From Sneers to Cheers: Anthea’s Ascent

Chapter 512

When Kendrick saw the housekeeper leading Anthea inside, for a moment, he thought he was seeing things.

"Annie!"

"Kendrick."

Wait-he wasn't imagining it?

She was really here!

Kendrick sprang from the couch, his face breaking into a wide, delighted grin. "Annie, when did you get to the

city? Why didn't you tell Grandpa ahead of time? | could have sent someone to pick you up at the airport!"

He shot the housekeeper a look and added, "Could you please bring us stea?"

Just then, Damian Wright cdown the stairs. When he spotted Anthea, he approached with a respectful nod.

"Ms. Yeager."

Thinking back to their first meeting, Damian couldn't help but regret how skeptical he'd been. Back then, he'd

assumed Anthea was skind of fraud, certain she'd never be able to help the old man.

But, against all odds-when the doctors had given Kendrick a death sentence- he'd made a full recovery.

Now, Damian held nothing but respect for her.

"Uncle Damian," Anthea greeted him politely.

Damian, looking a little sheepish, gestured for her to sit. "Please, Ms. Yeager, make yourself comfortable."

Kendrick glanced over at Damian. "Where's your wife? Doesn't she know we have a guest?"

The two men exchanged a knowing look. Kendrick didn't want Anthea to feel awkward as the only woman in the

room. Times like this called for a feminine presence.

Damian nodded. "I'll go get Yvonne."

A few minutes later, Damian returned, escorting Yvonne downstairs. She was the picture of a perfect hostess-

elegant, immaculately dressed, with flawless makeup, even at home. As soon as she saw Anthea, she beamed

and took her hand affectionately. "So you're Annie! I've heard Kendrick mention you so many times—meeting

you in person is a delight! Annie, you're even prettier than | imagined!"

Yvonne, who had three sons but not a single daughter, couldn't help but dote on Anthea. If she'd had a daughter

like this, she'd be grinning in her sleep.

Anthea offered a polite greeting.

As if by habit, Yvonne slipped her bracelet from her wrist and pressed it into Anthea's hand. "Annie, since it's our

first tmeeting, | don't have much to give you, but please accept this as a small token."

"Aunt Yvonne, this is far too generous-I can't possibly accept it." Anthea tried to refuse, flustered.

But Yvonne held firm, closing Anthea's fingers around the bracelet. "If you don't take it, you'll be hurting my

feelings!"

With the matter settled so decisively, Anthea had no choice but to accept.

Yvonne relaxed and smiled. "I heard from Kendrick that you were the valedictorian

at Cloudcrest, right?"

"Yes, that's right." Anthea nodded.

Yvonne's eyes widened in

admiration. "You're incredible! Not

like my three rascals, who are

vel

always at the bottom of their class swear, they givemigraines! What on earth goes on in a genius's brain?"

Pretty, talented, and brilliant. This young woman was extraordinary.

Anthea spent the whole afternoon with the Wright family, not leaving until dusk.

Kendrick insisted on having the family driver take her home.

Anthea declined with a smile. "That's really not necessary, Kendrick. A friend's coming to pickup."

Yvonne teased, "Letguess-it's a guy, isn't it?"

Anthea nodded, unable to deny it.

Yvonne shot her a knowing look. "Is he someone who's interested in you?" She winked conspiratorially.

Anthea shook her head. "No, we're just close friends."

"Mm-hmm. | see how it is," Yvonne replied with a sly smile.

After saying her goodbyes to the Wrights, Anthea headed outside the manor gates.

A sleek black car was parked by the curb. Sherman leaned against the door, idly

turning a cross between his fingers.

Anthea jogged over. "Have you been waiting long?"

Sherman opened the passenger door for her. "Just got here."

She hopped in, and Sherman slid into the driver's seat. "My assistant already

booked the plane tickets. We leave at ten tomorrow morning."

Anthea nodded. "Great. Letknow how much I'll transfer it to you."

Sherman understood her well

enough to know not to refuse. If he insisted on paying, she'd only distance herself more. Anthea had never been

one to take advantage.

"Five thousand, two hundred," he replied. He'd opted for first class.

Anthea pulled out her phone and wired him the money. "By the way, | saw online there's a big street fair nearby

tonight. Want to check it out?"

“Sure,” Sherman agreed, nodding. "Where is it?”

Anthea switched her phone to navigation mode and set it on the dashboard. "Just follow the directions."

Before long, they arrived at the street

fair-the biggest in the city. The place was buzzing with life, packed

with people, food stalls, games, and

music everywhere you looked.

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