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 with

The ruthless woman.

—

Rose watched the heavy

seemed to delight in the sudden

pockets of her down jacket, she

lining, her gaze distant.

to a snowy day years

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

platinum bracelet.

A man wearing a bracelet might

to some—a cumbersome accessory, typically feminine.

the more conventional choice

the bracelet perfectly.

would look amazing on him, but where

to gift him

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

too commonplace, and far beyond her means. Even a

wouldn’t buy a watch

something meaningful, something

money.

words at

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

mutual disdain,

They supported each

odd, but as long as there

any form

might not treat her kindly, but that

wouldn’t wear it.

night shifts and bonuses, she was still

and working nonstop, she finally had enough to

day before his

at the party, all dressed up, he

nowhere to be found.

given her the address himself

she got there, she was informed the party

believe it was a cruel joke on her. She

Yet,

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

venue last minute for a new club opening. Where

coming? I’ll text you the

fall heavier as she took a cab to the new

Morrison’s phone went unanswered.

stood outside like that for a whole night, and the heavy snow almost

box in her pocket

became a day she

her memory

was Morrison’s last birthday before leaving school. Afterward, the

began, and the

new school year unfolded, the chill in the air between Morrison and

glacial. From barbed exchanges

to a state of

not even warranting

opportunity to close that growing

then, graduation came, and they drifted

present she’d never had the chance to give

undelivered.

whistled through the trees, sneaking under her collar

chill, Rose blinked and

her hands out of her coat

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

gleamed off

inside.

single snowflake danced through the air and landed gracefully

been all the rage back then, and