Naomi Shaw huffed and made a face at Tyson, then lowered her head to continue eating, obediently dropping the subject.
No one knew that for Naomi Shaw, the best gift for her eighteenth birthday was Julian Donovan. Having grown up in a world of violence, she was used to the coarse, fierce men around her. This man, as gentle and refined as jade in his snow-white shirt, had captured her heart in an instant.
His clean, pleasant scent, the wisdom in his eyes when he pursed his lips in silence, the elegant curve of his lips when he smiled, his deep, ink-black eyes...
'This... this was the kind of man she liked—someone completely separate from the darkness and chaos, someone steady and wise who brought light and warmth.'
She didn't know that one day, this seemingly warm man would be the one to completely destroy her life. Still less did she know that by appearing at a time when he loathed love the most, she was fated to be covered in scars.
As the meal was ending, Ian Shaw said to Naomi Shaw,
"Naomi, I'm throwing a party for your eighteenth birthday tonight. Invite your close friends from school, and I'll invite some friends too. It'll also be a good chance to introduce Julian to everyone!"
Naomi Shaw's delicate features scrunched into a frown.
"Dad, you really don't have to throw a party for me. You know I don't like those kinds of events. Just make it a reception to introduce Julian. Besides, Lara said she's taking me out to dinner tonight!"
Naomi Shaw was a college freshman and normally lived in the dorms. She had only come home today because it was her birthday. Lara Nash was her close friend and roommate.
"I know you don't like these kinds of events, but this is your eighteenth birthday. It's a very important day in your life, and I feel we should celebrate it properly for you..."
Before Ian Shaw could finish, she cut him off with a pout.
"Oh, come on, you all already gave me presents! That counts as a celebration!"
Ian Shaw was resigned.
"Alright, have it your way. Just be careful when you go out for dinner tonight, and come back early!"
"You're the best, Dad!"
Naomi Shaw beamed, her eyes curving with happiness.
Julian Donovan, sitting across from her, glanced over. He was surprised she had refused her own birthday party. In his eyes, young ladies from wealthy families were all materialistic and vain, throwing lavish celebrations for their eighteenth birthdays as if terrified the world might not know they were princesses. He hadn't expected her to turn it down, choosing a low-key dinner with friends instead.
The annoyance he'd felt toward her just moments ago began to fade.
That evening, Ian Shaw formally introduced Julian Donovan to the various gang leaders in the Qindale area. To most, he came across as nothing more than a gentle scholar. No one noticed the bloodthirsty ruthlessness hidden behind his calm gaze. Still less could they imagine that one day, this same seemingly gentle man would use cruel, bloodthirsty methods to swallow them whole, unifying all of Qindale and claiming it for himself.
It was very late when Naomi Shaw returned home. The guests had all departed, and the staff were busy cleaning up. Instead of going to her room, she followed a small path in the courtyard to the garden out back. In the garden was a swing set, one Ian Shaw had built for her with his own hands. This place was her own little sanctuary; whenever something was troubling her, she would come here to quietly collect her thoughts.