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.

—

the hotel, Rose watched the heavy snowfall paint

seemed to delight in the sudden

pockets of her down

lining, her gaze distant.

wandered back to a snowy

two months at a jewelry counter, all

platinum bracelet.

Morrison’s birthday. A

accessory, typically

conventional

suited the bracelet perfectly. His hands

look amazing on him, but where

to gift

hands, born to luxury, were

watch was too commonplace, and far beyond her means.

watch Morrison would

to give him something

money.

sarcastic words at that time,

to her anyway. Over time, she had

mutual disdain, but there

They

odd, but as long as there

any form would

bracelet, might not treat

wouldn’t wear it.

two months of night shifts and bonuses, she was still

and working nonstop, she finally

the day before

birthday, when she arrived at the party, all dressed

nowhere to be found.

himself and invited her to come,

there, she was

to believe it was a cruel joke on her. She

kind of person. Yet, he wouldn’t

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

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

still coming? I’ll text

to fall heavier as she took

Morrison’s phone went unanswered.

like that for a whole

a snowman. The velvet box in

night became a day she could never forget

from her memory no

birthday before leaving

and the university

new school year unfolded, the chill in the

glacial. From barbed exchanges and frosty comments,

to a

invisible to him, not even

had any opportunity to close that growing

and they drifted apart, each going their own

never had the chance

undelivered.

wind whistled through the

the chill, Rose blinked and

her hands out of her

lay a purple, rectangular velvet box. She

the hotel’s lights gleamed off the simple platinum

inside.

danced through the air and landed gracefully

jewelry had been all the rage back