Julian only saw a flash of a pale yellow figure. Remembering Ian Shaw was still injured, he worried the girl might bump into him and cause further harm. He quickly stepped in front of Ian, and the figure crashed straight into his chest, sending a sudden pang of pain through him.
He couldn't help but frown slightly. 'How could such a slender girl make my chest ache from the impact?' When he glanced down, he saw her looking up at him, one hand pressed against her bruised forehead. The moment she realized she had run into a complete stranger, her face flushed as red as an apple.
The girl looked to be about seventeen or eighteen. Her ear-length, chestnut-brown hair was lightly styled at the roots, making it look fluffy, sweet, and endearing. On her small, fair, and flawless face, a pair of limpid eyes shone with a captivating clarity. The pale yellow dress she wore only served to accentuate her creamy complexion. To Julian, the sight of her blushing face, her shyly bitten lip, was like looking at a delicate, budding flower.
Julian had to admit, 'This girl is beautiful, but she isn't my type.' At that thought, his mind drifted to Juliet Jennings, and his gaze suddenly darkened. The girl seemed startled by the harsh glint in his eyes and took a step back, her hand still pressed to her forehead.
A dark-skinned young man followed behind the girl. The moment he saw her collide with someone, he hurried over and asked with concern,
"Naomi, are you all right?"
The girl glanced up timidly at Julian again before shaking her head and lowering the hand from her forehead.
Ian Shaw stepped out from behind Julian, smiling as he approached.
"Come here, you two. Naomi, Tyson, let me introduce you. This is the man who saved my life, Julian Donovan!"
"Julian, this is my daughter, Naomi Shaw, and this is my adopted son, Tyson."
After the introductions, Ian Shaw turned to Naomi and Tyson and said,
"Naomi, Tyson, I've already taken Julian in as my godson. He's older than both of you, so from now on, he'll be your big brother."
The man named Tyson snorted and shot Julian a hostile glare. The girl, however, was quite obedient. She called out to him softly,
"Julian..."
For some reason, hearing the girl call his name like that made him feel inexplicably irritated. Nevertheless, out of courtesy, he still managed a faint smile and greeted them.
"It's nice to meet you. I look forward to getting to know you both."
Ian Shaw smiled and patted him on the shoulder.
"We're all family now. There's no need to be so formal!"
The girl affectionately stepped forward and looped her arm through Ian Shaw's.
"Dad, why are you home so late? I was waiting for you to celebrate my eighteenth birthday with me!"
Ian Shaw smiled, raised a hand to playfully tap the girl's cute, upturned nose, and said dotingly,
"How could I forget my dear Naomi's birthday? Come on, let's go inside. Go and see the birthday present I prepared for you!"
"Okay!"
Naomi Shaw happily linked her arm with Ian Shaw's as they walked into the house.
Ian Shaw's birthday gift to Naomi Shaw was a necklace. The pendant was a raindrop-shaped crystal, which, after being skillfully polished by a master craftsman, was perfectly translucent. Paired with a delicate platinum chain and worn against her fair neck, it complemented her tender skin, making her seem to radiate a uniquely pure and radiant light.