The Enticing CEO’s Chosen Bride

Noah couldn’t quite articulate the tumult swirling within him. He had shattered every taboo, tearing the veil of a long-held uncle-niece relationship, and he was certain—he had always wanted her.

Five years ago or perhaps even earlier, his feelings for her had been a restrained shadow, a dim and somber secret. He should have acted sooner, without all the reservations. Hadn’t he just made things worse now?

For the first time, he detested the decision he had once deemed rational. It was, perhaps, his most regrettable act in this lifetime.

“It’s my fault.” He pulled her close, his voice a low, rich timbre in her ear, his tone a perfect match for the guilt and self-reproach that shaped his words.

Ella shook her head slightly within the circle of his arms, her eyes closed. After a few seconds of silence, she spoke. “Is the company taking a big hit? Are the Mintons causing you trouble?”

“I’ll handle it. I’ll sort out everything. You just stay by my side, that’s all you need to do.”d2

“Okay.”

He planted a kiss on her forehead, and Ella’s eyelashes trembled. Her heart fluttered. She even anticipated a perfect resolution, but as days passed, other than Noah being busier, the media hadn’t shifted its focus.

She knew it from the start—no one would see their being together as right.

She had only sent Paul a message, a brief [I’m sorry], ignoring his subsequent calls. She hadn’t stepped outside, occasionally browsing the internet to follow the buzz about Visionary Productions, the Tretton family, the Reeves family, and the Mintons.

As days drifted by, the buzz waned, and life seemed eerily normal—as if nothing had happened.

Her compliance probably soothed Noah’s initial agitation. It seemed that her presence alone was enough to settle everything.

Despite breaking the bonds of their familial roles, they hadn’t crossed the final threshold. They didn’t even share a bed. They were together, yet not quite.

Aside from her watching him leave for the office and returning for dinner, they scarcely spent time together.

The entertainment world was abuzz with Chloe’s latest protégé—a leading man recently catapulted to stardom—caught in a scandal. Photos and videos of him vacationing abroad with his wife and child were crystal clear, despite the child’s eyes being pixelated. The couple’s sweet interactions were undeniable. For male stars, nothing was more taboo than the revelation of a hidden family. With his popularity at its peak, this disclosure threatened to shake his already unstable fanbase.

The scandal had everyone’s attention for two days, overshadowing the firestorm around Visionary Productions. Even Ella, stuck at home, couldn’t help but get caught up in the drama.

Two days later, the actor held a press conference outside the Starlight International building, admitting to his marriage and child.

The man was in a loving marriage, his reputation untarnished by rumors, his career built on talent and hard work, so the press conference was met with respect for his forthright gratitude for the chance to reveal his marital status.

During the occurrence of this incident, Chloe handed over the broadcast rights contract of the TV series starring this actor to Visionary Productions. She then nudged Noah to secure the exclusive rights to a new series wrapped up by Seth.

some research, Noah, recognizing the quality of the script,

collapse was unlikely. And should the

to two series, along with online streaming rights, Visionary

by Chloe’s advice to buy the rights from

visiting Seth’s office for contract talks, Seth seemed in

swivel chair with a smirk on his face. Noah rubbed his forehead and spoke in a detached tone. “What’s

used as a guard, and lightly chuckled, “Are you really in the mood to care

to give him a chance to mock him, he didn’t

flipped through it, then smiled and put it down. The straight back that was just now once again leaned back against the chair.

sign it. I

on his left hand. “Quite the charmer you’ve got there. Been nurturing her for years and now you

by my missteps now that you’ve had a

that someone as shrewd as you can make the same dumb

a veil of cool detachment. “Don’t

a smirk playing on his lips. “What’s really got me tickled pink is the thought of you

his icy gaze slowly zeroing in on

but it solidifies the network’s standing in the

brief flicker of stiffness crossed Noah’s

with amusement as he continued, “Does that little lady truly

razor-thin line, his frown growing deeper. She wasn’t like that. She had her worries – a whole heaping pile of

brush it off without a second thought. Maybe Seth was right. Maybe

it’s not that, then perhaps it’s just about letting me pocket a couple more percentage points. Unless, of course, she means less to you than those

coldly. “If I’ve never told you to your face that you are shameless before, let me make it crystal clear now, Seth—you

softly, unoffended by

so desperate for a few extra bucks, and given our history, I should probably be

table. With both hands braced on the armrest, Noah started to rise, but Seth, with a straightened back, pressed a button on

swiftly answered, and Seth commanded, “Bring in the

“Right away.”

a knock on the office door. Seth’s secretary entered with a stern face, placing the documents on

to the one he’d brought,

gritted his teeth. Seth was the real deal—a

and despite himself, Noah signed

without another word. “Don’t get cocky. You’ll cough up what’s owed, sooner or

still smiling faintly. “Time

the contract at the office, putting a temporary end to the matter. The unease stirred up by Seth’s remarks pushed Noah to head home for