The Enticing CEO’s Chosen Bride

Putting down his phone, Noah turned back to Ella. “Time for lunch.”

Ella nodded, ran her fingers through her hair, and asked again. “What brings you home at this hour? Work let up?”

“Yeah.” Noah’s gaze fell to the slippers kicked off beneath the sofa. He bent down to place them neatly at her feet. “Got a break for now.”

Ella slipped on her slippers with a natural grace and stood up. Her lips moved, but in the end all that came out was “I see.”

Noah stood up, taking her hand and leading her toward the dining room. Ella looked down at their intertwined hands, her eyelashes fluttering slightly, and then with a small smile, she asked, “How long is this break? Can you come home tomorrow and have lunch with me again?”

Noah’s grip on her hand tightened just a bit as he pulled out a chair for her in the dining room.d2

“I can. Actually, you could come to the office and join me.”

Ella paused, lifting her eyes to meet his across the table. There was inquiry and doubt in her gaze.

Did he really trust her out in the open? Considering how just days before, he had confined her to the house, not even allowing her out of the room, her heart was still racing.

Moreover, was it safe for her now? Any public appearance might reignite the scandal that had just started to fade. She knew the issue wasn’t entirely resolved, but what they needed most now was time, for everyone to catch their breath, and for the company to regain its strength.

Staying out of sight was definitely the right thing to do. Eventually, she’d have to take this step, but for now, she yearned for this dreamlike time to last just a bit longer.

Seeing her expression, Noah looked down and after a short silence said, “Tomorrow night, I’ll take you out.”

Ella’s heart contracted sharply, her hand pausing as she reached for her fork. “Do we really have to go out?”

Noah looked at her earnestly. “You can’t stay cooped up at home forever.”

her pupils trembling, before finally lowering her

*

fell, The Watson

black V-neck knee-length dress, sat in the slowly halting car, gazing through the

had seen from the group chat that Chloe was hosting a celebration that night. When her uncle

a slew of journalists. Was Noah ready for the consequences of taking her there

reporters eagerly raised their cameras. Ella, her hands white-knuckled on her lap, watched the eager

hands were cold. The moment she stepped out of the car, there would be no turning

wanted her to live a normal life. He wanted to give her status and confidence. She understood, but she

her hand, and pulled her from the car. In front of the rush of reporters, he

head, hesitant and afraid to face the

drew her closer, “Don’t be scared, just stay by my side, and nobody will dare

security, they entered the

collage of celebrities, clinking glasses, and lively banter, seemingly harmonious on the surface. As Noah and Ella entered,

and again, but faced with

was just not right. The sliver of hope that had lingered in her heart was now

the ballroom’s atmosphere returned to its

Ella. “I’ve been waiting for you for ages, and I was worried you wouldn’t come.”Books

Had it

elsewhere, eventually came over with a plate of hors d’oeuvres for Ella. “Have something to tide

it,