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.

schemer climbing the social ladder

The ruthless woman.

—

watched the heavy snowfall paint the

Passersby seemed to delight in the sudden

into the pockets of her

lining, her gaze distant.

wandered back to a snowy day years

night shifts for two months at a jewelry

platinum bracelet.

bracelet for Morrison’s birthday. A man wearing a

some—a cumbersome accessory, typically feminine. A watch

conventional choice

she felt Morrison suited the bracelet perfectly. His hands

A ring would look amazing

to gift

luxury, were well-formed, suited

watch was too commonplace, and far beyond her means. Even

wouldn’t buy a watch

give him something meaningful, something

money.

would use some sarcastic words at that

to her anyway. Over time, she had also

mutual disdain, but there was

between them. They supported each

dynamic was odd, but as

any form would

not treat her kindly, but that didn’t

wouldn’t wear it.

months of night shifts and bonuses,

classes and working nonstop, she finally had enough to

day

when she arrived at the party, all dressed up,

nowhere to be found.

had given her the address himself and

when she got there, she was

a cruel joke on her.

that kind of person. Yet, he

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

venue last minute for a new club

coming? I’ll

began to fall heavier as she took a cab

Morrison’s phone went unanswered.

a whole night,

The velvet box in

night became a day she could never

couldn’t erase from her memory no matter how hard she

birthday before leaving school. Afterward,

and the university

year unfolded, the chill in the

glacial. From barbed

to a state of complete

became invisible to him, not even warranting a single

opportunity to close

drifted apart, each

she’d never had the chance to

undelivered.

wind whistled through the

off the chill, Rose blinked and looked down,

out

purple, rectangular velvet box. She opened

gleamed off the

inside.

the air

been all the rage