The Enticing CEO’s Chosen Bride

“As for Morrison Witt’s birthday bash, it had no conflict with my press

conference. I mean, the Spotlight Beauty launch isn’t exactly a 24-hour

marathon, right? It’s practically wrapping up as we speak.”

The reporter piped up, “What about Witt’s ex-girlfriend? Her sudden return and

staying at the same hospital—why are both of them hospitalized at the same

time?”

“His ex just got back to town, and now Witt’s throwing this massive birthday

shindig. You sure she’s not a factor in this?”

Rose flashed a casual smile. “Just wanted to have a birthday celebration, you

know? Sometimes, there isn’t a hidden agenda. My husband and I are solid. I

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wish folks wouldn’t read into things too much. Like my colleague just said,

today’s all about the new line from Spotlight Beauty. Let’s keep things

professional and focus on the product, shall we? Thanks for your support.”

Once these issues were on the table, there was no way the focus would shift

back to the company’s new products. For them, gossip was a far juicier story

than any product launch.

Handing the mic off to the host, Rose turned with a smile and headed

backstage. Only when she was out of sight did her smile fade.d2

A colleague, worried, followed her backstage where she was sipping water from

a thermos. “Mrs. Witt, you okay?” they asked.

Rose set down her cup and smiled, shaking her head. “I’m fine, really.”

“But are you and Mr. Witt really all good?”

The questions from the reporters weren’t baseless. Spotlight Beauty’s launch

and Witt’s birthday party were the talk of the town in R City. This couple, always

so private yet always the talk of the town, suddenly found their high-profile

events clashing head-on. It was hard not to pay attention.

Was everything between her and Morrison really okay? She didn’t know.

And as for what was happening at Morrison’s birthday party, she was in the

dark. From the reporters’ questions, it was clear Mona hadn’t shown up at the

party yet. If she had, the reporters’ reactions would have been far more intense.

The situation was already tense, but if Mona made an appearance, Rose would

be in the eye of the storm. The whispers, the sneers, and the vile comments

online would all be amplified by Mona’s presence at Morrison’s party. She’d

have to face the accusations she’d always tried to ignore, the ones she

pretended didn’t bother her:

The homewrecker.

The schemer climbing the social ladder with a child.

The ruthless woman.

—

Standing outside the hotel, Rose watched the heavy snowfall paint the night

white. Passersby seemed to delight in the sudden flurry.

Hands tucked into the pockets of her down jacket, she caressed the velvet

lining, her gaze distant.

Her mind wandered back to a snowy day years ago.

She had worked night shifts for two months at a jewelry counter, all to afford a

platinum bracelet.

Yes, a bracelet for Morrison’s birthday. A man wearing a bracelet might seem

absurd to some—a cumbersome accessory, typically feminine. A watch would

be the more conventional choice for a man.

But she felt Morrison suited the bracelet perfectly. His hands were elegant, his

wrists artfully slender. A ring would look amazing on him, but where did she

stand to gift him that?

His hands, born to luxury, were well-formed, suited to adornment.

A watch was too commonplace, and far beyond her means. Even a year’s

wages wouldn’t buy a watch Morrison would truly appreciate.

She wanted to give him something meaningful, something earned with her own

money.

He definitely would use some sarcastic words at that time, but he had always

been like that to her anyway. Over time, she had also become accustomed to it.

Their strange relationship looked like mutual disdain, but there was an

unspoken understanding between them. They supported each other’s social

events like “friends.” Their dynamic was odd, but as long as there was a

connection, any form would do.

He might scoff at the bracelet, might not treat her kindly, but that didn’t mean he

wouldn’t wear it.

After two months of night shifts and bonuses, she was still short on cash.

Skipping classes and working nonstop, she finally had enough to buy the

bracelet the day before his birthday.

On Morrison’s birthday, when she arrived at the party, all dressed up, he was

nowhere to be found.

He had given her the address himself and invited her to come, albeit grudgingly,

but when she got there, she was informed the party had moved.

