The Enticing CEO’s Chosen Bride

Chapter 2114

Cole was left speechless. "What did you say?"

Azriel's gaze slid from Phoebe, who was now hidden under the covers, to Cole. Azriel's tone was indifferent, yet it seemed to chill to the bone. "Can't understand what I said, or are you deaf?"

"You..." Cole pointed at him, struggling for words that wouldn't come.

This guy looked polished on the surface, but his actions and words were always unexpected. From the moment he strode in, bristling with fury, it was clear he wasn't someone to trifle with.

Everyone else seemed to give him a wide berth, his presence alone demanded it. He didn't seem like just anybody. Now, his actions to be so bold in his presence made Cole reconsider whether this was a man he wanted to cross.

After all, Phoebe seemed to be on good terms with him, and while he didn’t seem easy to get along with, an ally was far better than an enemy. With the Alonso family teetering on the edge, the last thing they needed was another storm brewing, giving that Chloe an opportunity to exploit.d2

Glancing once more at the still figure on the bed, Cole just snorted and walked out the door.

With the door closed, the room fell silent. Minutes passed before Phoebe couldn’t take it anymore and threw off the covers. Azriel was still there, standing like a sentinel.

Phoebe’s eyes were red-rimmed, but she managed a smile at Azriel. "Thanks for sticking up for me."

"I got you involved," Azriel said, locking eyes with her, his own gaze deep and still.

Phoebe shook her head, "It’s my fault. I couldn’t turn Grayson down. But still, I don’t know why Grayson did this."

"If you wanna cry, just cry. Why hold it in when you feel wronged and sad?"Azriel seemed to have ignored her words, focusing instead on her eyes, which were red yet forced into a smile.

Phoebe stared back at him quietly, "What good would crying do?"

What would it change? It would only bring impatience from those so-called family members, as it was a sign of weakness in others’ eyes.

She was already seen as weak; no need to remind them of that.

"Go ahead with your work. I didn’t sleep well last night." Her voice was barely a whisper, tinged with a sob.

Azriel watched her silently for a moment, then turned and left the ward.

Under the covers, Phoebe bit her lip hard, but tears still soaked into the pillow. She couldn’t understand why, after all these years of accumulated grievances, this time it hurt so much.

When Angie rushed in, Phoebe was already asleep. Noticing her swollen eyes, Angie sighed softly.

Poor, silly girl.

*

When Phoebe awoke, it was noon. Azriel sat beside her, watching over her. Seeing her awake, he called Jace to prepare lunch.

"Why are you still here?" Phoebe was pleasantly surprised.

Azriel simply looked at her, "Cried it out?"

Phoebe pressed her lips together, slightly embarrassed.

"Give me your hand."

Phoebe looked at him blankly, "What?"

Azriel nodded towards her arm, "Your hand."

She extended her hand without understanding, and before she could react, she felt the weight of a lollipop in her palm. The wrapper was light pink, peach-flavored.

Her fingertips trembled as she looked in astonishment at the man across from her, his expression indifferent. "How did you..."

"I told you before, crying kids get candy. Seems like you've forgotten completely."

Phoebe’s tears spilled over as Azriel's words hit home. "You are that boy."

Azriel huffed, "I thought I was the only one who remembered."

"I remember!" She was loud, desperate for him to hear, "I've always remembered. Only you would give me candy after I cried. Others... other people... ah..." Years of suppressed grievances and sorrows found their release, and she cried out loud.

Azriel let her cry unabated, patting her head and handing her tissues. After returning, he had learned a bit about her life. The Alonso family treated her differently than their eldest daughter, but they weren’t stingy with material things. It wasn’t until this morning, when he witnessed her so- called father’s harsh words and attitude, that he truly understood that her life wasn’t as glamorous as it seemed.

"From now on, I'm here. There'll be plenty of candy."

Phoebe, through her sobs, laughed. "I'm not much of a crier. I won't need much."

Azriel looked at her, puzzled, and after a moment said: "This mess is indeed my fault. Grayson probably acted this way because of Alivia."

"Alivia?"

Azriel nodded, "Grayson and I grew up together, so did Alivia. When feelings get complicated..."

Phoebe connected the dots, "Alivia likes you?"

"She brought it up once, but I didn't agree. Later, I could sense Grayson's resentment and understood why. I made my position clear, and Alivia seemed to accept it. She later worked under me, but I moved her to a branch office two years ago. She's competent."

Phoebe listened quietly, then suddenly asked, "Why did you suddenly send her away two years ago?"

