The Enticing CEO’s Chosen Bride

“As for Morrison Witt’s birthday bash, it had no conflict with my press

conference. I mean, the Spotlight Beauty launch isn’t exactly a 24-hour

marathon, right? It’s practically wrapping up as we speak.”

The reporter piped up, “What about Witt’s ex-girlfriend? Her sudden return and

staying at the same hospital—why are both of them hospitalized at the same

time?”

“His ex just got back to town, and now Witt’s throwing this massive birthday

shindig. You sure she’s not a factor in this?”

Rose flashed a casual smile. “Just wanted to have a birthday celebration, you

know? Sometimes, there isn’t a hidden agenda. My husband and I are solid. I

Enter title…

wish folks wouldn’t read into things too much. Like my colleague just said,

today’s all about the new line from Spotlight Beauty. Let’s keep things

professional and focus on the product, shall we? Thanks for your support.”

Once these issues were on the table, there was no way the focus would shift

back to the company’s new products. For them, gossip was a far juicier story

than any product launch.

Handing the mic off to the host, Rose turned with a smile and headed

backstage. Only when she was out of sight did her smile fade.d2

A colleague, worried, followed her backstage where she was sipping water from

a thermos. “Mrs. Witt, you okay?” they asked.

Rose set down her cup and smiled, shaking her head. “I’m fine, really.”

“But are you and Mr. Witt really all good?”

The questions from the reporters weren’t baseless. Spotlight Beauty’s launch

and Witt’s birthday party were the talk of the town in R City. This couple, always

so private yet always the talk of the town, suddenly found their high-profile

events clashing head-on. It was hard not to pay attention.

Was everything between her and Morrison really okay? She didn’t know.

And as for what was happening at Morrison’s birthday party, she was in the

dark. From the reporters’ questions, it was clear Mona hadn’t shown up at the

party yet. If she had, the reporters’ reactions would have been far more intense.

The situation was already tense, but if Mona made an appearance, Rose would

be in the eye of the storm. The whispers, the sneers, and the vile comments

online would all be amplified by Mona’s presence at Morrison’s party. She’d

have to face the accusations she’d always tried to ignore, the ones she

pretended didn’t bother her:

The homewrecker.

social ladder with a

The ruthless woman.

—

Rose watched the

seemed to delight in the

her down jacket, she caressed

lining, her gaze distant.

back to a snowy

months at a jewelry counter, all

platinum bracelet.

Morrison’s birthday. A

to some—a cumbersome accessory, typically feminine.

the more conventional choice

Morrison suited the bracelet perfectly. His hands were elegant,

artfully slender. A ring would look amazing on him,

to gift him

to luxury, were well-formed, suited to

far beyond

wouldn’t buy a watch Morrison would

to give him something meaningful, something

money.

definitely would use some sarcastic words at that time, but

Over time, she

relationship looked like mutual

them. They supported

odd,

any form would

scoff at the bracelet, might not treat her kindly, but that

wouldn’t wear it.

months of night shifts and bonuses, she was still short on

she finally had enough

day

when she arrived at the party, all

nowhere to be found.

himself and invited her to come, albeit

got there, she was informed the party had

a cruel joke on her. She trusted

of person. Yet, he

several attempts, Mona picked up. “Sorry, Morrison decided to

a new club opening. Where

I’ll text you

began to fall heavier as she took a

Morrison’s phone went unanswered.

outside like that for a whole night, and

The velvet box in

became a day she could never forget in her

her memory no

was Morrison’s last birthday before

began, and the

new school year unfolded, the chill in the

glacial. From barbed exchanges and frosty comments,

a

him, not even warranting a single spoken word. She

had any opportunity to

drifted apart, each going their own

never had the chance to

undelivered.

wind whistled through the trees, sneaking

Shaking off the chill, Rose blinked and

out of her coat

lay a purple, rectangular velvet

and the hotel’s lights gleamed off the simple

inside.

through the air and landed gracefully

the rage back then, and