah

sight of Noah, “What

smooth things over with a laugh, “Jon, don’t be like