The Enticing CEO’s Chosen Bride

Mona shook her head, “Nothing, there was a misunderstanding about that thing.

I can explain.”

With the way she flustered now, all the unconfirmed suspicions that had haunted

Morrison for years seemed to coalesce into a stark revelation. It was the final

blow.

“Sure, since you’re scared of being wronged, you’re welcome to explain. If I’ve

indeed wronged you, rest assured, I’ll offer you a sincere apology.”

Rose spoke calmly, her emotions seemingly at bay. Back when she and Chloe

used to hang out, she always thought Chloe was too nonchalant when dealing

Enter title…

with certain issues, as if the person being insulted, slandered, or disadvantaged

wasn’t her at all.

Now that it was Rose’s turn, she began to understand that indignation was

merely amusement for others.

Pain for the loved ones, joy for the foes. And that was exactly what the other

party wanted to see. Besides, getting too worked up seemed pointless and

beneath her. It made her look like a clown.d2

Most importantly, she had grown accustomed to it. After witnessing so much vile

talk, it took a lot to get under her skin. Like now, she was the picture of

composure, her mind unusually clear.

But against Rose’s tranquil demeanor, Mona was visibly rattled. She glanced at

Morrison and caught him staring at her, his narrowed eyes piercing.

Quickly looking away, she pressed her lips together, “We all used to have such

good times. I forgot.”

Rose’s lips twisted into a wry smile, laced with irony. “If that’s the reason, then

indeed…”

Morrison wasn’t deaf to the sarcasm. He wrapped his arm around her, turning

her to face him, his brows knitted tightly. “What are you trying to say? That

winter of our graduation year… you mean my birthday?”

Something struck a nerve, and he took a deep breath before continuing,

“Speaking of which, Rose, why didn’t you come to my birthday that year? Do

you know how long I waited for you?!”

A flicker passed through Rose’s eyes, “You waited for me?”

Morrison clenched his teeth, “The last birthday before graduation, and you stood

me up! You always came before, but why not the last time…”

“Morrison,” Rose interjected lightly, his grip on her waist tightening.

He realized something was amiss and quickly loosened his hold, awkwardly

rubbing her waist.

Rose looked up, her expression serene, “You changed the venue last minute

and didn’t tell me.”

Morrison’s expression froze, then after a long pause, as if recalling something,

he turned to Mona. “You didn’t tell her?”

Mona suddenly felt a tingling sensation on her scalp. She opened her mouth,

“I… I forgot.”

After a few seconds of silence, Morrison’s expression turned ferocious. “You

said you were going to rehearse the play in the activity room and would tell her

in person!”

Mona trembled, “I really forgot…”

“Forget my ass! You told me not to call her!”

Morrison’s voice rose sharply, its cold fury almost terrifying.

Mona recoiled, tears spinning in her eyes, “I…”

The others were equally frightened into silence.

Rose watched her calmly. “Everyone knew except for me, Mona, if we speak of

malice, you’ve always had a head start. Still feel wronged? You can continue to

explain.”

Mona bit her lip, her hands clenched, unable to utter a word. She glanced at

Morrison, but his gaze had barely lingered on her.

What could she say? It was a direct confrontation with Morrison and Rose. Her

actions from back then were impossible to justify now.

Morrison had one hand hooked around Rose’s waist, while the other held onto

her slender arm. “So, you went to the original place that day?”

Rose looked at him, her gaze sliding inch by inch across his face, then she

asked in return, “Why did you decide to change the venue suddenly?”

Morrison’s lips pressed together, and he looked ashamed. “It was my mistake.”

Rose pressed him, her gaze intense, “Was it your own decision, or did someone

suggest it?”

Morrison looked guilty, “Someone else’s idea.”

“Who?”

Morrison met her gaze, his voice low, “Asking me to snitch in front of her, you’re

putting us both in a tough spot, aren’t you?”

“So, it was Mona who suggested you change the place last minute, right?”

Morrison’s lips twitched, and he gave a barely perceptible nod. His fingers

tightened around her waist, signaling her to help maintain his image.

Rose watched him, a faint smile playing on her lips before she spoke again, her

voice soft and distant.

“I did go. I went to the place you initially chose, but no one was there. I couldn’t

reach you on your phone. When I finally did get through, it was Mona who

answered. She did give me the address but neglected to mention the specific

location. I thought she’d have informed the staff, but I was turned away at the

door. When I tried calling you again, there was no answer.”

Morrison’s grip paused.

