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.

Noah, recognizing the quality of the script, negotiated

Visionary Productions’ clout, the choice was a no-brainer. Even amidst turbulence, a collapse was unlikely. And should the worst happen, as a

rights to two series, along with online streaming rights,

puzzled by Chloe’s advice to buy the rights from Seth but didn’t dwell on

Seth’s office for contract

chair in Seth’s office, Noah watched the man leaning back in the leather swivel chair with a smirk on his face. Noah rubbed his forehead and spoke in a detached tone. “What’s the

a guard, and lightly chuckled, “Are you

him coldly. Not wanting to give him a chance to mock him,

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

up and sign

with the ring on his left hand. “Quite the charmer you’ve

by my missteps now

not that,” Seth replied, a light chuckle escaping him. “It’s more like finding comfort in knowing that someone as

his annoyance with a veil of cool detachment. “Don’t tell me your good

playing on his lips. “What’s really got me tickled pink is the thought of you shaving off at least two percentage points on that contract for

in on Seth’s face. “You’re counting your chickens before they

but it solidifies the network’s standing in the industry. Or maybe you think everything’s peachy just because your little lady’s been

flicker of stiffness

danced with amusement as he continued, “Does that little lady truly have no care

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

just brush it off without a second thought. Maybe

“If 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 are shameless before, let me

softly, unoffended by the

so desperate for a few extra bucks, and given

on the table. With both hands braced on the armrest, Noah started to rise, but Seth, with

answered, and Seth commanded, “Bring in

“Right away.”

door. Seth’s secretary entered with a

glanced over them. It was an exclusive broadcasting rights authorization, almost identical to the one he’d brought, except it granted an additional two percent

Seth was the real deal—a wolf

gestured for Noah to sign with a smile, and despite himself, Noah signed

abruptly, gathered his copy, and left without another word. “Don’t get cocky. You’ll cough up what’s

aside, still smiling faintly.

end to the matter. The unease stirred up by Seth’s remarks pushed Noah to head home