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

The ruthless woman.

—

Rose watched the

delight in the

tucked into the pockets of her down jacket, she caressed

lining, her gaze distant.

wandered back to a snowy day

shifts for two months at a jewelry counter,

platinum bracelet.

bracelet for Morrison’s birthday. A man wearing a bracelet might

some—a cumbersome accessory, typically feminine. A watch

the more conventional choice for

Morrison suited the bracelet

slender. A ring would look amazing on him, but

gift

to luxury, were well-formed,

far beyond her

a watch Morrison

give him something meaningful, something

money.

sarcastic words at that time, but he had

that to her anyway. Over time, she had also become

like mutual disdain, but

understanding between them. They supported each

Their dynamic was odd, but

any form would

might not treat her kindly, but

wouldn’t wear it.

shifts and

and working nonstop, she finally had enough

day before his

when she arrived at the party, all

nowhere to be found.

the address himself and invited her to

she was informed the party had

was a cruel joke on her. She

Yet, he wouldn’t answer

up. “Sorry, Morrison decided to switch

last minute for a new club opening. Where are you?

I’ll text you the

she took a

Morrison’s phone went unanswered.

whole

a snowman. The velvet box

night became a day she could never forget in her

from her memory no matter how

was Morrison’s last birthday before

and the

school year unfolded, the chill in the air between Morrison

glacial. From barbed

a

him, not even warranting a single

to close

drifted apart, each going their own

birthday present she’d never had the chance to give

undelivered.

wind whistled through the trees, sneaking under

the chill, Rose blinked and

out of her coat

rectangular velvet

gleamed off the simple platinum

inside.

single snowflake danced through the air and landed

had been all the rage back then, and although