The Enticing CEO’s Chosen Bride

Chapter 2082

In the evening, at 6:30, there was a knock on the door of Chloe's apartment.

Chloe opened it with an unsurprised smile. “What brings you here?”

Seth’s voice was casual. “Dinner time.”

“Did you get lost?”

“No.” He paused, before adding, “You did say you’d treat me to dinner.”

Chloe remembered, “Oh, right. But wasn’t that supposed to be some kind of fancy, million-dollar meal? This might be a bit underwhelming for you, don’t you think?”d2

Seth shot her a look. “Let’s not push our luck, shall we?”

Chloe stepped aside with a laugh, “Welcome in.”

As Seth entered, he saw Cicely carrying a plate from the kitchen. Her hair was neatly tied back, her attire simple and homely, adorned with a blue checked apron. She came to a brief halt on catching sight of him.

Chloe came back in and focused on Cicely. “The eggs got a bit scorched.”

“Let me see.” Chloe walked over and glanced at the plate, “Hmm... not too bad, actually. Considering the rest, it’s quite an achievement.”

Cicely followed Chloe’s gaze to the slightly charred dishes on the table, clearly her own handiwork.

Chloe’s expression twisted, “I gave the staff the day off.”

“Let’s not eat this. How about we order some takeout?” Cicely suggested, picking up a plate to dispose of its contents.

But a hand with distinct knuckles reached out, stopping her. Cicely held still, looking up at him.

“No takeout. It’s not healthy.” Seth took the plate from her hands and placed it back on the table, “Hang on a second, I’ll cook.”

Seth led her to the table, unbuttoning his suit jacket in the process. After Cicely was seated, he took off his jacket, draped it over a chair, and confidently strolled into the kitchen.

Shortly after, a hearty meal of three dishes and a soup graced the table.

Seth sat down beside Cicely. “Let’s eat.”

Although Chloe was not surprised that Seth could cook, the presentation of the meal still impressed her. Cicely showed no reaction, as if this was routine for her.

Throughout the meal, Seth kept serving Cicely, who ate in silence, accepting each offering.

Chloe enjoyed her meal in apparent indifference.

By the end, while much of Seth’s cooking remained, Cicely’s dishes were polished clean.

Cicely's last few bites were slow. Watching Seth eat the burnt dishes with a blank expression, her grip on her fork tightened. She said nothing and did nothing until the end.

She stood to clear the plates but Seth’s hand once again caught her wrist.

“What now?”

“Doing dishes.”

It was only natural to offer help after dining at someone else's home.

“I’ll do it.”

...

Seth, with his coat in hand, stepped out of the dining room to find the two women watching a movie in the living room. It had only been on for about fifteen minutes.

Seth pressed his lips together, standing still for a moment. Chloe looked over at him. “Want to join?”

He glanced at Cicely, who was indifferent, then lowered his eyes, “I’ll head upstairs.”

Chloe nodded, “Alright then, take it easy.”

Seth gave the TV screen a final glance before leaving.

The sound of the door closing relaxed Cicely, who had been tense.

“The food was good,” Chloe complimented.

Cicely took a deep breath, “Don’t tell me you knew he was coming over tonight.”

“Why would I know he’d crash here for dinner?”

Cicely fell silent.

As soon as the movie ended, the room's door rang promptly. Even Chloe was surprised this time. Opening the door, she met the man who had become a frequent sight these past few days. “You didn’t install a camera in my place, did you? Your timing is impeccable.”

“The feature is ninety-three minutes. You were at twelve minutes and thirty-four seconds when I left.”

Chloe surrendered, “Okay, okay, I get it. Take her away.”

Seth, unfazed by the interruption, looked towards Cicely. His silent gaze said it all.

Cicely didn’t linger. She left with Seth, taking the elevator back to the eighteenth floor.

“The bath’s ready. Go on in.”

Cicely stood still, then after a moment, spoke with a cool voice. “Was dinner really that good?”

A touch of warmth flickered in Seth’s usually impassive eyes, “Are you worried about me?”

