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

Why didn't the host

hey, if she can show up at Tech Summit Global and hand out awards, our new stepmom can't be just

it might crack. Envy burned in her eyes, nearly

the one up there in Mr. Christensen's

That bitch!

Anthea, that conniving bitch.

Where the

caught in a

the system never came back? What if

She was the

system would

It had to.

ceremony wrapped up

off

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

first time ever taking first place at the Tech Summit

the other side of the aisle, Pellonia's

of them had imagined they'd be beaten by a girl who barely looked old enough

Utter humiliation.

taken first place last year-this year, he hadn't

not for Anthea, he would've

next to Anthea, watching as everyone

herself was

stung more than she

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

imposter, a cuckoo in someone else's nest-how did she deserve

silently prayed the

she could finally

that day came, she'd make sure Anthea wished she'd never been

After Tech Summit Global

concluded, Anthea was immediately

experts to join

science and