Chapter: 218

"Norah, having you by my side at today's auction meant a lot. It truly made me happy." Sean offered her a gentle smile, his voice rich and warming.

“There's no need..." Norah started to decline, then paused, mindful of Sean's character, and remained silent.

"Mr. Scott, your generosity throughout has been overwhelming, and now this dress. I can't help but feel it's too much." Norah tactfully attempted to decline Sean's offer.

"Norah, please accept them. Otherwise, I'm at a loss about how to gift you other things," Sean implored.

Sean gave a nonchalant shrug. "You know, there's no need for me to keep that dress and high-heels.”

Suddenly, Norah realized she had transformed during her two-year stay with the Carter family. Where once she would accept presents without a second thought, she now found herself pausing, weighing if she should accept them. It was clear Derek's domineering behavior had left its mark. Her initial concern was whether she deserved those gifts.

"Okay, I'll take it. Thank you, Sean." Norah beamed.

Sean rose to his feet. "There's something else you've overlooked."

Norah felt puzzled. Had she left something here? The next moment, the sight of that silver dress jogged her memory of that mortifying night.

"I had assumed you had discarded that dress."

Sean's previous remarks had led Norah to believe he had disposed of the blood-stained, unsightly dress.

“I mentioned you could retrieve it whenever," Sean replied flatly.

Sean placed the dress in a bag beside Norah and produced a jewelry box from his pocket. "Take a look. Do you like it?"

Opening the jewelry box, Norah discovered a diamond brooch Sean had acquired at this morning's auction. "This..."

"This is for you. It seemed perfect for you the moment I saw it,"

Sean explained. The brooch sparkled, mirroring how Norah always appeared luminous in his view.

Unlike the dress, the weight of the jewelry box felt significant in Norah's hands. "Sean, I can accept the dress, but this brooch is far too lavish. Norah's face flushed with slight embarrassment. She had intended to sever ties with the Scott family after delivering her treatment, yet Sean seemed eager to weave himself into her life, deepening their connections."

Sean remained silent, his gaze intense and unwavering, signaling Norah to accept it.

Norah cradled the jewelry box in her hands, torn between acceptance and refusal.

“It's a perfect fit for you," Sean said, his voice deep and slightly raspy.

A sensation akin to a feather brushing gently against Norah's heart overwhelmed her, leaving her feeling both tender and numb.

Gripping the box tightly, Norah found her resolve. “Sean, if this is your stance, I must decline any future consultation and treatment fees from your family."

The medical fees amounted to fifty million, while the brooch's value stood at twenty million, more than covering any upcoming expenses.

“A gift is a gift, and fees are fees. They are not the same. No need to bring it up again. I've made up my mind." Sean lifted his gaze, his smile fading as he adopted a cooler demeanor.