From Sneers to Cheers: Anthea’s Ascent

Chapter 510

As they drew closer, Anthea realized that Lorraine, despite her silver hair, looked much younger than she'd imagined.

Sixty, at most.

When she'd first glimpsed Lorraine's snowy hair, Anthea had assumed she must be in her eighties or nineties.

"Ms. Yeager," Lorraine greeted her with a gentle smile.

Thirty minutes earlier, Lorraine had received a call from Sherman. He'd told her he'd be bringing a friend for dinner.

Sherman often brought friends to dine here, but he'd never brought a woman before-let alone a young woman as striking as this.

Lorraine had known Sherman for eleven years. All that time, he'd embraced an ascetic lifestyle-vegetarian meals, daily prayers. She'd even begun to wonder if he might one day become a monk.

Apparently not.

Maybe he was finally opening up to life.

"Come in, please, come in." Lorraine ushered them warmly inside.

They passed through a cascade of beaded curtains before Lorraine led them to a cozy private dining room. The room was tucked away on the west side of the courtyard; if you brushed aside the curtain by the window, you could see the peaceful garden beyond.

A soft breeze carried the distant sound of string music. The whole place had a refined elegance.

No sooner had they settled in than Lorraine returned with two steaming bowls of soup.

Anthea lifted the lid and was immediately greeted by an intoxicating aroma-rich, homemade chicken broth, topped with a thin layer of golden fat. She took a sip, savoring the flavor that lingered on her tongue.

She glanced at Sherman. "What kind of soup did you get?"

he replied.

hand was already sliding her bowl over. Sherman ladled some of his soup into her

vegetarian, the blend of fresh greens and

they'd finished their soup, the main courses arrived. The portions were small,

when the

is a specialty from her hometown. It's

and lifted the lid on the dish. The air was immediately perfumed with the scent of honey and wildflowers. The dessert itself looked unassuming- clear and simple-but the

help going back

is it?" Sherman

Anthea gave him a thumbs-up.

not fond of

Anthea nodded, still

the opportunity to find Lorraine and ask about the

one of my VIPs-he

see."

you're not from around here, are you?" Lorraine asked, her

again. "I'm

for a few minutes before Anthea

fingers, lips moving in silent prayer. Anthea

late. Shall we head back?" She

and

walked them out

Yeager, since this is your first

gift for

but I hope you'll accept

Lorraine." Anthea accepted the small box with