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

The ruthless woman.

—

outside the hotel, Rose watched the heavy snowfall

Passersby seemed to delight in

the pockets of her

lining, her gaze distant.

back to a snowy day years

worked night shifts for two months at a jewelry counter, all to afford

platinum bracelet.

birthday. A man wearing a bracelet

some—a cumbersome accessory,

conventional

suited the bracelet perfectly. His hands

look amazing on him, but where

to gift

born to luxury, were

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

watch Morrison would truly

him something meaningful, something earned with her

money.

some sarcastic words at that time, but he had

Over time, she had also become accustomed to

relationship looked like mutual

between them. They

was odd,

form would

might scoff at the bracelet, might not treat

wouldn’t wear it.

shifts and bonuses,

and working nonstop, she finally had enough

day

she arrived at

nowhere to be found.

given her the address himself and invited her to come, albeit

when she got there, she was informed the party had

it was a cruel

of person. Yet, he wouldn’t answer her

attempts, Mona picked up. “Sorry, Morrison decided

for a new club opening. Where are

you still coming? I’ll text

snow began to fall heavier as she took a cab to

Morrison’s phone went unanswered.

a whole night, and

box in her pocket

a day she could never forget in her life,

her memory no matter how hard

birthday before leaving school. Afterward,

and the

the chill in the air between Morrison and

From barbed

to a state of

him, not even warranting a single spoken

any opportunity to close

then, graduation came, and they drifted apart, each going

she’d never had the chance to give

undelivered.

wind whistled through the trees, sneaking under her collar

Shaking off the chill, Rose

out of

palm lay a purple, rectangular velvet box. She opened it with

the hotel’s lights gleamed off the simple

inside.

snowflake danced through the

all the rage back then, and although