Azriel met her gaze, an instense look passed between them.

Phoebe quickly looked away, embarrassed, "Ah. just curious."

After all these years, she was indeed curious about his life.

"Something did almost happen, and it was me being self-righteous so as not to hold her back." He spoke diplomatically, preserving a woman's dignity.

'Something did almost happen'... Phoebe mulled over those words, feeling a strange tightness in her chest loosening.

"So Grayson did all that just to stick it up for Alivia? Because you didn't give Alivia the time of day, and you chose me instead?" If she had to come up with a reason, that was the only one that made sense to her.

Azriel didn't say anything, which pretty much meant he agreed.

Phoebe clicked her tongue, "But he's got a fiancée. Forget it, he's always been a jerk."

Despite having a girl he liked, he still went through with an arranged engagement his family set up. And there he was, fooling around with other women while betrothed. Didn't he spare a single thought for the girl he was actually into while sleeping with someone else?

Shaking her head, she couldn't help but think Grayson was the worst of the worst.

Azriel didn't deny her words, and instead, he changed the subject, "Has your father always treated you like this over the years?"

Phoebe's relaxed expression gradually hardened, "Not exactly. He's always been more focused on wealth and power. He favors Wendy a little bit more, but we kind of get along. I spent most of my time at school, and they hardly even thought of me. It's just that the Alonso family's been in hot water recently. His precious daughter screwed up big time, and that's when he finally remembered me."

Maybe realizing she made herself sound too pitiful, Phoebe followed up with a sweet smile. "The Alonso family's in shambles now, but I'm not too heartbroken, even kind of glad. The Alonso family seemed like it could devour one's humanity. I can't even imagine what else they would be willing to do for the sake of this family. Though I've been tied to it my whole life, rather than letting Wendy wreck it, I'd prefer to see it thrive in someone else's care."

Azriel pursed his lips and nodded, "You're right."

"Really?" Phoebe's eyes sparkled, "You think so too? I bet most people would hear this and think I'm a traitor, biting the hand that feeds me."

"You're not," Azriel said firmly.

Phoebe beamed like a child praised by a teacher.

*

"What?! You found your lollipop dude?" The next day, Angie's surprised voice filled the hospital room.

Phoebe nodded happily, "It's him. I couldn't believe it, after all these years he's changed so much."

"He recognized you right away, didn't he? And then he teased you? Made you his personal servant for life? Geez, my spidey senses are tingling with a whiff of conspiracy here."

Phoebe blinked, "Conspiracy? With the Alonso family being avoided like the plague? Others would be too busy running away from me to conspire. Besides, it's not like he recognized me at first glance when we met again, and besides, I was at fault back then."

"Stop, stop, stop, okay, okay, I was wrong to suggest he had ulterior motives towards you, alright?"

"Ulterior motives towards me?" Phoebe's mouth fell open in shock, her face turning beet red, "How could that be?!"

Angie smirked and jabbed her finger at Phoebe's forehead, "You better wise up. Honey, you're in the prime of youth, blooming like a rose. He doesn't look like he's hurting for cash, so watch out, he might be after your beauty." All content © N/.ôvel/Dr/ama.Org.

Phoebe's face grew so hot it seemed steam might pour out at any moment. Angie couldn't help but cover her mouth and laugh at the sight. "Hey, that woman who hit you yesterday, she publicly apologized."

Angie scrolled through her phone, "She’s sitting in a wheelchair, with her face all swollen up. Looks like she got a good thrashing. That should shut up the gossipers at school."

Phoebe tilted her head to watch the video with Angie, then nodded, "I know. The school called me yesterday afternoon to apologize."

Angie seemed surprised, "They apologized to you?"

For a well-known institution backed by magnates, always holding their heads high, this act of apology was indeed surprising.

"Yeah. I didn't see it coming either."

Angie raised an eyebrow, with a gossip-hungry look on her face, "You really don't know? Could it be your lollipop guy pulling strings?"

Phoebe shook her head.

However, it was hard to believe that the Alonso family would stand up for her, rven if the whole mistress situation was a misunderstanding. So, it must've been Azriel.

"Although, there seems to be more outrage against Chloe and Damon online. Chloe has really hit rock bottom. Her grandmother even sued her."

"And my grandfather, he even kicked Damon out of the Harper family for the Alonsos."

Tossing her phone aside, Angie slumped back in her chair with a sigh. "It seems we're both in the same boat. With all this mess in the Harper family, my dad's also trying to seize control, and everything's just chaotic. I'm scared he'll push me out as a sacrifice to the Harper family."

