Chapter 211: A Snowfall and a Decision

Sierra glanced out the window. Snowflakes drifted down in thick clusters, covering the ground in a soft white blanket. She couldn’t help but snap a picture and send it to Johnathan.

“We’re getting snow here.”

Johnathan didn’t reply right away. She figured he was busy. At noon, she sent him photos of the food they had prepared. Hours passed before he finally responded.

Knowing he had his hands full, she didn’t push for conversation. Instead, she simply sent another picture in the evening.

“This is our dinner. Just letting you know! You do your thing, no need to reply.”

At that moment, Johnathan was sitting at an extravagant dining table, surrounded by family. As the eldest grandson and the old man’s favorite, his seat was right next to Mr. Wynn. Plenty of eyes were on him—some curious, some envious, some filled with hidden resentment.

His aunt was the first to break the silence.

“I heard Johnathan has a girlfriend. Why haven’t you brought her home for us to meet?”

Johnathan remained calm.

“Just having fun. If it turns into something serious, you’ll be the first to know.”

His aunt’s comment sparked more conversation. One after another, people joined in.

“I heard Bradley published a few more papers. He’s really something.”

“Of course! No one can compare to Bradley’s talent.”

Johnathan smiled faintly, letting the words wash over him. Bradley wasn’t his real name. It was a name he had taken from his mother’s side. His birth name—Sam Wynn—was one that carried immense weight. If Shane were here, he would have instantly recognized it. The Wynn family name was rare, belonging to a powerful and deeply rooted lineage. For centuries, they had held influence not just in Albanos, but across the world. A family like theirs didn’t just rise to power overnight; they had been building their empire for hundreds of years.

Most people had no idea of Johnathan’s true identity. Even many of the relatives sitting at the table had no clue what he had been up to all these years. To them, he was just an academic. Some of them were watching, waiting for him to stumble. By family tradition, the ancestral business was meant to be passed down to the eldest grandson. But what use was Johnathan’s academic prestige when it came to running a global empire? There were whispers that his younger brother, Jose, was the better candidate.

At just twenty, Jose was already proving himself in the business world—bold, ambitious, and fearless. Many were betting that the family headship would shift in his favor. Tonight was no different from every other year. Polite words laced with hidden intentions. Calculated smiles and power plays disguised as casual conversation. But this year, Johnathan found it especially tedious.

Once dinner was over, Mr. Wynn excused himself to rest. Johnathan escorted him back to his room—a privilege no other grandson had. Once inside, the old man spoke.

“Sit. Let’s talk for a bit.”

Johnathan sat down.

“You promised me you’d return at thirty,” Mr. Wynn said, studying his grandson carefully. “Do you still intend to keep that promise?”

Johnathan nodded.

“I do.”

Despite everything, he was grateful to his grandfather. From the age of fifteen, he had been given the freedom to live his own life. Without that, he wouldn’t have had the years of freedom he had now. Hearing Johnathan’s response, Mr. Wynn finally looked satisfied. After a moment, he asked, “That girl… I looked into her. Are you serious about her, or is this just a fling?”

Johnathan’s fingers twitched slightly.

“We just started. Who knows?”

Mr. Wynn nodded, seemingly unbothered. It made sense. This was his grandson’s first relationship. There was no point in interfering yet. Besides, for all they knew, it might not even last. Johnathan stayed for a while, chatting until the old man drifted off to sleep.

8:33 PM

Downstairs, small groups of relatives had formed, murmuring among themselves. Johnathan had no interest in joining them. Instead, he stepped outside. Lighting a cigarette, he finally checked his phone. Sierra’s message was still there. He had been about to reply that there was no snow where he was—but just as he looked up, a single snowflake drifted down, landing on his shoulder. For a brief moment, he stood still. Then he glanced back at the grand estate, glowing with light, filled with people who watched his every move. How many times had he spent New Year’s like this? Year after year, the same empty formalities. And suddenly, he realized—he had no interest in another one. An impulse surged through him. He wanted to see how Sierra was celebrating. Without hesitation, he turned and walked toward the gates. Just as he reached the exit, a firm voice stopped him in his tracks…