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

to irk her. And in their routine,

even hostility towards

noticed too, whispering behind their backs, but she never bothered

refute them.

she knew

did it start,

in the garden bloomed

appeared so harmonious.

days later, she found the desecrated

had been a captivating sight

and stems snapped. Such an act was a significant event in

orphanage, and the

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

uprooting the seedlings with that trowel,”

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

know that. The lilies were planted by

another.

piled up,

Serana planted, knowing the germination rate was low.

she thinned them out so the others could

gardening concepts and blamed her out of ignorance, which she

frustrating and laughable.

picking up petals with tears streaming down

but the

concern.

Serana. There’s no motive. It wasn’t me,” she stated

orphanage didn’t jump to conclusions based

the lilies thrived mainly because

being, and the investigation continued quietly, possibly leading to

reprimand for the culprit.

the scene of the “crime,” seemed indifferent

craft class, he paired up with Yasmine,

as Serana was

with colorful paper, greeted him casually. “Rare

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

grown accustomed to.

out fluttered colorful petals. One book after another, until Yasmine

covered in the petals of lilies, pressed flat and

felt

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

up all

detached gaze, standing by the table, not much taller than the

those eyes seemed to hold a universe of secrets, now veiled

seem to care much about

the petals and let out a light chuckle. “And what, pray tell, should I

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