The Enticing CEO’s Chosen Bride

Boyd’s expression was one of pure distaste. “I reckon Bryson isn’t strapped for cash to buy some scallions.”

“There’s something different about growing them yourself. Besides, they grow fast. I can harvest them at least twice in a month.”

“I noticed the director has a pot on his office windowsill. You’re awfully young to have such quirky tastes.”

Yasmine ignored him.

Two hours later, they both wrapped up their tasks.

After that, Boyd, who was usually a ghost around the place, seemed to be popping up everywhere. He was often spotted fiddling around in the garden.d2

Occasionally, Yasmine’s figure would appear at the opposite flower bed, but her appearances were few and far between.

Boyd’s lilies received no care from Yasmine, not even a passing glance. Yet Boyd found himself watching those scallions grow with an odd sense of unease.

After half a month, Yasmine snipped the scallions and took them to the cafeteria, which meant two whole days of scallion cuisine on the menu.

Boyd wasn’t fond of them.

Watching Yasmine shovel them into her mouth, Boyd couldn’t mask his aversion. “I always thought you didn’t care for strong flavors.”

Yasmine, poised and unhurried, continued to eat, “That’s just your assumption. Though you’re not wrong, I generally don’t like intense flavors. But I find this quite nice. Nothing in this world is absolute, you know. Tastes, habits—they can change. You never know when something will just change.”

At her words, Boyd reluctantly took another bite.

Yasmine offered a small smile, “If you don’t like it, that is totally fine. No point in forcing yourself.”

“Maybe I’ll come to like it if I get used to it.”

She gave him a fleeting look, her smile light, “Pointless.”

Boyd kept his eyes on her, “But it’s all for the sake of liking them.”

Silence fell between them.

“Those lilies need special care, especially since it’s not the ideal planting season.”

Yasmine nodded nonchalantly, “I know. I’m not that naive.”

Perhaps Boyd had his own stubborn streak, “A little extra effort might do the trick.”

Yasmine finished her last bite, glanced at the lingering gaze beside her, and with a half-smile, stood up with her tray. “You should eat more.”

Boyd watched her leave, unaccustomed to hearing such things from her.

Not long after Yasmine’s departure, Serana slid into the seat across from him with her tray. She offered Boyd a bread roll, “Want to eat a bit more?”

Boyd looked at his empty bowl and accepted the bread. “Who are you avoiding?”

Serana nibbled on her vegetables and mumbled a vague, “Hmm. you know, Yasmine doesn’t like me much.”

Boyd took a bite of the roll, “She’s just got a foul temper.”

Serana ate in small bites, “Anyway, I’m kind of scared of her. I thought she ruined the lilies last time. Even though nothing was said, I feel like it was because of me that she ended up so humiliated.”

“It’s over now.”

well-versed in comforting others, felt a twinge of guilt himself

holding grudges was not her style—she neither had the patience

her head softly, still

her, “What else could there

head again, “I don’t know. I just feel like Yasmine was really angry back then. She’s usually so cool, but I’ve

him. He couldn’t put his finger on what was wrong, but his unease

perceptiveness was spot-on. Half a month later, the day

the cafeteria, and there was another unavoidable round of scallion dishes for lunch. Only this time, there

exquisite cake. The cafeteria buzzed with chatter, and Ava was

beside her, his face contorted as if he were eating

girls disliked sweets. Yasmine

her, her expression distant, not uttering a

“Happy Birthday.”

paused and turned to

chuckled, “Today’s your

on in

a clear glass jar. “I can’t give you anything fancy right now, and probably won’t for a few years. So, write down whatever you wish for and

empty jar, momentarily

only put wishes in on my

resigned, “Whenever you want,

better think hard. Mansions, sports cars… looks like I won’t need to lift a finger for the rest

chuckled nervously beside them, her tone treading lightly, “You know, this kind of talk

and Boyd froze, then turned to

confusion, unsure of what to say next. After a tense moment, she mustered the courage, “Isn’t that how it goes on TV? These promises from boys to girls, and they’re usually with the expectation

took on a pensive look, and

back to reality, but his gaze lingered on her. “You know, I didn’t really think too much

were a picture

help but find it a bit amusing. What was she

to the future. “I wouldn’t have thought of it myself if Ava hadn’t mentioned it. So since

“Sure.”

out her backpack and

tiny frown creasing his brow. Once the bottle was secure, Yasmine returned to her cupcake, a soft smile playing on

on her hand, with the fork still at her lips, she looked up at Serena with

a tingle of unease under her stare and handed over a

her eyes momentarily darkening. “Um… Boyd told me that

expression awkward. “I know I made things difficult for you last time, and I’m aware that destroying your lilies upset you. I’ve kept

“Did you

Boyd had let

tinged with concern. Yasmine could be icy and unpredictable, and no one knew which word might inadvertently cross her. And with her current

good opportunity. I’m not foolish. If Bryson intended to keep your real birthday

cold laugh, her

she give you some kind of guarantee that made you trust her not

interjected: “Yasmine, I swear

I ask you?” Yasmine’s tone was ice-cold, and for the first time, she looked directly at Serena, her gaze

“She won’t

fell silent for a few seconds. “So she didn’t even promise you, and you just

he looked at her, as though Yasmine was being unreasonably

loathe her. What are you thinking, assuming