The Enticing CEO’s Chosen Bride

“Yasmine!” Derek’s usual easygoing demeanor was nowhere to be seen, his face set in a stern mask

from the get-go. “You don’t have to suffer in silence with all of us here to support you. Acting all

nonchalant, like you’re above it all – who are you trying to impress? Can Boyd even see you? Every

word you spit out is like a knife, Yasmine. You’re all talk, trying to wound others with words that

probably don’t even scratch the surface. But who’s really in pain here? You…”

“Are you suggesting that I’m ruining my own life just to get back at Boyd? Was I not clear enough, or

are you having trouble understanding?”

“What else could it be?” Derek shot back immediately. “Why else would you rush into marriage with a

man you’ve barely met? Are you after the Summers family fortune? Come on, Yasmine, don’t you find

that laughable? You want success, you have Peck Innovations and your own assets. What can a dying

Summers empire offer you? Is this convincing to you? Have you forgotten who you are?”

Yasmine’s expression turned icy. “That reason isn’t convincing enough? Fine, I’ll give you another. To

completely rid myself of Boyd, and to take revenge on him, that’s why I chose to marry Nick now. Yes,

I’m hypocritical. I say I don’t care, but deep down, I do. It bothers me so much that I’m willing to use my

life as a weapon against him. Now you have two reasons. That’s what you wanted to hear, isn’t it?

Happy now?”

Derek frowned deeply at her. “You never cease to amaze me with your reasoning.”

Yasmine forced a smile. “Right, I don’t even recognize myself anymore. When did I become such a

fool, such a madwoman in my own eyes?”d2

“What do we mean to you? Couldn’t you discuss your problems with us instead of going it alone?”

“No one can share my burden. Everyone knows the grand principles of life, but how miraculous are

these principles, really? Have they ever healed anyone’s pain?”

Had they? No. If everyone understood, then nobody in this world would feel pain.

“I’m doing my best to live life my way. There’s nothing wrong with that, Derek. At least I still want to live.

To throw myself away over these things, to give up – that’s beneath me. I won’t stoop that low.”

Derek bit his lip hard, looking at her. “So you’re full of convincing reasons. But let me tell you, Yasmine,

you’re nothing but a con artist. Fooling everyone, even yourself.”

Yasmine’s eyes flickered, and after a long silence, she turned and walked into her room.

—

Inside the room, Yasmine stared at the marriage certificate on the bed, expressionless.

So, she had married herself off. Just like that. Great.

Suddenly, a pounding on the apartment door broke the silence. The persistent, almost deafening

knocking was nothing short of terrifying.

Aliza felt her heart might leap out of her chest from the sound.

As she peered fearfully from her room, the sight of the person hammering on the door only added to

her anxiety and frustration.

Bryson could guess who was at the door without even looking.

Derek, seeing his mother’s helpless look, furrowed his brow, strode over, and violently swung the door

open.

—

Boyd couldn’t possibly be unaware of the day’s news.

What had been a clear sky turned ominously overcast, thick clouds rolling in as the wind whipped his

navy-blue shirt around him. His handsome face was dark with rage, eyes bloodshot, his whole

demeanor brooding and disheveled.

Derek, unfazed by Boyd’s appearance, matched his grim expression.

Everyone knew, perhaps from being around Yasmine so long, that there was an unspoken rule – they

didn’t have the right to be angry. Derek had always been an affable, easygoing guy, much more

reasonable than Yasmine when it came to discussing problems.

Now, seeing Derek like this, Boyd felt as though a sharp pain had pierced straight through his already

tight grip on his heart.

He had refused to believe it. Despite the clarity of the images on the news, he had remained in denial.

He had never heard her mention Nick before. It was impossible for her to have any connection with

Nick, much less be at a point of discussing marriage.

She couldn’t be marrying someone else. He had imagined her wedding countless times – the location,

the style, the grandeur, her in a wedding dress, the kind of ring to buy, the vows he wanted to make…

Hadn’t she said she wanted to have a real life with him? Why then turn around and choose someone

else?

Just seeing Derek, he felt the last sliver of hope within him shatter completely. All the things he hadn’t

wanted to face and admit, were now undeniably real.

