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.”

Hop in, I’ll

declined without hesitation. “I’m actually heading

“Get

pouted,

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

quickly gathered her shopping bags—each one emblazoned with a designer logo—and left, casting a lingering look at Grayson. “I’ll be waiting for your

to

And from the look of it, he wouldn’t take no for

left

by the school with you to grab your stuff, and then I’ll drop you off at home.” This time, he unbuckled his seatbelt and got out of the car, gallantly

sighed, “Well, thanks, I

“Anytime.”

option, Phoebe braced herself and got into

let out a soft laugh, “Sure

question seemed natural

Azriel whenever she could, unsure of what kind of mischief might be on

in the car for a moment, “You’re living

in Grayson’s voice,

smirk, “No problem. Just surprised that Azriel moved so

forced out an

still early. How about I treat

I need to head

Well, how about a coffee

Phoebe furrowed her brows.

think you’ve got the wrong idea about me, Phoebe. I should really explain myself, and I

have no

“Don’t you?”

for words.

outside a swanky lounge, a regular haunt for Grayson by the looks of it. As they approached, a

ado, Grayson instructed, “Find us a nice, quiet spot for a

them through a maze of corridors to

was indeed a café, decked out in dark hues with a simple yet luxurious feel—definitely a quiet and refined spot. Even the seating was in the most secluded and peaceful part of

“What’s your poison, Phoebe?”

“Lemonade.”

server and placed

on edge, wary of Grayson’s familiarity with the place, hoping she

before with Azriel around. She seemed like a young girl

plenty prettier. Especially that woman who’d been glued to Azriel’s side for years, surpassing Phoebe in looks, brains, and everything else. And

heard of him getting close to a

up, scrambling to concoct a plausible lie. “He was my

eyebrow, his gaze narrowing, “You’re the granddaughter of Professor

“Yeah. Did you go to the same school with Azriel? Were you also one of

became somber, “What a small

turned out that Azriel really was

“And you’re currently a…?”

“Well, second-year grad student.”

off the old block, an academic through

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

drove her home, leaving Phoebe feeling like she might have been too suspicious. Even so, she hoped never to cross paths with

*

unlikely to come home that night. Phoebe was taken aback by the news as she stepped inside. “Where

saying nothing, which left Phoebe feeling strangely choked up. She went upstairs,

downstairs to make breakfast, only

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 the university gate. Then, out of nowhere, a sharp slap landed on

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

the driver’s quick reaction, Phoebe took a beating. He stepped in to separate them, confronting

makeup-perfect face twisted with fury, “She dared