From Sneers to Cheers: Anthea’s Ascent

Chapter 539

Back in the day, Sherman was a legend behind the wheel-a real king of the track.

No one expected Anthea to actually beat him.

Anthea sipped her dessert soup, her tone light. "Honestly, it was just luck. I barely edged him out by thirty seconds."

Hector swallowed hard, looking between the two of them.

How could they talk about something so terrifying as if it were just another ordinary day?

...

Daniel took Rebecca for a drive in the countryside, hoping the fresh air would lift her spirits. It was late afternoon by the time he brought her home.

At the curb, Rebecca turned to him. "Daniel, would you mind coming upstairs for a cup of tea? I really have to thank you. You've helped me so much today I feel a lot better."

He smiled warmly. "It's nothing. I promised I'd be your friend for life, didn't I?"

Together, they made their way to the Morris family's apartment.

The Morrises were renting the top floor.

one answered,

bring your keys?" Daniel

started digging through her purse.

while before finally pulling out

swung open, a sharp

She dashed inside,

followed on her

nearly impossible to breathe. Daniel hurried to open every window and door, then rushed to the kitchen and shut

stove, a pot of bone broth had boiled over, spilling soup across the burners. It wasn't hard to figure out what happened: the soup had boiled over,

turned off

unmistakable as she dropped to her knees, her voice shaking with tears. "Mom, are you alright? Please say something!" Daniel's voice

phone and dialed emergency services. The paramedics arrived

shook his head. "I'm sorry.

No vital signs.

actually let out a breath, relief flickering briefly across her

too early, not too late. The last thing she wanted was for things to end

the doctor, weeping as she dropped to her knees. "No! Please, this can't be! Doctor, I'm begging you, please

sorry. If there were anything we could do, we'd do it. But there's

do anything! If you bring

doctor only