The Enticing CEO’s Chosen Bride

“You see, this is just how bad of a person I am. Isn’t it really awful to trample on your sincerity like that? So, do you still need to apologize to me?”

Serana bit her lip, defiance etched across her face, but tears betrayed her, streaming down her cheeks. “I didn’t mean to,” she whimpered.

“Yeah, I know. So you don’t have to beat yourself up over it,” Yasmine retorted, her voice was cold as steel, yet somehow, it sounded almost like comfort.

But how could Yasmine offer comfort? That was simply impossible.

Yasmine hooked the corner of her lip up in a smirk, stepped back, and glanced at the crushed petals on the ground, letting out a soft, mocking chuckle. “Still, you really should think about it. Sometimes, your guilt trips, they’re nothing but a hassle for everyone else.”

In response to her words, Serana, amidst the sadness and grievance, felt more perplexed than anything else.d2

Yasmine’s impatience flickered across her eyes. Talking to Serana was like talking to a brick wall.

Boyd stepped closer, “Before you go around playing the blame game, maybe you should take a good, hard look at yourself. People are scared of you, and avoid you. When something goes wrong, you’re the first suspect. Ever wondered why?”

Yasmine’s gaze lifted from the trampled remnants to Boyd’s face, her eyes twinkling with mirth but not a trace of warmth.

“Why indeed? Maybe because I fancy myself a lone wolf, too proud to see any flaws in myself,” She said, the smile on her lips growing more pronounced. “And yeah, everyone’s afraid of me, they push me away, and when trouble strikes, I’m the scapegoat. Sounds to me like it’s all my fault.”

Her words left Boyd realizing he’d misspoken. He pursed his lips, ready to try again.

“I’m just saying, it wouldn’t hurt to be aware of this stuff sooner rather than later. I’m worried if you keep this up—”

“Oh? And how long has this ‘condition’ of mine been around? If I needed a wake-up call, what were you doing before? Why wait until today, when I’ve made your darling cry to enlighten me?”

She glanced at Serana with a cold sneer inside, “So, I guess I should be thanking Miss Serana here, huh? Without her stepping into the line of fire, I wouldn’t have had the pleasure of your heartfelt concern and advice.”

As Yasmine stepped toward Serana, Boyd blocked her path. Yasmine paused, tilting her chin up to meet his gaze. They were the same age, but he had the height advantage.

Boyd, all defensive, said, “Yasmine, you’re too cynical. Serana’s just a kid.”

“And what, I’m old enough to be her mother?”

He took a deep breath, struggling for calm. “Can’t you stop being so aggressive? I get that you’re sharp, and you see through a lot, but Serana is not like you.”

“She’s not as cunning, you mean.” Yasmine interrupted, her laugh chilling. “Same speech, different day. As you said, I’m pretty clear on some things.”

“Yasmine.”

“Relax, with you here, what could I possibly do to your precious? You think I could take you in a fight? I know my limits.”

Boyd frowned, “I would never hit you.”

Yasmine watched him quietly for a moment, “Who knows? Maybe one day, if Serana really got hurt by me, you’d want to kill me.”

His face turned sour. But Yasmine just took a deep breath, dispassionately broke the gaze, and walked over to the table to grab her backpack.

“Anyway, rest assured, I don’t have the twisted pleasure of coming back just to torment her.”

Slinging her backpack over one shoulder, Yasmine stood next to Boyd, her eyes shifting between him and Serana. After a moment, Yasmine forced a smile.

me after all.” With those words, Yasmine headed for the dining

fell silent, and Bryson, standing

director seemed to snap back to

care and

one else had

couldn’t care less, her slim figure passing through the doorway

“Yasmine’s leaving?”

director just said. And the way she’s acting, it looks like she’s

she waiting for us to finish celebrating before

nice when you think about it. We wouldn’t

No more walking

more delicious

because she’s upset, or was

“Uh. Not sure.”

up to Yasmine, clutching at her backpack. “Yasmine, will I ever see

us if we

lip quivered. “You’re just going to leave like that? You always said Boyd was the closest thing

he’ll be relieved. Finally, no one to

Yasmine as she watched her retreating figure. From start to

gesture, she admired everything about Yasmine, or more precisely, she worshipped her. She wanted to be that kind of

place for what seemed like an eternity before it finally clicked, and he

the car door, watching as Yasmine

out, tinged with a rage—or perhaps some other

seatbelt and cast him

the door, but

wrong? Feeling all riled up because your little darling got

because I told Serana about your birthday, or

deep breath, Yasmine leaned back in her seat and looked at him for

myself. But the moment I feel

grip on the car door tightened, then clenched even harder.

smile faded as she met his gaze, unflinching. “Maybe. What’s the point of asking? If you’re happy, just show it. No one’s here to bully your precious Serana and play

“You…”

not, step aside.” Yasmine’s expression turned

you, I

raise a

you’ll never get the chance again.

command, Bryson nodded and bent down to pry Boyd’s hand away, but

days ago,

see any benefit in not forgiving you. Mainly, I just realized how pointless it all was. I don’t know why I’ve been clinging to this

Boyd’s eyes flickered.

her gaze landing on Serana who stood behind Boyd, “That pot of lilies in the yard is Boyd’s apology gift to me. You should like them more.

opened her mouth, but before she could speak, Yasmine had already looked

kicked Boyd’s wrist, and as he winced in pain, she quickly shut the car door with a loud “thud.” By the time

his teeth, he pounded

shook his head before getting