Chapter 210: A Different Kind of New Year

After Sierra and the others left, Evan slowly stepped out from behind the pillar. His gaze lingered in the direction their car had disappeared, then drifted down to the groceries in his hands. With an empty expression, he turned and began walking home.

Who would have thought? Evan Xander, once the pride of the Xander family, now had to save every penny just to survive. He had barely taken a few steps when a car pulled up beside him. The window rolled down, revealing Kason’s face.

“Evan.”

Kason greeted him with a casual smile. Evan’s face twisted. Anger burned in his chest, but beneath it, shame festered. Xander Group’s downfall was no accident. The Richardson family had been one of the first to sink their teeth in. As soon as his family was in trouble, the Richardsons had pounced, crushing Xander Group’s stock value and buying up shares at rock-bottom prices. Kason was one of the people responsible for destroying his family. And now, he was here. No doubt to rub salt in the wound.

Evan refused to entertain him. He kept his head down and continued walking, refusing to give Kason the satisfaction of a reaction. But then—

“I heard you’re looking for a job?”

Evan’s jaw clenched. He didn’t believe for a second that Kason would actually help him. It was just another way to humiliate him. He was sure of it. Until Kason said—

“My lab needs people. Want to join?”

Evan stopped in his tracks. He told himself Kason was toying with him. But his feet wouldn’t move forward. His reputation was ruined. No one in the field would touch him.

Chapter 210: A Different Kind of New Year

Not because of the lab incident. His mentor knew that mess had been mostly Yaron’s doing. Evan’s mistake was trusting the wrong person. But turning on his own sister? That was something else entirely. It wasn’t about science; it was about character. His mentor had made it clear—Evan was no longer welcome. And with that, his last bridge was burned. He had already accepted that his future in the industry was over. He was even prepared to take a low-level job just to survive. But now Kason was offering him a place in a lab? How could he not waver?

But he wasn’t stupid.

“What’s the catch?” he asked cautiously.

Early on New Year’s Eve, Sierra’s phone rang. Johnathan.

“You’re up early.”

She glanced at the clock. It was barely past seven.

“I have to head to the family estate soon. Won’t have time to call you later, so I figured I’d do it now. Did you get everything for the celebration?”

As he spoke, he got into the car. The main house was in the mountains. Personal vehicles weren’t allowed inside. Everyone had to transfer to estate-approved transportation at the base. Once inside, every move he made would be scrutinized. Just thinking about it was exhausting. Sierra had no idea what he was dealing with. She casually told him about their plans—grocery shopping, decorating, cooking. And yes, as he listened, Johnathan felt his tension ease. For a while, they talked as if it were just another day. But soon, his car slowed to a stop.

“I’m here,” he said. “I’ll call you tonight if I can. Tell your grandmother I said hello.”

“Alright.”

Chapter 210: A Different Kind of New Year

Johnathan had only ever mentioned his mother. Never anyone else. She had no idea what his family was like. After hanging up, Johnathan adjusted his clothes and put on his glasses. In an instant, he transformed. Gone was the casual ease from their call. Now, he exuded polished refinement. As he made his way toward the estate, the greetings began.

“Mr. Bradley, good morning!” “Morning, Mr. Bradley!”

This was a place where tradition reigned. Hierarchy was everything. Johnathan acknowledged them all with a polite nod. Respectful, yet distant.

“Bradley’s back?”

More voices called out. He responded with a flawless smile.

Back home, Sierra and Dickson had been busy decorating. They put up paper cuttings, couplets, and hung decorations. The atmosphere was festive, warm. Sierra’s grandmother watched, nodding in approval. Even with just the three of them, it felt like a real celebration. At noon, Sierra and Dickson cooked eight dishes together. She poured a small glass of wine for each of them.

“Let’s have a drink. Pasta for dinner later.”

Dickson’s eyes reddened slightly. Since his sister went to prison, he hadn’t celebrated New Year’s. For years, New Year’s Eve had been just him and his mother, sitting in silence. He never expected to have his family around this year. The siblings chatted as they ate, making sure Sierra’s grandmother was entertained. She smiled so much her cheeks hurt. Before they knew it, night had fallen. Sierra and Dickson were preparing pasta when her grandmother suddenly spoke.