The Enticing CEO’s Chosen Bride

Chapter 2079

Seth was on the verge of sealing the deal on a coveted screenplay when out of the blue, it was snatched from his grasp by Chloe.

By the time he arrived at the office, the deed was done, and the person responsible for this deal was too terrified to even breathe. "Mr. Diaz, we were just about to finalize the rights with the other party when Ms. Summers swooped in with a higher offer and sealed the deal on the spot."

Seth was so livid he looked like he could squeeze water from a stone.

Soon after, Chloe's call came through.

"I suppose there's nobody more slick and sly than you in this world." Each word Seth spoke was laced with venom.

Chloe's voice, tinged with amusement, emerged smoothly, "It's just a script, Seth. No need to hand over such a flattering title to me."d2

"I figured you'd be too busy to bother with this little affair. Thanks all the same. Let's grab a meal sometime."

Seth leaned back in his chair, a wry smile tugging at his lips, "A meal that costs millions? Think I might get indigestion?"

"You won't recoup a penny by not eating. But you should thank me, really. I've pulled you out from between a rock and a hard place with two women. Or should I say, from choosing her or her, huh?"

Seth's lips thinned into a cold smile, "Heh, sure, I'll treat you to a meal sometime."

"Deal."

Seth hung up abruptly and tossed his phone onto the desk.

What a opportunist. Only Damon could handle a woman like her.

Charlie had tried everything but couldn't persuade Cicely, leaving him no choice but to call Seth. When he heard she wouldn't be discharged, Seth instantly knew her game. "Then let her be. She can stay as long as she likes."

Charlie was exasperated.

Women. One more complicated than the next.

＊

"Why did you fire my assistant?"

Danielle's questioning voice echoed through the hospital room, but Seth remained cool. "She wasn't cutting it."

"She was my assistant. If anyone should be dissatisfied first, it's me. I brought her into C&P two years ago, and she's always been by my side. She knows me best, and I'm used to having her around. Why would you fire her without my consent? There's never been an issue until now."

Seth's gaze, naturally frosty, settled lightly on her. "Knows you best?"

Danielle was shocked by the look in his eyes.

"But she clearly didn't know me well enough. She annoyed me, and as her bread and butter, do I need your approval to fire her?"

Danielle's previously assertive aura deflated. "What did she do to upset you?"

Seth looked away, offering no answer. "I'll find you a replacement, someone who'll look after you just as well. For now, you don't need to worry about such trivial matters. Focus on getting better."

Danielle bit her lip, her gaze following him as he stood. "It's nearly noon. Won't you stay for lunch?"

Seth didn't break stride. "Someone will bring your lunch soon. I've got business at the office."

As he reached the door, his hand on the knob, he spoke again. "Get better soon. I'll take you out to a nice restaurant."

Danielle's forlorn expression softened considerably. "Drive safe."

"Mhm."

As he opened the door, Charlie appeared, briskly carrying a lunch box. "Mr. Diaz."

Seth glanced at the box in Charlie's hands, and Charlie quickly explained, "Chicken soup, BBQ ribs, sautéed spinach, parsley salad, rice with red beans and barley."

Seth paused, then asked pointedly, "What have you prepared for her?"

"Sweet soup, salad, pork trotters, honeyed yams, and white rice."

Seth nodded, "She's in no rush. Let her recover at her own pace."

"Understood."

Seth finally stepped aside, "Bring it in."

Charlie entered, head down, "Ms. Danielle, here’s your lunch."

"Thank you."

Charlie pursed his lips, setting the lunch box on the coffee table before watching Danielle unfold the container herself.

"Red bean and barley rice again? I actually prefer plain white rice."

Charlie offered a consoling smile, "It’s said to be great for women's health."

Danielle chuckled, "You seem quite knowledgeable."

Charlie laughed softly, "I just hope Ms. Danielle won't mind."

*

"The food today looks great, Ms. Cicely."

The housekeeper's words were straightforward, and Cicely seemed in good spirits. "Yeah, it tastes fine."

Seth smiled faintly as he watched through the hospital room's observation window. Only after watching Cicely finish her meal one bite at a time, gracefully, did he turn to leave.

＊

Cicely lived for another three days in the hospital, and Seth really didn't show up once.

Cicely spent every day eating and drinking, either playing games on her cell phone, or turning on the TV to catch up on a few episodes of a TV show, and then continuing to catch up on her cell phone when it was over on TV.

She didn’t take a single step out of the hospital room.

"Ms. Cicely, the weather's lovely today. How about I take you out for a stroll?"

Cicely glanced out at the bright and clean sky, fell silent for a few seconds, then shook her head, "No need, I'd rather not get sunburned."

The housekeeper was at a loss.

Come noon, Coco arrived from the apartment with lunch in tow. After setting up Cicely's meal, Coco pulled the housekeeper aside and whispered pleadingly: "Thanksgiving is upon us. Would you mind arranging my shifts? I want to go home. Can you schedule me for three days off?"

Cicely's meal was momentarily interrupted. Being cooped up had left her out of the loop, and she hadn't realized Thanksgiving was close.

Thanksgiving was a time for family reunion.

Grandpa...

Hugo...

What would it be like if she brought Hugo to celebrate with Grandpa?

A sharp pain jabbed at her heart.

She couldn't face Grandpa. She couldn't bear to see Hugo. Nor could she bring herself to take Hugo to meet Grandpa.

What if Grandpa found out she had Seth's child behind everyone's back? Would the shock kill him?

And besides, it’s a festival that symbolized reunion, which was a word almost considered luxury for her.

Munching listlessly on her meal, Cicely heard the housekeeper let out a sigh. "You think you're the only one?"

Cicely suddenly spoke up, "you should all go home for Thanksgiving."

The housekeeper hurried over to her side, "But that wouldn't do."

"It's okay. I'll spend Thanksgiving alone."

"This..." The housekeeper was clearly troubled, "Ms. Cicely, Mr. Diaz would never agree to that. Besides, even if you stay at home, someone's got to prepare the Thanksgiving feast."

"Just me by myself. There's no need for all that."