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.

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

piled up, but Yasmine

after Serana planted, knowing the germination rate was low. And when the seedlings grew too dense, she thinned them

didn’t understand these simple gardening concepts and blamed her out

knelt by the ruined garden, picking up petals with tears streaming down her face. Her tears drew even more displeasure at Yasmine, but the children’s naive and ignorant gazes didn’t

about Serana. There’s

didn’t jump to conclusions based on the children’s words, agreeing with Yasmine’s simple statement. After all, the

time being, and the investigation continued quietly, possibly leading to a private reprimand for

who hadn’t visited the scene of the “crime,”

paired up with Yasmine, who had been working alone at a long table,

playing with colorful paper, greeted him casually. “Rare sight,”

been carrying – a surprising choice for someone his age that she’d grown

petals. One book after another, until Yasmine

felt

but his lips curved in a casual smile. “I recall Serana was the one who gathered

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

seem to care much about

glanced at the petals and let out a light chuckle. “And what,

at her for a long moment. “Indeed, Serana picked them up.

the colored paper in her hands. “So, you think I should have a

rather happy as it

Boyd’s way of conversation. Always skirting full disclosure, they nevertheless understood each

heart continued to sink, a suffocating weight. “Don’t I

before continuing, “Do you think

his finger over the petals. “Didn’t you say you

heart laced with an

and blurred. She had no particular

deep within her, yet she took a deep breath and brushed

have no motive. What makes

when does disliking

laughed in spite of herself, but his words

have a problem with

while before responding.

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

began gluing petals onto it, clearly

Yasmine watched coldly.

in the entire orphanage,

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

petals into a vibrant bouquet of lilies, carefully wrapped in colored paper, which

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

with joy and gratitude. “So beautiful,

of a smile on

why her heart ached.

trust her. She was too

Hmph.