The Enticing CEO's Chosen Bride novel Chapter 2058

Cicely found herself behind bars in the local detention center. Lana had pulled every string within the Ellis family's extensive network. Yet, astoundingly, she couldn't spring Cicely from jail.

She couldn't fathom who was backing Seth. She refused to believe that Seth, despite his capabilities and the power wielded by his Diaz International, could hold more sway than the entire Ellis clan, especially given his tender years.

The first night in lockup, Cicely lay awake. The cell was unlike anything she'd imagined. A private room, spotless and tidy, with brand-new bedding – the same brand she'd always favored. Dinner was served to her: a balanced meal with both meat and veggies, and at bedtime, a glass of milk was delivered.

Was this really the quality of life in a detention center?

But Cicely was no fool. What was Seth playing at?

He had her arrested, then pampered her with good food and comfort. Did he think this would soften her resolve? Or did he believe that by giving her perks, she would overlook past issues and remain by his side, content and oblivious?d2

Had she been too easy to appease in the past, giving him the impression he could always win her back, no matter the hurt he caused?

She ate the dinner, drank the milk, then sat on the bed hugging her knees, staring blankly for a while before lying down.

Seth stood outside the intensive care unit, an emotionless mask on his face. His tall, rigid figure a steadfast sentinel there for over an hour.

Charlie kept a watchful eye on Cicely's situation in the detention center, and it was only when reporting to Seth that a trace of emotion flickered across his stoic face.

"Ma’am has eaten her dinner, albeit not much."

"She drank the milk."

"She sat on the bed, lost in thought."

"She has gone to sleep."

With each update, Charlie noticed Seth's tense frame relax ever so slightly before tightening up again.

Patty had survived the emergency room, but lay in the ICU where complications could arise at any moment.

The Ellis family, Diaz International, and C&P all needed Seth's attention. He’d even had someone keep tabs on Mr. Ellis' situation and also Danielle, not to mention the myriad of other complex issues converging upon him. Now, deep into the night, he finally had a moment to himself, standing vigil.

Today, the fact that Mr. Diaz had signed the critical condition notice and then left his mother's side in the emergency room to attend Cicely's interrogation was, to anyone else, a serious misjudgment of priorities. Had the worst happened, would Mr. Diaz have regretted it for a lifetime?

"Mr. Diaz, there's a lot to handle tomorrow. You should rest now."

After a silent moment, Seth slowly lifted his gaze toward the ICU doors before finally turning to leave. "You should rest early too."

＊

Three days later.

The court session was scheduled for 2 PM. In the morning, Lana went to the Ellis Group to find Seth. His secretary, not recognizing Lana, tried to stop her but nonetheless, Lana barged into his office.

Several sharp-suited individuals were in the office, each exuding an aura of success and expertise.

Their faces were stern as they spoke with Seth, indicating a significant disagreement. Seth sat expressionless, unfazed by Lana's unexpected entrance.

Initially, her intrusion sparked irritation, but Lana furrowed her brow, "Out, all of you. I need to speak with him."

One man, offended by her manner, started to retort but was quickly pulled aside and led out by a colleague. "Let's go, no more words. That's Mr. Erik's daughter."

Once the door closed behind them, Lana approached Seth's desk, looking down at him thoughtfully. It wasn't hard for her to guess that these men had been trying to pressure Seth, the Ellis Group's current figurehead amidst the chaos. His cool, composed demeanor was not typical for someone his age.

"Are you dead set on not releasing Cicely?" she asked.

Seth's gaze slowly met hers, "The last thing you should've done was come back, and you definitely should not have urged her to leave. Erik will recover, as will her father. Why did you plan to take her away?"

Lana's frown deepened, "What do you think the reason is?"

Seth diverted his eyes to a trinket on his desk that Cicely had placed there. "Everything will be resolved. It was you, who gave her a choice before I could fix things. Without you, she only had me."

Lana watched him silently, then suddenly let out a bitter laugh.

Seth watched her with a cold, hard stare.

Her laughter turned into tears, "Seth, Cicely said you don't love her, but..."

She locked eyes with him, the chilling laughter continuing, "Not only do you love her, you don't even realize how much. Haven't you noticed? Your love has turned you into a madman."

"Your mother loved my older brother but ended up marrying your father. I know she could live with the lie forever, but if she knew, the truth would utterly destroy her. Your mother has always been fiercely competitive, very stubborn since she was young. So, you can imagine the lengths your father went to pursue her. But I also think that's why she'd be utterly devastated by the truth – your father's efforts weren’t out of love for her, but deeper love for my sister-in-law. He married your mother to secure a worry-free life for Millie. Your mother's love was obsessive, and it seems you're just like her. And you are also like your father, capable of even crueler, colder acts for love."