“Do you know why I mentioned that winter of our graduation year? It’s because

your birthday back then was just like today, with heavy snowfall. I called you

until my phone died, afraid to leave for even a moment in case I missed you, so

I waited outside the club the entire night.”

Rose’s voice shook as the suppressed feelings from the past bubbled up, her

eyes reddening, a mist forming.

Morrison’s Adam’s apple bobbed, his own emotions swelling in sync with hers. “I

did too. I waited all night, afraid that if I left, you wouldn’t find me.”

His words trailed off as he embraced her, kissing her forehead, “I’m sorry.”

“I worked for over two months to get your birthday gift ready, and it never got to

you. I fell ill the next day, and didn’t return to school until after the New Year. By

the time the new semester started, your attitude had changed drastically. You

didn’t give me any explanation, and there was no chance for me to approach

you and find out what happened.

“I’ve been wracking my brain, trying to figure out if I did anything to tick you off

before your birthday, to make you mess with me like this.”

“I didn’t,” Morrison replied, his voice stiff with the awkwardness of baring his

feelings in front of Rose. “It’s just seeing you so calm, not picking fights with me

for a change, it would’ve made my day. That’s why I wanted to celebrate my

birthday.”

The confession was awkward, especially for Morrison, who was used to their

years of constant one-upmanship. Neither had ever shown weakness to the

other, and this new vulnerability felt alien.

Yet, here he was, spilling his guts just like he had at her product launch. This

time, though, it felt so much more awkward. But what was the difference? In

front of her, he’d long since lost his shame. Why started being coy now?

Rose clutched at Morrison’s shirt, her spirits lifted despite herself at his words.

Morrison planted a few quick kisses on her forehead before stepping back and

extending his hand towards her.

“What’s up?” Rose asked, puzzled.

“Where’s my present? My birthday gift?”

Rose hesitated, turning away slightly. “I didn’t get you anything this time.”

Morrison frowned, not with anger but with a hint of hurt on his handsome face. “I

mean, I’m thrilled you showed up for the party, but I’d be over the moon if you

had a birthday gift for me.”

Rose was silent.

Morrison, trying to cajole her, pecked her cheek. “You’ve got something for me,

haven’t you? Come on, hand it over.”

Rose ducked her head a little more, gripping her purse tightly.

“I really didn’t get anything.”

Morrison’s keen eyes caught her subtle gesture and he snatched her purse right

from her hands, rummaging through it. Aside from car keys, a tube of lipstick,

and a velvet box, there was nothing else that looked remotely like a gift.

He triumphantly pulled out the box, grinning at Rose before opening it without

hesitation. Inside was a platinum bracelet, clearly not meant for a man.

Morrison paused, holding the bracelet up. “This is for me?”

Rose blushed furiously, reaching to snatch it back. “If you don’t like it, give it

back.”

Morrison instinctively lifted his hand higher to keep it out of her reach. “So you

did get this for me?”

She didn’t answer, but her silence said enough. She still made a grab for it, and

he held it even higher out of her reach. The two of them looked every part the

bickering lovebirds.

Morrison’s demeanor was like that of a child, playing with the girl’s belongings

and teasing her. It was a classic case: the more someone liked another person,

the more they wanted to playfully tease and bully them.

To everyone around, the nature of their relationship couldn’t have been clearer.

“Accusing Mrs. Witt of bias because she’s an ex-girlfriend, targeting her with

one-sided hostility. Geez, look at what she’s done.”

“Manipulative since school days, huh? She made someone wait out in the cold

all night.”

“She must have been guilty from the start to play such a trick. She’s bold, isn’t

she? Doesn’t she fear being caught?”

“And on his birthday of all days, playing such cruel tricks? Given how much she

used to focus on Mrs. Witt, she must’ve known about her part-time jobs, right?”

These unabashed comments mostly came from those who had previously

sympathized with Mona. Anger only flared stronger with the sense of being

tricked.

“I’m really curious about what she gave Mr. Witt for his birthday back then.

Maybe she was afraid she couldn’t measure up to Mrs. Witt’s gift, so she

resorted to this scheme.”

“I know,” someone suddenly spoke up. “It was just like today, she gave him a

watch. But unlike today, she didn’t put it on Morrison herself.”

Laughter and surprise echoed through the crowd. “What kind of watch? Given

Mr. Witt’s status, she couldn’t have afforded anything special, right?”

The same person added, “It was a luxury watch, worth a pretty penny back then.