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

began to irk her. And in their routine,

hostility towards

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

refute them.

knew it was

did it start,

garden bloomed exceptionally beautiful, and

appeared so harmonious.

later, she found the desecrated lilies, and

garden’s vibrant lilies had been a captivating sight at

scattered, leaves shredded, and stems snapped. Such an act was a

and the investigation

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

saw her too, uprooting the seedlings with

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

that. The lilies

another.

accusations piled up, but

planted, knowing the

she thinned them out so the

blamed her out of ignorance,

frustrating and laughable.

by the ruined garden, picking up petals with tears streaming down her face.

the children’s naive and ignorant gazes didn’t

concern.

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

to conclusions based on

all, the lilies thrived

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

reprimand for the culprit.

scene of the

craft class, he paired

a long table, as Serana was already

greeted him casually. “Rare sight,”

down the heavy finance books he’d been carrying –

grown accustomed to.

out fluttered

covered in the petals of lilies, pressed flat and still

heart felt inexplicably

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

up all

with a detached gaze, standing by the

to hold a universe of secrets, now veiled with a frosty

don’t seem to care much about them,”

out a light chuckle. “And what, pray tell,

picked