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

somehow, Serana began to irk her. And in their

hostility

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

refute them.

she knew it was

it

lilies in the garden

appeared so harmonious.

found the desecrated lilies, and

garden’s vibrant lilies had been a captivating sight at Angel’s Haven Orphanage. Now,

and stems snapped. Such an act was a

orphanage, and the investigation

Just days after planting, I saw her by the garden, holding a trowel and looking pensive,” said

saw her too, uprooting the seedlings

like… like when

Serana. We all know that. The lilies were planted by Serana, so it must’ve

another.

accusations piled up,

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

them out so the others

understand these simple gardening concepts and blamed her

frustrating and laughable.

knelt by the ruined garden, picking up petals with tears streaming down

Yasmine, but the children’s naive and ignorant gazes

concern.

particular feelings about Serana. There’s no

orphanage didn’t jump to conclusions based on

lilies

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

reprimand for the culprit.

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

a rare appearance in craft class, he paired up with Yasmine, who

long table, as Serana was already working with someone

with colorful paper, greeted him

been carrying – a surprising choice

grown accustomed to.

books, and out fluttered colorful petals. One book

of lilies, pressed flat and still

heart felt

his lips curved in a

up all

detached gaze, standing by the table, not much

universe of secrets, now veiled

seem to care much about them,”

out a light chuckle. “And

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