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

in their routine,

even hostility

noticed too, whispering behind their backs,

refute them.

knew

did it start,

was when the lilies in the garden bloomed exceptionally beautiful, and

appeared so harmonious.

later, she found the desecrated lilies, and realized something had

had been a captivating sight

Such an act was a significant event in

and the investigation

by

saw her too, uprooting the seedlings

like… like when

know that. The lilies were planted by Serana, so

another.

accusations piled up,

Serana planted, knowing the germination rate was

she thinned them out so the others

concepts and blamed her

frustrating and laughable.

knelt by the ruined garden, picking up petals with tears

Yasmine, but the children’s

concern.

feelings about Serana. There’s no motive. It

head of the orphanage didn’t jump to conclusions based on the

the lilies thrived mainly because

was dropped for the time being, and the investigation continued

reprimand for the culprit.

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

following afternoon, during a rare appearance in craft class, he paired up with Yasmine,

Serana was

greeted him

set down the heavy finance books he’d been carrying – a surprising

grown accustomed to.

and out fluttered colorful petals. One book

petals of

felt inexplicably

looked up at him, his eyes serene but his lips curved in a casual

all those flower

her with a detached gaze, standing by the table, not much taller

seemed to hold a universe of secrets, now

to care much

let out a light chuckle. “And what, pray

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