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, I’ll give you

without hesitation.

“Get out and walk back. You’ve got

woman pouted,

icy, “Get

shopping bags—each one emblazoned with a designer logo—and left, casting a lingering look at

back to Phoebe, “C’mon, I’ll

was persistent. And from the look of it, he

just remembered I left something back at

school with you to grab your stuff, and then I’ll drop you off at home.” This time, he unbuckled his seatbelt

sighed, “Well, thanks,

“Anytime.”

other option, Phoebe braced herself and got into

“Sure

seemed

Phoebe was quick to bring up Azriel whenever she could, unsure of what kind of mischief might be on

the car for a moment, “You’re living

tone in

“No

forced out an

How about I treat you

can’t. I need to head back

how

Phoebe furrowed her brows.

Phoebe. I should really explain myself, and I hope you’ll give me the

have no misconceptions

“Don’t you?”

words. The

of it. As they approached, a server greeted them with a smile. “Good to see you, Mr. Grayson.” Clearly, he

us a

server nodded eagerly, leading them through a maze

a quiet and refined spot. Even the seating was in the most

“What’s your poison, Phoebe?”

“Lemonade.”

the server and placed the

the place, hoping

really look at Phoebe. He hadn’t paid much attention the day before with Azriel around. She seemed like a young girl who wore her heart on her sleeve, naïve

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

never heard of him

to concoct a plausible lie. “He was my grandfather’s

narrowing, “You’re the granddaughter of Professor

lie was close to the truth. “Yeah. Did you go to the same school

became somber, “What

It turned out that Azriel really was her

“And you’re currently a…?”

“Well, second-year grad student.”

“A chip off the old block, an academic through

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

Phoebe feeling like she might have

*

the news as she stepped inside. “Where will

choked up. She went upstairs, trying to shake the discomfort, but spent a restless

Phoebe headed downstairs to make breakfast, only to be stopped

hadn’t come home. She ate

already arranged a car

understand why she felt so gloomy as she mindlessly got out of the car at

herself against the car, only to be bombarded with a purse being hurled at her,

with the driver’s quick reaction, Phoebe took a beating. He stepped in to separate them, confronting the raging woman, “Miss, why are you hitting

snapped, her makeup-perfect face twisted with fury, “She dared to