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.

years back, when the family patriarch, 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

the most respected figures in the Capital City would tip their hats and respectfully address him

the pinnacle of power, at the very top of the

reclusive character with eccentric habits, Sherman seldom showed interest in

the church thing and threatened to take her own life. The act brought the family back to Cloudcrest to

engaged since childhood, but with the Christensen family residing in Capital

return to Cloudcrest had been discreet, with no one

the gambling continued unabated.

on next?” Nanson asked, and his term of endearment for Anthea had changed without

niece is really something!”

night. It’s time to go home,” Anthea declared. There

11:18

Chapter 12

was no place to push one’s luck too