The Enticing CEO's Chosen Bride novel 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.