The Enticing CEO's Chosen Bride novel Chapter 1991

"I said, this is something between the two of us." Seth's tone left no room for argument.

Creighton squinted at him for a moment. "I thought you didn't like her? I intended to entrust her to you, but if you feel it's too much, I won't force you. What's important is that I don't want to give you another chance to break her heart."

Seth didn't reply, but his intentions were clear and firm.

At that moment, Brody walked in, followed closely by his son Issac. Both men wore grim expressions.

"Sir."

Creighton turned his attention to Brody. "What's the matter?"d2

Brody glanced at Seth before saying, "We've just been to the hotel to get a handle on the situation. The banquet had to be cut short because of an incident. Mr. Ray’s personal misconduct has been leaked, and his family's company is in damage control mode. But given the number of reputable media outlets present as witnesses, it's unlikely their PR spin will do much good. We'll have a clearer picture by tomorrow morning."

This result was exactly what Seth had initially desired. He understood that, even without Brody spelling it out.

Creighton snorted, unsurprised by the news.

"There's something else, sir." Brody hesitated, his expression more serious than before.

"Out with it."

"Yes, sir." Brody nodded. "According to the hotel receptionist, Mr. Ray was forcing himself on Miss Danielle. She tried to resist but called for help when she couldn't fend him off. However, in the end..."

Creighton's head shot up, his face a storm of rage. "In the end, what?"

"Well, apparently, Miss Danielle was so frightened that when she saw Mr. Ray dragging Cicely into the room, she... she ran away."

Creighton bolted upright from the couch.

He stared at Brody for a long moment before bursting into a grim laugh. "You're telling me Cicely saved Danielle, and then Danielle left Cicely behind and ran off?!"

Rarely had Brody seen Creighton lose his temper, and he dared not speak further.

Issac stepped forward, pulling out his phone. "Here's the security footage from the hotel. It should make it very clear whether Miss Danielle acted out of fear or deliberately."

Creighton practically snatched the phone from his hand.

Issac withdrew, casting a glance at Seth. "I bet you already have an idea whether Miss Danielle was deliberate or not, without even seeing the footage."

Seth, with his stoic good looks, stepped beside Creighton.

On the screen, Danielle was seen helping Ray into a room, struggling at the door. Barefoot, Cicely walked into the lounge, high heels in hand, trying to help Danielle.

Then Cicely got caught by Ray, looking back at Danielle with a gaze that seemed to expect the obvious—that Danielle would help her in return.

But Danielle just stood at the door, coldly watching Cicely struggle, shaking her head and deciding to leave.

The confusion and fear in Cicely's eyes as she was dragged into the room and the door slammed shut, cutting off all hope, sank into the hearts of the onlookers.

The phone's screen began to shake as Creighton's hand trembled uncontrollably. The footage continued with Danielle encountering reporters, then meeting Seth, and pretending to know nothing as she hurried away with him.

With a loud "thud," Creighton threw the phone onto the coffee table. "Where's Danielle? Where is she?!" His booming voice detonated like a bomb in the living room.

Knowing something had gone wrong that night, he had guessed what Seth had been plotting. Even if Cicely ended up the victim, he had thought it was just an unfortunate accident. He hadn't anticipated that this "accident" was orchestrated.

Issac said calmly, "I've sent people to look for her."

Outside, two cars pulled up to the house.

Danielle was brought out of one, followed by Erik from the other. He didn't even glance at Danielle as he hustled into the living room, leaning on his cane. "Where's Cicely?!"

Issac had barely finished when Erik's anxious voice filled the room. He was asking about Cicely's condition as soon as he entered.

Creighton tried to contain his rage in front of his father but failed.

Brody quickly said, "Miss is resting now, sir. Please be at ease."

Seeing so many people in the living room, Erik asked, "What in the world is going on?"

There was a moment of silence. Then Creighton saw Danielle coming in from behind, her hands crossed in front of her, her face a mix of anxiety and evasion.

He approached her slowly, his icy gaze lingering on her face. Finally, he raised his hand and slapped her hard across the face.

Danielle fell to the ground from the blow.

Erik furrowed his brow deeply. "What are you doing? Have you lost your mind?!"