The Enticing CEO’s Chosen Bride novel Chapter 1960

Seth’s already somber expression darkened further. Two seconds later, Patty's lips curled into a slow, sardonic smile. "Just be yourself, Seth. You know, go with the flow. I was just giving you a friendly reminder, that's all. Surely, you wouldn’t neglect Danielle even if I didn’t say a word, right? With the Ellis family’s reputation, there’s hardly any need for you to play the knight in shining armor. Besides, your focus is on your studies and running the family business, which I am well aware of. Don’t feel pressured, I’m not forcing you into anything.”

Patty’s mood shifted abruptly, a trademark of her unpredictable temperament. Seth seemed used to it by now. He pushed back his chair, circled the dinner table, and headed upstairs.

The smile on Patty’s face faded as she straightened her lips into a line.

The nearby maid hesitated before speaking, “Ma’am, you know how much Mr. Seth cares about you. Perhaps it's best not to talk about such ominous things.”

Patty’s eyes softened, and her lips relaxed into a faint smile, “It seems that’s the only leverage I have over him.”

After her last remark, she turned and left. She was relieved; he still cared about her, deeply so, perhaps even to the point of it being untouchable for him. Otherwise, who else could possibly manage him?d2

Did he seem like a man to be easily swayed?

The maid shook her head silently behind her.

…

The next day, Seth dutifully drove Patty to the airport early in the morning.

Danielle was there too. She had received a call from Patty the night before, informing her of the morning departure. She had arrived at the Diaz estate bright and early.

At the airport, Patty held Danielle’s hand, chatting and doling out advice and jokes in equal measure.

Seth remained silent throughout.

It was almost time to board when Patty began to queue for customs. As they waved goodbye, Patty clutched her shawl and looked at Seth with a beaming smile, “Take good care of Danielle for me.” She seemed as if the tense standoff at the dinner table the night before had never happened.

Seth glanced at her emotionlessly and acknowledged with a non-committal grunt. Patty seemed satisfied with that and said no more.

The red light stopped them. He turned to her, his eyes narrow and dark, seemingly amused but icy all the same. “Right, you haven’t done anything. But you should know, you’re the last person I want to deal with.”

With that, Danielle’s last bit of color drained from her face. She clutched her purse tightly, looking down, her lips trembling uncontrollably. “Why?” She looked up to see Seth, but all she saw was his indifferent profile as he gripped the steering wheel and the car surged forward, as if he hadn't heard her at all.

Danielle’s head buzzed with indignation and frustration. It took her a moment to speak again, “Since I came back to the Ellis family, what have I done to make you hate me so much? Compared to Cicely, I don’t compete for attention, I don’t cling to you or shamelessly impose on you. We hardly ever see each other, and yet, in your eyes, I’m somehow less likable than Cicely? Why? Or do you actually prefer her type?”

Seth’s impatience was palpable, his disdain so obvious it seemed intentional. “Can you please stop bringing her up?”

“Then why, for what reason do you hate me?!” Danielle, always the meek and proper heiress of the Ellis family, seemed to lose her composure. After her outcry, the car fell into a deathly silence. The contrast was stark.

Realizing her outburst, but knowing it couldn’t be undone, she bit her lip and waited for an answer.

The car continued to the grand Ellis estate.