Derek looked at him coldly, thinking of what Yasmine had just told him. She denied marrying Nick out of

revenge, but Boyd was definitely a big part of her decision. She wouldn’t admit it, but Derek believed

that Boyd was the main reason.

He used to think Boyd was a decent guy, someone Yasmine had chosen – how bad could he be?

But now, his previous trust and approval had turned to utter disdain.

“What are you doing here? Come to give a wedding gift in person?”

Boyd’s tall frame swayed slightly, his hand gripping the door frame tightly, his Adam’s apple bobbing as

he spoke with effort. “I need to see her.”

Derek’s face tightened even further, a mix of anger and scorn swirling in his eyes. “Get out!”

The pain in Boyd’s eyes deepened, but he remained firmly planted at the door. “I need to see her.

Derek, she can’t marry another man.”

Derek’s face contorted as if someone had suddenly crumpled a portrait of him. The next second, his fist

flew. The punch was merciless, with no hesitation.

Boyd staggered back from the force, nearly losing his balance before steadying himself.

Derek threw a punch with such force it seemed to clear out the swirling mass of frustration in his chest.

He advanced on Boyd, grabbed the collar of his shirt, and swung another vicious blow.

“Who’s she supposed to marry if not someone else? You? After everything, Boyd, what right do you

have to speak?” Derek spat out angrily.

Blood trickled from the corner of Boyd’s mouth. Despite being on the receiving end of the blows, he

exuded a defeated yet unyielding presence.

It wasn’t until Aliza heard the commotion and rushed out to pull Derek away that Boyd slowly picked

himself up from the ground. Wiping the blood from his lips, his voice was gravelly and strained. “I need

to see her,” he muttered, as if those words were the only thought left in his head.

“Get the hell out of here!” Derek’s disgust only grew seeing Boyd’s pathetic state. Who was he trying to

impress with that lost soul act?

Boyd staggered forward, his eyes slightly reddened, his Adam’s apple bobbing as if his vocal cords had

been scorched. “I need to see her, please,” he begged.

Derek’s rage suddenly gave way to stillness.

Aliza, who had been holding Derek back, paused too, her gaze fixed on the young man in front of her,

his pain unmistakable. A tightness gripped her heart and her eyes welled up as she turned her head

away. “What good will seeing her do now? The situation is what it is. Don’t you know her temperament?

Once she makes up her mind, who can change it?”

“Ah, what’s happened here? You both liked each other, and things were fine. Why did it come to this?”

Aliza shook her head with a sigh, her voice tinged with helpless sorrow.

Boyd’s eyes flickered. “It’s my fault.”

Derek let out a cold laugh. “I’ve heard the saying ‘pride comes before a fall’ and thought it made sense.

Now, I see it’s downright disgusting. Of course, it’s your fault.

“Still not mentioning that woman, still trying to protect her, huh? Don’t worry, no one’s looking to finish

her off – she’d be gone if they were. You need to choose your battles, man. We’re not idiots. If it wasn’t

for her meddling, would you two be in this mess?Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay

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“I know no real man would push all the blame onto others, so you better forget about seeing Yasmine.

Even if she wanted to see you, it wouldn’t be to hear this crap.”

Yasmine’s temperament was anything but normal. Everything with her was a whim, unpredictable as

the weather. Who could guess what was going through her head at any given moment? Her morals

could shatter everyone’s beliefs one minute, and seem perfectly reasonable the next.

A master of manipulation, yet no one could pin her down.

So if she didn’t want to forgive him, what good would seeing him do?

Everything Derek had said, Boyd knew all too well. That was why he didn’t know what to do next. She

wouldn’t forgive him, and anything he did seemed futile. Yet he couldn’t just stand by and watch her

marry someone else, without feeling anything.

Boyd was at a loss for words. He didn’t know what to say now, and frankly, even if he saw Yasmine, he

wouldn’t know what to say.

At that moment, Yasmine stepped out. She stood at the doorway, her gaze indifferent as she looked at

him. “So you almost break down the door to see me. Is there something urgent you need to tell me?”

Seeing her, Boyd stepped forward eagerly, reaching out as if to grasp her. “Yasmine…”

“Mr. Boyd, I am now a married woman. It’s only proper to keep my distance from other men out of

respect for my husband. Please, have some dignity and don’t make me shame my family,” she said

with a cool detachment.