The Enticing CEO’s Chosen Bride novel Chapter 1851

In the office sat a woman in a simple tee and jeans, gripping her jacket tightly around her shoulders. Yulia glanced at the jacket for a moment, then turned to an assistant nearby. "How do we handle this?"

"We've taken care of everything. The other party will settle it privately."

Yulia nodded. "How much?"

"Five grand."

"Alright. Can I take him with me now?"

"Once the paperwork's done, he's all yours."d2

With another nod, Yulia walked out of the office.

The staff exchanged surprised looks. "She didn't even ask what happened?"

"Who knows?"

Nathan stumbled out, clad only in a crumpled black shirt from a night of heavy drinking, his head pounding. He staggered slightly, his face the picture of exhaustion. Spotting Yulia leaning against the car door, he approached her. The smell of alcohol hung on him, mixed with the scents of smoke and cologne.

Yulia stood up and opened the car door, her expression cool. "Get in. You can shower and change at home, maybe catch some more sleep?"

Nathan, leaning on the door, looked at Yulia with bloodshot eyes. "How considerate."

Yulia pursed her lips, walking past him. "Get in."

Nathan's grip on the car door turned his knuckles white.

"Nathan!" A woman's urgent voice came from behind them. Yulia, about to get in on the other side, looked back.

She faced the police station entrance, where a slender figure hurried toward them. Yulia had a good memory, especially for someone she'd just seen. It was the woman from the office.

Yulia watched her approach, noting the coat she offered. Her gaze fell to her own hand resting on the car door, paused, then she pulled it open forcefully.

"Nathan, thank you for last night. This is your jacket."

Nathan glanced at the clothes in front of him, his suit jacket. He furrowed his brow. He looked up, his expression a mix of confusion and recognition.

The woman seemed startled, quickly saying, "I... should I wash it before giving it back? It's a bit soiled."

Yulia, having opened the car door, sat down in the driver's seat.

Nathan turned, his eyes cold. "Clean it and give it back to me."

"But how do I return it to you?" she asked.

Nathan sat down in the passenger seat and through the still-open door, replied, "Meet me at the bar tonight. I'll get it then."

The woman nodded meekly. "Okay."

Yulia started the car, and Nathan shut the door.

They drove off. The car ride was silent, the atmosphere heavy with Nathan's growing anger. "Nothing to say?" he finally snapped.

It was just the two of them, and Yulia couldn't pretend not to hear. She looked straight ahead, pausing before slowly saying, "What did you promise Anya last night? She was upset with me for a long time last night, but wouldn't tell me where you were taking her. She said it was a secret between you two."

Nathan's mood was dark. He said nothing, and neither did Yulia until they reached their building and exited the car in silence, Nathan striding ahead into the apartment.

Yulia followed at her own pace, eventually taking a separate elevator after Nathan.

Nathan entered the apartment first. Soon, Anya came running with a Barbie doll in hand, looking up excitedly at Nathan. Her joy turned to hurt, and she pouted, turning her back on him.

Carly followed, greeting him, but Nathan didn't respond or acknowledge Anya, heading straight upstairs.

Anya waited for an apology that never came, and tears welled up in her eyes.

Carly bent down to comfort her, but Anya only cried harder. "Nathan's mean..."

"Don't cry, Anya, my little angel."

Carly was frantic, knowing Anya was usually so well-behaved and would only cry like this if truly upset.

Anya crossed her arms and huffed, puffing out her cheeks. With an indignant snort, she turned and stomped away.

"Wait a second."

Nathan's voice stopped her in her tracks, and she looked back. "Yeah?"

He cleared his throat. "Did your mom say anything else last night?"

Anya thought for a moment and then shook her head, "Nope, that's it."

Nathan's face darkened, and he pulled the duvet over his head in resignation.

--

He thought that was the end of it, but the rumor mill had other ideas. Before long, the story had blown up online.

Nathan used to be a regular on the entertainment news circuit, and with the Harper family's current buzz, the story's heat skyrocketed in no time. Soon enough, everyone knew about Nathan's bar fight over a woman, and even the details of Yulia bailing him out were public knowledge.

Ronald's call came shortly after the news broke.

Yulia was in the kitchen, observing Carly whip up lunch, when Anya, who had been watching cartoons in the living room, answered the phone. Chattering happily with Ronald, she brought the phone over to Yulia.

"Yulipop, Mister Ronald's on the line."

With a sigh, Yulia took the phone. "Hello?"

"Seen the news?"

"What news?"

"Nathan's bar brawl over some gal is the talk of the town, and so is you springing him from jail. It won't be long before your relationship is out in the open too. You really planning to just let it drag on?"

Yulia furrowed her brow.

Ronald pressed on, "Yulia, this is a domino effect. Everyone's watching, waiting to find out why you two got hitched so suddenly. They won't even spare Anya. She's innocent. Are you sure you want to expose her to this circus?"