The Enticing CEO’s Chosen Bride novel Chapter 1934

Herschel's eyes caught the flash of panic that swept across Boyd's face.

Yasmine said, "After all, it was my birthday present. Remember what you said when you gave it to me?"

Even though Herschel didn't know exactly what had happened back then, Boyd's expression had given him a pretty good guess.

Boyd's face went pale, his fingers twitching slightly at his sides. "Yasmine..."

"Boyd, I actually believe you love me. Otherwise, why do you think I would hold onto the pain of our separation all these years without seeking revenge?"

It was clear to everyone. Yasmine had made her move. And Boyd, no doubt, was acutely aware.d2

Yasmine always knew Boyd was sharp, his gaze usually filled with wisdom and calm. She understood that he knew very well himself.

Just look at him now. Boyd showed no reaction. He knew, after all.

Anger began to coil within Herschel. If anyone dared claim to be the worst in the world, they’d be second to her. She had a way of tormenting someone without even being present, a talent unmatched.

"I love you." Boyd's head hung low as he stood opposite her, his eyes downcast and unreadable, but his voice, hoarse and subdued, betrayed his turmoil, grief, and helplessness.

Yasmine's lips curled into a smile. "I know, and that's why I think you remember every promise you made to me, including the one about the birthday gift."

After speaking, she glanced at him, murmured "Wait for me," and climbed the stairs.

Boyd remained motionless. The moment Yasmine turned, he thought of fleeing. He guessed what she was going to do upstairs. He didn't want to face what was coming, but she had asked him to wait.

Herschel could feel the restraint and anxiety emanating from Boyd, knowing he was desperate to escape. Boyd’s emotions were on the verge of explosion; Herschel’s face turned stern as he reached for Boyd's arm.

"Dad."

He hesitated as his eyes fell on Boyd's clenched fists, the veins on his forearms protruding, muscles taut and trembling.

Herschel's heart sank. He signaled to the two men beside him, who immediately took action. One stood by Boyd's side while the other opened a case he had been carrying.

The sound of the case unlocking made Boyd flinch. He turned to see the open case. The restraint in his eyes finally quivered. He slowly looked up at Herschel, his body still, his voice scraping harshly. "Get out."

Herschel was taken aback by the extreme coldness in his demeanor. "Dad, what you need right now is to stay calm, or Ms. Yasmine will..."

He was interrupted by a faint noise from the staircase.

Boyd's face, already roiling with emotion, suddenly composed itself, although his expression remained unnatural for a few seconds before he turned to look up the stairs. The hands that had been clenched now relaxed slightly.

When he saw Yasmine's figure and the clear glass bottle in her hands, he couldn't help but step back.

The doctors behind him had prepared the injection, waiting silently for instruction.

Boyd's gaze swept over Yasmine, his expression pained as he shook his head in near panic.

Yasmine's slender fingers traced the smooth glass, her mouth twisting into a wry smile as she extended the glass bottle towards Boyd.

Boyd stepped back again. "No. Yasmine, can we not do this? I can't."

"So, you want to back out? Then what's the point of this birthday gift?"

Boyd was at a loss.

Herschel, much like Boyd, had seen Yasmine's unyielding nature and knew well enough what the note at the bottom of the glass jar might say.

"Yasmine..." Boyd's voice was grating, his Adam's apple moving uncontrollably, "I can't let you go. If I let you go, would you come looking for me on your own?"

Her lips twitched with a plain and simple answer. "No."

The answer was expected. Boyd's mouth moved silently, forming words that never came.

Yasmine sighed and stepped closer to Boyd, who attempted to retreat, but she caught his wrist and placed the glass jar into his hand. Yasmine felt Boyd's hand, icy and trembling.

Boyd wanted to throw the glass away as if it were a hot potato, but Yasmine gently laid her hand over his, pressing his fingers around the jar, and then looked up at him with a light in her eyes. "Boyd, I have my pride. I never intended to leave us any way out of this."

Her grip on his hand tightened, insisting he hold the glass.

Then, as Boyd finally saw a soft, sincere smile on Yasmine's face, unlike her usual cold, sarcastic, dismissive ones, he was dazzled. Her eyes were so tender, a rarity in his life. Perhaps he had never seen her smile like that before.

Once, her laughter was bright and sunny, but now, she carried an air of grace that was altogether different. Her smile, without a doubt, surpassed all the beauty in the world.

He stood, his expression dazed.

"Hold onto this. This is the promise you made to me all those years ago. There's no backing out now."

Boyd was captivated by her current smile, but the harsh reality in front of him was inescapable. Yasmine gripped his hand tighter.

Boyd's face was a picture of pleading, his eyes reddening, his Adam’s apple bobbing with a series of swallows. Despite his efforts to rein in his emotions, the more he tried to hide, the more his pain seeped through, tugging at the heartstrings. Because no one knew just how much a person could bear in silence.

Still, everyone in the room felt, that Boyd's limit was surely above everyone else's. His attempt to hide his pain yet showing traces of it indicated an immeasurable burden he carried.

Herschel, watching Boyd's struggle, felt a lump in his throat and an ache in his heart. Turning to Yasmine, the woman he had always respected, he now felt a mix of revulsion and deep resentment. He understood she had her unforgivable stance and reasons, but what he saw now was a woman punishing his father in the cruelest way imaginable. He couldn't be entirely fair and just.

"Have you no heart?" Herschel couldn't hold back.

Yasmine finally glanced at him, withdrawing her hand, and addressed Boyd, "How are you holding up? If you can, come with me to Greenfield Village."