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 it

Serana began to irk her. And in

hostility

other kids at Angel’s Haven Orphanage noticed too, whispering behind

refute them.

she knew

it start,

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

appeared so harmonious.

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

been a captivating sight at Angel’s Haven Orphanage.

leaves shredded, and stems snapped. Such an act was a significant event in the

and the

days after planting, I saw her by the garden, holding a

saw her too, uprooting the seedlings

gaze towards the garden was frightening, like… like when she looks at Serana,” a third

like Serana. We all know that. The lilies were planted by Serana, so it

another.

up, but Yasmine just

extra seeds after Serana planted,

she thinned them out so the others could

these simple gardening concepts and blamed her out of ignorance, which

frustrating and laughable.

knelt by the ruined garden, picking

the children’s naive and ignorant

concern.

any particular feelings about Serana. There’s no motive. It wasn’t me,” she stated

didn’t jump to conclusions

statement. After all, the lilies

the time being, and the investigation continued quietly, possibly leading to a

reprimand for the culprit.

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

following afternoon, during a rare appearance in craft class,

a long table, as Serana was

greeted

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

grown accustomed to.

fluttered colorful

petals of lilies,

felt

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

all those

the table, not much taller than the piece of furniture

universe of secrets, now veiled with a

care much about

the petals and let out a light chuckle.

long moment. “Indeed, Serana picked them up.