The Enticing CEO's Chosen Bride novel Chapter 2124

Noah instinctively stepped back, his shoulder pressing against the nearby digital billboard.

Shock flickered through his dark eyes as he reached out to push her away, but Ella leaned in again, nibbling at his lips.

A tremor ran through Noah's heart as he lowered his eyelashes, shock mingling with the sight of the girl's delicate face. Her eyes were tightly shut, but her long lashes quivered.

She was nervous and scared. The moment her lips touched his, her heart ached fiercely. She truly loved him.

She yearned for more of this touch, but sadly, he could never be hers.

Her kiss was clumsy, retreating one moment and pressing harder the next. Finally, she slowly lifted her eyelids, her dazed eyes glistening with tears.d2

"Uncle Noah, I like you. But this is enough. Let's pretend I had you just this once. When we meet again, you'll just be my uncle and I'll be your niece for the rest of our lives."

After she spoke, she pushed him away forcefully, as if afraid he'd lose his temper, and then she hurried toward the security checkpoint.

Noah, coming back to his senses, could still feel the lingering warmth and softness on his lips. After the initial shock, he shoved aside the hint of longing in his heart, his brows furrowing deeply as he turned to look at the girl who had already reached the security area.

She had just passed through the manual check, grabbed her bag without looking back, and ran off.

Her figure and her actions, especially those resolute eyes and words, tightened his heart suddenly. The emotions he had been holding back these days surged once again.

He detested this persistent feeling, his face cold as he walked out of the airport terminal.

Outside, the chauffeur stood by the car, chatting with another driver. Seeing Noah, the chauffeur quickly ended the conversation and opened the car door for him.

As the chauffeur circled to the driver's side, he bid the other driver farewell.

"I guess I'll have an easier time without having to chauffeur him around; we should grab a beer sometime." The other chauffeur patted the chauffeur on the shoulder, "Hit me up with a call."

"Sure thing!" The chauffeur agreed cheerfully, smiling as he hopped into the car.

"Sir, shall we head straight to the office?"

It was still early to head to the office, and he could easily go home or leisurely enjoy a breakfast instead, but Noah simply hummed in affirmation. The chauffeur wasn't surprised.

Noah looked unwell, his mind replaying Ella's words and gaze at the airport, and that unexpected kiss.

"Sir, are you concerned for the young lady's safety traveling alone?" The chauffeur hesitated before speaking. The entire Tretton family, even the whole of P City, knew how Noah doted on his niece. And Miss Ella was indeed smart and lively, endearing to all.

Noah didn't respond, his eyes closed, his slender fingers pressing against his forehead, his ring finger brushing his lips, feeling again that tender sweetness.

Unaware of what had transpired between them, the chauffeur thought Noah was just worried about Ella's safety. So he continued, "You don’t have to worry too much, sir. We've arranged bodyguards, haven't we? If you're really concerned, why not call Mr. Paul? I heard from his driver that he's also heading to Western Europe."

Noah's fingers stiffened, and he suddenly looked up at the rearview mirror, his voice cold and ominous. "What did you say?"

The driver flinched at Noah's tone and his intimidating look. "I just said not to worry too much."

Noah cut him off, "Which Paul?"

"Well, Mr. Paul from the Reeves family. If I remember correctly, he's quite close with Miss Ella."

In a flash, Noah's eyes flickered with numerous thoughts, and then a tide of rage surged in his chest.

She deceived him?

She wasn't going on a trip alone. She had planned to go with Paul. They had kept their overseas trip a secret from him?!

"Turn back."

The chauffeur's hand trembled, "What?"

"Back to the airport!" He nearly roared those three words.

The chauffeur fell silent.

When the car continued on straight for a while longer, Noah took a deep breath, his voice now seemingly calmer than before, but even more chilling. "Didn't you hear me say back to the airport?"

"Sir, we are on the overpass..."

A vein throbbed on Noah's forehead.

Noah pulled out his phone and dialed Ella's number. The call was met with a cold female voice indicating the phone was switched off.

