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

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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.

—

the hotel, Rose watched

seemed to delight in the

the pockets of her down jacket, she caressed the

lining, her gaze distant.

mind wandered back to

for two months

platinum bracelet.

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

some—a cumbersome accessory, typically feminine. A

the more conventional choice for

felt Morrison suited the bracelet perfectly. His hands were

slender. A ring would look amazing

gift him

born to luxury,

commonplace, and far beyond her means. Even

watch Morrison would

wanted to give him something meaningful, something

money.

definitely would use some sarcastic words at that

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

looked like mutual disdain, but there was

understanding between them. They supported

“friends.” Their dynamic was odd,

any form would

bracelet, might not treat her kindly,

wouldn’t wear it.

of night shifts and

working nonstop, she finally had enough to buy

the day before his

when she arrived at the

nowhere to be found.

had given her the address himself and invited

she was informed the party

was a cruel joke

person. Yet, he wouldn’t answer

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

venue last minute for a new club opening.

I’ll text you the

she took a

Morrison’s phone went unanswered.

whole

snowman. The velvet box in her pocket turned icy

snowy night became a day she could never forget in her

from her memory no matter how hard

Morrison’s last birthday before

began, and the university

chill in the air

turned downright glacial. From barbed exchanges and frosty

a state of

him, not even warranting a

to close that growing

drifted apart,

present she’d never had the chance to give

undelivered.

cold wind whistled through

her shiver. Shaking off the chill, Rose

her hands out

lay a purple, rectangular velvet box.

the hotel’s lights gleamed off the simple platinum

inside.

single snowflake danced through the air and landed gracefully

jewelry had been all the rage back then, and although it