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

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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

The ruthless woman.

—

watched

seemed to delight in the

pockets of her down

lining, her gaze distant.

wandered back to a

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

platinum bracelet.

a bracelet for Morrison’s birthday. A man wearing a bracelet might

cumbersome accessory, typically feminine. A

the more conventional choice for

suited the bracelet

look amazing on

to gift

to luxury, were

far beyond

wouldn’t buy a watch Morrison

him something meaningful, something

money.

use some sarcastic words at that time, but

like that to her anyway. Over time, she

mutual disdain, but there was

understanding between them. They supported

“friends.” Their dynamic was odd, but as

any form would

the bracelet, might not treat her kindly, but that

wouldn’t wear it.

months of night shifts and bonuses, she was still short

working nonstop, she finally

day before his

birthday, when she arrived at the party, all dressed

nowhere to be found.

address himself and invited her

there, she was informed the party had

to believe it was a cruel joke on

that kind of person. Yet, he wouldn’t answer

Mona picked up. “Sorry, Morrison decided

new club opening. Where are you? It’s

coming? I’ll

heavier as she took a cab to

Morrison’s phone went unanswered.

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

The velvet box in her pocket turned icy

night became a day she could

her memory no matter how hard she

Morrison’s last birthday before leaving school.

began, and the university

chill in the air between

glacial. From barbed exchanges

to a state of complete

not even warranting

had any opportunity to

graduation came, and they drifted

present she’d never had

undelivered.

of cold wind whistled through the trees,

shiver. Shaking off the chill,

hands out of her coat

purple, rectangular velvet box.

lights gleamed off the simple

inside.

single snowflake danced through the

rage back then, and although it had