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.

out and knocked, but no one answered, even after several tries. "Is

you bring your keys?"

her purse.

before finally pulling out the

open, a sharp chemical stench

pale. She dashed inside, calling out,

followed on

entire place was thick with the acrid smell, making it nearly impossible to breathe. Daniel hurried to open every window and door, then rushed to the

burners. It wasn't hard to figure out what happened: the soup had boiled over, extinguished the flame, and left

turned

panic was unmistakable as she dropped to her knees, her

out her phone and dialed

their examination, one of them shook his head. "I'm sorry. Your mother has no

No vital signs.

out a breath, relief flickering briefly across her

not too late. The last thing she wanted was for

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

doctor could only shake his head, helpless. "Miss, I'm very sorry. If there were anything we could do, we'd do it. But there's nothing left to

bring her back, I'll spend the rest of my life

doctor only shook his head