From Sneers to Cheers: Anthea’s Ascent

Chapter 54

Even one of them was so scared that he wet himself.

“Ma’am, anything else you need?” the tattooed youth stammered, his voice trembling as he turned back to face her.

Anthea casually brushed her hair back with a graceful hand and spoke deliberately. “Tell the person pulling your strings that I won’t let him off the hook if there’s a next time.”

The tattooed youth nodded frantically. “Of course, ma’am. Can we, uh, get lost now?”

Anthea waved her hand dismissively.

The tattooed youth bolted, his legs pumping faster than ever, as if he had engines strapped to them, fearing Anthea might change her mind the next second.

Due to Anthea, these guys turned over a new leaf and became marathon runners.

But that was a story for another time.

“Uncle Nanson, let’s head home.” Anthea said, turning to Nanson with a composure that belied the fiery encounter as if the person filled with fury just moments ago wasn’t her.

Nanson gaped at Anthea, blurting out instinctively. “Yes, ma’am…”

He caught himself mid–sentence, quickly adjusting to keep pace with Anthea, correcting himself, “Okay, my dear niece.”

was then that Daniel got a good look at her face. Was

the air turning cold around

down, her gaze sweeping over him. “What are you staring at? Never seen

were cold, like ice in the dead of winter.

his senses until Anthea and Nanson vanished around the tree–lined bend.

Was that Anthea?

face lightly. It

was Anthea, was

glanced at Sherman. “Sherman,

Sherman replied, turning a page of the Bible

think she was acting?” Daniel

1/2

page of the Bible without responding.

I was a bit unsure before, but now I’m certain. Anthea will come to the casino tomorrow night. If I lost the bet, I could handle ten cans of herring,

I

said, the corner of his

was back home that Nanson could shake

Anthea home every

never expected that she would

a thrilling experience.