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

her. And in their routine,

hostility towards

Haven Orphanage noticed too, whispering behind

refute them.

knew

did it start,

the garden bloomed exceptionally beautiful, and the two silhouettes sitting

appeared so harmonious.

she found the desecrated lilies, and realized something

sight at Angel’s Haven Orphanage. Now, they were

shredded, and stems snapped. Such an act

orphanage, and the

by the garden, holding a trowel and looking pensive,” said

saw her too, uprooting the seedlings with that trowel,” added

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

that. The lilies were planted by Serana, so it must’ve been

another.

up, but Yasmine just

Serana planted, knowing the

thinned them out

concepts and blamed

frustrating and laughable.

said nothing, just knelt by the ruined garden, picking up

Yasmine, but the

concern.

Serana. There’s

the orphanage didn’t jump to conclusions based on the children’s words,

all, the lilies thrived mainly because

and the investigation continued quietly, possibly leading

reprimand for the culprit.

scene of the “crime,”

in craft class, he paired up with Yasmine, who had

a long table, as Serana was already

paper, greeted him casually.

finance books he’d been carrying – a surprising choice

grown accustomed to.

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

the petals of lilies, pressed

felt

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

all those

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

a universe of secrets, now veiled with

don’t seem to care much about them,”

light chuckle. “And what, pray

for a long moment. “Indeed, Serana picked them