The end of the year was soon approaching. Jasper’s family had three important meals that they would always have at this time of the year.
The first one was on the 24th, Christmas Eve dinner.
Another one was on the 25th, Christmas lunch.
The last one was on the 26th, Boxing Day breakfast.
The south had just about the same traditions, but they just had the meals at different times of the day.
There were only a few days left before Christmas. Wendy had to return to the province to accompany Dawson. After all, even though he had not said anything about being left alone in the province, everyone knew he hoped his daughter would accompany him during this special day.
Jasper began preparing this year’s Christmas Eve dinner after he said goodbye to Wendy.
Although the Laine family wasn’t huge, as they were from the village, there were relatives who moved around and they all still kept close contact with each other.
Moreover, because they knew he had made it big this year, the majority of Jasper’s relatives suggested having this year’s Christmas Eve dinner at Tefa City for a multitude of reasons.
Sally and Charlie would not let go of this opportunity to have bragging rights in front of their relatives. Thus, they immediately agreed and expressed that they would pay for everyone’s room and board.
Jasper did not mind. It did not matter if they were his relatives or tribespeople. Men could not survive in the world alone.
Jasper was willing to keep in touch with them too, but on the condition that they did not treat him as a cash cow just because he was rich now. If they did that, he would ignore them.
In his past life, he had seen plenty of people who held grudges because their relatives did not share their earnings with them after making it big in the world.
When faced with such relatives, Jasper’s only reaction was to ask them to get as far away from him as possible.
“Dad, I know you and Mom want to look good in front of them. I’ve already booked three tables at Shangri-La Hotel. All you have to do is go over. Moreover, I’ve arranged for several cars to pick everyone up because there are so many of you guys. Someone will get in touch with you once you’re there. I’ll arrive slightly later.”
Jasper sat in John’s office and crossed one of his legs over the other as he talked to his mom, Sally, over the phone.
It was bustling and noisy on Sally’s end of the line. A bunch of his relatives must have already arrived at his family’s villa.
Once in a while, Jasper could also hear the sounds of a relative marveling and being blown away.
Even Sally’s eyes were smiling as she said, “Alright, we’ll get going right now. Hey, where did you get those cars from?”
Jasper smiled as he glanced at John and said, “I borrowed them from a friend. You don’t need to worry about that. That’s all for now.”
After he hung up the phone, Jasper said to John, “Thank you so much for your help, John. Else I would never have been able to book that private room at Shangri-La Hotel. And thank you for those six BMWs as well. I would never have been able to procure them myself.”
John smiled as he said, “I dare not take credit for this. I turned to Kai after you told me about this last night. That man is a social butterfly and has friends everywhere.
“His social circle has expanded since what happened the last time. He’s extremely popular now and is the leader of the circle in Faith County.”
Jasper said teasingly, “What about Samuel?”
John said happily, “Do you think Samuel would dare make an appearance while you’re here? I heard from someone that he’s planning to move to Dusk County.”
“I don’t have the time for him. He can move wherever he likes,” Jasper said calmly.
John’s voice was lowered as he said, “Jasper, Kai has been looking for the chance to thank you personally.
“Take this time, for example. The end of the year is right around the corner, and most people have already booked their rooms at hotels several months in advance. He went straight to those people with several million dollars in cash and half-bribed, half-fought them to get these rooms for you.
“The same goes for the cars. He spent the whole night running around before he got them all.”
