The Enticing CEO’s Chosen Bride novel Chapter 1925

Yasmine stood her ground, not showing any intention of backing down. Her words froze Boyd's advancing hand in mid-air.

"You really..."

"Yes, really. I didn't need to make a spectacle and invite the press or the Summers clan just to put on a show for you."

Boyd's lips paled, "Are you trying to get back at me?"

Yasmine quirked an eyebrow and glanced at Derek, a soft chuckle escaping her lips. "A little bit of payback? Sure, perhaps. Choosing to tie the knot right now, it's hard to say it has nothing to do with you."

Boyd's gaze was filled with sorrow, "To throw away your happiness for revenge, you wouldn't do that..."d2

Yasmine nodded thoughtfully, "Sacrifice my happiness? Is it that the Summers' reputation in P City isn't stellar, or is Nick not up to par? Hardly. I'm too busy being over the moon to worry about that. Anything else you want to add, Mr. Boyd? I don't think there's much left for us to discuss."

Boyd looked at her and said, "We are not complete strangers, no matter how cold you act, you can't deny what we've been to each other."

Yasmine raised an eyebrow, chuckled and said, "True, pretending to be strangers would be a bit much."

She paused, then continued with a sardonic smile, "How's Serana doing? I heard about the miscarriage on the news. Karma, isn't it? But the rumor mill has it that it was your drunken misdeeds that caused it, not sparing a thought for her. Any truth to that gossip?"

Boyd's expression froze, and he found himself speechless.

Yasmine's gaze didn't waver, and she didn't miss the turmoil on his face. A faint frown crossed her forehead, followed by a mocking smile.

Sometimes, it seemed like fate had it all planned out. Her and Boyd, perhaps they were just never meant to be.

Forced together for so long, only to pass by each other in the end. She had known this all along.

When Derek glanced at Yasmine, he asked, "He lost control after having a few drinks? With Serana? He..."

Yasmine narrowed her eyes at him, "Curious about everything? Would you like me to share the details of my night with Nick? Maybe that would satisfy your curiosity?"

Derek frowned and after calling her shameless, he took a puzzled Aliza inside.

Aliza was confused, "What did she mean by that? Didn't she say nothing happened between her and Nick?"

"It's obvious what she's thinking, isn't it? She wants to get rid of Boyd. And don't you repeat this to anyone. I don't think the Summers know the whole truth about their son and Yasmine. If they did, she wouldn't last long in that family."

Aliza nodded vigorously, sealing her lips. "Of course, I won't say a word."

Derek's expression grew somber. If Yasmine hadn't asked him to handle the hotel's surveillance, he would never have been so certain nothing happened between her and Nick.

And all that business with Boyd and Yasmine entering a room together, and then her encounter with Serana in the hallway, he had seen everything. So if there was any truth to Boyd's misconduct, it involved Yasmine, not Serana.

Serana did enter Boyd's room later, but Boyd was sleeping at the time, and even if he wasn't, he would never have done anything to her in a clear state of mind.

Yasmine must know something, and whatever she told Serana in the hallway must have planted some idea in her head.

--

Yasmine's gaze swept over Boyd's bruised face, her voice detached, “Why the silence? You show up looking like this, just to see me. It must be more than a simple visit.”

Boyd was silent for a long moment, knowing full well he had no right to say anything. "Do you really plan to marry Nick?"

"It's not a plan, it's done. The Summers family may hold some sway in P City, and Nick is quite handsome, to my taste. But let me be clear, part of the reason for this decision is indeed you, though I won't elaborate. It's done on my part, and I'd rather you keep out of my life now, otherwise this marriage won't mean much. Then again, instead of seeking absolution from me, perhaps you should turn your attention to Serana, who lost the baby she risked her heart condition to keep."

--

The next day, Yasmine moved into the Summers family estate and began co-managing Pulse Entertainment with Carolina.

Carolina was a force to be reckoned with, someone everyone tried to avoid if possible, both in personal and professional spheres. Her word was law, and nobody dared to challenge her. But Yasmine's arrival seemed to disregard Carolina's temperament entirely.

To the company, it looked like she had Carolina under pressure, and since her arrival at Pulse Entertainment, every project she touched showed significant success.

Carolina was left without much to criticize. Her demeanor, though, was a mix of resentment and reliance when it came to Yasmine. Carolina despised the streak of defiance Yasmine carried.

--

Marrying such a smart and beautiful woman, Nick was understandably overjoyed, but over the past month, they hadn't even shared a bed, let alone fulfill the duties of a married couple.

Touching her? Only in his dreams.

Yasmine had all sorts of reasons to disagree, leaving Nick visibly frustrated yet compliant. Over time, Yasmine began to feel a tinge of guilt, as though she was taking advantage of him.

Living together, she could see that Nick's shortcomings had reasons. Carolina, with her grip on power, offered no praise for a job well done, yet was quick to criticize Nick for any mistake, no matter how small. No passion could survive under such conditions.

Yasmine had considered helping Nick change, but some habits were too deeply ingrained and unrealistic to alter overnight. However, she could see Nick was well-meaning, and even though she often avoided contact with him, he was generally decent to her. She wondered if he was naturally easygoing, or if her own formidable presence left him with no other choice.

Yasmine had a soft spot for the carrot rather than the stick approach, and with Nick's demeanor, she pondered how to accept him.

But that thought remained just a thought. After a half-month of mental preparation, Yasmine visited the hospital feeling unwell. She was nine weeks pregnant.

The news was completely unexpected, unprepared for, and especially complicated considering her role at Pulse Entertainment and as the new lady of the Summers family. Before she could even leave the hospital, the media had already broadcast the news of her pregnancy.