From Sneers to Cheers: Anthea’s Ascent (Anthea )

Stella wished those three shameless relatives would never come crawling back. She snapped, "Remember your words today, all three of you. If you ever go back on them and come begging to us, you'll be worse than a snake in the grass!"

Anthea shot back a look, her eyes dark and fathomless. "What goes around, comes around. Don't forget the show you put on today! Don't descend to the level of a weasel!"

Stella snorted disdainfully.

What a big talker this loser was!

They would come begging to her? A lowlife only fit for the basement!

Carole made it clear she wanted to cut ties, but neither she nor the Yeager family were worried. They knew Carole would soon regret her actions. Within a month, she'd be back on her knees.

Gemma turned to Elaine, saying, "Sweetie, if that rotten apple comes back begging, don't you dare forgive her so easily! We'll only consider it after Irvin gives her the nod."

Elaine nodded, "I know, Mom."

Anthea booked a ride on her phone.

They had just stepped out of the villa when the ride arrived.

Nanson took the passenger seat.

Carole and Anthea sat in the back, Anthea looking down at her phone, revealing a stretch of her pale neck, casual and a bit lazy.

Sunlight streamed through the car window, casting a soft glow on her.

Anthea in front of them, so pure and harmless, bore no trace of the fierce creature from moments ago.

If Carole hadn't seen it with her eyes, she would never have believed the person before was her daughter.

But no matter how Anthea's attitude might twist and turn, she was still her kid. Carole decided not to overthink and leaned back, closing her eyes for a quick rest.

Cutting off ties with the Yeager family hadn't phased Carole and Nanson.

Life went on.

With all the paperwork in order and the restaurant refurbished, they were set to open tomorrow.

The restaurant's name was simple: Yeager's Delicacies.

With an opening ceremony, the grand opening was official.

Since they hadn't notified anyone, there were no customers yet, but Anthea had ordered some floral arrangements online, ensuring the celebration felt just right.

Perhaps due to the remote location, they hadn't seen a single customer come in for a bite.

Nanson had left to deliver a package. ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

Soon, it was just Carole and Anthea in the shop. No customers and Carole was getting anxious.

Anthea, however, didn't seem to share her concern, absorbed in her phone.

Carole wanted to say something but swallowed her words.

Just then, footsteps approached from outside.

Could it be a customer at last?

Carole brightened her eyes and looked up hopefully, only to dim again, but she still stood up with a smile, "Fanny, you made it."

Fanny, the owner of Snacktastic Spot just down the street, had warned them during the renovation to lease the shop out, but Anthea didn't take her advice and insisted on opening.

Now, it seemed karma had caught up quickly.

Anthea and Carole were about to bankrupt inside their empty restaurant!

With this in mind, a smug expression crept into Fanny's eyes, "Honey, how's it going? I was right, wasn't I? This location is a dead zone. Both you and Anthea didn't listen, and now you're eating crow!"

Embarrassment crept onto Carole. If only she had heeded Fanny's advice from the start...

Fanny added fuel to the fire, "Honey, you must be losing a pretty penny, huh?"

Anthea looked up with a smile, her voice tinged with amusement, "Fanny, lunchtime isn't even here yet. Are you so sure we're going to take a loss?"