From Sneers to Cheers: Anthea’s Ascent

Chapter 21

Karen was born and raised in Cloudcrest, her roots as deep as the ancient oak trees that lined its quaint streets. Her heart belonged to the town’s warm, familiar, and tight–knit community.

The socialites of Capital City, with their impeccable style and grace, always seemed to lack a certain warmth that Karen found indispensable.

“Marrying into the family should feel like home. We’ll get a local girl from Cloudcrest for Sherman, someone genuine,” Karen declared with a nod of conviction.

“You’re right, Karen! Let’s find Sherman a sweetheart here in Cloudcrest. We’ll have a lot of time introducing her to Capital City!” Adah agreed, her laughter echoing her support.

A thought struck Karen. “Oh, by the way, about that rumor about the Christensen Group facing a financial crisis, did you start that?”

“Not me,” Adah shook her head, puzzled. “I thought you were behind it, Karen, playing a strategic game with the Morris family!”

Without that false rumor, they would have never seen the true colors of the Morris family.

Karen frowned. “It wasn’t me, either.”

Adah’s brows knit together in confusion. “If it weren’t you and me, then who?”

young man was dressed in a decent suit, fingers playing with a silver cross, and a small, striking mole adorned

he resembled her. With her excellent self–care routine, the pair

you’re the one who spread the news

playing with the cross

Morris

in trouble, they washed their hands of us. They even had the

unfazed, his expression serene.

Sherman? Your grandmother and I were

at Adah, his voice calm. “Getting worked up over such people only diminishes us. Besides, I’ve always said the Morris heiress wasn’t a good match. But you and Grandma were

were insistent for you, you ungrateful rascal!” Adah was

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Chapter 21

tightened with a hint of helplessness. His mature

in your heart? If you have someone in mind, I can be relieved. I can’t bear the thought of our family line ending

genuine. The Christensen family had been carried on by men. And Sherman, the fifth and only male child in