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Chapter 213

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 pennyjustto 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 withacasual smile.
Evan’s face twisted.
Anger burned in his chest, but beneath it, shame festered.
XanderGroup’s downfall was noaccident. The Richardson family had been one of the first to sink their teeth in.
As soon as hisfamilywas 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 downland continued walking, refusing to give Kason the satisfaction of a reaction,
But then-
“I heard you’re looking for ajob?”
Evan’s jaw clenched.
He didn’t believe for a second that Kasonwouldactually helphim.
It was just another way to humiliate him.
ewas sure of it.
He
Until Kason said-
“My lab needs people. Want tojoin?”
Evanstopped in his tracks.
He told himself Kason was toying with him.
But his feet wouldn’t move forward.
His reputationwasruined.
No one in the fieldwouldtouch him.
Chapter 210 A Different Kind of New Year
Finished
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.
Hismentorhad made itclear–Evanwasno 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, hegotinto the car.
The main house was in the mountains
Personal vehicles weren’t allowed inside.
Everyone had totransferto estate–approvedtransportationat thebase.
Once inside, every move he made would be scrutinized.
Just thinking about it wasexhausting.
Sierrahadnoideawhat he was dealing with.
She casually told him about their plans–grocery shopping, decorating,cooking.
And yes, as he listened, Johnathan felthistension ease.
For awhile, they talkedasif it were just anotherday.
Butsoon,his car slowed to a stop.
“I’m here,” he said. “I’ll call you tonight if I can. Tell yourgrandmotherI 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,thegreetings began.
“Mr. Bradley, good morning!”
“Morning, Mr. Bradley!”
Thiswas 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 our
He responded with a flawless smile.
Back home, SierraandDickson had been busy decorating.
They put up paper cuttings, couplets, and hung decorations.
The atmosphere was festive, warm..
Sierra’sgrandmother watched, nodding in approval.
Even with just the three of them, it felt like a real celebration.
At noon, SierraandDickson cooked eight dishes together.
She pouredasmall glass of wine for each of them.
“Let’s have a drink Pasta for dinner later
Dickson’s eyes reddened slightly.
Sincehissister went to prison, he hadn’t celebrated New Year’s
For years, New Year’s Eve had beenjusthimandhis mother,sittingin silence.
He never expected to have his family around thisyear.
The siblings chatted as they ate,makingsure Sierra’s grandmotherwasentertained.
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.