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?

never felt

And in their routine, she’d find

hostility

Orphanage noticed too, whispering behind

refute them.

knew it

it start,

in the garden bloomed exceptionally beautiful, and

appeared so harmonious.

found the desecrated lilies, and realized something had

garden’s vibrant lilies had been a captivating sight

stems snapped. Such

orphanage, and the

by the garden, holding a trowel and

the seedlings with that trowel,” added

garden was frightening, like… like when she looks at

like Serana. We all know that. The lilies were planted by Serana, so it must’ve been her,”

another.

accusations piled up, but Yasmine

Serana planted, knowing

them out so the others could

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

frustrating and laughable.

ruined garden, picking up petals

more displeasure at Yasmine, but the children’s naive and ignorant

concern.

about Serana. There’s no motive. It wasn’t

the orphanage didn’t jump to conclusions based on the

the lilies thrived mainly because

dropped for the time being, and the investigation continued quietly, possibly leading

reprimand for the culprit.

the “crime,” seemed indifferent to

a rare appearance in craft class,

Serana was already working

colorful paper, greeted him casually.

heavy finance books he’d been carrying – a surprising choice for someone his

grown accustomed to.

shook the books, and out fluttered colorful petals. One book after

table covered in the petals of lilies, pressed flat and still

heart felt

him, his eyes serene but his lips curved in a casual smile.

up all those flower

the table, not much taller than the piece of

those eyes seemed to hold a universe of secrets, now veiled

seem to care much about

the petals and let out a light chuckle. “And what, pray tell,

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