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 scattered across

so unpredictable.” Ella sighed. “You better get going, drive

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

“Sure,” Ella agreed readily.

white dress and tossed her hair across her face,

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

“Okay.”

watched his car drive away before she turned and

*

was unsurprisingly all

dishes, and Grandpa made sure she had her

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 rain outside, covered by

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

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 with

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 every

the older folks – a stubborn reluctance to seek medical attention. No matter how much discomfort they felt, they

keep Jon company and slowly noticed his spirit waning. It was then she realized that

still be hiding something

in full support

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

addition to her innate self-assurance, Rebecca’s professional

approached, trailed by a couple of interns

be the trouble?”

the usual aches and pains with this wet weather. Ella’s

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

sigh that hinted at his impatience whenever Noah was mentioned, Jon finally acquiesced and sat

Ella with a polite, distant smile. “Back

how’ve

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

off with the rain, and I wanted to get him

her words, Rebecca gave a thin smile, “Leave

hands in her coat pockets,

full check-up took time, with visits to various departments, but it seemed everything had been

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

worry, so I

you, and they want to keep you as a

“That’s right.”

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

summer for now, but I might stay longer in the country,

“Does Noah

relationship with Noah. Wouldn’t she know whether or not

“He doesn’t.”

measured smile grew slightly, her tone sounding peculiar

upset about her leaving without

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

as Jon was taken in, Ella saw a tall, imposing

forward with a smile

on Rebecca

are still normal. It’s the usual age-related

this, Noah simply nodded with

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

his tone indifferent, “When will we have the

“In about an hour.”

“Okay.”

dwindled

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

Jon emerged,

mood soured at the sight of

smooth things over with a laugh,