Cicely laughed softly, “Don’t you think it’s a bit much? Finishing those burnt dishes in front of me to show how devoted and wronged you are? If I’m not moved by your efforts, wouldn’t I be ungrateful for all your stomach endured tonight?”

The warmth remained on Seth’s face, but his gazes turned dark and unfathomable, like the ocean depths.

“The water’s getting cold. Go take your bath.”

Anger flared in Cicely’s eyes, but Seth simply smiled, pulled her into his embrace, “What are you so mad about?”

Cicely tensed for a moment.

Seth’s lips brushed her forehead, then the corner of her eye. His voice deep and husky, “I won’t eat charred food again, okay?”

Cicely pushed him away, her face cold as she entered the bathroom.

For three years, she had been isolated from the world, learning only how to survive on her own. And they had mastered the art of peering into and toying with hearts.

At night, Seth still held Cicely as they slept. The soft and warm body was in his arms, their breath mingling, his lips tracing her forehead, the tip of her nose. The hand around her waist tightened and relaxed through the nightgown, the heat palpable.

Cicely curled up, head lowered, until he nudged her chin upward, her rosy lips revealed. Without hesitation, Seth kissed her.

Cicely’s eyes shuddered, her hands pushing against his chest. His overwhelming presence enveloped her, the charged atmosphere making her heart race.

She could feel the desire touching her. If this continued...

Her thoughts halted as Seth released her lips and buried his face in her neck. “Don’t be scared. I won’t do anything.” The muffled, hoarse voice vibrated against her skin.

The distinct sensation on her thigh lingered, the breaths in her neck erratic and heavy. She was held tightly in his embrace, and a wave of sourness suddenly flooded her heart. Her eyes, brimming with unshed tears, forced her to close them abruptly.

No. This can't happen.

No way.

Absolutely not.

Cicely, you better not feel sorry for him.

In the following three days, Cicely spent every moment with Chloe, strolling through the neighborhood, shopping at the mall, visiting the office, and stopping by Granny Harper's place.

Then there were the shared breakfasts with Seth, the dinners together, the kiss before heading out, and the evenings wrapped in his arms, his lips seeking hers.

When Charlie picked up Seth the next morning, he witnessed Cicely planting a quick kiss on the man's lips. It felt odd. As if he'd seen a ghost.

For three consecutive days, it was the same routine. He could clearly sense that Seth was in the best mood he had been in years.

Charlie had no clue what had transpired between the two to bring about this apparent reconciliation, perhaps the strange hunch nagging at him was just that—a baseless feeling.

"Mr. Diaz, Ms. Danielle is inquiring about your availability tonight." Suppressing the odd sensation in his heart, Charlie spoke as he drove, glancing at Seth's expression in the rearview mirror. "Ever since you were discharged, you haven't been in touch with her. I've been using the excuse of your busy schedule to put her off for a week now."

Seth's mood, which had been quite pleasant until now, slowly started to sink.

"The Thanksgiving is in two days, and Ms. Danielle, being sensitive, has had people tracking your movements."

If Charlie hadn't been so vigilant and tight on security, Ms. Cicely would likely have been discovered by now.

After a moment of silence, Seth replied, "I understand."

But Charlie was still confused.

Understand what?

*

Chloe could easily tell that Cicely's mood had improved significantly from when she first arrived.

As Cicely sat there, browsing recipes on her phone, Chloe leaned against the armrest of the sofa and remarked casually, "Looks like you two are planning to mooch off my dinner again tonight?"

"Isn't it lonely eating all by yourself?" Cicely didn't even look up, her tone nonchalant as ever.

"No, Damon's coming home this afternoon."

Cicely lifted her gaze, taking in Chloe's radiant smile, and her eyes danced with mischief as she returned the smile. "In normal circumstances, shouldn't I tactfully leave you two to your romantic reunion?"

Chloe nodded as if it was the most natural thing to do.

Cicely chuckled, "Unfortunately for you, I'm not most people."

True to her word, Cicely didn't leave. When Damon arrived, he and Chloe headed straight to the bedroom, leaving Cicely ignored all afternoon.

The temporary housekeeper from Greenfield Village had already started preparing dinner, yet there she was, still seated on the couch, immovable as a boulder.

