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

It wasn't personal! Please, let

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

narrowed. "Who sent

answer. Even

barked, bringing the metal pipe

screams echoed. At last, one thug, hands trembling, fumbled out his phone. "It-it was the

the phone. She didn't recognize the woman, but it was clear she was just

tossed it onto the ground in front of the thugs. "Take the pills in that bottle. All

panicked glances, fear written across their faces. What if

Anthea, without missing a beat, grabbed a metal pipe and hurled it

Crack!

pipe struck the man's leg, sending him crashing to the floor. The sickening snap of bone

another thug cried, scrambling to open the

take it!" The rest followed suit, terrified, snatching up pills and swallowing them hastily, not

they'd all downed the pills,

over each other in

Carole, helping her to her

herself to be led away, trying to steady her breathing. Nanson draped an

now, Mom," he murmured. "You're

them swallow? Personally, I think they deserve worse. Turning those