The Enticing CEO's Chosen Bride novel Chapter 2132

Noah couldn't quite articulate the tumult swirling within him. He had shattered every taboo, tearing the veil of a long-held uncle-niece relationship, and he was certain—he had always wanted her.

Five years ago or perhaps even earlier, his feelings for her had been a restrained shadow, a dim and somber secret. He should have acted sooner, without all the reservations. Hadn't he just made things worse now?

For the first time, he detested the decision he had once deemed rational. It was, perhaps, his most regrettable act in this lifetime.

"It's my fault." He pulled her close, his voice a low, rich timbre in her ear, his tone a perfect match for the guilt and self-reproach that shaped his words.

Ella shook her head slightly within the circle of his arms, her eyes closed. After a few seconds of silence, she spoke. "Is the company taking a big hit? Are the Mintons causing you trouble?"

"I'll handle it. I'll sort out everything. You just stay by my side, that's all you need to do."d2

"Okay."

He planted a kiss on her forehead, and Ella's eyelashes trembled. Her heart fluttered. She even anticipated a perfect resolution, but as days passed, other than Noah being busier, the media hadn't shifted its focus.

She knew it from the start—no one would see their being together as right.

She had only sent Paul a message, a brief [I'm sorry], ignoring his subsequent calls. She hadn't stepped outside, occasionally browsing the internet to follow the buzz about Visionary Productions, the Tretton family, the Reeves family, and the Mintons.

As days drifted by, the buzz waned, and life seemed eerily normal—as if nothing had happened.

Her compliance probably soothed Noah's initial agitation. It seemed that her presence alone was enough to settle everything.

Despite breaking the bonds of their familial roles, they hadn't crossed the final threshold. They didn’t even share a bed. They were together, yet not quite.

Aside from her watching him leave for the office and returning for dinner, they scarcely spent time together.

The entertainment world was abuzz with Chloe's latest protégé—a leading man recently catapulted to stardom—caught in a scandal. Photos and videos of him vacationing abroad with his wife and child were crystal clear, despite the child's eyes being pixelated. The couple's sweet interactions were undeniable. For male stars, nothing was more taboo than the revelation of a hidden family. With his popularity at its peak, this disclosure threatened to shake his already unstable fanbase.

The scandal had everyone's attention for two days, overshadowing the firestorm around Visionary Productions. Even Ella, stuck at home, couldn't help but get caught up in the drama.

Two days later, the actor held a press conference outside the Starlight International building, admitting to his marriage and child.

The man was in a loving marriage, his reputation untarnished by rumors, his career built on talent and hard work, so the press conference was met with respect for his forthright gratitude for the chance to reveal his marital status.

During the occurrence of this incident, Chloe handed over the broadcast rights contract of the TV series starring this actor to Visionary Productions. She then nudged Noah to secure the exclusive rights to a new series wrapped up by Seth.

After some research, Noah, recognizing the quality of the script, negotiated with Seth.

Given Visionary Productions' clout, the choice was a no-brainer. Even amidst turbulence, a collapse was unlikely. And should the worst happen, as a personal favor, Seth was bound to comply.

Securing exclusive rights to two series, along with online streaming rights, Visionary Productions wouldn't falter.

Noah was puzzled by Chloe's advice to buy the rights from Seth but didn't dwell on it.

That morning, visiting Seth's office for contract talks, Seth seemed in good spirits.

Sitting down on the chair in Seth's office, Noah watched the man leaning back in the leather swivel chair with a smirk on his face. Noah rubbed his forehead and spoke in a detached tone. "What's the good news? Is Cicely expecting another kid? Is that why you are in such high spirits?"

Hearing this, Seth raised an eyebrow, ignoring the icy expression on Noah's face used as a guard, and lightly chuckled, "Are you really in the mood to care about why I'm happy now?"

Noah glanced at him coldly. Not wanting to give him a chance to mock him, he didn't say much and directly took out the contract.

Since the two had communicated over the phone, Seth picked up the contract and flipped through it, then smiled and put it down. The straight back that was just now once again leaned back against the chair. It seemed that he had no plans to sign it.

Noah’s expression soured. "Hurry up and sign it. I have other things to do."

At that, Seth's long fingers absentmindedly played with the ring on his left hand. "Quite the charmer you've got there. Been nurturing her for years and now you make your move?"

Noah's expression chilled, "Feeling entertained by my missteps now that you've had a few comfortable years?"

"It's not that," Seth replied, a light chuckle escaping him. "It's more like finding comfort in knowing that someone as shrewd as you can make the same dumb mistakes as I did. Friends in folly, it's oddly reassuring."

Noah was trying to mask his annoyance with a veil of cool detachment. "Don't tell me your good mood is solely because of this."

Seth shook his head, the hint of a smirk playing on his lips. "What's really got me tickled pink is the thought of you shaving off at least two percentage points on that contract for me."