She didn’t want to believe it was a cruel joke on her. She trusted Morrison

wasn’t that kind of person. Yet, he wouldn’t answer her calls.

After several attempts, Mona picked up. “Sorry, Morrison decided to switch up

the venue last minute for a new club opening. Where are you? It’s getting late—

are you still coming? I’ll text you the address.”

The snow began to fall heavier as she took a cab to the new location. But

Morrison’s phone went unanswered.

She stood outside like that for a whole night, and the heavy snow almost buried

her into a snowman. The velvet box in her pocket turned icy cold.

That snowy night became a day she could never forget in her life, something

she couldn’t erase from her memory no matter how hard she tried.

It was Morrison’s last birthday before leaving school. Afterward, the holiday

break began, and the university emptied.

As the new school year unfolded, the chill in the air between Morrison and Rose

had turned downright glacial. From barbed exchanges and frosty comments, he

had moved to a state of complete indifference.

She became invisible to him, not even warranting a single spoken word. She no

longer had any opportunity to close that growing gap.

And then, graduation came, and they drifted apart, each going their own way.

The birthday present she’d never had the chance to give him remained

undelivered.

A gust of cold wind whistled through the trees, sneaking under her collar and

making her shiver. Shaking off the chill, Rose blinked and looked down, slowly

pulling her hands out of her coat pockets.

In her palm lay a purple, rectangular velvet box. She opened it with her other

hand, and the hotel’s lights gleamed off the simple platinum bracelet nestled

inside.

A single snowflake danced through the air and landed gracefully upon it.

Platinum jewelry had been all the rage back then, and although it had somewhat

fallen out of style, it still held a timeless charm.

Morrison had professed his love for her.

Whatever happened in the past, Rose could always turn the page. This year, on

his birthday, she wondered if this long-held gift would ever reach him.

Taking a deep breath, she closed the box with a snap and slipped it back into

her pocket. She stepped down from the porch and made her way to the parking

lot.

As she unlocked her car, a beam of light suddenly cut through the darkness.

Shielding her eyes, she was met with the sound of another car door opening.

“Rose.”

A tall figure stood before her, backlit and imposing.

She frowned, lowering her arm to look up at him. “Who are you?”

“Rose, are you here for Mr. Witt’s birthday party?” the stranger inquired.

On her guard, Rose asked, “What about it?”

“Please come with me.”

“Who exactly are you?”

The man did not respond.

—

The Spotlight Beauty product launch was still in full swing, with company reps

tirelessly promoting the new line. However, the buzz among the journalists and

guests was all about Morrison and Rose.

Some speculated that Morrison’s public opposition to Rose was just a warning,

a signal for her to step aside now that an old flame had resurfaced.

The room was abuzz as everyone speculated openly about the fate of the two.

Morrison arrived just as the discussion reached its peak. His sudden

appearance, with a stern face, silenced the crowd. They approached to offer

pleasantries but recoiled at the aura of hostility emanating from him.

The staff’s mood was soured, having heard so many cutting remarks about their

boss. How could they be happy? They knew better than anyone the kind of

person Rose was at the company.

They knew the slights Rose had suffered, and now she was belittled and

gossiped about behind her back, all thanks to this man.

Even though he was a man not to be trifled with in R City, that didn’t change the

fact that he was the culprit.

“Where’s Rose?” Morrison asked bluntly, his voice cold.

“We don’t know. She might have been tired and gone home to rest.”

“Yeah, Mr. Witt. Did you come here in person to force the issue after a remote

warning didn’t suffice?”

The sarcasm in the voice made Morrison’s expression darken. “What are you

implying?”

The person scoffed. “This launch was going fine until your birthday party started

drawing all the attention. The press has been all over your marital status and

about your beloved ex-girlfriend. Most folks here are betting on when you’ll get

divorced.”

“Mr. Witt’s tactics are truly unmatched. Thankfully, you didn’t bring your ex to

add insult to injury for Ms. Rose. If you had paraded your ex here to pressure