The Enticing CEO's Chosen Bride novel Chapter 1946

Seth ended the call, the screen displaying a mere 54 seconds of conversation. His phone lingered in his hand as his emotionless gaze stared at the digital numbers. His chiseled face held no warmth, and his narrow eyes seemed to gaze into an abyss.

A sense of vague disquiet settled over him.

He had felt her rage bubbling just beneath the surface, and noticed her restraint and the shadow of disappointment. Her final, resigned "I see" echoed in his mind, painting a vivid picture of her slumped over a desk, a mix of defiance and vulnerability etched into her posture.

With a slight shift in his eyes, Seth pocketed the phone and pushed through the library doors.

Kane, draped in a black cardigan, lounged on a chair, its four legs precariously balanced on two, his whole frame swinging to maintain equilibrium.

Noticing Seth's stoic entrance, Kane propped himself up on the table, his expression brimming with curiosity. "When will she get here?" he asked, his voice tinged with mischief.d2

Seth glanced at him. "It's not her."

Kane paused, his eyes whirling with thoughts. "Ellis family's little princess, huh?"

Seth remained silent.

Kane, knowing Seth's temperament well, smirked. "You're in for it now, caught the eye of that girl."

He settled back, stroking his chin thoughtfully. "Surprising, though. She's always so aloof, like no one's good enough for her. Cold to everyone, hard to figure out. Then again, I never really got to know her, so who knows what she's really like. But she is stunning. Ever wonder what she'd be like as a girlfriend? The type to get all cute and cuddly?"

Seth's brows knitted together, his pen pausing mid-sentence, as Kane's words stirred an unexplained irritation within him. "If you're not here to study, then get lost."

Kane snapped back to reality. "Aren't I supposed to help you cram? You're turning on me already?"

Seth slammed his pen down, his icy gaze fixed on Kane.

Kane, ever the opportunist, raised his hands in surrender. "Alright, alright, my bad, okay? But considering your sudden mood, is it because I mentioned Cicely? You don't think she's pretty?"

"Kane."

The warning in Seth's voice was unmistakable. Kane nodded frantically, "Fine, fine, I'll shut up about the Ellis princess."

Though Kane pledged silence, he couldn't help but probe, "Do you actually dislike Cicely?"

With a sharp snap, Seth closed his book, and Kane immediately clammed up, sitting ramrod straight.

Seth's lips pressed into a thin line, his eyes cold. His attention, however, didn't linger on Kane for long. It snapped away, shooting past Kane's shoulder to the opposite side of the room.

A youthful boy's eyes met Seth's icy stare, a flash of panic crossing his face before he offered a nonchalant nod.

Seth's frown deepened. The boy was unfamiliar, but just before withdrawing his gaze, Seth's eyes lingered on the textbook in front of the boy.

Eighth-grade curriculum.

Seth looked back at the boy, who was now avoiding his gaze.