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

Please, let us

of them was a mess-bruised, bloodied, barely able

narrowed. "Who sent

No one dared answer. Even in their world,

barked, bringing the metal pipe crashing

one thug, hands trembling, fumbled out

didn't recognize the woman, but it was clear she was just another

then pulled a small bottle from her pocket and tossed it onto the ground in front of the thugs. "Take the pills in that bottle. All

glances, fear written across their faces. What if it

the door, desperate to escape. But Anthea, without missing a beat, grabbed a

Crack!

to the floor. The sickening snap of bone echoed in the

take it! I'll do it!" another thug cried, scrambling to

suit, terrified, snatching up pills and

pills,

over each

her to her feet. “Come

still shaking, allowed herself to be led away, trying to

now, Mom," he

did you just make them swallow? Personally, I think