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? I could have sent someone to pick you up at the airport!"
He shot the housekeeper a look and added, "Could you please bring us some tea?"
Just then, Damian Wright came down 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 some kind 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 I 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 time
meeting, I 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 give me migraines! 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 pick me up."
Yvonne teased, "Let me guess-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. I 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. Let me know 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, I 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.
.