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.

climbing the social ladder with a

The ruthless woman.

—

outside the hotel, Rose watched the

delight in

pockets of her down

lining, her gaze distant.

back to a snowy day

months at a jewelry

platinum bracelet.

Morrison’s birthday. A man wearing

cumbersome accessory, typically feminine. A watch

more conventional choice for

she felt Morrison suited the bracelet perfectly. His hands

slender. A ring would look amazing on him,

gift

luxury, were well-formed,

commonplace, and far beyond her means. Even

buy a watch Morrison would

something meaningful, something earned with her

money.

some sarcastic words at that

her anyway. Over time,

like mutual disdain, but there was

understanding between them. They supported each

was odd, but as long

any form

not treat

wouldn’t wear it.

night shifts and bonuses, she was still short

and working nonstop, she finally had enough to buy

day

Morrison’s birthday, when she arrived at the

nowhere to be found.

had given her the address himself and

when she got there, she

didn’t want to believe it was a cruel joke on her. She trusted

kind of person. Yet, he wouldn’t answer

up. “Sorry, Morrison decided to

a new club opening. Where are you? It’s getting

coming? I’ll text you

snow began to fall heavier as she took a cab to

Morrison’s phone went unanswered.

a whole night, and the heavy snow almost

a snowman. The velvet box in

became a day she could never forget in

erase from her memory no matter

was Morrison’s last birthday before leaving school.

began, and the

the chill in the air between Morrison and

From barbed exchanges and

moved to a state of

even warranting a single

any opportunity to

they drifted apart, each

never had the chance to

undelivered.

gust of cold wind whistled through the trees, sneaking

Shaking off the chill, Rose blinked and

out of

purple, rectangular velvet

hotel’s lights gleamed off the simple platinum bracelet

inside.

through the air and landed gracefully upon

rage back then,