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

somehow, Serana began to irk her. And in their

hostility

at Angel’s Haven Orphanage noticed too, whispering behind their backs, but

refute them.

she knew it was

did it start,

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

appeared so harmonious.

a few days later, she found the desecrated lilies, and

a captivating sight at Angel’s

and stems snapped. Such an act was

and

Yasmine. Just days after planting, I saw her by the garden,

uprooting the

was frightening, like… like when she looks at

that. The lilies were planted by

another.

accusations piled up, but Yasmine just

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

grew too dense, she thinned them out so the others could

blamed her out of ignorance, which

frustrating and laughable.

picking up petals with tears streaming down her

even more displeasure at Yasmine, but the children’s naive and ignorant gazes didn’t

concern.

don’t have any particular feelings about Serana. There’s no motive.

jump to conclusions based on

all, the lilies thrived mainly because of

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

reprimand for the culprit.

visited the scene of the “crime,” seemed

craft class,

Serana was already working with someone

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

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

grown accustomed to.

he shook the books, and out fluttered colorful petals. One book after another, until Yasmine

in the petals of

felt

at him, his eyes serene but his lips curved in a casual smile. “I recall Serana was

up all

standing by the table, not much taller

hold a universe of secrets,

seem to care

out a light chuckle. “And what, pray tell,

for a long moment. “Indeed, Serana picked them