The Enticing CEO's Chosen Bride novel Chapter 2128

How could Ella just abandon Paul and walk away? She dug her heels in, trying to stand her ground, even leaning back against Noah's hold, but he didn't flinch or change expression as he continued to pull her along.

"Let go of me!" Ella snapped in a low growl, frustration boiling over.

Noah didn't reply, just kept that stoic face as he relentlessly led her upstairs.

Ella grabbed the banister, forcing Noah to a halt. She was breathless from the struggle but still demanded, "Why are you doing this?"

Noah’s gaze was heavy, "Ella, make no mistake, he provoked me first."

"I'm well aware!" Ella retorted immediately, "Tonight, I'm his date, and your actions are clearly disrespecting him."d2

"Why should I give him any respect?" Noah shot back.

"Have you thought about the consequences of your actions tonight?!" Ella's knuckles whitened as she gripped the banister, her voice trembling slightly.

"Do you see the looks we're getting from downstairs? Do you have any idea what they're all thinking? Aren't you afraid of the rumors that could spread?"

At her words, Noah glanced down the stairs with a slight turn of his head. The grand ballroom was aglow, filled with the clinking of glasses and the murmur of well-dressed guests exchanging pleasantries. All eyes were on them now, a mix of shock, curiosity, and inquiry.

He squinted slightly, then let out a low chuckle. Turning to face her, the smile on his face sent a shiver down Ella's spine. She felt the pressure of his arm around her waist increase as he stepped closer. Their proximity was such that no words could explain it away.

"What are you doing?" she stammered.

"I was just thinking," Noah’s voice was low as he stared at her panicked face, "maybe we should give them the drama they're so curious and eager to see?"

Ella was stupefied, disbelieving what she was hearing, "Have you lost your mind?"

Downstairs, whispers were growing louder, the questioning of their relationship clear. She glanced instinctively towards Paul. If Noah really did something drastic, where would that leave Paul's dignity?

Her action only incensed Noah further. Even now, her first thought was concern for Paul.

Suddenly, Noah's hand grasped her chin, forcibly turning her face back to him. A collective gasp rose from the crowd below. Ella's heart tightened, and in a surge of defiance, she pushed Noah away and turned, lifting her dress as she ran up the stairs.

At this moment, she didn't know what was best to do; she only knew that getting away from Noah was paramount.

She didn't understand his sudden desire for such drastic action. If it had been four years ago, she might not have hesitated, even welcomed it, but things were different now.

He was engaged, and she had a boyfriend. More importantly, she no longer harbored feelings for him. She refused to deny the progress she'd made in those four years of absence.

"Ollie!"

Unable to calm the storm of emotions downstairs or worry about Noah's reaction, she hastened upstairs.

Missing the expected climax of the evening, Ollie looked a bit disappointed but still gave Ella a big hug as she arrived. "I've missed you so much these years. You're amazing, you know, leaving and coming back without a peep."

Ella quickly apologized, "I'm so sorry."

Ollie snorted, "Sorry won't cut it. You have no idea how much we've been through with your Uncle Noah trying to find you."

"What?"

With a playful flick on Ella's head, Ollie remarked, "All because of you."

Ella was surprised.

"Grandpa Jon already warned us ahead of time. However, that Noah can be so petty."

At that moment, Noah approached with a cold expression, "Talking behind my back and not even having the decency to avoid me?"

Ollie, linking arms with Ella, retorted, "If you knew I was talking about you, why didn't you just walk away?"

Ella admired Ollie for her unchanged directness over the years.

Noah shot her a frosty glance, which Ollie ignored, leading Ella to a lounge area reserved for VIPs.

"Come on, tell us all about your life these past few years."

Cicely straightened up, glancing at the still buzzing ballroom below, and a subtle smile played on her lips as her eyes flitted from Noah to Ella. "Your date looks rather forlorn."

Ella hesitated, her eyes scanning the room before she ventured, "Can I invite him up here?"

"Of course!"

"Absolutely."

"Sure thing."

"No."

Among the chorus of approvals, a single, distinct voice stood out. Ella didn't even need to think twice to know who it was. She ignored the voice and stood up, stepping out of the VIP area.

Noah's face darkened to an extreme, his eyes ablaze with fury.

The others watched with interest as the man who could hardly contain himself for half a minute abruptly stood up.

*

Ella, dress in hand, headed straight downstairs. "Paul!"

As she approached the staircase, she softly called out to Paul.

Everyone thought this was probably the end of the night's drama, but to their surprise, the protagonist, who had just rushed up the stairs, suddenly ran down again.

Paul, surrounded by guests, turned at the sound of her voice. "Why are you back down so soon?"

Ella smiled as she approached, "Come upstairs with me. They're all waiting for me to introduce you."

However, Paul's expression suddenly darkened. Ella, confused, reached out to him, stepping forward. At that moment, her other wrist was forcibly seized.

She turned in surprise to face an irate Noah. Her heart skipped a beat.

"Ella..." Paul called out softly, but she was already being forcefully whisked away by Noah, his grip tighter than before, his whole demeanor radiating menace.

The ballroom erupted into chaos. With the same scene repeating itself, doubts were inevitable.

Noah's search for his suddenly missing niece from years ago was an open secret. Rumors about the uncle and his niece had been floating around for years. Though Noah's sudden engagement had shut some mouths, his niece's departure reignited suspicions.

As time passed, the whispers in P City about the two dwindled naturally. Tonight, it was clear that the issue was far from over and was, in fact, fermenting anew.

It seemed that P City, just recently quieted, was about to be abuzz with fresh gossip.

*

Ella was whisked out of the banquet hall and into the elevator, still in a state of shock and anger. She struggled fiercely, but to no avail against Noah's grasp.

Remembering the humiliating scene that had just unfolded before the crowd, she felt a wave of helplessness wash over her, and her eyes reddened involuntarily.

"What do you want?!" she growled, her scalp tingling uncontrollably, dreading the answer she suspected but dared not fully contemplate.

All she felt was a suffocating lump in her chest. "Why can't you just leave Paul alone?"

The thought of Paul being the subject of gossip tonight due to her, sent a sharp pain through her heart. The embarrassment he faced was all her doing.

Ella didn't notice the sudden bulging veins on Noah's forehead. Tears welled up in her eyes when she mentioned Paul. "What did he ever do to you, to deserve such humiliation?"

With a loud thud, Ella was suddenly pinned against the elevator wall. A gasp of pain escaped her as Noah's imposing frame loomed closer, his furious expression magnifying in her dazed vision, pressing down upon her lips.

Ella's breath hitched, her eyes widening as the blurry vision of Noah's face contorted with wrath became all too clear in his fierce kiss.

Her resistance was futile as Noah's arms, strong and unyielding, held her tight, nullifying any chance of escape.

His kiss was a venting of fury, and despite his anger, he was reminded of the kiss she had impulsively given him at the airport four years ago. That memory had jolted him awake on countless nights since.