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 their routine, she’d find herself

hostility

Haven Orphanage noticed too, whispering behind their backs,

refute them.

she knew

it

lilies in the garden bloomed exceptionally beautiful, and the two silhouettes sitting

appeared so harmonious.

days later, she found

sight at Angel’s Haven Orphanage. Now, they

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

orphanage, and the

saw her by the

saw her too, uprooting the

the garden was frightening, like… like when she

like Serana. We all know that. The lilies were planted by

another.

up, but Yasmine just

had merely added extra seeds after Serana planted, knowing the germination rate was

them out

understand these simple gardening concepts and blamed her out of ignorance,

frustrating and laughable.

just knelt by the ruined garden, picking up

but the

concern.

particular feelings about Serana. There’s no motive. It wasn’t me,” she stated

orphanage didn’t jump to conclusions based on the children’s words, agreeing with

After all, the lilies thrived mainly because

for the time being, and the investigation continued quietly,

reprimand for the culprit.

visited the scene of the “crime,”

a rare appearance in craft class, he paired up with Yasmine, who had

as Serana

playing with colorful paper, greeted

books he’d been carrying – a surprising choice for

grown accustomed to.

out fluttered colorful petals. One book

in the petals of lilies, pressed flat and still

heart felt inexplicably

but his lips curved in a casual smile.

up all those flower

the table, not much taller than the piece

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

don’t seem to care much about them,”

a light chuckle. “And what, pray tell,

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