The Enticing CEO’s Chosen Bride

Boyd idly pushed around the green beans on his plate and said coolly, “Compared to before.”

“Yeah. With all those books you read, you should grasp the concept of self-awareness. I know I’m not the most

straightforward person, and someday I might do something that’ll make y’all cringe. But what bugs me most is,

even if what they say is true, I can’t stand people bad-mouthing me. I won’t give them the satisfaction of calling me

shameless behind my back. I don’t need that kind of gossip in my life.”

Boyd watched as she flicked the onions from her salad to the side, her face twisted in disgust. He smirked slightly, “I

thought you didn’t care about such things?”

“So I should just let everyone nitpick at me?” Yasmine’s appetite vanished as she shoveled a few more forkfuls of

mashed potatoes into her mouth. “I am also a human being. I don’t care, so does that mean anyone can freely slap

a label on me?”

Boyd just looked at her, “You can always set the record straight.” He slowly took another bite, “But this is because

of what I said to you in art class, isn’t it? If it isn’t you, you could explain, or prove your innocence.”

Yasmine’s movements quickened, and soon her plate was empty, save for the pile of onions in the corner.d2

“No need.” She slammed her fork down a bit too hard, “If I’m already so despicable in everyone’s eyes, what’s the

point? Proving myself once means I might have to do it again. Who am I proving my innocence for? Them? Or you?

Who among you is worthy of my explanation?”

A shadow fell across Boyd’s usually clear-cut gaze. “It seems you feel quite wronged indeed.”

Yasmine stared at him for a moment before standing up abruptly. “You’re right, I’m no saint. To suffer baseless

accusations is indeed a grievance.”

Boyd finished his last bite of food, “So, isn’t that also one of the reasons to clear your name?”

“Not good enough.” Yasmine raised her voice, her chin up, her eyes looking down at Boyd with a chilly smile,

“They’ve wronged me for no reason, and you think proving my innocence is that simple?”

She picked up her plate and pushed back her chair, “They made me suffer, and I intend to make them suffer more.

Today, thanks to you, Boyd, I realized I still have a twisted sense of humor. An eye for an eye makes life more

interesting. So everyone had better watch out. Don’t think I’m just talking. I’m full of cunning plans, and not using

them would be a disservice.”

The whole cafeteria fell silent.

All the kids were looking at Yasmine, with confusion, disgust, and fear in their eyes. There were few people around

Yasmine, and fear of her was definitely a part of the reason.

Boyd glanced up at her, “You don’t care about the suspicions of others, but my words stir up such a reaction?”

paused, her grip on the plate tightening. She was

amount of reading can make up for your useless brain, and it’s

we go way back, and now to realize I’ve been wrong about you from the start, it feels like a

first time, his usually expressionless face

with the force

satisfaction. Nothing pleased her more than hitting Boyd’s

got up with a worried look and approached

“Cut it.”

cool glance and walked away with her plate towards the

the cafeteria without looking back. Her demeanor was clearly that of someone about to

drastic.

as he followed her out.

they too

the flowerbed, yanking out

handful after another, in front of everyone, including Boyd

tossed the uprooted flowers at Serana’s feet. Staring at Serana, who had tears in her

“You like them, don’t you? Take them. They’re a gift. Keep them as long

surrounding kids couldn’t help

eyes, “You

the surrounding chatter, she continued, “I can’t understand why you’d hide your dislike for

know it. Otherwise,

Serana’s feet,

to be sneaky

Boyd, her face sarcastic, “I’m not into playing your subversive games. Not

it. I act openly, and if people decide it’s me, I don’t feel wronged by a

end up with the reputation of a cowardly schemer. Why go the

to suffer the biggest insult?

others didn’t quite grasp the meaning of Yasmine’s words, but

Yasmine was never naive or foolish.

flowers, and the students crowded around her. Yasmine watched the

biting sarcasm, unaffected.

The students babbled the story, but the director was

evidence, it’s irresponsible to blame

you feel if you were falsely

hung in

her always hanging around the garden. If it wasn’t her, who else could it be?

anyone

willfully destroyed by Yasmine. The reason

her care. She’s been tending to them all along. So, it couldn’t have

what they cherish so

room erupted in

that possible? Those flowers

but without Yasmine,

“But she just uprooted all of them, even if it wasn’t her, even if she

what she

director shook his head in resignation, “If she decided to destroy them, then she must have felt

no longer worth her love, or perhaps, they didn’t deserve her

Boyd, whose eyes suddenly flashed. He looked

gaze.

then turned to the teachers nearby, “This afternoon’s class, let’s teach

cultivating lilies.”

in agreement and

up, dusting the soil off her hands,

afternoon.”