There had to be something else in the box. Maybe Oliver had hidden the real gift underneath? A cheque? A rare artifact? But no, her father was already holding the mini bottle like it was some priceless treasure, and the subtle smile tugging at the corners of his lips was definitely not pretend.
Cora's confusion turned into worry.
Her father didn't just look pleased he looked... deeply moved. And that was the part that shook her the most. Never, not once in her entire life, had she seen this kind of expression on his face not even when she bought him a limited-edition fountain pen on his birthday. Not even when his favorite student gifted him a handcrafted sculpture.
It was strange. It was almost.... unbelievable.
Unable to hold it in anymore, Cora stepped forward and said softly, "Dad… is it really that good? Or… are you just pretending because Oliver is new here?"
