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 it

Serana began to irk her. And in their routine, she’d find

even hostility towards

too, whispering behind their backs, but she never

refute them.

knew it

it start,

garden

appeared so harmonious.

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

sight

stems snapped. Such an act was a significant

orphanage, and

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

too, uprooting the seedlings with that trowel,”

her gaze towards the garden was frightening, like… like when

know that. The lilies

another.

accusations piled up, but Yasmine just

added extra seeds after Serana planted, knowing the germination

too dense, she thinned them out so

and blamed

frustrating and laughable.

garden, picking

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

concern.

There’s no motive. It wasn’t me,” she

jump to conclusions based on the

all, the lilies thrived mainly because of

and the investigation continued quietly, possibly leading to a

reprimand for the culprit.

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

appearance in craft class, he paired up with

at a long table, as Serana was already working with someone

greeted

carrying – a surprising choice for someone his age

grown accustomed to.

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

the petals of lilies, pressed flat and still

felt inexplicably

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

up all

gaze, standing by the table, not

a universe

seem to care much

let out a light chuckle.

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