Phoebe also let out a sigh, "When you think about it, Damon leaving the Harper family was mostly because of my family."

"It takes two to tango. Just thinking about grandpa forcing Damon to marry your sister makes me sick. They were already married. What era are we in that marriage still depends on family status? Besides, could Damon choose a bad wife? Stubborn old man!"

"Who knows what will become of our families in the end. One wrong step, and our lives could be ruined."

Phoebe pursed her lips; it seemed Angie was also struggling. As the two worried about their futures, the clock struck noon. Noticing the time, Phoebe grabbed Angie's hand, "Angie..."

As they were speaking, Azriel walked in. He nodded at Angie as a greeting and approached Phoebe's bedside.

Angie arched an eyebrow as her gaze landed on the lunchbox he was carrying. She rose from her chair with a nonchalant shrug. "If you've got company, I’ll head out."

Phoebe’s mouth hung open, her expression oddly perplexed, but Angie didn’t linger.

Azriel set up the tray in front of her, arranging the lunch neatly on top, and undid his crisply ironed suit jacket before taking a seat at the edge of the bed.

Phoebe stared blankly as he held a bowl of soup in his left hand and brought a spoonful to her lips with his right.

"Open up."

"Azrie..."

"Your right shoulder is injured, right? The less you move, the better. We need you healed up as soon as possible."

Licking her dry lips, Phoebe reluctantly opened her mouth and sipped the soup.

Once the meal was finally over, Phoebe seized the moment Azriel was disposing of the trash to prop herself up on her left arm and attempt to get out of bed.

Returning, Azriel caught Phoebe just as her hands gripped her legs, trying to swing them over the edge. "What do you think you’re doing?" His voice was a chilling blend of concern and anger, startling Phoebe.

Looking up, she saw Azriel’s face clouded with barely contained fury. "My legs... I just thought..."

Azriel was palpably angry. The injury from being smashed by the bag was one thing, but the kick from the high heel had done serious damage to her shin. Walking was torture, and here she was, moving when she shouldn’t.

"But I need to..." Phoebe bit her lip, intimidated by his dark expression, and whispered with her head lowered, "I need to use the bathroom. I've been holding it all day." She had been too scared to drink any water since the accident.

Azriel paused, the redness of her ears contrasting with his momentary embarrassment. It was quickly replaced by a stern composure as he moved towards her, lifted her effortlessly, and carried her to the restroom.

Inside, Phoebe wished the earth would swallow her whole. As she anticipated the awkwardness to come, Azriel, holding her in the restroom, stared at the toilet for a moment, then down at her pants.

Phoebe felt tears prick her eyes with embarrassment. "I can manage..."

But Azriel acted swiftly, tipping her onto his shoulder, yanking down her pants with one strong pull, and then setting her down on the toilet seat.

Frozen on the toilet, Phoebe thought, "Just flush me away, please."

"Let me know when you’re done," Azriel said coolly, stepping out without waiting for a response.

After a long moment, just as she finished and tried to stand and pull up her pants, the bathroom door creaked open.

"All good?"

Phoebe's voice was a flustered squeak. "Ah... yes."

Azriel, sensing her panic, pushed the door open. He saw her on the toilet, one hand braced against the wall, caught in the act of trying to rise.

Without a word, he lifted her again, his eyes briefly scanning her bare bottom before pulling up her pants and setting her back on the bed. Phoebe hid under the covers, too mortified to show her face. "Next time, just tell me. Patients have no gender."

A muffled "okay" came from beneath the blankets.

Azriel didn't linger. Stepping out of the room, he rubbed his forehead, feeling out of place.

Patients have no gender, sure – but he wasn't a doctor.

*

After a week in the hospital, Phoebe was finally discharged.

During these days, Chloe's lawsuit with her grandmother had concluded, with unexpected revelations and secrets spilling out. Though Chloe won, public opinion was divided, and her feud with Wendy was now out in the open.

Wendy seemed to be throwing caution to the wind, sabotaging Chloe at every turn with transparent tactics.

But then, Wendy's fortunes took a sudden turn for the better. The Alonso family received a massive investment out of the blue, and to celebrate, Wendy hosted a lavish business gala, flaunting her newfound support.

Phoebe seethed at the audacity. Wendy's reputation was in tatters, and yet she carried on so brazenly.

Phoebe mused. She was curious to see who the blind investor was that had so unexpectedly stirred the pot.