Noah's brow twitched, his icy gaze slowly zeroing in on Seth's face. "You're counting your chickens before they hatch."

Seth remained the picture of ease, his smile unaltered. "It's just a slight dip in profits, but it solidifies the network's standing in the industry. Or maybe you think everything's peachy just because your little lady's been playing nice and following the rules?"

A brief flicker of stiffness crossed Noah's features.

Seth's eyes danced with amusement as he continued, "Does that little lady truly have no care in the world?"

Noah's lips tightened into a razor-thin line, his frown growing deeper. She wasn't like that. She had her worries – a whole heaping pile of them.

If the issues with Visionary Productions didn't start looking up soon, Ella wouldn't be able to just brush it off without a second thought. Maybe Seth was right. Maybe she was too obedient and compliant, and he'd taken her stance for granted.

Sensing Noah's agitation, Seth's lips curled into a knowing smirk, his tone leisurely as ever. "If it's not that, then perhaps it's just about letting me pocket a couple more percentage points. Unless, of course, she means less to you than those points?"

Noah's eyes flickered coldly. "If I've never told you to your face that you are shameless before, let me make it crystal clear now, Seth—you truly are despicable."

Seth just chuckled softly, unoffended by the barb.

Noah continued, "You're so desperate for a few extra bucks, and given our history, I should probably be more charitable towards you."

Noah paused, his gaze sweeping over the now null and void contract on the table. With both hands braced on the armrest, Noah started to rise, but Seth, with a straightened back, pressed a button on the phone on his desk.

The call was swiftly answered, and Seth commanded, "Bring in the documents."

"Right away."

Within a minute, there was a knock on the office door. Seth's secretary entered with a stern face, placing the documents on the table.

Noah glanced over them. It was an exclusive broadcasting rights authorization, almost identical to the one he'd brought, except it granted an additional two percent profit share.

Noah gritted his teeth. Seth was the real deal—a wolf in sheep's clothing, cunning and shameless.

Seth gestured for Noah to sign with a smile, and despite himself, Noah signed the contract with a frosty expression.

Noah rose abruptly, gathered his copy, and left without another word. “Don't get cocky. You'll cough up what's owed, sooner or later."

Seth set the document aside, still smiling faintly. "Time will tell."

Noah filed the contract at the office, putting a temporary end to the matter. The unease stirred up by Seth's remarks pushed Noah to head home for lunch.

Ella had finished her catching up with the lastest gossip and dozed off on the couch with her phone clutched in her hands. The housekeeper had thoughtfully covered her with a blanket.

When Noah arrived, he noticed the staff tiptoeing around and turned his attention to the couch. Their familiarity with the scene was apparent.

Noah’s expression darkened slightly. "Has she eaten?"

The butler whispered, "Not yet."

"She doesn't keep regular meal times?"

"Well, it's not exactly that. Miss Ella's sleep schedule has been all over the place recently. She mostly stays in, eats, plays on her phone, and sleeps."

A throb began at Noah's temple.

She had only recently returned from abroad, and she hadn't had the chance to explore the changes in her home country in the five years she had been away.

He closed his eyes momentarily, suppressing the complex emotions, before stepping into the living room.

Ella lay with her head propped against the armrest, her hair loosely tied back, her face devoid of makeup—a stark contrast to the women outside who wouldn't dare step out without at least a swipe of lipstick.

Ella had always loved to look her best, to strut confidently in front of everyone. Now, she was confined to napping on the couch, listlessly passing the time.

He leaned over, gently brushing the hair from her face.

This wasn't her. This wasn't how things should be.

His phone buzzed in his pocket, and Noah tensed, his gaze shifting to the girl still sound asleep on the couch. Her eyelids fluttered, and finally, she slowly opened her eyes.

"Uncle Noah?" she murmured sleepily, glancing at the bright day outside before sitting up. "Why are you home so early?"

Noticing she was fully awake, he hummed in response, pulling out his phone while sitting down next to her. He looked stern as he checked his messages, as if bracing for a confrontation.

The message was from Chloe, announcing the completion of the TV show's post-production and the sale of its rights. She'd arranged a celebration and invited the press, asking him to attend.

Noah's frown softened slightly. Beyond the courtesy due to Chloe, her invitation held more goodwill than Seth's sly moves.

Visionary Productions was embroiled in controversy, and while others might avoid him like the plague, Chloe's public reception announced a partnership with Visionary Productions despite the potential backlash and boycotts. She was too smart not to foresee that, but she had gone ahead with it anyway.

Knowing this, Noah couldn't bring himself to involve Chloe in his troubles. He was about to decline when a sleepy yawn from Ella stopped him mid-action. He looked over at the still-groggy girl. Ella, feeling his gaze, turned and asked, "What's wrong?"

Noah stroked her hair gently, his fingers lingering before he sent a single word in reply: [Sure.]

Chloe smiled at the response and dialed a number. "Hold the news for another couple of days."