From Sneers to Cheers: Anthea’s Ascent

Chapter 515

Carole was sitting on the floor, her blouse rumpled and askew. She hugged her arms tightly to her chest, inching backwards, voice trembling. "Don't come any closer! Stay away from me!"

One of the thugs sneered, his tone oily and mocking. "Relax, sweetheart. We're gonna take real good care of you."

In that instant, Anthea didn't hesitate. She charged across the room, moving with a speed and ferocity that stunned everyone. Within seconds, the air was filled with the sound of agonized screams.

It didn't take long-one brutal moment later, the thugs were curled up on the ground, whimpering and clutching their broken limbs. Nanson, wild-eyed with rage, grabbed a metal pipe from nearby and began swinging it down, again and again. "Bastards! You filthy bastards! How dare you lay a hand on my mom! I'll make you pay for touching her!"

"Mom, are you okay?" he called, voice shaking.

"Annie!" Carole sobbed, collapsing into Anthea's arms, relief and terror mingling in her tears.

Thank God. Thank God Anthea had come in time. Any later, and Carole shuddered to think what could have happened.

"It's over, Mom. You're safe. I've got you," Anthea murmured, gently rubbing her mother's back.

Carole clung to her, still trembling, haunted by what she'd just endured.

"Stop! Please, no more! You're gonna kill us!" One of the battered thugs knelt,

tears and snot streaming down his swollen face. "We were just hired muscle, we

personal! Please, let us go,

was a

eyes narrowed. "Who sent

room fell silent. No one dared answer. Even in their world, there

the metal

chorus of screams echoed. At last, one thug, hands trembling, fumbled

the phone. She didn't recognize the woman,

and tossed it onto the ground

fear written across their faces. What if it was

for the door, desperate to escape. But Anthea, without missing a beat, grabbed a metal pipe and

Crack!

crashing to the floor.

thug cried, scrambling to open the bottle

followed suit, terrified, snatching up

downed the pills, Anthea

over each

to her feet. “Come on, Mom. Let's go

allowed herself to be led away, trying to steady her breathing. Nanson draped an arm protectively around her

Mom," he murmured. "You're

you just make them swallow? Personally, I