The Enticing CEO’s Chosen Bride novel Chapter 1950

The lock screen flashed away, revealing Seth's chat window, and she stared at it intently, her hopeful yet anxious gaze gradually fading into disappointment.

On the screen, her last message hung unanswered from the night before. No reply from Seth.

Disappointment tugged at her heart, but a strand of relief was woven through it as well. It was, after all, better than a blunt 'no'.

Taking a deep breath, she sat up and made her way to the bathroom.

After freshening up, she descended the stairs to find Danielle and Creighton already at the breakfast table, deep in conversation. Danielle's expression chilled a degree when she saw her, eyes dropping to her plate of eggs and bacon.

Cicely didn't really care to pry into what Danielle was discussing with her father. Danielle's cold shoulder was one thing. What she couldn't ignore was the way Creighton's gaze lingered on her.d2

Raising an eyebrow, Cicely took a seat and reached for a freshly-baked scone, then turned to Creighton with a casual air, "What are you two chatting about?"

Creighton sighed inwardly, then offered a smile. "Danielle's going to be joining you in junior year next semester."

Cicely had just taken a bite of her scone when she paused, her cool gaze shifting toward Danielle, "Thinking of skipping a grade?"

Ignoring her, Danielle continued to eat.

Weighing the situation, Creighton interjected, "If she's confident she can keep up with the classes, skipping a grade is certainly an option."

Cicely tossed her scone back onto her plate with a clatter, leaned back, and fixed Danielle with a mockingly sweet smile. "I haven't heard of you excelling in your class. What's your plan? Were you discussing hiring a tutor?"

Her last words were directed sharply at Creighton.

Creighton turned to Danielle, "Regardless of her grades, if she's considering skipping a grade, we might need to hire a tutor..."

"No need," Danielle cut him off abruptly, "I've already found someone to tutor me."

Cicely's smile remained unchanged, though her hand under the table had balled into a fist. She simply laughed, offering no response.

Danielle put down her utensils and stood up, addressing Creighton with a detached tone, "I'm done with breakfast. I'm heading to school."

Creighton grunted in acknowledgment, his eyes on Cicely.

Cicely picked up her utensils again and continued eating as if nothing had happened, leaving Creighton unable to discern her thoughts.

Who would be tutoring Cicely?

After all, the incident had only happened yesterday. Other than Seth, he couldn't think of anyone else.

However, as he saw her off to her car, Creighton noticed no change in her demeanor.

...

Cicely's car pulled up at the east gate of Summit Ridge University. The south gate led directly to the high school section, while the east gate led to the university.

Seth always arrived at school twenty minutes early. Cicely's car had hardly stopped for a minute when Seth's figure appeared not far from the entrance.

She stepped out of the car amidst the morning rush, wearing a loose white tee emblazoned with a vintage band logo, contrasting palazzo pants, and pristine white sneakers. It was a simple ensemble, but it carried the vibrant youth of a student, with a touch of feminine grace. Yet, her bearing was unmistakably proud and aloof, a clear 'keep out' signal that only made her more intriguing to onlookers.

As she emerged from the car, nearly all eyes were drawn to her. Despite the numerous young coeds who had painstakingly prepared themselves for university life, their efforts paled beside Cicely's effortless charm.

Cicely walked directly toward Seth and stopped in front of him. Looking up at him, she met his gaze, then spoke first, cutting through the morning air.

"I've fallen behind on this semester's classes. Tutor me over the break?" Her request was straightforward, her smile genuine.

Seth studied her for a few seconds, his lean lips finally parting to say, "I'm busy."

The smile in her eyes grew, "Isn't college all about dating? What could you possibly be busy with? If it's studying, then we can study together. I won't be pestering you with questions all the time."

Seth's eyes narrowed slightly as he looked at her. "Why come to me today, all of a sudden?"

Cicely's smile widened as she tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear, the action revealing more of her slender, pale arms. "Seth, I don't play games, especially not with someone I like. Do you really think I'd try some clumsy scheme on you? Don't underestimate me. I'm not into playing games, and I don't have the patience for it. Honestly, Seth, do you think I need to scheme to get what I want?"

Seth narrowed his eyes slightly. Yes, what did she want that the Ellis family couldn't satisfy?

"Seth, remember, I will never deceive you."

Seth stared at her quietly, his lips parting slightly. "Never?"

Cicely nodded. "Never."

A smirk flickered across Seth's face, almost imperceptible yet unmistakably sardonic.

Cicely continued, unfazed by his expression, "Of course, if I wanted to deceive you, I wouldn't make it obvious."

His smirk became more pronounced, "So you know I'm tutoring Danielle over the break, and you're here trying to get me to switch to tutoring you instead?"

Although she had suspected as much, hearing it from Seth's own lips chilled her expression. "What's your play then?"

"What do you think? Jumping in halfway through the game isn't exactly playing fair now, is it?"

Cicely's face finally betrayed her impatience. "Look, if Danielle wanted to skip a grade, my dad could easily get her a tutor. I warned her to steer clear of you, but she just doubles down instead. Now you’re painting me as the villain for 'interfering'? You're supposed to be my guy, and keeping your distance from other women is the bare minimum, isn't it? Now, making me the villain is Danielle's fault and your fault, but it shouldn't be my fault. If any one of you had a little self-awareness, I wouldn't be standing here now."

Everything was always someone else’s fault, never hers. She had a way of twisting things to make herself the innocent victim.