The Enticing CEO’s Chosen Bride

Chapter 1985

Having chosen the shoes and settled the bill, she walked through the other door of the store, intending to browse a bit more before leaving. However, she unexpectedly encountered someone she thought she wouldn't see again so easily.

There she was, the very woman she had slapped just the day before, now comfortably seated on a bench, trying on a pair of sandals adorned with crystal chains.

Their eyes met, and an unmistakable mutual distaste hung in the air.

Cicely cast a cursory glance at the sandals the woman was trying on and couldn’t help but smirk.

Noticing Cicely, Danielle's expression darkened. She stood up and walked over to a full-length mirror to check out the sandals on her feet.

“Don't see you hit the mall much. What brings you here?” It was a clear dig at Cicely.d2

Cicely paused, arms crossed, boredom etched on her face as she turned to face Danielle through the mirror. “Stalking you, obviously.”

Danielle looked up, meeting her gaze in the reflection.

Cicely chuckled softly, “Is that the answer you wanted to hear?”

Frowning, Danielle didn't respond. Cicely gave her a sidelong glance, then turned and walked over to a display case, picking up another shoe to examine. “What I'm doing here is none of your business. We don’t need to pretend niceties or acknowledge each other. Isn’t it nauseating to even try?”

She placed the shoe back on the display and walked out without a backward glance, leaving Danielle staring coldly after her in the mirror. The two sales associates standing by Danielle

exchanged awkward looks. The Ellis family’s feud was well-known, but to witness such disdain in public was something else. Indeed, as a lady raised in the Ellis family, this frank and arrogant temperament of Cicely’s couldn't be adequately mimicked by anyone else.

Danielle caught sight of the gaze of the two sales associates through the mirror, and a wave of embarrassment suddenly washed over her.

...

As they got into the elevator, Cicely casually asked, "Where is tonight's banquet being held?"

Following behind her, Issac replied, "At the Watson family's villa hotel by Imperial Bay."

Cicely arched an eyebrow, "That's quite an extravagant choice of location."

Issac didn't respond.

"Is it hard to get in?" Cicely asked.

Issac glanced at her from the side, "You might need your father's help to get an invitation."

Cicely frowned, "How prestigious does an event have to be that my father needs to get involved?" After a few seconds of silence, she walked out of the elevator, "Alright then."

With that, she pulled out her phone and dialed Creighton.

By the time Cicely reached home, Creighton was waiting for her in the living room. On the coffee table lay a black, gold-embossed invitation.

“Thanks, Dad,” Cicely said, picking up the invite with a half-smile.

Creighton pursed his lips. “You know it’s just going to be a headache for you, right? Why go?”

“To broaden my horizons at a fancy shindig? Never been to one like this.”

Creighton sighed, resigned. “Just don’t cause any scenes. Keep the family drama private.”

“As if I’d make a scene,” Cicely scoffed, though her words carried little conviction.

Seeing that Creighton had stopped speaking, the butler couldn't help but add, “Although the Ellis family hasn't directly involved itself with the entertainment industry, the myriad of intricate connections inevitably leads back to us through others. The social elite circles in P City aren't extensive, after all.”

“If the script auction at the banquet succeeds, it could directly catapult P City's economy to new heights. Aside from significantly boosting average income at grassroots levels, the craftsmanship involved, costuming, and particularly the substantial investments required for constructing various film and television sets, all are major components. Once these behind-the-scenes operations kick into high gear, it would inevitably concern the Ellis family, emphasizing the crucial significance of this banquet.

“It has come to my attention that Mr. Diaz had a keen interest in attending this banquet but intended to rely solely on his merits. Regardless of perspective, he's only been in a leadership role for two years, and he's still enrolled in school. Relying on his individual efforts alone, it's virtually impossible for him to gain easy access to the banquet."

In truth, Cicely hadn't initially attached much significance to the banquet. Now, hearing Brody's explanations, she was struck by how naive she had been.

Cicely’s interest piqued. “Seth wanted to go and got rejected?”

“He didn’t even know how to get an invitation, let alone get turned away,” Creighton said with a hint of irritation.

Cicely's brow furrowed as she glanced at the invitation in her hand. She had gotten access with just a phone call.

Sensing Cicely's current confusion, Brody decided to add more, "Actually, Sir has been waiting for Mr. Diaz to approach him for help, but..." Còntens bel0ngs to Nô(v)elDr/a/ma.Org

Before he could finish, Cicely understood what he meant. Seth didn't come to ask her father for help.

Her somewhat lethargic mind was perhaps a bit foggy. Various messy thoughts in her mind were bumping against each other, like entangled pieces of string becoming increasingly knotted. Her complexion wasn't great.

The butler, sensing her confusion, added, “Mr. Diaz is bringing Danielle to the event for a reason. Perhaps he had his explanation.”

Tired, Cicely excused herself. “I need some rest.”

As Cicely ascended the stairs, Creighton and the butler exchanged worried looks. “Are we sure about letting her go? She smashed Mr. Diaz's car just yesterday,” the butler asked Creighton.

“If I forbid her, she might level the house in retaliation,” Creighton muttered, half-joking.

The evening approached, and luxury cars snaked their way to the Watson family's villa at Bayview Haven. While the villa's exterior suggested beachside leisure, its interior revealed opulent seclusion. Guests arrived, invitations in hand, passing through tight security, a testament to the exclusivity of the night’s event.

As the Maserati rolled smoothly into the parking lot, the driver’s side door swung open, revealing a crisply pressed trouser leg followed by a tall, lean figure standing by the car. Under the glow of the

streetlights, his face was striking yet aloof, his eyes sweeping casually across the passenger side. After a quick adjustment of his shirt cuffs, he strode over to the other side and opened the door.

