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

in their routine,

even hostility

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

refute them.

she knew it

it start,

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

appeared so harmonious.

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

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

Such an

orphanage, and the

by the garden, holding a trowel and looking pensive,” said

her too, uprooting the seedlings with that trowel,”

like… like when she looks at Serana,”

doesn’t like Serana. We all know that. The lilies were planted by Serana, so

another.

piled up, but Yasmine just

had merely added extra seeds after Serana planted,

she thinned them out

didn’t understand these simple gardening concepts and blamed her out of ignorance, which she found

frustrating and laughable.

by the ruined garden, picking up petals with

the children’s naive and ignorant gazes didn’t warrant

concern.

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

the orphanage didn’t jump to conclusions based on the

lilies thrived mainly because of Yasmine’s

the time being, and the investigation continued quietly,

reprimand for the culprit.

of the “crime,” seemed indifferent

craft class, he paired up with Yasmine, who

table, as Serana was already working with

playing with colorful paper, greeted him casually.

the heavy finance books he’d been carrying –

grown accustomed to.

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

covered in the petals of

felt inexplicably

lips curved in a casual smile. “I recall Serana was the one

up all

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

universe of secrets, now veiled with a

seem to care much

out a light chuckle.

a long moment. “Indeed, Serana picked them up.