The Enticing CEO’s Chosen Bride

Phoebe’s cheeks flushed a soft pink. “No, that’s not it.”

Angie kept silent, her eyes crinkled with a knowing smile. Despite the playful banter, Angie felt a deep tenderness for her dear friend.

Phoebe, the second daughter of the prestigious Alonso Corporation, should’ve had an easy life, pampered and carefree. However, beneath the glitter and glamour, her life bore none of such characteristics. She was always in the shadow of her sister Wendy, and the Alonso family lavished all their attention and affection on the elder sibling, leaving Phoebe to grow up almost wild.

No one noticed when Phoebe excelled academically, no one cared when she was bullied, and no one was there to comfort her when she was sad. That guy was the only one Phoebe had ever really opened up to, and even those memories were pitifully few.

Phoebe couldn’t forget the genuine happiness and longing in her heart every time she mentioned him. He was someone who could make her cry on purpose, only to turn around and buy her a lollipop, coaxing her back to happiness.

Their encounters were few, but Phoebe remembered one long-ago summer under a towering oak tree when that cute boy had told her, “When you’re bullied, just cry. Don’t hold back the hurt and the tears. It’s only when you cry that they’ll stop picking on you, and others will notice you. And it’s only when you cry that I’ll know it’s time to give you a lollipop.”d2

Those days were limited to that one summer. Still, those memories were enough for Phoebe to cling to through many subsequent summers.

However, the boy who told her to cry never knew that since that summer, Phoebe had never tasted another lollipop. And no one ever cared enough about her tears to give her any attention or comfort.

Phoebe was naturally reserved, gentle, and even a bit naïve. It was only around Angie that she’d let loose, occasionally showing a quirky side and a penchant for mischief. Anyone could see she was the kind of girl who seemed to need protection and a sense of security. She was like a crybaby who couldn’t handle any wrongs done to her, but tears were rarely seen in her eyes. She hardly ever let them fall.

Tears wouldn’t bring her that lollipop.

“Phoebe,” Angie’s voice broke through her reverie, “I heard there’s a new café-bookshop hybrid that just opened nearby. Even our professors say it’s a good spot. There’s a seminar coming up. How about we check it out? I heard they’ve got several cozy themes going on there.”

Phoebe’s interest piqued. “Sounds great.”

The two strolled side by side toward the school, oblivious to the blue Lamborghini nearby whose window rolled down, the man inside watching them before driving off.

Exiting the bookshop later that afternoon, Angie and Phoebe were still buzzing with the pleasant atmosphere they’d left behind.

“This place is quite a find, isn’t it? I haven’t enjoyed reading in such a relaxed environment in ages. What did you think?”

Phoebe nodded with a smile. “The selection was great. I even found a book I’d been searching for.”

Angie looked proud. “This chain’s been around for years. I heard it was started by Chloe’s mother, back when she was in college.”

Phoebe was impressed. “That’s amazing.”

Angie nodded, “You know the saying, ‘Like mother, like daughter’? Seeing how successful Chloe is, it’s no wonder her mom is impressive too.”

As they walked and talked, Angie received a phone call requiring her to return home. Phoebe knew the Harper family had been through some tumult but didn’t know the details. Angie hurried to the waiting car, her expression troubled.

After Angie was gone, Phoebe continued toward the school alone. She hadn’t gone far when a striking blue sports car pulled up beside her. She shifted aside warily as the window rolled down, revealing a young woman draped in faux fur and sporting a chic makeup look.

Phoebe recognized her from the school. This woman was known among some students for her flashy style and the rumors that she had a sugar daddy.

“Hey there,” the woman greeted.

“Can I help you?” Phoebe replied, cautious.

They had no real connection, but the woman looked puzzled and turned to the driver. A face familiar to Phoebe then leaned out.

“Phoebe?” he greeted her with a grin.

Phoebe’s eyebrows knitted together, her wariness intensifying. “Mr. Grayson?”

Grayson couldn’t help but chuckle at her guarded demeanor. “No need to be so formal, Phoebe. Call me Grayson.”

Phoebe didn’t have a favorable first impression of him at the hospital. Now, it seemed that he probably had toned down the mischievous air he displayed in the hospital.

Casting a glance at the woman in the passenger seat, Phoebe couldn’t think of anything positive to say about Grayson. He was the epitome of a playboy.

Thinking back to the lies they spun at the hospital, as Azriel’s girlfriend, she couldn’t possibly show any displeasure towards Azriel’s buddy today.

“Heh,” she forced a laugh, “What a coincidence.”

campus? Hop in,

Phoebe declined without hesitation. “I’m actually

said, then turned to his passenger, “Get out

pouted,

Grayson’s expression suddenly turned icy, “Get out when I tell you to,

shopping bags—each one emblazoned with a designer logo—and left,

to Phoebe, “C’mon,

from the look of it, he

remembered I left something

stuff, and then I’ll drop you off at home.” This

sighed, “Well,

“Anytime.”

herself and got into the car. “Let’s just skip

a soft laugh, “Sure thing. Where do you live these

seemed natural

Azriel right now.” Phoebe was quick to bring up Azriel whenever she could, unsure of

in the car for

tone in Grayson’s

her way with a slight smirk, “No problem. Just surprised that Azriel

forced out an

still early. How about I treat you to something to

to head back and cook

Well, how about a

Phoebe furrowed her brows.

wrong idea about me, Phoebe. I should really explain myself, and

have no misconceptions

“Don’t you?”

words. The

regular haunt for Grayson by the looks of it. As they approached, a server greeted them with a smile. “Good to see you, Mr. Grayson.” Clearly, he

“Find us a nice, quiet spot

through a

feel—definitely a quiet and refined spot. Even the seating was in the most secluded and peaceful part of the

“What’s your poison, Phoebe?”

“Lemonade.”

down the server and placed

edge, wary of Grayson’s familiarity with the place, hoping she hadn’t been led into the lion’s

at Phoebe. He hadn’t paid much attention the day before with Azriel around. She seemed like a young girl who wore her

that woman who’d been glued to Azriel’s side for years, surpassing Phoebe in looks,

never heard of him getting close to a girl,

“He was my grandfather’s student. We’ve

raised an eyebrow, his gaze narrowing,

truth. “Yeah. Did you go to the same school with Azriel?

expression became somber, “What

turned out that Azriel

“And you’re currently a…?”

“Well, second-year grad student.”

chuckle, “A chip off the old

their shared connection to her grandfather, Grayson seemed to lose some of his edge. They found common ground and chatted idly for over half an hour, but Phoebe’s guard stayed up. Grayson seemed moody, and she couldn’t shake the feeling he was up to

her home, leaving Phoebe feeling like she might have been

*

aback by the news as she stepped inside. “Where will he sleep if

left Phoebe feeling strangely choked up. She went upstairs, trying to shake the discomfort, but

to make breakfast, only to be stopped

really hadn’t come home.

arranged a car

felt so gloomy as she mindlessly got out of the car at the university gate. Then, out of

to be bombarded with a purse being hurled at her, followed by a couple of vicious

a beating. He stepped in to separate them, confronting the raging

she’s a tramp,” the woman snapped, her makeup-perfect face twisted with fury, “She dared to seduce my fiancé.