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."

perfect for

anyway? Why didn't the

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

tight it might

Anthea, she would be the one up there in Mr. Christensen's arms right

That bitch!

Anthea, that conniving bitch.

Where the hell

in a storm of jealousy and

if the system never came back?

She was

would come

It had to.

ceremony wrapped

stepped off

of other leaders in tech stood up

Luxphinia's first time ever taking first place at the Tech Summit Global. Anthea had

other side of the aisle, Pellonia's three top

be beaten by a girl who barely looked old enough

Utter humiliation.

taken first place last year-this year, he hadn't even made the top

not for Anthea, he

right next to Anthea, watching as everyone flocked to

while she herself was left

more than

of nowhere, she'd

nothing but an imposter, a cuckoo in someone else's nest-how did she

prayed the system would return

it, she could finally

she'd make sure Anthea wished she'd never

After Tech Summit Global

concluded, Anthea was immediately

by top experts

science