The Enticing CEO's Chosen Bride novel Chapter 2114

Cole was left speechless. "What did you say?"

Azriel's gaze slid from Phoebe, who was now hidden under the covers, to Cole. Azriel's tone was indifferent, yet it seemed to chill to the bone. "Can't understand what I said, or are you deaf?"

"You..." Cole pointed at him, struggling for words that wouldn't come.

This guy looked polished on the surface, but his actions and words were always unexpected. From the moment he strode in, bristling with fury, it was clear he wasn't someone to trifle with.

Everyone else seemed to give him a wide berth, his presence alone demanded it. He didn't seem like just anybody. Now, his actions to be so bold in his presence made Cole reconsider whether this was a man he wanted to cross.

After all, Phoebe seemed to be on good terms with him, and while he didn’t seem easy to get along with, an ally was far better than an enemy. With the Alonso family teetering on the edge, the last thing they needed was another storm brewing, giving that Chloe an opportunity to exploit.d2

Glancing once more at the still figure on the bed, Cole just snorted and walked out the door.

With the door closed, the room fell silent. Minutes passed before Phoebe couldn’t take it anymore and threw off the covers. Azriel was still there, standing like a sentinel.

Phoebe’s eyes were red-rimmed, but she managed a smile at Azriel. "Thanks for sticking up for me."

"I got you involved," Azriel said, locking eyes with her, his own gaze deep and still.

Phoebe shook her head, "It’s my fault. I couldn’t turn Grayson down. But still, I don’t know why Grayson did this."

"If you wanna cry, just cry. Why hold it in when you feel wronged and sad?"Azriel seemed to have ignored her words, focusing instead on her eyes, which were red yet forced into a smile.

Phoebe stared back at him quietly, "What good would crying do?"

What would it change? It would only bring impatience from those so-called family members, as it was a sign of weakness in others’ eyes.

She was already seen as weak; no need to remind them of that.

"Go ahead with your work. I didn’t sleep well last night." Her voice was barely a whisper, tinged with a sob.

Azriel watched her silently for a moment, then turned and left the ward.

Under the covers, Phoebe bit her lip hard, but tears still soaked into the pillow. She couldn’t understand why, after all these years of accumulated grievances, this time it hurt so much.

When Angie rushed in, Phoebe was already asleep. Noticing her swollen eyes, Angie sighed softly.

Poor, silly girl.

*

When Phoebe awoke, it was noon. Azriel sat beside her, watching over her. Seeing her awake, he called Jace to prepare lunch.

"Why are you still here?" Phoebe was pleasantly surprised.

Azriel simply looked at her, "Cried it out?"

Phoebe pressed her lips together, slightly embarrassed.

"Give me your hand."

Phoebe looked at him blankly, "What?"

Azriel nodded towards her arm, "Your hand."

She extended her hand without understanding, and before she could react, she felt the weight of a lollipop in her palm. The wrapper was light pink, peach-flavored.

Her fingertips trembled as she looked in astonishment at the man across from her, his expression indifferent. "How did you..."

"I told you before, crying kids get candy. Seems like you've forgotten completely."

Phoebe’s tears spilled over as Azriel's words hit home. "You are that boy."

Azriel huffed, "I thought I was the only one who remembered."

"I remember!" She was loud, desperate for him to hear, "I've always remembered. Only you would give me candy after I cried. Others... other people... ah..." Years of suppressed grievances and sorrows found their release, and she cried out loud.

Azriel let her cry unabated, patting her head and handing her tissues. After returning, he had learned a bit about her life. The Alonso family treated her differently than their eldest daughter, but they weren’t stingy with material things. It wasn’t until this morning, when he witnessed her so-called father’s harsh words and attitude, that he truly understood that her life wasn’t as glamorous as it seemed.

"From now on, I'm here. There'll be plenty of candy."

Phoebe, through her sobs, laughed. "I'm not much of a crier. I won't need much."

Azriel looked at her, puzzled, and after a moment said: "This mess is indeed my fault. Grayson probably acted this way because of Alivia."

"Alivia?"

Azriel nodded, "Grayson and I grew up together, so did Alivia. When feelings get complicated..."

Phoebe connected the dots, "Alivia likes you?"

"She brought it up once, but I didn't agree. Later, I could sense Grayson's resentment and understood why. I made my position clear, and Alivia seemed to accept it. She later worked under me, but I moved her to a branch office two years ago. She's competent."

Phoebe listened quietly, then suddenly asked, "Why did you suddenly send her away two years ago?"

Azriel met her gaze, an instense look passed between them.

Phoebe quickly looked away, embarrassed, "Ah. just curious."

After all these years, she was indeed curious about his life.

"Something did almost happen, and it was me being self-righteous so as not to hold her back." He spoke diplomatically, preserving a woman's dignity.

'Something did almost happen'... Phoebe mulled over those words, feeling a strange tightness in her chest loosening.

"So Grayson did all that just to stick it up for Alivia? Because you didn't give Alivia the time of day, and you chose me instead?" If she had to come up with a reason, that was the only one that made sense to her.

Azriel didn't say anything, which pretty much meant he agreed.

Phoebe clicked her tongue, "But he's got a fiancée. Forget it, he's always been a jerk."

Despite having a girl he liked, he still went through with an arranged engagement his family set up. And there he was, fooling around with other women while betrothed. Didn't he spare a single thought for the girl he was actually into while sleeping with someone else?

Shaking her head, she couldn't help but think Grayson was the worst of the worst.

Azriel didn't deny her words, and instead, he changed the subject, "Has your father always treated you like this over the years?"

Phoebe's relaxed expression gradually hardened, "Not exactly. He's always been more focused on wealth and power. He favors Wendy a little bit more, but we kind of get along. I spent most of my time at school, and they hardly even thought of me. It's just that the Alonso family's been in hot water recently. His precious daughter screwed up big time, and that's when he finally remembered me."

Maybe realizing she made herself sound too pitiful, Phoebe followed up with a sweet smile. "The Alonso family's in shambles now, but I'm not too heartbroken, even kind of glad. The Alonso family seemed like it could devour one's humanity. I can't even imagine what else they would be willing to do for the sake of this family. Though I've been tied to it my whole life, rather than letting Wendy wreck it, I'd prefer to see it thrive in someone else's care."

Azriel pursed his lips and nodded, "You're right."

"Really?" Phoebe's eyes sparkled, "You think so too? I bet most people would hear this and think I'm a traitor, biting the hand that feeds me."

"You're not," Azriel said firmly.