From Sneers to Cheers: Anthea’s Ascent

Chapter 12

Daniel narrowed his eyes, a hint of suspicion cooling his previously heated demeanor. “Sherman, don’t you think she might be drawing your attention? I mean, how could a young woman like that have such incredible gambling skills? And Anthea’s nothing but a trust fund princess with no real accomplishments to her name.”

Daniel had never been fond of Anthea, and his current thinking wasn’t unusual, given his low opinion of her.

“Everything that happened tonight at the Morris Mansion is a setup.” Daniel continued, “Everyone in Cloudcrest knows what Anthea’s really like! But tonight, she’s acting like a different person. Wherever we go, there she is. It must be her setup.

“Let’s head back,” said Sherman, idly twirling his rosary beads, his expression unreadable.

Daniel quickly fell into step behind him.

Sherman Christensen’s family hailed from Cloudcrest twenty–five years ago.

Twenty–five years ago, the Christensen family moved from Cloudcrest to Capital City.

Latham Christensen, died unexpectedly, eighteen–year–old Sherman took up the mantle. He had stirred up a storm in the Capital City with his remarkable business acumen, cultivating his power base and propelling the Christensen family to become the premier dynasty in

Capital City would tip their hats and respectfully address him as

of power, at the very top of the

with eccentric habits, Sherman seldom showed interest in women and often frequented churches.

worried that her son might forsake worldly life for the church thing and threatened to take her own life. The act brought

and Rebecca had engaged since childhood, but with the Christensen family residing in Capital City for many years,

return to Cloudcrest had been discreet, with no

the gambling

asked, and his term of endearment for Anthea had changed without him

niece

call it a night. It’s time to go home,” Anthea declared. There was a time for

11:18

Chapter 12

gambling house was no place