From Sneers to Cheers: Anthea’s Ascent

Chapter 508

His voice was magnetic, deep and soothing, with a touch of huskiness from being purposefully lowered-a sound that seemed to resonate right through to the soul.

It left her breathless.

His hand rested gently at her waist, his palm radiating a subtle heat that seeped through the thin layer of her dress. Even so, she could feel the calluses at his fingertips-rough, yet oddly ticklish.

A shiver ran up her spine.

At that moment, Anthea was acutely aware of her own heartbeat, drumming loudly

in her ears.

"Thank you," she whispered, lifting her arms to wrap around him in a soft embrace.

A faint, rare smile curved at the corners of Sherman's mouth.

That smile-

It was like spring returning to the earth, bringing everything back to life.

People watching the livestreamed ceremony couldn't contain themselves, turning

into armchair prophets one after another:

"If these two aren't a thing, I'll eat a shoe on camera!"

"Dad's found a new pup outside the house..."

"Same here, something's definitely up with those two-I bet they've been sneaking around forever."

"Wait, is Dad about to get us a new stepmom?!"

"No, Dad, don't! We don't need a stepmom!"

"If there's a new stepmom, there'll be a new stepdad too... Dad doesn't love us anymore!"

"I mean, I'm not a fan of stepmoms, but honestly, these two just look so good together."

They're perfect for

guest presenter anyway? Why didn't the host

that was weird! But hey, if she can show up at Tech Summit Global and

the audience, her jaw clenched so tight it might crack. Envy burned in her eyes, nearly

weren't for Anthea, she would be the

That bitch!

Anthea, that conniving bitch.

Where the

was caught in a storm

if the system never came back? What if she'd

She was the

system would come

It had to.

ceremony wrapped

stepped off

a crowd of other leaders in tech stood up to greet her, smiles

was Luxphinia's first time ever taking first place

other side of the aisle, Pellonia's three top executives sat stone-faced, their

had imagined they'd be beaten by a

Utter humiliation.

sting. He'd taken first place last year-this year,

Anthea, he would've at least snagged

right next to Anthea, watching as everyone flocked to

she herself was

than

Anthea hadn't shown up out of nowhere, she'd be the one

was nothing but an imposter, a cuckoo in someone else's

prayed the

she could finally

came, she'd make sure Anthea wished she'd

After Tech Summit Global

concluded, Anthea was immediately

by top experts to join

season's science and technology