From Sneers to Cheers: Anthea’s Ascent

Chapter 519
If this ever got out, it wouldn't just ruin her parents' reputation—it would destroy any chance she had of marrying Mr. Christensen.
No. Absolutely not.
Right now, she had no choice but to swallow her pain and pretend nothing had happened.
"Well, since Ms. Morris isn't calling the police, we'll be on our way," one of the men said, as they and their friends began pulling
on their clothes.
Rebecca sat on the edge of the bed, silent and numb.
An hour later.
Rebecca finally emerged from the motel, her body aching, a constant reminder of what she had endured the night before.
Among those five men, the oldest had to be in his fifties-maybe even sixties.
Not even in her previous life had Rebecca ever suffered such humiliation.
It was the middle of August, hot and stifling outside, but Rebecca felt frozen to the bone.
Anthea.
It had to be that vile woman, Anthea, who'd set this up.
That wretched woman!
Rebecca's whole body trembled.
She would get revenge. She would pay Anthea back a thousand times over for what she had suffered tonight.
Disoriented and shattered, Rebecca made her way home to the Morris family estate.
As soon as she stepped inside, Daly rushed toward her. "Rebecca, you're back! Did Mr. Robinson agree to help us?"
He was in such a panic he didn't even notice the swelling on her face.

Rebecca looked up at her father. "Dad, I need to go upstairs and rest for a bit. We'll talk about everything later."

Daly opened his mouth to protest, but Rebecca was already heading up the stairs. He let out a heavy sigh.
Since yesterday, after all the major investors had pulled out, Morris Group stock had dropped ten percent-nothing but red all day.
Now the shareholders were already talking about selling the company.
Things were so dire, there was no time left to waste.
Just then, Sandra swept past Daly in a burst of perfume and bright colors. She was all smiles. "Daly, what do you think of this
dress? Isn't it just fabulous?"
Daly turned and glared at her. "Where are you off to, dressed like that?"
Sandra beamed. "I've got plans-cards with Mrs. Sullivan and Mrs. Wallace this afternoon."
Daly's temper, already frayed, snapped completely. He slapped Sandra hard across the face. "Cards! That's all you ever do! Do
you know anything besides playing cards?"
Sandra stood there in shock, her cheek red and swelling. "Daly! Did you just hit me?"
"We're about to lose everything!" Daly shouted. "We're on the brink of bankruptcy -do you even care?"
"What?" Sandra froze, stunned speechless.
Upstairs.
Rebecca stood beneath the shower, scrubbing her skin over and over, as if she
could wash away the bruises and the memory of last night.
No matter how hard she tried, the marks wouldn't disappear.
After a long, long time, she finally stepped out of the bathroom and began to apply her makeup.
She couldn't let herself lose. She couldn't let Anthea win.
If she couldn't bump into Daniel by chance, she would go and find him herself.

Once she'd put herself together, Rebecca headed downstairs and left the house, driving toward Daniel's address.
He lived in Cloudcrest, one of the city's wealthiest neighborhoods-thankfully, not far from the Morris estate.
Twenty minutes later, she was standing outside Daniel's apartment, pressing the doorbell.
The door opened almost immediately.

Daniel red, clearly just out of messy, still inet
bed
his hair
The moment he saw her he
snapped fully awake. "Rebecca?!"
Just then, a woman's sultry voice drifted from inside the apartment. "Who's at the door this early?"
Clearly, this was the woman who had spent the night with Daniel.
Rebecca immediately took a step back. "Sorry, Daniel-I didn't mean to disturb you. I'll go."
But Daniel saw something was
wrong. He quickly caught her wrist, concern etched across his face "Rebecca, come in Just give me five minutes, okay?"
Rebecca made a show of struggling, but Daniel's grip was too firm.
With no other choice, she let him lead her inside.
"Sit here on the couch for a minute," Daniel said gently.
Rebecca sat down, her eyes rimmed red, anxiety written all over her face. "Daniel,
am I... am I interrupting?"
"No, don't worry about it." Daniel tried to reassure her, then strode toward the bedroom.

Inside, a woman with a knockout
figure lounged on the bed in a
skimpy nightgown. When Daniel
entered, she flashed
ma playful
look. "Mr. Robinson, how about
another round?"
But Daniel's expression darkened. "You have three minutes. Get out."
She pouted, draping herself over his arm. "Mr. Robinson..."
"I said get out." His voice was cold as ice as he shook her off.
Realizing he was truly angry, the woman scrambled to throw on her clothes and
fled the bedroom without another word.