"Determined to squat here?"

"Your wife was lonely and I've been keeping her company."

Lonely.

"You come back and immediately want to kick me out. Isn't that a bit ungrateful?"

Damon watched her with an indifferent expression and simply glanced at her sharply in response. "If your so-called gratitude is worth a dinner for you and him, then it's a debt I can repay. Feel free to stay."

However, by eight o'clock, despite waiting around a table laden with food, the person who had been shamelessly freeloading their meals lately didn't show up. Instead, breaking news erupted on social media.

[C&P Entertainment's CEO dines with Danielle.]

Included was a list of dishes supposedly shared by the two:

Premium imported steak

Recently auctioned bluefin tuna

A soup painstakingly prepared by a top chef

Desserts and ice cream crafted by a master pastry chef

Someone had estimated the cost of this dinner and the internet branded it with the term "astronomical" – enough to feed an ordinary person for a lifetime.

Chloe doubted her judgment once again, unable to believe she had misread a man once more.

Damon, noticing her lack of appetite, urged her to eat, but Chloe had already lost her hunger. His gaze fell on Cicely, who had insisted on staying the night. Cicely, however, picked up her fork and took a bite of food, acting as if nothing was wrong. "Chloe, you really should eat more. Otherwise,

your husband might just have the heart to kill me." She spoke up, her tone carefree, as if she didn't have a care in the world.

Seeing that Chloe didn't move, Cicely picked up a piece of food, holding it before her mouth, and looked up at her with a smile, "I was planning to join you at the orphanage tomorrow, but with his stunt today, he might keep an even tighter leash on me."

It was strange; every time he felt he had done something wrong, he would double down on her.

Chloe had an epiphany.

Damon, catching the word "orphanage," inquired, "What for?"

Chloe bit her lip; she hadn't really discussed this with him.

It wasn't something she could easily bring up, considering Seth was his friend. She was assisting Cicely, which indeed was a meddling affair.

The reason stemmed from Cicely once helping her out and the compassion born from her connection with Hugo. Initially, Chloe and Damon had an unspoken agreement not to meddle in their affairs, but now, things had reached this point.

"Tomorrow, I'm taking Hugo out of the orphanage and bringing him to Granny's to celebrate the Thanksgiving together."

Damon's gaze swept over, and Chloe could only face him squarely.

"That's quite bold." Damon finally spoke after a long silence, his eyes, however, on Cicely, "When you settled our accounts back then, was it so you could hide away and have a child? How long did you think you could keep this a secret?"

Cicely's hands clenched, and she met Damon's intimidating gaze head-on. "What else could I do? If I had asked you to take me away from the P City, would you have done it?"

Damon's brows furrowed. Clearly, this question wasn't a matter of choice for him. The answer was a resounding no.

He had never considered that Cicely might make such a request. People need to know their limitations.

Chloe, listening on the side, was confused, "What do you mean? Were you involved in their affairs three years ago?"

Damon pressed his lips together and took Chloe's hand, "I wasn't fully aware back then."

Chloe frowned, "Did you know about Hugo's existence?"

"No, I didn't." Damon denied it firmly, "I first found out at the orphanage. I don't have the time to concern myself with someone who doesn't matter to me."

Cicely scoffed, "I must thank you for where I stand today, as someone who doesn't matter to you."

Damon squinted his eyes at Cicely, "Look, everyone's path is their own making. When I lent a hand to Seth, it was between us. He needed me, I helped, and keeping your jail saga under wraps was your only ask for compensation. What if I chose not to compensate you? Let's not dig up old dirt; we're square."

Chloe seemed to catch the drift. "So, not only were you involved, but you also played a pivotal role."

The icy look in Damon's eyes retreated as he turned to Chloe with a hint of resignation. "Chloe, that was in the past. Even if I was wrong then, I'm innocent now." It was a mix of admitting guilt and playing the sympathy card.

Cicely thought to herself, Damon was such a jerk.

"So, Mr. Innocent," Chloe said with a light, detached smile, "you played it safe back then. What about Hugo, who's come out of nowhere now? What's your plan?"

