"I don’t want to please you!" Sophia Hamilton pretended to be disdainful as she slapped away Evander Lancaster’s hand, opened the passenger door, and got out of the car. Evander let out a heavy sigh and also stepped down from the driver’s seat, carrying a gift box and holding Sophia’s hand as they walked into the small villa.

"Mom, we’re back." As soon as they entered the house, Evander raised his voice, with the sole purpose of attracting everyone’s attention in the hall.

Violet Zimmerman was sitting on the sofa chatting with relatives. When she heard her son’s voice and turned to look over, she noticed he was with Sophia. Her brows furrowed slightly, but being a woman who cared about appearances, she immediately put on a smile and stood up because of the relatives present.

"Big brother is back!" Willow Lancaster rushed over warmly. She was the daughter of Evander’s third uncle, just twenty-three, about the same age as Sophia.

She jumped straight into Evander’s arms. If it weren’t for Evander’s tall stature, she might have knocked him over.

Instinctively raising the hand carrying the gift box to catch her, he smiled and said, "Little girl, still so mischievous, aren’t you afraid you won’t be able to get married in the future!"

"Afraid of what? Our Lancaster girls can’t be left on the shelf!" Willow slid down from Evander but still hugged his neck and said with a proud tilt of her chin.

Standing at the door, Sophia and Evander watched the close interaction between Evander and his future little sister-in-law, feeling a bit uneasy inside.

Evander placed the gift box on the cabinet at the door, raised his hand, and patted his cousin, "Okay, enough with the sticking. My woman won’t be happy." This time Willow seemed to acknowledge Sophia’s presence, let go of Evander’s neck, took a step back, and looked Sophia up and down with a smirk that was somewhat piercing.

"Big brother, is she your girlfriend?"

"Yes," Evander responded, continuing to hold Sophia’s hand, kicked off his leather shoes, and slipped into his slippers, then bent down to place a pair of women’s slippers in front of her.

Willow crossed her arms, stepped back a bit, and scrutinized Sophia like a parent would. Although she said nothing more, even the corner of her lips revealed disdain.

"Evander’s back." Violet Zimmerman approached, wearing a purple-jacquard Tang-style long top and black wide-leg pants, her black hair neatly tied at the back, presenting grace without losing assertive strength.

Her face maintained a proper smile, showing no sign of dissatisfaction towards Sophia.

"Hello, Auntie," Sophia politely greeted, Violet smiled slightly in response, moving aside, "Come in quickly."

"Hmph!" Willow chuckled lightly, raised her chin, and returned to the sofa, causing Sophia to instinctively bite her lip.

She could see that Evander’s sister didn’t like her.

"Evander, why are you only back now? The whole family was waiting just for you." As the two had just changed into their slippers and entered, a senior on a single sofa spoke up. He was the eldest son of Evander’s second granduncle, Evander’s elder cousin uncle. 𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂

With Daemon Lancaster’s words, Joseph Lancaster, who was playing with Baobao on another sofa, secretly snorted.

In his youth, he overstepped his bounds to compete with his elder brother for the position of Family Head. Now that his elder brother is gone, he assumes the role of Family Head—it really is laughable.

Evander led Sophia towards an empty sofa, sat down, and smiled while saying, "Uncle, how does a busy person like you have time to celebrate the holidays? Are you not doing business?" Daemon’s love for money was notorious within the family; Evander’s greeting was essentially a form of veiled sarcasm.