The Enticing CEO’s Chosen Bride

“Hey, did you hear? Boyd just up and slapped Serana right across the face.”

Serana got slapped by Boyd? Curiosity was a natural instinct, and Yasmine had her share of it. Especially knowing Boyd as she did, the idea of him raising his hand to anyone seemed pretty wild. Let alone to a woman, and not just any woman, but Serana, the girl he usually doted on.

“No way, Boyd hitting someone?”

“For real, I saw it with my own eyes. Right there by the south gate of campus, Boyd drove his car up and barely exchanged two words with Serana before he slapped her. You should’ve seen his face—it was terrifying.”

The person shook their head, shivering at the memory, “He didn’t even look that mad when he broke up with Yasmine.”

“Pfft, who would dare give Yasmine the cold shoulder? Even Boyd wouldn’t have the guts to lay a finger on her.”d2

“True that.”

They murmured among themselves, their voices low, but Yasmine caught every word meant for her ears.

So, it seemed the story was legit. However, as curious as she was, she had no standing to walk up and demand the details.

Others had approached her out of curiosity, but she had nothing to share. Maybe Boyd would eventually take it upon himself to tell her what happened.

It looked like she was a bit too hopeful though. The guy who, no matter how much she gave him a hard time, would stick to her side whenever he had a moment to spare, hadn’t shown his face all day. Even after a week, he hadn’t appeared before her.

Inside, she felt a mix of emotions, but she couldn’t let them get the best of her now.

She didn’t have much of a plan about graduation or job prospects. At most, she’d help out Bryson, but she knew he wouldn’t have her do much. He’d probably rather have her as a decorative figurehead in some cushy chair.

She didn’t have any grand ambitions at the moment. Compared to the hustle and bustle of others, her life seemed to belong to a different world. Eating, drinking, reading a bit, and shooing Boyd away. Now, with one piece suddenly missing from her routine, she felt oddly out of sync.

Derek had gotten into the business ahead of her, helping Bryson with the workload, and was swamped. He came back every day looking disheveled, as if he had been on the front lines fighting enemies all day.

Every time he saw Yasmine leisurely at home, he felt a bit resentful. “You don’t plan on staying like this forever, do you?”

Yasmine sprawled on the couch, “What, got tired of me freeloading after just a few days of work?”

Derek surrendered with his hands up. “But what’s up with you? You’ve been looking lethargic lately. You used to be so driven, and now you’re content just bumming around the house?”

Yasmine smiled, “Maybe you just don’t know me well enough.”

Derek scoffed, “And Boyd? Haven’t seen him sticking to you like glue lately?”

Yasmine, who had been picking at a fruit platter on her lap, seemed disinterested in the topic, idly nibbling on the assortment.

After a day’s exhaustion, Derek didn’t press further, accustomed as he was to Yasmine’s attitude when it came to Boyd. “Forget it, I’m off to change. You’re not heading to school tomorrow?”

“No. Got an appointment.”

Derek paused, then chuckled, “Besides Boyd, who else would you have plans with?”

Yasmine gave him a lazy glance. Derek just grinned and quickly left the scene.

After dinner, Derek thought he wouldn’t see Yasmine for another twenty-four hours. She had a reputation for being lazy—bad at everything except for eating, sleeping, and doing nothing. She was definitely a champion at that.

Lately, she hadn’t been seen at breakfast. But the next morning, he was surprised to see her step out the door, fully dressed and ready to go.

is this really happening? You waking

was teasing her, Yasmine shot him a glance and headed out with her car

you off

date.

and when he saw her leave,

it was a city landmark, its medical standards and equipment couldn’t quite match those of Summit Ridge University’s affiliated hospital. She chose P City Hospital

in the underground lot, she rode the elevator up, arriving just in time, with a

reflection in the elevator mirror, chuckled, and gently placed her hand on her belly, giving

had a hunch something was off. She waited a few days before checking,

schedule, it had been

surprise. She had heard very little about

not have been fair to Serana, but she figured

his recent clinginess seemed to confirm that persistence alway paid off.

her to this check-up, but then Serana

missed her chance, but he couldn’t blame her for it. Still, this news was something she eventually had to share with him. After a moment’s hesitation, she decided to swallow her pride and make the first move to

for a good ten

was tinged

a somewhat awkward “Hmm.” “Are you busy right now? I

on Boyd’s

“Yeah.”

“Is it urgent?”

an urgent matter to see you? Just a simple answer, do you have the time or not?

Boyd a moment before he responded, “I’ll come

word. Once or twice, unexpected things might happen, but not thrice or four times. It seemed that Boyd would miss

the elevator on the ground floor, she had to pass through the main lobby to reach

headed straight to the department. But just as

him immediately—a distinguished figure among them, expressionless, holding a document. Beside him

knew them both

was too tied up to meet her immediately. The woman was Serana, whom Boyd had publicly slapped at school not so long

swept over the door they had just exited. Suddenly, Yasmine felt that despite everything, she

Yasmine’s, his expression stiffened. He glanced at Serana, his expression growing even more severe,

and looked her up and down. “What are you doing here? Are you feeling

from his hand. Boyd was caught off-guard

pregnancy report with Serana’s name on it. She didn’t bother to read the rest. She wasn’t a specialist, and it wouldn’t

But this was enough.

she turned to Serana, whose face had

her lip. She looked at Boyd, then cast her eyes

heard about the slap at school and thought

her closer. “What’s wrong with you? Why are you…” He paused, his gaze dropping to Yasmine’s belly, then looked up at her with surprise.

were here with a woman for a prenatal checkup, got curious and came to have a look.” Yasmine raised her voice,

did he

asked again, and when Serana

his lips together, “Forty

she understood. “Whose

Boyd didn’t answer.

tinged with agitation,

indifferent. “Then whose is

“I… I