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.

a message on GlobalGigaNet, “Hey Ace, fancy becoming mates?

was giving Daniel the silent treatment, a move that caused a sinking feeling

Phoenix? Was he still sore about being unfriended

didn’t mean to unfriend you last time. It was a slip of the thumb. I swear it. Let bygones be bygones, yeah? I’m

“Ace…”

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

desperation, Daniel flipped over to the forum page, only to see that it was all

starstruck they’d even prefixed their handles with Phoenix.

quickly, not expecting to return

had unfriended her. But Anthea wasn’t one to sweat the small stuff. With a flick of her finger, she replied casually, “No worries.”

Daniel thought his eyes were playing tricks. After rubbing them vigorously

1/2

a saint, Ace! Say, can

online life separate, Anthea replied,

typical Ace, cool as

through Anthea’s

snapped her laptop shut, slipped into something more presentable, and headed to the