From Sneers to Cheers: Anthea’s Ascent

Chapter 298

Chapter 298

As Riley scrambled to his feet, dusting off the dirt from his jeans, he quickly caught up with Sherman's stride. The two were greeted by a warm smile from Adah as they approached the dining area. "Finished your little competition, have you?" Adah chuckled. "Dinner's about ready. I was about to send someone to fetch you boys. Who won, by the way?"

"Sherman's too good!" Riley exclaimed, brushing a hand through his hair. "I mean, with these skinny arms and legs of mine, how could I ever match up to him?"

Sherman clapped Riley on the back with a hearty laugh. "Riley's just a greenhorn! Give him a few decades to practice, and maybe, just maybe, he'll have a shot at beating me." Riley's mouth twitched into a grimace. "Decades?"

The dinner table was a lively scene, with Karen strategically seating Riley next to Anthea. Five people gathered around the table, with Sherman sitting directly across from Riley.

"So, Riley," Karen began with a mischievous twinkle in her eye, "you're what, 21 this year?"

"Yeah, that's right," Riley replied with a nod.

yourself a girlfriend back at college?"

head. "Haven't

was cut off as Sherman stood up and served her a piece of fish with the serving fork. "Grandma, this is

at Sherman with

Cheeky boy!

a silent battle

Karen's approval. "Not bad at

to try them. And wait till you see the crawfish coming up-they're your favorite." Riley joined

If it's got meat, I'm usually a fan." In her past life, Anthea hadn't been one for indulgences. Often a nutrient shake was enough, and she'd go days without a proper meal. But in this

opportunity, asked Riley, "Can you handle spicy

lit up. "The spicier the better when it comes to

Sherman, however, kept his eyes on his plate, his

to say something to Riley, but Sherman was already on his feet, deftly