From Sneers to Cheers: Anthea’s Ascent

Chapter 538
Hector was completely baffled.
What on earth was going on?
They were already halfway up the mountain pass, and that car ahead was still crawling along at a snail's pace.
If this kept up, she was going to lose!
All that patience and buildup-what a waste if she blew it now.
Hector hated to doubt Anthea, but at this point, he couldn't help but wonder if she really even knew how to race.
He frowned, frustration tightening his jaw.
Then-ROAR!
Just as Hector was scowling, the black car behind him suddenly surged forward and, with a flawless drift, whipped past him.
All that was left for Hector was a cloud of exhaust.
Damn!
That was insane!
Absolutely unreal!
Adrenaline shot through Hector as he slammed his foot down and tried to catch
up.
But it was hopeless.
He couldn't even get close.
That car ahead looked like it was about to take off and leave the road altogether.
He was out of his league-completely.

Sherman glanced up in his rearview mirror, noticing the car gaining on him. A subtle smile played at the corner of his mouth.
It had been a long time since he'd faced a rival like Anthea.
When he'd first figured out that Anthea was the woman from the racing videos, Sherman had been genuinely shocked.
It made perfect sense, and yet it was the last thing he'd expected.
With Anthea, every single second was full of surprises.
You could never predict what she'd do next; she was always one step ahead.

Just then, the black car that had been behind him suddenly overtook him in a flash!
Sherman instantly stepped on the gas.
Back and forth, neck and neck-they pushed each other to the limit.
This was a battle between true titans.
Anthea, too, couldn't remember the last time she'd met a challenger like Sherman.
When the Lamborghini tore past her, Anthea just raised an eyebrow and floored it, refusing to be left behind.
Neither car was willing to give an inch as they roared up the winding mountain road, engines screaming, hearts pounding.
Hector trailed somewhere far behind the other two, finally seeing the truth:
He was just the comic relief tonight.
Five minutes later-
Screech!
Both cars skidded to a stop at the intersection of Epiphany Avenue, barely seconds apart.
The Ferrari in front.
The Lamborghini right behind.

Anthea swung open her door,
hopped out, and shot Sherman e
whistle, her grin both charming and a little bit wild. "You've got skills, I'll give you that!"
Sherman glanced sideways, eyes glinting. "You're not so bad yourself."
Leaning against her car, Anthea took off her
her
"No one's ever
Connglasses and spun them in close to matching me-exeemin
you."
Sherman twirled the silver cross on his chain, smiling faintly. "Funny-you're the
first person who's ever beaten me."
Anthea raised an eyebrow. "I could tell."
She had to admit-Sherman was the real deal.
If she'd let her guard down even a little tonight, she could've lost.

Until now, no one had ever come close to threatening her on the road.
Sherman was the first.
Sherman opened his door and pulled out a sleek thermos. "My
grather asked me to bring this
for you. She said you love the dessert her cook makes."
The mention of dessert made Anthea's eyes light up. She eagerly accepted the

thermos. "Tell Mrs. Christensen thanks for me!"
"No need for formalities," Sherman replied coolly.
Anthea unscrewed the lid and took a careful sip.
Chilled, sweet, and delicious.
Heaven.
Sherman watched her, curious. "You've really got a sweet tooth, don't you?"
Anthea smiled. "Sweet things just make people happy."
Of course, there was more to it than that—a reason rooted deep in her past.
Anthea had grown up in foster care.
For most kids, candy was an ordinary treat—nothing special.
But for her, it had been a rare treasure.
She still remembered that bitterly cold winter night, when a bowl of Mrs.
Christensen's warm dessert had saved her life.
Sadly, the old lady passed away too soon.
Anthea never got the chance to repay her.
From that moment, at thirteen, Anthea decided she'd become a doctor, to get
stronger and never feel powerless again.
About fifteen minutes later, Hector finally pulled up at the finish line.
It wasn't that he was slow.
It was that those two were absolute maniacs.

The whole mountain pass was more than forty miles-and those two had finished
it in ten minutes.
If he hadn't seen it himself, he'd never have believed it.
"Hey, superstars-Sherman, who won?"
Sherman, still fingering his cross, answered, "Anthea beat me."
Hector just stared, dumbfounded. "No way!"