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.

god, is this really happening? You waking

her, Yasmine shot him a glance and headed out with

off

date.

her affairs, and when he saw

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

the elevator up, arriving just in

mirror, chuckled, and gently placed her hand on her belly, giving it

a few days before checking, and the

the check-up schedule, it had been half a month

didn’t deserve this particular surprise. She had

she figured any woman wouldn’t allow

redeeming qualities, and his recent clinginess seemed to confirm that persistence

thought about finding the right moment to tell him, perhaps even having him accompany her to this check-up, but then Serana popped up again, and Boyd

something she eventually had to share with him. After

a good ten

voice was

her hair around her finger, Yasmine managed a somewhat awkward “Hmm.” “Are you busy right now? I need to

a pause on Boyd’s end. “Right

“Yeah.”

“Is it urgent?”

a simple answer, do you have the time or not? If not,

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

Once or twice, unexpected things might happen, but not thrice or four times.

ground floor, she had to pass through the main lobby

headed straight to the department.

figure among them, expressionless, holding a document. Beside him was a frail-looking woman in a hospital

knew them both

to meet her immediately. The woman was Serana, whom Boyd had publicly

felt that despite everything, she hadn’t lived in vain. Even this kind of

looked up with a frown. When his eyes met Yasmine’s, his expression stiffened. He glanced at Serana, his expression

grabbed her arm and looked her up and down. “What

calmly pulled the report from his hand. Boyd was

quick glance revealed it was a pregnancy report with Serana’s name on it. She didn’t bother to read the rest. She wasn’t a specialist,

But this was enough.

the report back to Boyd, she turned to Serana, whose face had turned

lip. She looked at

school and thought something serious had happened. Turns out, it

pulled 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. “The

came to have a look.” Yasmine raised her voice, interrupting him,

right did he

asked again, and when Serana remained silent, she

lips together, “Forty

if she

Boyd didn’t answer.

tinged with agitation, “It’s not what you

indifferent. “Then whose is

lost even more color. “I… I don’t know. It’s definitely not