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?

She never felt it then.

But somehow, Serana began to irk her. And in their routine, she’d find herself unintentionally showing indifference or even hostility towards Serana.

The other kids at Angel’s Haven Orphanage noticed too, whispering behind their backs, but she never bothered to refute them.

Because she knew it was true.

When did it start, exactly?

Perhaps it was when the lilies in the garden bloomed exceptionally beautiful, and the two silhouettes sitting together appeared so harmonious.

And then, a few days later, she found the desecrated lilies, and realized something had changed.

The garden’s vibrant lilies had been a captivating sight at Angel’s Haven Orphanage. Now, they were mostly dead, their petals scattered, leaves shredded, and stems snapped. Such an act was a significant event in the otherwise tranquil orphanage, and the investigation began.

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

“I saw her too, uprooting the seedlings with that trowel,” added another.

“Recently, her gaze towards the garden was frightening, like… like when she looks at Serana,” a third chimed in.

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

accusations piled up, but Yasmine

was low. And when the seedlings grew too dense,

didn’t understand these simple gardening concepts and blamed her

up petals with tears streaming down her face. Her tears drew even more displeasure at Yasmine, but the children’s

feelings about Serana. There’s

conclusions based on the children’s words, agreeing with Yasmine’s simple statement. After all, the lilies

and the investigation

of the “crime,” seemed indifferent

paired up with Yasmine, who had been working alone at

colorful paper, greeted him casually. “Rare

he’d been carrying – a

another, until Yasmine saw the table covered in the petals of

felt inexplicably

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

a detached gaze, standing by the table, not much taller than the piece of furniture itself. However, those eyes seemed to hold

seem to care much about them,” he

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

Serana picked them up.

her hands. “So, you think I should have

look rather happy

conversation. Always skirting full disclosure, they nevertheless understood each other’s

continued to sink, a suffocating weight.

before continuing, “Do you think I had something to do with this

ran his finger over the petals.

heart

had no particular fondness

her, yet she took

I have no motive. What makes you

sneered. “Since when does

laughed in spite of herself, but his words rang

I have a

while before responding.

lips. “Even so, it’s just a matter of probability. There are plenty who don’t like her. Why

piece of green paper and began

Yasmine watched coldly.

while, he muttered, “Yasmine, in the entire orphanage, you are the most

Yasmine hadn’t managed to create anything, her desk littered with

into a vibrant bouquet of lilies, carefully wrapped in colored paper, which he then handed to

airtight jar, and they’ll last as long as you want.” His tone was still cool, but tempered with an

and gratitude. “So beautiful, thank

with a hint of a smile

Yasmine didn’t know why her heart ached. She thought

her. She was too scheming for

Hmph.