The Enticing CEO’s Chosen Bride
Chapter 2015

Cicely let out a chuckle, a torrent of words flooding her mind, but then she thought, what was the point? It was not like anything she said would make a difference to him. These past few days, their squabbles had become more frequent.

"I'd almost forgotten, I've managed to offend such an esteemed personage."

Seth was silent for two seconds before he spoke again, “Where are you right now?"

"At school. Was heading to the set, but dad ordered me home. No rush. No one will escape this."

Cicely didn't name names, but those in the know understood exactly who she was referring to. Before Seth could say another word, Cicely hung up the phone.

*d2

As Cicely walked in, the living room was thick with a tense silence.

Creighton sat on the sofa with a stern face. The servants had quietly retreated, and Brody and Issac stood on the side, both wearing serious expressions.

All eyes turned to Cicely as she entered.

"If you called me back to play the same old tune-reminding me that she is an Ellis, the sole heir to my uncle's legacy, that she was raised away from home and somehow owed something by the Ellis name- and expect me to just forgive and forget, then don't even bother.

"Ever since she first set foot in our home, my patience has worn thin. Don't you get it? Some people, the more you indulge them, the more they walk all over you. Where did you get the impression that I'm a doormat, ready to absorb whatever is thrown my way?"

Creighton's face turned a shade paler, his eyes closed as he took a deep breath before slowly responding, "Then what would you have us do?"

Outside, Seth stepped out of his car. The front door of the mansion was ajar. He could hear Cicely's rare cold tone directed at Creighton from the entryway.

Creighton was an upright man, and over the years, he had seen things clearly. So, when it came to Danielle, he didn't think she had any grievances whatsoever. The Ellis family had been more than fair. Cicely didn't hesitate as she answered Creighton's question. "I want her out of P City. We'll settle our old and new scores before she leaves."

In the past, Cicely had merely spoken words against Danielle's repeated provocations. It seemed she had been too vocal, and Danielle mistook her threats as empty talk.

Creighton's breathing grew heavier, "She's still in school; where she goes is her choice."

"Is the Ellis family's standing in P City just for show?" Cicely was resolute, years of pent-up frustration reaching a boiling point.

"You want me to use the Ellis family's influence against one of our own?"

"So that's why she's so brazen and unrelenting."

Cicely didn't want to show her frustrations towards Creighton, but still, he wanted her to swallow her pride. "I don't have your broad perspective. Maybe it's for the sake of the Ellis family's reputation, or perhaps it's kinship-I've tolerated it, and it's been humiliating. But how long do you expect me to bear it?"

"Regardless of what you say today, Danielle has to leave."

"Cicely," Creighton inhaled deeply, his voice softer than before, "Can you wait just a little longer?"

Her eyes reddened as she stared at him, defiant. "No."

"Not even for Seth?"

Cicely frowned, "What does he have to do with this?"

Seth halted at the doorway.

"You know, he's put almost all his energy into this show. The latest buzz has already impacted it. If you keep this up... the entertainment industry is under constant media scrutiny. A feud between the Ellis sisters is trivial, but delve deeper, and the story becomes about a man and two women, which can spawn millions of sensational headlines. If the media twists the truth and the story blows up, not only will Seth's reputation suffer, but will his show even air? And if it does, do you think any prestigious awards would consider a drama surrounded by scandal and negative press?"

Cicely's face drained of color, her hands clenched tightly, then slowly relaxed. After a long moment, she let out a defeated laugh and nodded slightly. "Fine, I'll wait. I'll wait until she finishes the show, until it airs successfully, until it wins awards and Seth triumphs. Then I'll think about how to settle the score with her."

Her words sounded bitter, mocking, and ironic.

Seth stood outside, listening, his dark, narrow eyes tightening slightly as he suddenly found it hard to breathe. But he was just a listener, unlike everyone in the living room who could see her expression clearly. It's a mix of helplessness and defiance, like a grenade thrown with the pin pulled, ready to obliterate the enemy, only to be forced to implode because of the people around the foe.

Such was her expression, resigned yet tragic. Yet the situation was far more complex than that analogy.

Cicely took a shallow breath, her lips curling into a cold smile. "It's laughable. The most persuasive reason to protect Danielle seems to be Seth."

A silence fell in the living room.

Creighton felt heartbroken seeing her like this, "Cicely, just this once, please. I'm doing this for your sake."

Seth had his pride and convictions, and Cicely cherished that about him. Creighton wanted to see her happy, but he didn't have the luxury of time to wait for Seth to face a setback. Her smile remained unchanged, "I guess I'm too naïve to understand."

Cicely's face showed compliance, but everyone could tell she still resented Creighton.

Issac had never seen Cicely like this, nor did he want to see any distance grow between father and daughter. "Miss." he started to speak, only to be interrupted by Creighton. "Issac!"

Cicely looked over.

Creighton continued seamlessly, "Cicely is upset. Take her out for some fresh air."

Isaac's words got stuck in his throat.

"No need, I'm not in the mood for shopping." Cicely turned him down, not wanting to stay at home either. "I've got plans this afternoon, I should head out."

"I can give you a ride," Isaac quickly offered.

"No, thanks."

She stood firm in her refusal.

Stepping outside on her own, she saw Seth's car parked at the curb. His tall, lean figure was leaning casually against the car, his gaze following her as she approached. Cicely's eyes brimmed with tears, and she couldn't even try to hide them.

Stopping next to him, she tilted her head back slightly, her reddened eyes fixed on his. "Seth, you better sweep up all the awards with this play, or you'll never hear the end of it from me."

Seth stared at her quietly, her eyes which usually shone with pride and confidence, bold and beautiful, seemed different lately-dull with unseen burdens and sorrows. After a moment, he gently reached out and caressed her face, his fingers tracing the lines of her eyes, his gaze deep, his voice a soft, hoarse whisper. "Have you been crying?"

Cicely turned her head away, "Of course not."

"Do you know what I was thinking before I came here?" asked Seth.

She turned back to face him.

"I was thinking about how to keep you from causing a scene on set, and how to keep this all under wraps in front of you."

Cicely forced a smile, "No need to worry about that anymore. The moment you told me it was Ray involved, I knew. Don't worry, I won't... at least not now."

His fingertips brushed the corner of her eye, suddenly feeling the warmth of her skin.

"Why not?"

Seth asked plainly, but before she could answer, he grasped her wrist and ushered her into the car.

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