The Enticing CEO's Chosen Bride novel Chapter 2081

Charlie bit back the rest of his words. He had hoped, seeing her in a good mood today, to use the opportunity to help ease the tension between her and Seth. Even the slightest improvement would have been a win, but clearly, there was none.

A few more words, and she might have jumped right out of the car.

He dropped her off at the apartment building, and Cicely pressed the button for the sixteenth floor in the elevator without a word.

Charlie's head was pounding.

"What's the matter? Can't even pop by for a visit?"

Charlie remained silent.d2

Since he had called Chloe earlier in the car, the door was quickly opened after a few knocks. Cicely left Charlie standing on the other side, shutting the door in his face.

Inside, Chloe was nibbling on a fruit salad, dressed in a simple loungewear, her hair casually tied at the back, exuding a serene elegance.

"Feeling better?"

Cicely sat down next to her with a 'hmmm' and reached over to take a piece of fruit from Chloe's arms and put it in her mouth, saying, "So, how are you planning to spend Thanksgiving?"

"I don't know, probably head over to Grandma's."

Cicely pursed her lips, the sweetness of the fruit lingering in her mouth as she took another piece.

Chloe glanced at her with a faint smile, picking up another slice of fruit, "Don't worry about it. Grandma loves company. It won't be a hassle for you."

Cicely paused mid-chew, a lump forming in her throat as she locked eyes with Chloe, her eyes misting over. "Do you know what I want to say?"

Chloe's lips curled slightly, "How many things in this world could possibly leave you at a loss for words?"

Chloe continued toying with the fruit in the bowl, "I'll pick up Hugo from the orphanage a day early, and he'll spend Thanksgiving with us. If you think you can keep it from him, you're welcome to join."

Cicely nodded, ".Thanks."

Chloe saw the unshed tears in the eyes of this stubborn woman, and the choked sob that seemed to hang in her voice was heart-wrenching.

Neither of them was the type to wear their hearts on their sleeves, nor to play the victim. But the more they held back, the more they pretended not to care, the more it tugged at the heartstrings.

Chloe could feel it. To Cicely, she was the only one to be trusted, and the sole rock to lean on. With such trust placed in her, Chloe naturally felt obligated to honor it.

She reached out, affectionately tipping Cicely's chin, "Damon's out of town for a few days, and I'm bored. Keep me company, will you?"

Cicely's eyes flickered, glancing at Chloe's abdomen, "Aren't you a bit of a switch-hitter? Playing for both teams?"

Chloe's brows knitted together, turning to face her seriously, "I find it strange."

Cicely snagged another piece of fruit from the plate, "What's strange?"

"How exactly do I come off in a way that makes most people think I'm flirting with women?"

"Cough. cough." Even the poised Cicely choked on her fruit at Chloe's question.

Chloe pressed her lips together, gently patting Cicely's back. It took a moment for Cicely to recover, and with a glass of water from Chloe, she finally spoke, "Isn't that obvious?"

Chloe, puzzled, "What?"

"You have a certain boldness in your features, you're tall, and you are also the CEO of a company, with looks, money, and capability. What kind of person do you think young girls are into these days?"

Chloe rested her chin on her hand, pondering, "So, they swing both ways too?"

Cicely shook her head, "Can't say for sure."

...

Their conversation went on for a long time, and when Cicely finally emerged, Charlie was still waiting outside. Seeing her, his spirits visibly lifted, "Ms. Cicely."

Cicely closed the door, heading to the elevator, "If I could, I'd put in a good word for you with Seth, maybe get you a raise."

"Then, thank you in advance."

Cicely didn't respond.

She rode the elevator to the eighteenth floor, quickly grabbed two sets of clothes, and returned downstairs.

Charlie was puzzled, "Ms. Cicely, is this..."

"Well, Ms. Summers has invited me to dine with her, then stargaze and discuss the philosophy of life."

Charlie was speechless.

"If you have other things to attend to, you can go ahead. I won't let Ms. Summers down, understand?"

...

Seth rushed from the office back to the sixteenth floor around 8 p.m.

Chloe opened the door to reveal the man's tall, elegant figure, dressed to the nines, his handsome face now devoid of its usual warm smile and carrying a frosty air.

His demeanor had shifted from the genteel, courteous man of a few days ago to one of barely concealed irritation. His gaze, cold and stern, swept past Chloe and into the apartment.

"Where is she?" he asked, his voice as chilly as his gaze.

Chloe raised an eyebrow, "Inside."

Spotting a glimpse of a head on the couch, Seth visibly relaxed. "Are you done chatting?"

"Not yet."

"It's getting late."

"That's fine, if she gets sleepy, she can crash here."

Seth fixed his eyes on Chloe, "Chloe."

"What could I possibly do to her? You're Damon's close friend, and I wouldn't put you in an awkward position."

Seth looked at her deeply, his voice a cool whisper, "When it comes to you, he doesn’t really care too much about friends."

No matter what Chloe did, Damon would undoubtedly take her side without a second thought.

Despite the absurdity, Chloe was delighted, and it showed, "That’s the man I've found. And you? Are you also that kind of guy?"

Seth suddenly fell silent.

Chloe read his answer in his silence, her brows arching playfully, "Goodnight."

As she moved to close the door, it was stopped, held ajar. "You can talk, but she needs to sleep upstairs tonight." Seth said.

Chloe, "It's Damon's and my birthday."

Seth paused for a second, "Superficial."

*

At ten o'clock that night, the door of the sixteenth-floor apartment swung open. The tall, broad-shouldered man made his way to the guest room with practiced ease. Soon after, he emerged, carefully carrying the sleeping woman in his arms.

In the living room, Chloe casually sipped on a glass of milk, clutching her phone as she recorded the man's midnight escapade. The evidence of his actions was now securely captured in her digital grasp.

Seth's dark eyes were frosted over, that veneer of grace and kindness he wore in public was stripped away in her presence. "Does it matter?" he asked.

Chloe chuckled, "Of course it does."