From Sneers to Cheers: Anthea’s Ascent

"Sherman, let's go! Don't waste your breath on people like her," Karen snapped, grabbing Sherman by the arm.

Sherman gave a small nod and followed her, leaving Rebecca scrambling after them.

"No! Grandma, please, don't go! I'm begging you, please forgive me!" Rebecca pleaded, chasing at their heels.

But Karen didn't even look back.

Smack.

She slammed the car door in Rebecca's face.

The driver started the engine, and all Rebecca could do was stand there as a cloud of dust settled around her.

"Ah!"

A guttural cry tore from her throat. Rebecca collapsed, sobbing in utter despair.

In the car, Karen glanced at Sherman, worry creasing her brow. "Listen to me, you stubborn boy! Don't let that manipulative girl Rebecca fool you. I only accept Ann as my granddaughter-in-law, got it?"

She'd seen enough schemers in her day, and she wasn't about to let Sherman get tangled up with one. Truth be told, her nerves had been especially on edge ever since she'd read that romance novel last week-the one where the male lead was completely duped by a conniving vixen.

trick in the book to turn the hero against the real heroine, and the poor girl suffered endlessly-betrayed, heartbroken, humiliated. And the worst part? In the end, the heroine actually forgave the idiot who'd wronged her, like

that nonsense. If she could, she'd have jumped right into the pages to knock some sense into the heroine and give the male lead a swift kick to

meant

would not

I swear-I'll knock some sense into that thick skull of yours, break both your legs, and cut

eyebrow. Grandma

demanded, punctuating her words with

around his

second. Had she heard that right? My God. For

That never getting married.

mean one thing: Sherman was

made her giddy, but Karen kept her excitement in check. She stifled a laugh behind her hand-wouldn't do to jinx things if her

her tone sharp. "By the way, what's going on with that Robinson boy? Did he lose his mind or what? Do you know

"What did

on Daniel's little visit, recounting how he'd come

listened, his expression darkened, a dangerous glint flickering in

to stand up for Ann. She's a wonderful

tightened around his cross. "Don't worry. I'll take

in satisfaction. "Good. I'm counting on