Danielle stepped out, flashing Seth a muted smile. Her hair was expertly coiffed, and her makeup was of the finest touch.

Noticing a valet approaching, Seth took a step back, opting to close the car door himself. Danielle felt a twinge of disappointment as she clasped her purse and fell into step beside him.

While presenting their invitation at the entrance, Danielle instinctively slipped her arm through Seth’s. The staff glanced at them both, welcomed them with a nod, and let them pass.

Danielle held her breath, focused entirely on Seth, dreading any sign of impatience or annoyance, but he remained composed all the way to the villa’s grand hall.

It was only after checking her arm in his, that the stiffness in her smile relaxed.

The pair stood out at the reception—too young amongst a sea of veterans who had spent lifetimes earning their place. Some had traded youth and more to claw their way up in society. How could they compete with those born atop the summit?

However, in their memory, wasn't that young man the boyfriend of the little princess of the Ellis family? How could he come here with another woman?

The silence lasted just for a moment before the previous lively atmosphere quickly returned. Whispers floated around, mentioning the Ellis family heiress, the temperamental princess of P City, Cicely.

Ray, who had been waiting for Danielle to arrive, approached as soon as he spotted her. “Danielle. You look stunning.”

Her smile faltered slightly as she gripped Seth’s arm tighter and leaned in closer to him.

Ray’s gaze darkened, unabashedly scrutinizing Seth. They were classmates, though not in the same field, and Seth’s relationship with Cicely was well-known throughout P City. Ray couldn't fathom why Seth would show up with Danielle instead of Cicely.

Danielle was the woman Ray was pursuing, the one he had impressed with an invitation to tonight's event. Yet here she was, on another man’s arm.

Ray’s frustration simmered beneath the surface.

Even Danielle was uncomfortable with Ray's disrespectful stare. To deflect, she smiled and started a conversation. "Thank you for the invitation. Without it, I wouldn't have had the chance to meet so many esteemed directors and actors."

Every man likes to be admired, and Ray was no exception. "Just the beginning," he beamed. "Come, let me introduce you."

As Ray moved closer, Danielle instinctively tried to dodge, but Seth stood firm.

Ray's attention remained on Seth, and after a few seconds, he chuckled, hands in pockets, exuding confidence. "Why are you here with Danielle?"

Seth's eyes narrowed slightly, a faint smile on his lips. "It was quite unsafe for a young lady to be here on her own. She was like a sister to me, I felt it was my duty to accompany her," Seth explained.

Danielle was stung by what Seth had said. She knew Patty had sent Seth to protect her and possibly discourage Ray's advances. Now what Seth had said had no effect on Ray's pestering of her.

Upon hearing this, Ray paused for a moment, turned to look at Danielle, and something seemed to flash through his mind. He blinked awkwardly and surprisingly remained silent.

Seth turned to Danielle, suggesting softly, "This is a rare opportunity. Why not spend some time with him and meet some industry veterans?"

Danielle hesitated, "What about you?"

"I'll wander. Just stay in the hall, and I'll be within sight," Seth reassured her, his voice unusually tender.

Danielle let go of Seth’s arm reluctantly. Ray quickly offered his, and after a moment, she accepted it.

Ray stole one last glance at Seth, then led Danielle into the crowd. After a few steps, she glanced back to see Seth smiling reassuringly, allowing her to relax and return the smile.

A server carrying a tray of drinks brushed against Seth, prompting a soft exclamation of concern from Danielle, but Seth simply shook his head in forgiveness, and Danielle turned away.

As Ray and Danielle mingled, he complimented her, "You look beautiful, Danielle. I've never seen you dressed like this before. You seem different."

Her smile stiffened once more, "Thank you."

Ray's gaze lingered on Danielle as they walked, and she felt increasingly uncomfortable.

"Here, Danielle, this is Director Suarez, of the stage play 'The Maiden.' You must be familiar with his work."

Danielle snapped back to reality, her eyes lighting up with a mix of awe and excitement as she faced the man before her, whose hair had silvered with age.

"Mr. Suarez, it's a pleasure to meet you. I'm a budding stage actress, and I absolutely adore your play 'The Maiden.'"

At that moment, Ray flagged down a passing waiter and ordered two glasses of wine. The waiter lowered his tray and handed the two wine glasses to Ray. Without missing a beat, Ray handed one of the glasses to Danielle.

Seth withdrew his gaze and made his way to a corner nearest the door, casting an indifferent eye over the glitz and glamour of the party's attendees.

Beneath the handsome and gentlemanly exterior, what kind of power-hungry and dirty heart was wrapped up?

Everyone was the same. Including himself.

Danielle seemed to be completely swept away by Ray's presence, her demeanor radiating happiness. She genuinely loved the theater.

*

Cicely slept deeply in the afternoon, woke up a bit late, and by the time she dressed and finished her makeup, it was a bit later than she had expected.

Fortunately, when they arrived, the banquet had not been going on for long. After Isaac parked the car, Cicely had already handed the invitation to the staff.

As they were about to be let in, Issac's voice came from behind her, "Miss, do you want me to accompany you?"

Cicely glanced at him and smiled, "Issac, you look dashing tonight."

Issac wasn't sure why she suddenly complimented him, but he soon got his answer. "You say that, but what if people think you're my boyfriend?" Cicely's smile widened, "He's also here, and even if he doesn't get the wrong idea, others will talk. It could make him uncomfortable."

Issac furrowed his brow, "He's brought Danielle with him tonight. As for people talking, you're probably already the subject of their gossip. If that's the case, you showing up alone is only going to make you the one who's uncomfortable."

For once, Issac's words carried an unexpected weight of emotion. He was upset, even angry.

Cicely was taken aback.