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?”

her grip on the plate tightening. She was silent

“Because I think no amount of reading can make up for your useless

now to realize I’ve been wrong about you from the

the first time, his usually expressionless face showed a

the

satisfaction. Nothing pleased her

a worried look and approached

“Cut it.”

her a cool glance and walked away

the cafeteria without looking back. Her demeanor was

drastic.

as he followed her out. The rest of the cafeteria

before they too

flowerbed, yanking out the lilies that

front

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

Take them. They’re a gift. Keep them as long as

surrounding kids couldn’t help

looked at Serana with cold eyes, “You

“I can’t understand why you’d hide your

and I want you to know it. Otherwise, what’s the point

Serana’s feet, “I

to be sneaky

sarcastic, “I’m not into playing

if people decide it’s me, I don’t feel wronged by a bit of

the reputation of a cowardly schemer. Why

to suffer the

others didn’t quite grasp the meaning of Yasmine’s words, but Boyd’s face suddenly turned

indeed? Yasmine was never naive or

crowded around her. Yasmine watched the

biting sarcasm, unaffected.

director arrived. The students babbled the story,

evidence, it’s irresponsible to

would you feel if you were falsely accused of

words hung in the air, leaving

I swear, we saw her always hanging around the garden. If it

how could anyone be

director sighed heavily, “Those flowers weren’t willfully destroyed by Yasmine. The reason they

largely due to her care. She’s been tending to them all along. So,

they cherish so

room erupted in murmurs

flowers were clearly

Yasmine, that garden wouldn’t have thrived the way it

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

destroyed what

she decided to destroy them, then she

love, or perhaps, they didn’t deserve her

was Boyd, whose eyes suddenly flashed. He looked

gaze.

to the teachers nearby, “This afternoon’s class,

cultivating lilies.”

in agreement and

the soil off her hands,

afternoon.”