From Sneers to Cheers: Anthea’s Ascent

Karen tapped a picture on the menu and declared. “This one, please.”

Anthea glanced over and realized that lobsters were tricky to fish, making them a tad pricey.

“I’ll have a lot!” Karen announced.

“Sure,” Anthea nodded, not the least bit perturbed by the cost.

“Don’t forget the shrimp.” Karen added.

“Don’t you worry. It’s on my mind,” Anthea replied with a reassuring smile. “Just give me a

moment.”

Karen nodded in approval.

As Anthea turned to fetch the order, Lauren asked curiously, “Anthea, is that lady a relative of yours?”

“We just met yesterday. It’s not easy for her to be alone,” Anthea explained. Content (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.

“You’re buying her food and you barely know her? Are you a bit too naive?” Lauren cautioned. “There are plenty of con artists out there preying on sweet girls like you!”

Lauren wasn’t exaggerating. Scammers were indeed rampant, leaving many people penniless.

Anthea smiled, “If everyone just stands by and does nothing, where would the kindness be in this world?” As she spoke, Anthea found herself thinking of her nanny back in her original world.

“Well, you do have a point,” Lauren conceded. “But be careful, Anthea. Don’t let her swindle you

out of your money.

Anthea nodded gently, “I’ll be careful.”

Soon, Anthea returned with a steaming lobster and shrimp.

Karen stood up excitedly, nearly drooling, “My lobster and shrimps!”

“Take your time eating. The lobster is fresh from the oven. It’s hot.”

Karen nodded.

A luxury car was parked by the roadside, with Rebecca seated in the back.

The change in Anthea was significant, which gave Rebecca an inexplicable sense of unease. But at the sight of Anthea now, engaging in such menial tasks, Rebecca heaved a sigh of relief. She was probably just being paranoid. How could someone as lowly as Anthea ever rise above her station?

Still, Rebecca couldn’t afford to let her guard down. She needed to ensure Anthea remained an

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underling forever.

Rebecca recalled past events and determined to avoid meeting that person and all the triggers for tragedy, making Anthea’s fate mirror her past.

Narrowing her eyes, Rebecca fell her gaze on Anthea and then flickered to the elderly lady talking to her. “Isn’t that the old lady of the Christensen family?” she asked.

“Yes,” her assistant confirmed from the front seat.

“The Christensen family has fallen.” Rebecca mused with a smirk, “In just a few days, she’s turned into a beggar! Birds of a feather flock together, indeed!”

She knew that Karen could never have a rosy future.

The assistant quickly agreed, “You’re absolutely right. That old nagger from the Christensen family and that imposter Anthea are cut from the same cloth! She had the nerve to propose a marriage alliance last time. If I were her, I’d bury myself in shame!”

Rebecca shifted her attention away, “Let’s head back.”

Pausing, she added, “What’s the latest with Mae and Alicia? They must be up to something after the setback Anthea caused them.”

The assistant leaned in and whispered a few words to Rebecca.

A sly smile crossed Rebecca, “Then let’s give them a little push.”

Rebecca was astute and knew she couldn’t get her hands dirty, so she would have to manipulate Mae and Alicia to do her bidding.