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?”

these words settled in the air. The young man was dressed in a

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

spread the news about the financial

playing with the cross in

was the Morris

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

his

Your grandmother and I

back 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

were insistent for you, you

11:19:

Chapter 21

a hint of helplessness. His mature

someone in mind, I can be relieved. I can’t bear

men. And Sherman, the fifth and only male child in the line, had a