The Enticing CEO's Chosen Bride novel Chapter 1919

Her expression was cold and detached. "What's up?"

He stared at her short, tousled hair for a long while before speaking slowly, "I'll carry you to the car."

As he bent down to pick her up, Yasmine stepped back, eyeing the sedan with its door already ajar. The wound on her waist had just healed not long ago, and getting into the car might indeed pose a risk.

She turned to look at Derek, who was standing nearby. "Derek, give me a lift, will you?"

Boyd's eyes flickered ever so slightly.

Derek stepped forward without hesitation, carefully avoiding her wounded side, and gently lifted her into his arms. Then he bent down and placed her in the car. "Don't move just yet."d2

Yasmine had always been the darling of the Peck family, coddled and pampered in every possible way to the point where such treatment had become second nature for everyone around her.

Derek propped her back with his hand, reached for a cushion nearby, and placed it behind her waist for support before letting her lean back into it. He looked down at her, his voice low and gentle, "Comfortable?"

She nodded slightly, "Mhm."

They were close, Derek's shoulder brushing her cheek as he leaned in to adjust the cushion, his breath grazing her face as he spoke. Yet both of them seemed utterly at ease with this intimate proximity, as if it was an everyday occurrence they had grown accustomed to.

Boyd's gaze darkened a tad.

After Derek had made sure Yasmine was settled, his eyes lingered on her face for a second longer before he withdrew from the car and stood up, casually closing the door behind him. He gave Boyd a nod and slid into the driver's seat.

Bryson and Aliza also climbed into the vehicle.

Boyd stood there, watching the car pull away slowly. Suddenly, he realized that he had been through this scenario more times than he cared to remember.

--

Bryson had things well in hand at the school. It looked like Yasmine would be able to make an appearance at the graduation ceremony.

During this time, Yasmine rested at home, with Derek bringing her a few documents each day. Sometimes she'd sit in the study, video call Derek on her computer to join a company meeting or two, discuss new projects, or brainstorm potential ventures.

If something seemed promising, she'd dive in with a minor investment to test the waters, or sometimes jump into a brand-new industry feet first.

Besides reading books, taking regular walks for light exercise, surfing the net for information, and keeping up with the latest business trends, her days were fulfilling.

Sometimes Yasmine would even brag to Derek, "I think I must have missed out on a few billion. With my smarts, had I started in business earlier, I could've been one of the richest woman by now."

Derek would chuckle dryly, "Yeah, you're the smartest."

It wasn't about Yasmine showing off. She genuinely felt that focusing on money-making was beneficial for both mind and body. The ups and downs of the process were much more interesting.

Two months had passed, and her injuries were nearly healed.

She'd had her hair styled at a proper salon, and her wardrobe now included a few more mature outfits.

Wearing a sky-blue shirt paired with a simple black knee-length skirt, she had a light layer of makeup on her face. Though there was a touch of maturity, the shirt with ruffled sleeves added a youthful and fashionable touch.

When Derek, who'd been waiting outside for her, saw Yasmine, his eyes nearly popped out. "What... What are you doing?"

She brushed a lock of hair behind her ear, "I'm heading to the office to check things out."

Derek cracked a smile, though it was a bit strained.

Her sudden visit without notice had the office buzzing with rumors that she was Derek's girlfriend. The pair were certainly easy on the eyes – a handsome man and a beautiful woman.

Yasmine didn't mind the gossip, but Derek felt awkward as hell. Especially since he'd been ordered to give her a grand tour of the company. Introducing her as a shareholder to department heads was one thing, but the childhood friends were now being shipped as an arranged match.

Yasmine's first experience at the company was very positive.

They had lunch together, and in the afternoon, left the office in the same car to head home.

"Are you coming back tomorrow?"

Yasmine, sitting in the passenger seat, glanced at him, "Do you want me to come or not?"

"I just think that you're not fully recovered yet."

She nodded, "Then I'll sleep in tomorrow."

Derek breathed a sigh of relief.

But the next day, Yasmine showed up with a lunchbox, making a beeline for Derek's office.

Derek's nerves were shot, "Gosh, what are you trying to do? Office gossip is flying wild, and now you're adding fuel to the fire. Do you want me to survive this?"

Yasmine set the lunchbox in front of him, "Do you despise our little rumors that much?"

He shuddered, "Please, spare me. If my dad finds out I'm courting his little princess, he'll skin me alive."

Yasmine chuckled, "Scared by a little gossip? I think..." She hopped onto his desk, her gaze playful and teasing, "You've got your eye on someone else in the office, afraid she'll get the wrong idea?"

Derek waved his hand, "Office romances are forbidden."

"Then there's nothing to worry about." She pushed the lunchbox closer to him, "Let's have lunch."