Ian Shaw personally placed the necklace around Naomi Shaw's neck. As he looked at the graceful, budding young woman standing before him, his eyes shimmered with unshed tears. His sole purpose in life was to take good care of her, but he knew he didn't have much time left to be by her side. A combination of old injuries, new wounds, and constant overwork had caused his health to deteriorate daily. He could feel his strength failing him.
To hide his sorrow, Ian Shaw put on a brave face, smiling as he teased the radiant young woman.
"Starting today, you're officially old enough to date and have a boyfriend. If you like a boy, bring him home for your dad to meet!"
"Dad, what are you talking about!"
Naomi Shaw blushed, chiding Ian Shaw, but her limpid eyes drifted shyly toward Julian Donovan, who was seated across from them.
At eighteen, a girl's heart is pure and she doesn't know how to hide her feelings. A single glance was all it took for everyone to understand what was on her mind. Ian Shaw felt a sense of helplessness, Tyson was heartbroken, and Julian Donovan was utterly annoyed.
For Julian Donovan, romantic entanglements were the last thing on his mind. The only thing that consumed him was a single word: revenge. 'Besides, she's not my type at all,' he thought. 'She's just laughably childish.'
Though heartbroken, Tyson impassively took out the gift he had prepared for Naomi Shaw: a pair of exquisite, beautiful high-heeled shoes, also crafted from crystal. In both Tyson's and Ian Shaw's eyes, Naomi was as beautiful as crystal—transparent and pure—so they had both, by sheer coincidence, chosen similar gifts.
For such a burly man, Tyson's actions were surprisingly gentle. He knelt down to carefully help her into the shoes, then rose and pressed a soft kiss to her smooth forehead, his eyes brimming with endless affection.
"Happy eighteenth birthday, my beautiful princess!"
"Thank you, Tyson! I love them!"
Naomi Shaw gathered the hem of her skirt and spun around happily. A pale-yellow dress, exquisite crystal heels, and the bright, captivating smile of a young girl.
Although Julian Donovan hadn't known it was Naomi Shaw's birthday, he felt that etiquette required him to make a gesture. He stood, raised the glass of wine before him, and offered his well-wishes gracefully.
"Miss Shaw, happy birthday. I wasn't aware of the occasion, so I came unprepared. I'll make it up to you with a proper gift another day."
Naomi Shaw had just returned to her seat. Hearing his words, she hastily waved her hands, the blush on her cheeks deepening.
"Oh, no, you don't have to, Julian! Your well-wishes are more than enough. A gift really isn't necessary!"
Julian Donovan said nothing more. He simply drained his glass in one gulp and sat back down, while Ian Shaw smiled and invited everyone to begin the meal.
When it came up during the meal that Julian Donovan was a medical student, Naomi Shaw, who sat opposite him, looked up with a face full of admiration.
"Wow, you're studying medicine, Julian? That's amazing! Being able to save people is such a wonderful thing!"
At this, her expression soured, and she shot her father a look of discontent.
"When I was choosing my major, I wanted to study nursing, but Dad wouldn't let me. He said it was servant's work and insisted I major in early childhood education instead. But I have zero interest in it!"
Tyson chimed in.
"Why would a girl like you want such a tiring job as a nurse? Godfather was just looking out for you, wasn't he?"