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, she’d find herself

hostility towards

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

refute them.

she knew

it

when the lilies in the garden bloomed exceptionally beautiful, and

appeared so harmonious.

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

been a captivating sight

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

and the investigation

days after planting, I saw her by the garden,

uprooting the seedlings with

frightening, like… like when she looks at Serana,” a third chimed

lilies were planted by Serana, so it must’ve been her,”

another.

accusations piled up, but Yasmine just

planted, knowing the germination rate was

thinned them out so

and blamed her out of ignorance, which

frustrating and laughable.

the ruined garden, picking up petals with tears streaming down

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

concern.

have any particular feelings about Serana. There’s no motive. It wasn’t

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

all, the lilies thrived mainly

time being, and the investigation continued quietly, possibly

reprimand for the culprit.

the “crime,” seemed indifferent to the whole

following afternoon, during a rare appearance in craft class, he paired up with

Serana was

colorful paper, greeted him

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

grown accustomed to.

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

covered in the petals of lilies, pressed flat and still

felt

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

all those

detached gaze, standing by the table, not much

universe of secrets, now veiled with a frosty

to care much about them,”

light chuckle. “And what, pray tell, should

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