From Sneers to Cheers: Anthea’s Ascent

Chapter 48

Daniel had been talking non–stop, and his throat felt dry. Glancing around the room, he asked, “Hey Sherman, got any bottled water in this joint?”

It wasn’t that he had anything against sipping a cup of coffee.

It’s just that Sherman was particular about his stuff, especially his coffee gear.

And it wasn’t just the coffee gear. Sherman didn’t like anyone touching his things, not even his mother.

Sherman was an odd duck. He was a loose cannon in his younger days, but his temper had mellowed out a bit since he took to that unworldly lifestyle and went vegan.

But the quirk about his stuff stayed put.

Sherman fished out a bottle of water from a drawer and tossed it to Daniel, who caught it with a

thankful nod.

“Look, if those detectives downtown can’t dig anything up, hand it to the International Department,” Sherman said, leaning back in his chair.

“Got it.” Daniel replied, his mind already churning with plans.

up his laptop and shot Phoenix a message on GlobalGigaNet, “Hey Ace, fancy becoming mates? How about we swap

the silent treatment, a move that caused a sinking feeling in

have offended Phoenix? Was he still sore about

to unfriend you last time. It was a slip of the thumb. I swear it. Let bygones be bygones, yeah? I’m waiting for

“Ace…”

message Daniel sent, but Ace remained as responsive as a brick wall.

Daniel flipped over to the forum page, only

fans were so starstruck they’d even prefixed their handles with Phoenix.

to return to a barrage

fluke. The bloke had unfriended her. But Anthea wasn’t one

were playing tricks.

1/2

mirage, he hurriedly replied, “You’re a saint,

her online life separate, Anthea replied,

a typical Ace, cool as a cucumber.

voices filtered through Anthea’s

shut, slipped into