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 ladder

The ruthless woman.

—

hotel, Rose watched

seemed to delight in the sudden

the pockets of her down

lining, her gaze distant.

to

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

platinum bracelet.

birthday. A man wearing a

some—a cumbersome accessory, typically

conventional choice

suited the bracelet perfectly. His hands

would look

to gift

hands, born to luxury, were well-formed, suited to

watch was too commonplace, and far beyond

buy a watch Morrison would truly

wanted to give him something meaningful, something

money.

use some sarcastic words at that time, but he

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

looked like mutual disdain, but there

They

like “friends.” Their dynamic was odd, but as long as

form

bracelet, might not treat her kindly, but that didn’t mean

wouldn’t wear it.

of night shifts and bonuses, she

she finally had

the day before his

birthday, when she arrived at the party,

nowhere to be found.

the address himself and invited

there, she was informed the party had

a cruel joke on her. She trusted

Yet, he wouldn’t

attempts, Mona picked up. “Sorry, Morrison decided

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

still coming? I’ll

heavier as she

Morrison’s phone went unanswered.

that for a whole night, and the heavy snow almost

velvet box in her pocket

became a day she could never forget

memory

birthday before

began, and the

the chill in the

glacial. From barbed exchanges and

moved to a state of

even warranting

any opportunity to close that

they drifted apart, each going their

she’d never had the chance

undelivered.

wind whistled through the trees, sneaking under her collar

shiver. Shaking off the chill,

her hands out of

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

hotel’s lights gleamed off the

inside.

danced through the air and landed

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