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.

blazing hours ago were now overcast. Dark clouds that had been scattered across the horizon were now congealing, and a breeze had picked

is always so unpredictable.” Ella sighed. “You better get

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

“Sure,” Ella agreed readily.

dress and tossed her hair across her face, creating a

gaze tender as he looked at her for a long moment, his

“Okay.”

car drive away before

*

was unsurprisingly all

been craving these dishes, and Grandpa made sure

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

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

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

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

trait among the 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 downpour began, the butler had been wearing

noticed his spirit waning. It was then

Ella insisted on calling a doctor without further ado. And, fearing that Jon might still be hiding something from her, she decided to take the bull by the horns, insisting on personally escorting him

support

doctors in white coats awaited them at the entrance. Among them was a strikingly tall woman with a neat low ponytail, whose confident and accomplished aura was impossible to overlook –

It seemed that in addition to her innate self-assurance, Rebecca’s professional achievements had added to

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

be the trouble?”

too stubborn to sit in the wheelchair, “Just the usual aches and pains with this wet weather. Ella’s making a mountain out of a

avoiding the issue. You need to speak up the moment you feel unwell. I work here, and I’m a doctor. If you just ignore this, Noah would never forgive me, and neither would

sigh that hinted at his impatience whenever Noah was mentioned,

Ella with a

Rebecca, how’ve you

common for Rebecca to treat her this way, and Ella preferred this honest

off with the rain, and I wanted to get

gave a thin smile, “Leave it to

with her hands in her coat pockets, nodded, “Thanks,

various departments, but it

pockets of her white coat,

worry, so I didn’t

really values you, and they

“That’s right.”

inquired nonchalantly, “So, is this visit just for the summer,

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

brow furrowed subtly, “Does Noah know

close relationship with Noah. Wouldn’t she know

“He doesn’t.”

sounding peculiar to Ella, “He’s

upset about her leaving without telling

two women stopped talking and entered the room to get

was the echocardiogram. As soon as Jon was taken in, Ella saw

for a second, and Rebecca stepped forward with a smile to

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

to worry. Some key indicators are still normal. It’s the usual age-related joint wear and the dampness of

Noah simply nodded with a

tense with silence until Rebecca, linking her arm with Noah’s, suggested, “Ella told me you didn’t know

Ella, his tone indifferent, “When will

“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 gaze on the molding across the wall, waiting calmly for

long, and as soon as Jon emerged, Ella immediately went to his side,

the sight of

to smooth things over with a laugh, “Jon,