The Enticing CEO's Chosen Bride novel Chapter 2133

Putting down his phone, Noah turned back to Ella. "Time for lunch."

Ella nodded, ran her fingers through her hair, and asked again. "What brings you home at this hour? Work let up?"

"Yeah." Noah's gaze fell to the slippers kicked off beneath the sofa. He bent down to place them neatly at her feet. "Got a break for now."

Ella slipped on her slippers with a natural grace and stood up. Her lips moved, but in the end all that came out was "I see."

Noah stood up, taking her hand and leading her toward the dining room. Ella looked down at their intertwined hands, her eyelashes fluttering slightly, and then with a small smile, she asked, "How long is this break? Can you come home tomorrow and have lunch with me again?"

Noah's grip on her hand tightened just a bit as he pulled out a chair for her in the dining room.d2

"I can. Actually, you could come to the office and join me."

Ella paused, lifting her eyes to meet his across the table. There was inquiry and doubt in her gaze.

Did he really trust her out in the open? Considering how just days before, he had confined her to the house, not even allowing her out of the room, her heart was still racing.

Moreover, was it safe for her now? Any public appearance might reignite the scandal that had just started to fade. She knew the issue wasn't entirely resolved, but what they needed most now was time, for everyone to catch their breath, and for the company to regain its strength.

Staying out of sight was definitely the right thing to do. Eventually, she'd have to take this step, but for now, she yearned for this dreamlike time to last just a bit longer.

Seeing her expression, Noah looked down and after a short silence said, "Tomorrow night, I'll take you out."

Ella's heart contracted sharply, her hand pausing as she reached for her fork. "Do we really have to go out?"

Noah looked at her earnestly. "You can't stay cooped up at home forever."

Ella stared at him, her pupils trembling, before finally lowering her gaze and taking a bite of her food. "Okay."

*

As evening fell, The Watson Hotel glowed.

Ella, in a black V-neck knee-length dress, sat in the slowly halting car, gazing through the window at the resplendent hotel, her eyes a touch distant.

Noah hadn't told her where they were going, but she had seen from the group chat that Chloe was hosting a celebration that night. When her uncle had delivered the dress to her, she had nearly got it.

The night's party, filled with everyone who was anyone, also invited a slew of journalists. Was Noah ready for the consequences of taking her there tonight?

Noah got out of the car first, and the waiting reporters eagerly raised their cameras. Ella, her hands white-knuckled on her lap, watched the eager crowd.

Noah calmly opened her door, extending his hand to her. Ella's hands were cold. The moment she stepped out of the car, there would be no turning back.

Noah was set on going public with her, transforming her from niece to girlfriend. He wanted her to live a normal life. He wanted to give her status and confidence. She understood, but she didn't want him to lose too much because of her.

Without a response from Ella for a long time, Noah bent down, taking her hand, and pulled her from the car. In front of the rush of reporters, he wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her close. It was a man's claim over his woman.

Ella instinctively ducked her head, hesitant and afraid to face the cameras.

Noah just drew her closer, "Don't be scared, just stay by my side, and nobody will dare touch you."

Escorted by security, they entered the hotel unimpeded.

The ballroom was a collage of celebrities, clinking glasses, and lively banter, seemingly harmonious on the surface. As Noah and Ella entered, the bustling room fell briefly silent.

Throughout, Ella had mentally prepared herself time and again, but faced with this scene, she couldn't help feeling a chill.

It was just not right. The sliver of hope that had lingered in her heart was now all but gone.

Soon, the ballroom's atmosphere returned to its previous state.

Ollie was the first to approach, happily linking arms with Ella. "I've been waiting for you for ages, and I was worried you wouldn't come."

Ella smiled weakly. Ollie’s concern was justified. Had it not been necessary, Ella would never have come.

Chloe, busy elsewhere, eventually came over with a plate of hors d'oeuvres for Ella. "Have something to tide you over."

Ella accepted it, still standing.

Chloe glanced up at Noah, "The whole team is waiting for you over there. You won't have a dull moment tonight. I'll take care of Ella for you."

Noah frowned slightly, "No rush, I'll wait for her to finish and then take her with me."

"Uncle Noah," Ella interjected, "I'll be fine, go on."

Ollie clung to her arm, nearly leaning her whole body against Ella's, "We have our own girl talk, and you’re kind of cramping our style, don’t you think?"

Noah trusted these women, especially Chloe. "Just make sure she's okay."

Ollie pouted, muttering under her breath, "Should’ve done that earlier."

Noah pretended not to hear. He left, and Chloe led Ella to a nearby seat.

Ollie could hardly contain her excitement, "I was scared your uncle might bring Rebecca tonight. Good thing he’s done the right thing."

Ella slowly ate her hors d'oeuvres, and at the mention of Rebecca, her mouth twitched slightly. "Ollie, was it really okay for my uncle to bring me tonight?"

Ollie paused, "Is it okay for him to bring Rebecca instead?"

Ella played with the hors d'oeuvres on her plate, "As long as it wasn't me. Our relationship has already hurt many. In the eyes of others, we..."

Ollie pursed her lips and then huffed, "I don't care, I'm biased. Whatever you do is right. Anyone who says otherwise, I’ll take them on."

A warmth filled Ella's heart, staving off the tears. She ate another hors d'oeuvre, pushing down the bitterness rising in her throat. Such a good friend, Ella feared, was more than she deserved.

Chloe sat opposite, watching Ella with a calm expression."You really shouldn't be so hard on yourself. Any harm that's come to others, you can lay squarely at your uncle's door."

Ella stared at Chloe with surprise.

Chloe offered a faint smile, "I've always been the type to tackle problems on my own, but I've learned to let go a bit over the years. Once you decide you love someone, you've got to trust that they're trustworthy, and they're worthy of your dependence. No man wants to see his lady compromise in any way, even if it's just his pride getting in the way."

Ella stared at her, dumbfounded. Chloe didn't say anything more. She understood the logic, but when it came down to her own life, it was a different story altogether. If the roles were reversed, she couldn't just stand by and watch Damon trapped without doing something about it. She couldn't bear to see Damon suffer, not even the slightest bit.