Sophie Foster’s condition fluctuated; sometimes she would lean against the hospital bed all day, staring out the window without uttering a word.

Other times, she’d cling to Nicholas Croft’s embrace throughout the day, softly calling him "Daddy" and playfully asking him to lift her high...

Of course, there were also times of madness; whenever she became frenzied, she would hit and curse Nicholas Croft. The doctors suggested administering tranquilizers, but Nicholas Croft always refused, feeling it was his burden to bear.

The New Year arrived in the blink of an eye. While abroad and spending most of the time in the hospital, holidays had long been neglected. If not for Nathan Moore’s phone call at noon, Nicholas Croft would have forgotten it was New Year’s Eve.

Nicholas Croft wasn’t involved in Nathan Moore’s plan to crash the wedding, but he heard about the ordeal and knew his good friend had narrowly escaped death’s door, yet he couldn’t go back to visit.

Now that his good friend had finally woken up, they were just waiting for his body to gradually recover. Like Lara, the doctors said she’d soon be ready for cosmetic surgery.

Ending the call with Nathan Moore, Nicholas Croft returned to the bedside, sitting sideways on the bed, gently smoothing Sophie Foster’s long hair, speaking softly, "Lara, it’s New Year’s Eve today. Do you remember, Uncle promised to take you back home for the holiday?"

Sophie Foster leaned against the bed, lost entirely in her own world.

Although she didn’t react much, Nicholas Croft knew she was listening. He took her hand, holding it in his palm, lightly stroked it, breathed in softly and smiled, saying, "Looks like Uncle will have to break his promise again; I can’t take Lara home this year for New Year’s Eve. But Uncle promises you, when we go back home, I’ll take you there to meet my parents. They’ll surely love you."

Sophie Foster slowly turned her face, asking emotionlessly, "When are we going back home?"

Nicholas Croft took another deep breath, his breath visibly quivered, raised his gaze to look at Sophie Foster, curved his lips, and placed his large hand over her cheek, saying, "After New Year’s, after the surgery, when you’re fully recovered, Uncle will take you back!"

"Okay," Sophie Foster nodded instinctively, her voice hoarse, seemingly as if this disaster had taken her crisp and clean voice away, turning back into the Sophie Foster with a smoky voice, not the girl with a clear, pure voice and eyes.

...

New Year’s night, family reunion, Evander Lancaster’s home was particularly lively.

Though there was an appearance of harmony amongst the various branches, gathering together on such a day was still expected.

In the large dining room, three generations sat together at the table, chatting and laughing while eating the New Year’s Eve dinner.

Always busy with their own affairs, the time spent together was limited. Today was New Year’s Eve, one could stay up late without having to get up early for work the next day. Before the dinner ended, Uncle Daemon Lancaster’s eldest son suggested, after eating, the brothers could play cards. 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝙚𝔀𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝒐𝒎

With Maximilian Lancaster’s suggestion, several brothers expressed their approval, some even shouted about playing until dawn.

Evander Lancaster kept his eyes down, eating silently, never joining in. When the brothers stopped clamoring, he raised his glass proactively, "Come on, brothers and sisters, it’s New Year’s today, a rare chance to be together. I toast to everyone."

"Evander, you can’t just toast without saying a word. Are you wishing us a Happy New Year or eager to meet a woman?"

Daemon Lancaster’s second son, Callum Lancaster, teased with a smile. Evander Lancaster lightly swirled the red wine in his hand, exhaled, and casually said, "Honestly, you’re right, bro. Recently met someone outside, things are heating up, so I’m eager for the date."