From Sneers to Cheers: Anthea’s Ascent

Chapter 514
That's right!
It had to be Anthea.
Relief washed over Rebecca at the thought.
Yes, of course-how could she have forgotten about Alex?
With Alex around, Anthea wouldn't get a moment's peace. In fact, Alex would probably destroy her completely.
Rebecca glanced anxiously toward the door. Alex's figure had vanished, but just in case he was still nearby, she lingered in the
restroom for another ten minutes before finally stepping out.
Back at the Morris family estate, Rebecca summoned her assistant upstairs.
"Yes, Miss? Is there something you need?"
A cold, venomous gleam flickered in Rebecca's eyes. "Find a few thugs and send them to pay Carole Yeager a little visit. Make
sure you take some photos and send them to all of Carole's friends and family."
She couldn't deal with Anthea directly, but Carole was another matter entirely.
Why should that mother and daughter get to live so well while her own life fell apart?
If a mother owes a debt, let the daughter pay it.
She would see to it that Carole became the town disgrace—a woman scorned and ruined in Cloudcrest.
Just picturing it filled Rebecca with wicked satisfaction.
With a scandal like that hanging over her mother's head, Anthea would be too ashamed to show her face ever again.
Have some thugs "pay her a visit"? Take photos?
Rebecca's words were loaded with implication, and the assistant hesitated. If she remembered correctly, Carole was Rebecca's
adoptive mother. For all their history, they'd once been family. What Rebecca was asking bordered on

monstrous.

But she was just an assistant. Orders were orders. "Understood, Miss. I'll take care of it."
"Make sure to gather enough men," Rebecca said coolly. "Carole's been a widow for years. She must be desperate by now."
The assistant nodded, unsettled by the cruelty in Rebecca's tone.
"That's all. Go make the arrangements."
"I'll leave you now. Let me know if you need anything else," the assistant replied, and slipped out.
...
Midnight.
Carole finished closing up the restaurant and headed home. Usually, she made it back by eleven-thirty, but cleaning up had
taken longer tonight.
Her apartment complex wasn't far. Just a ten-minute walk through a narrow alley, and she'd be home.
As she walked, Carole reminded herself-she really needed to get her driver's license soon; commuting would be so much easier
that way.
At this hour, the streets were nearly deserted. As she entered the familiar alley, a chill crept up her spine. Instinctively, she
gripped her phone tighter.
She couldn't explain it, but something felt off. The further she went, the stronger
her unease grew. Her pace quickened.
Suddenly, two men sprang out from the shadows, blocking her path. "Hey there, beautiful, where are off to this late?" At the
same
moment, footsteps echoed bl net
her six or seven more men closed in trapping her.
"What do you want?" Carole demanded, clutching her phone.

"Don't want much, just thought we'd keep you company," one of them sneered, reaching out to lift her chin.
Laughter-lewd, mocking-broke out around her.
It would've been a lie to say she

wasn't scared, but Carole forced et
herself to stay calm. She shoved the man's hand away. "Touch me again
and
I'm calling the police!"
"Go ahead, call them!" someone jeered.
She tried to unlock her phone, but before she could, one of the men snatched it
away.
Just then, her phone rang. The caller ID flashed: Annie.
It was Anthea calling.
Normally, Carole would be home by eleven-thirty sharp. But tonight, it was past midnight and she still wasn't back.
Anthea had called once. No answer.
She tried again. Still nothing.
Frowning, Anthea grabbed her own phone and headed outside.
At the same time, Nanson Yeager stepped out of the bathroom, towel in hand. "Annie, where are you going?"
"I'm going to check on Mom. She's not home yet."
Nanson glanced at the clock on the wall. "It's five past midnight and she's still not back?"
Anthea shook her head.

"I'll go with you," he said immediately, tossing aside the towel and hurrying after
her.
They broke into a run, heading for the alley near their apartment complex. As they reached the entrance, a sense of dread
settled over them.
Anthea and Nanson exchanged a tense look. The deeper they went, the more unsettling the noises became-shouts, curses, and
the sound of someone crying.
"Mom!" Anthea called out.
"Annie!" came a desperate voice from the darkness.
"That's my mom!" Anthea turned to Nanson, eyes wide with fear.
Without hesitation, they raced toward the sound.
The scene before them made Anthea's blood run cold. Her vision blurred with
rage as she stared, her fury boiling over.