The Enticing CEO’s Chosen Bride

Though they had seen much of life’s harsh realities, the children at the local orphanage couldn’t fathom the depths

of darkness that might dwell in the heart of a seven-year-old girl who had just lost her parents.

Serana kept to herself, a solitary figure in the corner, quiet and well-behaved in class, and equally so during recess,

watching the others play with an expressionless demeanor, like a still pond devoid of life.

Perhaps they sensed a kindred spirit in her, or maybe it was pity, or a thick slather of curiosity, but from that point

on, Boyd had someone else woven into the tapestry of his childhood.

From then until now, Serana had become a thread running through the narrative of his life.

In their daily interactions, Serana was the picture of innocence, speaking in gentle whispers, looking at people with

sincerity and care. Even as the years passed and she grew, she never changed – tender and fragile, yet brave and

stubborn.

Outwardly, she seemed as delicate as a glass figurine, always needing protection, yet she fiercely tried to prove her

strength, insisting she didn’t need anyone’s care and could even protect others.d2

Such a girl was irresistibly endearing – tender and attentive, pure and kind, brave, stubborn, and resilient.

Like her long, dark hair, the number of people drawn to her grew day by day. And it was true what they said – girls

should have long hair.

Yasmine was beautiful but frosty by nature. Others kept their distance. From start to finish, Boyd was her only

constant, and she never felt lonely. At least, not until she suddenly realized what loneliness was and found that

certain things had become inevitable.

Boyd’s time was no longer solely dedicated to her as he began to learn deeper subjects beyond the basic

curriculum.

Companion? She had never considered Boyd’s presence as companionship before.

But when did it start? It wasn’t when Boyd’s time began to scatter, leaving more for Serana.

Was it from the moments they shared meals together, or those occasional breaks when they sat beside the flower

beds?

Or when they planted a lily bulb together, one digging a hole, the other tenderly placing the bulb inside?

felt

to irk her. And in

hostility

too, whispering behind their

refute them.

knew it

it

the garden bloomed exceptionally beautiful, and the two silhouettes sitting

appeared so harmonious.

days later, she found the

had been a captivating sight at Angel’s Haven Orphanage.

scattered, leaves shredded, and stems snapped. Such an act

and

by the garden, holding a trowel and looking pensive,”

saw her too, uprooting the

like when she looks at

lilies were

another.

up,

had merely added extra seeds after Serana planted, knowing the

she thinned them out so the others could

understand these simple gardening concepts and blamed her out

frustrating and laughable.

ruined garden, picking up petals with

displeasure at Yasmine, but the children’s

concern.

any particular feelings about Serana. There’s

orphanage didn’t jump to conclusions based

lilies thrived mainly because

and the investigation continued quietly, possibly

reprimand for the culprit.

of the “crime,” seemed indifferent to the

following afternoon, during a rare appearance in craft class, he

Serana was already working with someone

with colorful paper, greeted

the heavy finance books he’d been carrying –

grown accustomed to.

fluttered colorful petals. One

in the petals of lilies, pressed

felt inexplicably

eyes serene but his lips curved in a casual smile. “I recall Serana

up all those

with a detached gaze, standing by the table, not much taller than the piece of

to hold a universe of secrets, now veiled with a frosty

care

out a light chuckle. “And what, pray

at her for a long moment. “Indeed, Serana picked them up. She cried