A flicker passed through Cicely's eyes.

Damon pursed his lips, "Hugo is not my responsibility. Whoever should be accountable will be."

She said it as if Hugo was his own son.

Chloe, amused by Damon's words, saw through the man's petty tricks and attempts to ingratiate himself. She cut to the chase, "Hugo's eyes need urgent treatment, and you promised to help me."

Damon's gaze darkened, and after a few seconds of silence, he murmured, "It's being arranged."

Cicely's eyes trembled fiercely, and her voice quivered with suppressed excitement. "Really? Can Hugo's eyesight truly be restored?"

"The medical records and history have been sent over. We're waiting on a response."

"Waiting for a response. Okay, we'll wait."

This news left Cicely somewhat deflated, but it was still a vast improvement over previous standstills.

"If I can snatch a life back from the Grim Reaper's grip, then I'm confident I can fix a pair of eyes. Don't overthink it."

Cicely knew Damon had the means. She’d been aware since three years ago that if he said he could save a life, he would.

But what did it have to do with her? All she hoped for now was that Hugo's eyesight wouldn't be the only casualty.

"Thank you."

If Damon couldn't fix it, there was no point in hoping someone else could.

Seth returned home past nine, finding Cicely freshly showered and lounging in bed with her phone. Seeing her there, he breathed a sigh of relief. "What did you have for dinner?"

"A feast." Cicely kept her eyes on the phone screen, her voice flat, "Damon came by, cooked up a storm."

Seth paused as if mentally checking the date, his indifferent face briefly lit up with understanding.

...

After his shower, Cicely had already turned her back to him in bed. Seth slid under the covers and drew her into his embrace.

Cicely, who had kept her eyes closed, now frowned slightly. "What's on the agenda for tomorrow?"

Cicely pulled away slightly from Seth's chest, "I don't know, might stay in, might go out for a stroll."

"I'll have Charlie follow you."

"When have you not had him on my tail?" Cicely stated the obvious with indifference, closing her eyes again, seemingly upset.

Seth's hand on her waist tightened, "Would you behave if left to your own devices?"

Cicely let out a sardonic laugh, "Do you think I haven't been good enough these past two days?"

"Cicely." He suddenly called her name.

"Hmm?" Cicely's almost closed eyes opened slightly in acknowledgment.

"Tonight..."

"What about it?"

Seth's gaze, which was searching and confused, suddenly deepened with sorrow.

Seeing this, Cicely's eyes shifted, and a faint smile appeared on her lips. "What about tonight? Don't tell me you're going to rub in how delicious your meal was?"

"You knew?"

Cicely nodded frankly, "Who doesn't have access to the internet these days?"

"Why didn't you ask then?"

Cicely laughed, "Ask what?"

That laugh and retort made Seth feel a sting of humiliation.

He stared at her intensely for a moment, but Cicely spoke first. "Day after tomorrow, I'm going to Granny Harper's for Thanksgiving. Can you please not have someone follow me around?"

Seth's eyes narrowed slightly as he sat up against the headboard, "You're spending Thanksgiving at someone else's place?"

"What else?" Cicely chuckled, "How can you be a lover without a little ability to read the room? How can I still pester you to spend Thanksgiving with me while your serious girlfriend is left alone?" Her laugh was carefree, almost maddeningly so.

Seth's lips tightened, and his eyes became even more brooding. The issues he'd brought up earlier were now slapped back in his face by her blunt words.

Lover.

Even though he knew that was what she was thinking , hearing it spoken aloud was like a cold, sharp knife cutting him open.

"I won't make trouble for you. Back home, I'm all alone; it would be too pitiful to spend the holiday by myself. If I don't have company, I need to find some social warmth. Unless, of course, you actually want to leave me to celebrate on my own?"

Seth kept watching her, his eyes an impenetrable darkness. After what seemed an eternity in those two minutes, he finally spoke. "Alright, I'll have Charlie prepare a gift tomorrow, and he'll take you over for Thanksgiving."

The smile on her face deepened as her fingertips quivered atop the blanket. The answer was as expected as it was rational.

"Good."

With that, the deal was set.