The Enticing CEO’s Chosen Bride

How could Ella just abandon Paul and walk away? She dug her heels in, trying to stand her ground, even leaning back against Noah’s hold, but he didn’t flinch or change expression as he continued to pull her along.

“Let go of me!” Ella snapped in a low growl, frustration boiling over.

Noah didn’t reply, just kept that stoic face as he relentlessly led her upstairs.

Ella grabbed the banister, forcing Noah to a halt. She was breathless from the struggle but still demanded, “Why are you doing this?”

Noah’s gaze was heavy, “Ella, make no mistake, he provoked me first.”

“I’m well aware!” Ella retorted immediately, “Tonight, I’m his date, and your actions are clearly disrespecting him.”d2

“Why should I give him any respect?” Noah shot back.

“Have you thought about the consequences of your actions tonight?!” Ella’s knuckles whitened as she gripped the banister, her voice trembling slightly.

“Do you see the looks we’re getting from downstairs? Do you have any idea what they’re all thinking? Aren’t you afraid of the rumors that could spread?”

At her words, Noah glanced down the stairs with a slight turn of his head. The grand ballroom was aglow, filled with the clinking of glasses and the murmur of well-dressed guests exchanging pleasantries. All eyes were on them now, a mix of shock, curiosity, and inquiry.

He squinted slightly, then let out a low chuckle. Turning to face her, the smile on his face sent a shiver down Ella’s spine. She felt the pressure of his arm around her waist increase as he stepped closer. Their proximity was such that no words could explain it away.

“What are you doing?” she stammered.

“I was just thinking,” Noah’s voice was low as he stared at her panicked face, “maybe we should give them the drama they’re so curious and eager to see?”

Ella was stupefied, disbelieving what she was hearing, “Have you lost your mind?”

Downstairs, whispers were growing louder, the questioning of their relationship clear. She glanced instinctively towards Paul. If Noah really did something drastic, where would that leave Paul’s dignity?

Her action only incensed Noah further. Even now, her first thought was concern for Paul.

Suddenly, Noah’s hand grasped her chin, forcibly turning her face back to him. A collective gasp rose from the crowd below. Ella’s heart tightened, and in a surge of defiance, she pushed Noah away and turned, lifting her dress as she ran up the stairs.

At this moment, she didn’t know what was best to do; she only knew that getting away from Noah was paramount.

She didn’t understand his sudden desire for such drastic action. If it had been four years ago, she might not have hesitated, even welcomed it, but things were different now.

He was engaged, and she had a boyfriend. More importantly, she no longer harbored feelings for him. She refused to deny the progress she’d made in those four years of absence.

“Ollie!”

Unable to calm the storm of emotions downstairs or worry about Noah’s reaction, she hastened upstairs.

Missing the expected climax of the evening, Ollie looked a bit disappointed but still gave Ella a big hug as she arrived. “I’ve missed you so much these years. You’re amazing, you know, leaving and coming back without a peep.”

Ella quickly apologized, “I’m so sorry.”

Ollie snorted, “Sorry won’t cut it. You have no idea how much we’ve been through with your Uncle Noah trying to find you.”

“What?”

With a playful flick on Ella’s head, Ollie remarked, “All because of you.”

Ella was surprised.

“Grandpa Jon already warned us ahead of time. However, that Noah can be so petty.”

At that moment, Noah approached with a cold expression, “Talking behind my back and not even having the decency to avoid me?”

Ollie, linking arms with Ella, retorted, “If you knew I was talking about you, why didn’t you just walk away?”

Ella admired Ollie for her unchanged directness over the years.

Noah shot her a frosty glance, which Ollie ignored, leading Ella to a lounge area reserved for VIPs.

“Come on, tell us all about your life these past few years.”

Cicely straightened up, glancing at the still buzzing ballroom below, and a subtle smile played on her lips as her eyes flitted from Noah to Ella. “Your date looks rather forlorn.”

room before she ventured, “Can

“Of course!”

“Absolutely.”

“Sure thing.”

“No.”

chorus of approvals, a single, distinct voice stood out. Ella didn’t even need to think twice to know who it was. She ignored the voice and stood

darkened to an extreme, his eyes ablaze with

interest as the man who could hardly contain himself for half a

*

dress in hand, headed straight

she softly called out to

end of the night’s drama, but to their surprise, the protagonist, who had just rushed up the stairs, suddenly ran down

the sound of her voice. “Why are you

smiled as she approached, “Come upstairs with me. They’re all waiting for me to

Ella, confused, reached out to him,

turned in surprise to face an irate Noah.

softly, but she was already being forcefully whisked away by Noah, his grip

With the same scene repeating itself, doubts were

search for his suddenly missing niece from years ago was an open secret. Rumors about the uncle and his niece had been floating around for years. Though Noah’s sudden engagement had shut some mouths,

passed, the whispers in P City about the two dwindled naturally. Tonight, it was clear that the issue was far from over and

just recently quieted, was about to be abuzz with fresh

*

was whisked out of the banquet hall and into the elevator, still in a state of shock and anger. She struggled fiercely, but to no avail against Noah’s

felt a wave of helplessness wash over

growled, her scalp tingling uncontrollably, dreading the answer she suspected but

suffocating lump in her chest. “Why can’t

gossip tonight due to her, sent a sharp pain through her heart. The embarrassment

Noah’s forehead. Tears welled up in her eyes

suddenly pinned against the elevator wall. A gasp of pain escaped her as Noah’s imposing frame loomed closer,

Noah’s face contorted with wrath became all too clear in

as Noah’s arms, strong and unyielding, held her tight, nullifying any chance

was reminded of the kiss she had impulsively given him at the airport

left him nonchalantly, as if their past meant nothing—She was

her a chance to

her senses. Instinctively, she buckled

long pause, she took a deep breath, gripping the seatbelt tightly, her voice

“What do you think?”

out, unable to bear his reckless behavior. “Why? Where does this leave your

was a grinding, explosive

silence that followed was

to a sudden stop. Ella turned to the

carried her out of the car and into the

going in!” Her struggles,

her upstairs, to her old room, under the astonished gaze of

and unchanged as the

heights. More terrifying than the elevator was the fact that his hand was now under her dress, his warm palm directly touching her waist,

her voice was

touch as scorching

down at

head, “No! Let me

the veins on

can’t. Please,

down her cheek,

she closed her eyes. “Have you thought about what this makes me? You’re engaged. By doing this, where do you

seemed to strike a chord, and for a moment,

clutching her disheveled skirt as she retreated to the

the bed, bending one knee, his somber gaze

to return. It was just a moment of impulse on

room had been quiet for a while before Ella spoke up softly, “I could pretend that tonight

look at her, his dark eyes filled with

from the bed, seemingly having regained his composure entirely. However, his next words did not put Ella at ease. “I’ll take care

words, he

Ella was still in a daze. So, what did he mean by that? How