The Enticing CEO’s Chosen Bride

Boyd idly pushed around the green beans on his plate and said coolly, “Compared to before.”

“Yeah. With all those books you read, you should grasp the concept of self-awareness. I know I’m not the most straightforward person, and someday I might do something that’ll make y’all cringe. But what bugs me most is, even if what they say is true, I can’t stand people bad-mouthing me. I won’t give them the satisfaction of calling me shameless behind my back. I don’t need that kind of gossip in my life.”

Boyd watched as she flicked the onions from her salad to the side, her face twisted in disgust. He smirked slightly, “I thought you didn’t care about such things?”

“So I should just let everyone nitpick at me?” Yasmine’s appetite vanished as she shoveled a few more forkfuls of mashed potatoes into her mouth. “I am also a human being. I don’t care, so does that mean anyone can freely slap a label on me?”

Boyd just looked at her, “You can always set the record straight.” He slowly took another bite, “But this is because of what I said to you in art class, isn’t it? If it isn’t you, you could explain, or prove your innocence.”

Yasmine’s movements quickened, and soon her plate was empty, save for the pile of onions in the corner.d2

“No need.” She slammed her fork down a bit too hard, “If I’m already so despicable in everyone’s eyes, what’s the point? Proving myself once means I might have to do it again. Who am I proving my innocence for? Them? Or you? Who among you is worthy of my explanation?”

A shadow fell across Boyd’s usually clear-cut gaze. “It seems you feel quite wronged indeed.”

Yasmine stared at him for a moment before standing up abruptly. “You’re right, I’m no saint. To suffer baseless accusations is indeed a grievance.”

Boyd finished his last bite of food, “So, isn’t that also one of the reasons to clear your name?”

“Not good enough.” Yasmine raised her voice, her chin up, her eyes looking down at Boyd with a chilly smile, “They’ve wronged me for no reason, and you think proving my innocence is that simple?”

She picked up her plate and pushed back her chair, “They made me suffer, and I intend to make them suffer more. Today, thanks to you, Boyd, I realized I still have a twisted sense of humor. An eye for an eye makes life more interesting. So everyone had better watch out. Don’t think I’m just talking. I’m full of cunning plans, and not using them would be a disservice.”

The whole cafeteria fell silent.

All the kids were looking at Yasmine, with confusion, disgust, and fear in their eyes. There were few people around Yasmine, and fear of her was definitely a part of the reason.

Boyd glanced up at her, “You don’t care about the suspicions of others, but my words stir up such a reaction?”

Yasmine paused, her grip on the plate tightening. She was silent for a moment before looking straight into his eyes and said frankly, “Because I think no amount of reading can make up for your useless brain, and it’s just sad. After all, we go way back, and now to realize I’ve been wrong about you from the start, it feels like a waste of time.”

Boyd looked up at her, and for the first time, his usually expressionless face showed a hint of anger. An immature face filled with the force of fury.

Yasmine felt a sudden sense of satisfaction. Nothing pleased her more than hitting Boyd’s sore spot.

Serana got up with a worried look and approached them. “Yasmine…”

“Cut it.”

Yasmine cut her off coldly, giving her a cool glance and walked away with her plate towards the tray return area.

She left the cafeteria without looking back. Her demeanor was clearly that of someone about to do something drastic.

Boyd frowned and stood up, his face set as he followed her out. The rest of the cafeteria exchanged puzzled glances before they too followed.

When they stepped outside, Yasmine was by the flowerbed, yanking out the lilies that had survived the recent cold snap, one handful after another, in front of everyone, including Boyd and Serana.

She even tossed the uprooted flowers at Serana’s feet. Staring at Serana, who had tears in her eyes and was trembling, Yasmine said coldly, “You like them, don’t you? Take them. They’re a gift. Keep them as long as you like.”

couldn’t

eyes, “You are ignorant and stupid. I do

surrounding chatter, she continued, “I can’t understand why you’d hide your dislike for someone. I despise you, and I want

with her chin towards the flowers at Serana’s feet, “I despise you, I pulled up the flowers, and there’s no need

Boyd, her face sarcastic, “I’m not into playing your subversive games. Not interested, not worth it. I act openly, and if people decide it’s me, I don’t feel wronged by a bit of slander. But if I were to do it secretly and still get blamed, then I end up with the reputation of a cowardly

the meaning of Yasmine’s words, but Boyd’s face suddenly turned

naive or foolish. She

students crowded around her. Yasmine watched the

never said Yasmine was responsible for this.

moment of silence, the director’s words hung

If it wasn’t her, who else could it be? Those

was largely due to her care.

in murmurs of

is that possible? Those flowers

Serena did plant the seeds, but without Yasmine, that garden

them, even if it

then she must have felt that those things were no longer worth her love,

suddenly flashed. He looked up at Yasmine,

nearby, “This afternoon’s class, let’s teach

agreement and accepted

Yasmine spoke up, dusting the soil off her hands, “director, Bryson is taking me

before responding, “Alright, you already know plenty about

a smile, “May

one

“Thank you.”

that, Yasmine thanked him and walked towards the office, passing

by the time he raised his hand,

—

orphans, Yasmine’s life was relatively decent. Over the past few years, Bryson had started a small business in P City. It wasn’t a big enterprise,

he never mentioned it. Secretly, the director thought it might be best to keep it that way, as it

the month after her birthday, he would make it a point to visit the

a delicious treat was

later, during the orphanage’s celebration for Yasmine’s birthday,

time for post-meal activity. Yasmine sat beside the flowerbed, with a shovel in hand. Her uniform, though washed to a faded white, was

Bored, idle, and listless.

her hands behind her

“Happy Birthday.”

the corner of her mouth, slightly turning her head to look at him, “Looking for a shortcut, Boyd? Trying to curry favor

you, would

grasped the shovel tighter, casually turning the soil in

beside her, “I’m sorry for the misunderstanding, and I feel really guilty. I think a sincere apology is in

of earth. “It’s irrelevant to me

good to know that you’re happy. Maybe if you accepted my apology, I’d feel even more guilty for doubting such