At this point, Ella's attitude these past few days, her actions at the airport today, the oversized, heavy suitcase, her demeanor with Jon, and even the looks and actions of his father, all seemed out of the ordinary.

But why? After all, it was just a trip abroad for a few days. Even if she went with Paul, she would have to return eventually, so why such attitudes?

The familiar, loathsome feeling in his chest suddenly surged, doubling in intensity.

He had never wanted to admit, and thought it impossible, that the unnamed emotion plaguing him was—unease.

Finally, after exiting the overpass, the car turned around. Noah then dialed Paul's number. The mechanical voice that answered was no different from Ella's.

Noah's expression darkened, as if a storm was brewing. He then made another call, "Delay the next flight to the Netherlands by half an hour."

"Sir," the driver interjected nervously, "I believe Miss Ella's flight might have already taken off."

Noah glanced at the time on his phone; it had been more than ten minutes since the flight's scheduled departure. Ella seemed to have timed her security check to perfection.

He then called the two bodyguards he had arranged, only to find their phones off as well. It seemed she had indeed gone.

After a long moment, he let out a low chuckle, "Ella, you've got quite the nerve."

The sinister tone sent a shiver down the chauffeur's spine.

"Proceed to the office."

The chauffeur: "Yes."

"Once you're back, I'll deal with you properly." He murmured lowly, as if only meant for himself to hear.

He pressed his fingers against his throbbing temples, his hand clutching the phone trembling slightly.

Seven days. That was all the liberty he had given her. He'd let her gallivant abroad with Paul for a week.

Jon had been waiting at home for Noah to discover something, and he had even prepared himself for the possibility that Noah might question him. However, Jon waited for a whole morning, and Noah didn't show up.

Noah was too smart not to notice something. The chauffeur had also already given Jon the lowdown on the day's events. From the driver's shaky voice, Jon could imagine the rage that must have seized his son.

Noah had even considered pulling strings to delay an international flight. What was he even thinking?

In the following days, Noah behaved as if nothing had happened.

He made his daily pilgrimage back to the family home, wined and dined, even stayed the night, but never once mentioned to his father that Ella had snuck off with Paul. Noah didn't bring it up, and Jon didn't mention it either.

This little escapade of Ella's was likely to dilute more than just her own feelings. Jon had a hunch that it was his seemingly indifferent son who was in dire need of time.

"Why are you always home these days? You shouldn't leave all the engagement party planning to Rebecca. Women are sensitive creatures, especially insecure at times like this. You should be spending more time with her."

Noah's eyelids lifted, his gaze piercing as he stared down his father before retracting his eyes just as discontent appeared on his father's face. "Once the theme's settled, there's little to fuss over. I'll be there for her when it matters. Our affairs are in order."

Jon's face darkened with displeasure. "Noah, nobody forced you into marriage. Now, whatever's on your mind, you must ensure there are no hiccups at this engagement party."

"What's there to worry about? Why would you think something might go wrong with the engagement party?" Leaning back on the couch, Noah's gaze once again settled on his father, his eyes calm yet penetrating.

Jon squinted back, "Before asking me, you ought to ask yourself that question."

Noah rose from his seat, "The engagement party will go off without a hitch, and it will be a splendid affair. Ella wants to have fun, right? After her little jaunt, she can continue to enjoy herself at the party. To ensure her enjoyment, perhaps we should upscale the event even further."

Jon sipped his tea nonchalantly, unfazed. "The engagement party is for your future wife, not for Ella's amusement."

"Isn't pleasing both a better outcome?"

With a loud "crash," a fine cup shattered at Noah's feet. "What do you mean by 'pleasing both'? What nonsense are you spouting? What does Ella have to do with your engagement party? You think she'd be keen to attend?"

The last sentence made Noah suddenly clench his fists. "So what?"

Jon's breathing hitched as he realized he'd been baited into this conversation.

Such a convoluted ruse...

He closed his eyes tightly, weariness washing over him, and then he shut his eyes. "Get out. I'm tired and not in the mood to discuss this now."