Chapter 12 Gratitude Beyond Words

The atmosphere grew silent. After a brief pause, Harrison suddenly remembered something. Slowly, he reached into his inner pocket and pulled out a small, elegant velvet box. He handed it to Serena. Seeing the unexpected gift, Serena hesitated momentarily, her expression showing her puzzlement. "What is this?" "Open it and see for yourself." She took the box with curiosity and carefully lifted the lid. A teardrop-shaped coffee-colored diamond ring lay inside. It nestled in the soft fabric, sparkling brilliantly under the light. This particular shade of coffee-colored diamond was rare and highly collectible. And this specific 5.2-carat diamond ring had fetched a staggering 28 million dollars at last month's jewelry auction. Did Harrison really just give her a 20-million-dollar diamond ring like that? Serena gazed at the exquisite ring in her hand, emotions swirling in her chest. She couldn't quite understand why he was suddenly giving her such an expensive gift—especially a diamond ring. Did he not realize what it meant for a man to give a woman a diamond ring? But their relationship was purely nominal. Serena shut the box and resolutely handed it back to him. "This is too valuable. I can't accept it." Harrison's brows furrowed slightly, a flicker of surprise crossing his gaze. Without hesitation, he pressed the box back into her hands with a commanding presence. "We may only be husband and wife in name, but you can't appear too shabby as my wife." His reasoning was sound, but still... Harrison's patience thinned when he saw her hesitate. His voice took on a chill. "It's yours now. If you don't like it, throw it away." Serena lowered her eyes, letting her gaze settle on the small velvet box in her hands. A ripple of emotion stirred within her. He might be cold, but... he didn't seem as terrifying as the rumors suggested. She stopped resisting and accepted the gift. "Thank you, Mr. Spencer." His handsome face remained unreadable, but his tone noticeably softened. "Are you heading back to the Linden residence?" "Yes." An hour later, the car slowly pulled up in front of the Linden residence. "This is my stop." Serena turned her head, her gaze gentle as she looked at Harrison and thanked him once more, "Thank you again for tonight, Mr. Spencer." Harrison slowly opened his eyes, his voice indifferent. "You've already said that too many times. Next time, show your gratitude with action." "Action?" Serena blinked in confusion. He reached out, his fingers tilting her chin up as he slowly leaned in closer. His sudden approach caught her off guard, making her breath hitch. Her fingers curled slightly, and she instinctively held her breath, trying to steady her racing heart. A charged silence filled the space between them. When Harrison saw her shy reaction, a mischievous glint flashed in his eyes. His voice carried a teasing edge as he said, "Mrs. Spencer, I expect more than just words." His striking features, coupled with his voice's deep, magnetic timbre, immediately caught Serena's attention. Before she could overthink it, impulse took over—she leaned in and kissed him. Harrison's pupils trembled slightly, and he was completely stunned. He hadn't expected that. The familiar, delicate floral fragrance lingered around his nostrils, evoking memories of the scene at the hotel last night. His calm heart was again thrown into disarray for the second time because of her. The kiss was brief but daring. Serena pulled back slowly, her voice carrying a trace of inexperience. "Does this count as a proper thank-you, Mr. Spencer?" Harrison's Adam's apple bobbed slightly as he swallowed, trying to suppress the unexpected rush of emotion. He forced himself to remain composed. He let go of her chin and replied calmly, "It'll do." Beneath the concise words lay unspoken complexities and a tangle of emotions. As the realization of her boldness set in, Serena's cheeks flushed crimson. She quickly averted her gaze, and when she spoke again, her voice was barely above a whisper. "Goodnight, Mr. Spencer." Before he could respond, she bolted from the car like a startled deer, fleeing the scene in haste. Harrison's lips quirked slightly as his eyes followed her retreating figure until she disappeared. Lifting a hand, he brushed his fingertips over his lips as if still savoring the fleeting sensation of her kiss. The driver respectfully asked, "Where to next, Mr. Spencer?" Harrison's expression instantly turned cold, his voice returning to its usual icy sharpness. "Back to Nightshade Bar." … As soon as Serena stepped into the Linden residence, she spotted her cousin, Naomi Linden, standing at the foot of the staircase. It was evident that Naomi was waiting for her, looking for a confrontation. However, Serena wasn't in the mood for conflict; she simply didn't have the energy after a long day. She considered ignoring her and walking past, but Naomi had other plans. Blocking her path, Naomi raised a hand and struck her across the face. The crisp slap echoed through the hall. Naomi's voice was sharp with disdain. "What? Do you think you're above basic manners and family rules now that you've found yourself a rich man to cling to?" Serena clenched her teeth, enduring the burning pain across her cheek. She said meekly, "Naomi." But her submission only fueled Naomi's ire. Naomi lifted her hand again and delivered another stinging slap to the other side of Serena's face. Serena's hands curled into fists at her sides, her grip tightening around the fabric of her dress—yet she endured without retaliation.