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.

now overcast. Dark clouds that had been

unpredictable.” Ella

Grandpa. I’ll pick you up

“Sure,” Ella agreed readily.

her white dress and tossed her hair across her face, creating a soft,

looked at her for a long moment, his fingers gently caressing her soft

“Okay.”

away before she

*

unsurprisingly all

dishes, and Grandpa made

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

the local

days indoors, keeping Grandpa company while the rain continued off and on. The estate’s lush greenery, previously wilted from the sun’s scorching heat, now gleamed with vitality, their leaves reaching skyward

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

– 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

company and slowly noticed his spirit waning. It was then she realized that he had been putting on a brave

doctor without further ado. And, fearing that Jon might still be hiding something

full support and

the entrance. Among them was a strikingly tall woman with a neat low ponytail, whose confident and accomplished aura was impossible to

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

trailed by a couple of

seems to be the trouble?” Rebecca

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

unwell. I work here, and I’m a doctor. If you just ignore this, Noah would never forgive me, and

sigh that hinted at his impatience whenever Noah was mentioned, Jon

Ella with a polite, distant

Rebecca, how’ve you

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

rain, and I wanted to get him a full

words, Rebecca gave a

in her coat pockets, nodded,

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

the MRI room, Rebecca and Ella had a moment to talk. Rebecca, hands in the pockets of her white coat,

didn’t want grandpa to worry, so I didn’t

your school abroad really values you, and they want to keep you as

“That’s right.”

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

summer for now, but I might stay

brow furrowed subtly, “Does

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

“He doesn’t.”

tone sounding

without

the MRI session concluded, the two women stopped talking and entered the room

echocardiogram. As soon as Jon was taken in, Ella saw a tall, imposing figure striding down the hectic hospital corridor

forward with a smile to

on Rebecca as he asked in

It’s the usual age-related

nodded with a furrowed

Noah’s, suggested, “Ella told me you didn’t know she was back. Maybe we

Ella, his tone indifferent, “When will we have the

“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

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

at the sight of Noah, “What are you doing

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