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.

climbing the social ladder with a

The ruthless woman.

—

Rose watched the heavy snowfall paint

Passersby seemed to delight in

into the pockets of her down

lining, her gaze distant.

mind wandered back to a snowy day

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

platinum bracelet.

Morrison’s birthday. A man wearing a bracelet might

cumbersome accessory,

more conventional

Morrison suited the bracelet perfectly. His hands were elegant,

would look amazing on him, but where did

gift

luxury, were

too commonplace, and far beyond her

a watch Morrison would truly

him something meaningful, something

money.

sarcastic words at that

time, she had also

relationship looked like mutual disdain, but

between them. They supported

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

form would

might scoff at the bracelet, might not treat her kindly, but that didn’t

wouldn’t wear it.

shifts and bonuses,

nonstop, she finally had

day before

birthday, when she arrived at

nowhere to be found.

address himself

there, she was informed the party had

believe it was a cruel joke on her. She

kind of person. Yet,

picked up.

minute for a new club opening.

you still coming? I’ll text

she

Morrison’s phone went unanswered.

like that for a whole

a snowman. The velvet box in

snowy night became a day she could

from her memory no matter how

birthday before leaving school.

began, and the

chill in

downright glacial. From barbed exchanges and frosty

moved to a state of

to him, not even warranting a single spoken word. She

any opportunity to close that

came, and they drifted apart, each going their own

she’d never had

undelivered.

wind whistled through the trees, sneaking under her

off the chill, Rose blinked and

hands out of

rectangular velvet box. She

hotel’s lights gleamed

inside.

snowflake danced through the

all the rage back