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

her. And in their routine, she’d find herself unintentionally

even hostility

at Angel’s Haven Orphanage noticed too, whispering behind their backs, but she never bothered

refute them.

knew it

did it

was when the lilies in the garden bloomed

appeared so harmonious.

she found the desecrated lilies, and realized

a captivating sight at Angel’s Haven

snapped. Such an

orphanage, and the

by the garden, holding a

too, uprooting the seedlings

her gaze towards the garden was frightening, like… like when she looks at

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

another.

accusations piled up, but Yasmine

seeds after Serana planted, knowing the germination rate was low. And when

thinned them out so the others

concepts and blamed her out

frustrating and laughable.

knelt by the ruined garden, picking up

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

concern.

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

to conclusions based on

After all, the lilies

for the time being, and the investigation

reprimand for the culprit.

who hadn’t visited the scene of the “crime,” seemed indifferent to the whole

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

Serana was already working

colorful paper, greeted him casually. “Rare sight,” she

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

grown accustomed to.

word, he shook the books, and out fluttered colorful petals.

covered in the petals of lilies,

felt inexplicably

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

all

with a detached gaze, standing by the table, not

universe of

care

the petals and let out a light chuckle.

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