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?”

me.” A dapper figure entered the rooms as these words settled in the air. The young man was dressed in a decent suit, fingers playing with a silver cross, and a small, striking

smiled at her son, noting how much he resembled her. With

Are you saying you’re the one who spread the news about the financial crisis?” Karen’s gaze shifted

the

was the Morris family’s reaction?”

The minute they heard the Christensen family was in trouble, they washed their hands of us. They even had the nerve to throw a measly

unfazed, his expression

and I were so

“Getting worked up over such people only diminishes us. Besides, I’ve always said the

for you, you ungrateful rascal!” Adah

11:19:

Chapter 21

of helplessness. His mature reaction made Adah seem like a

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

Sherman, the fifth and only male child in the