The Enticing CEO’s Chosen Bride

Serana bit her lip, silent.

Straightening up in her chair, Yasmine’s gaze grew colder. “You might not like hearing this, but you knew what you were doing getting into this. So don’t play the victim.”

Casting a glance at the sandwiches left on the table, Yasmine let out a sarcastic chuckle. “To win a man’s heart, you gotta win his stomach first. Have you managed that over all these years?”

The words were blunt, and any pretense of ignorance Serana had maintained was now impossible to continue.

Perhaps Yasmine hit a particularly sore spot, Serana finally met Yasmine’s eyes. “No one knows Boyd better than I do.”

Yasmine raised an eyebrow, resting her chin on her hand as she looked at Serana with feigned interest, as if waiting for a sermon.d2

Serana didn’t disappoint, continuing, “Sure, you knew him before I did, but you left his side for nine years. During those nine years, I was the one by his side.”

The expression on Yasmine’s face grew darker by several degrees. “Are you bragging or giving me a friendly reminder of my place? That it’s about time I stepped aside?”

Shaking her head, Serana clarified, “I’m not bragging, nor reminding you of anything. I’m just laying out the facts to explain that I’ve grown up with him, I know what he wants, and that’s why I’ve come to accept him being with you.”

Yasmine nodded, “It seems I should thank you for being so gracious about us being together.”

“I know you must think I’m a fool, but if I…”

“What’s going on here?”

Boyd’s voice suddenly cut in, interrupting Serana. He placed a plate of spaghetti in front of Yasmine. “You ordered it. You better eat it all.”

“But I didn’t say I wanted two eggs.”

“Just eat it.”

Boyd sat beside her, giving Serana a fleeting glance. “What were you two talking about?”

Serana’s complexion paled slightly as she gently shook her head. “Nothing important.”

Boyd turned to Yasmine, only to hear her say, “It’s not ‘nothing.’ I’m actually quite curious about what you were about to say.”

Serana took a sip of her milk, “I forgot.”

Yasmine only ate half her pancakes before pushing the plate towards Boyd. “Are you full?”

He pulled the plate closer to himself. “I don’t think you want to hear that I am.”

Wiping her mouth with a napkin, Yasmine quipped, “Do I look like someone who forces others?”

“I’m not full.”

Boyd directly took a bite of the half-eaten sunny-side-up egg Yasmine had left.

Yasmine smiled.

After Boyd finished eating, Yasmine’s phone rang. She answered the call without a second’s delay. “I’ll be right down.”

Boyd watched her, “I’ve arranged a ride.”

Standing, Yasmine said, “I won’t be going to school today.”

She brushed her hair back and exited the dining room.

but if Yasmine had already called for a driver, there was nothing more he

happened. Before

pulled her close, kissing

talk to her, then talk less. If you piss her off, I’m the one

stood there, a picture of sadness. She knew

driver beside her

to reality, took a deep breath, and got

—

to worry about

But what if…

What if what?

conversation, it wasn’t anything pleasant. However, such an exchange with Serana could only happen

to avoid the issue too, rarely visiting Boyd’s

all, they had grown up together. The ties couldn’t be completely

university, the students’ emotions began to settle down. They were less boisterous, more silent than before, perhaps due to impending farewells, the pressure to advance, embarking on

like Yasmine and Boyd, these concerns held little significance. In fact, Boyd’s focus had

Bryson managing things, played the hands-off boss quite comfortably. Bryson even suggested she could stay

seemingly without ambition, which left Bryson at a

her, except

their childhood play as just that—play, and the near-death experience as a game gone too far. She couldn’t deny Serana’s present self due to past events or hold onto old prejudices forever, but as time and events proved,

couldn’t shake Serana off. Her intolerance grew day by

month had passed

Yasmine from school. She instinctively went for the front passenger seat, but the driver opened the door and walked out, gesturing towards the back seat for her. Boyd was

ducked in and sat down, “Mr. Boyd, you’re really stepping up your game,

hand, “Can’t drive today. Got a dinner

Tired of

could cook for you every day of my

we eat out? I’m actually quite a fan

test score came in. She’s asked

Yasmine raised an

shook his head without

this is why you can’t drive

to celebrate? She probably wants

and it calls for a celebration? She isn’t some academic slacker, is she? Are we going to throw a party every time she finishes a

that during their meals together, Boyd did indeed celebrate Serana’s achievements occasionally, though Yasmine had never paid much attention to it, sometimes only responding politely. After all, with all the tests big and small along the way, it

these occasions. A cold chuckle escaped her, but anger coiled in her chest. Were

in her mood, Boyd squeezed her hand, “What’s on

corner of her eyes, looking up at him playfully. “I’m curious,

you left, she was at the orphanage, and after you

just want a straightforward answer

cold, her

at her for a moment, “We grew

answer, though the smile that touched her eyes was tinged with chill, “So, the orphanage was left with just the two of you to fend

Boyd’s brows furrowed.

So among all those kids who grew up with you at the orphanage, why haven’t you handed out prime real estate to each of them, or pulled strings to get them into Summit Ridge

brows lowered, “Why are you so concerned

she perhaps your long-lost

“No.”

to save you, almost paying with her virtue or

a layer of frost settled

turning to watch the world slide by outside the car

view mirror, catching sight

his palms sweating. He wasn’t deaf — the argument in the back was loud and clear