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

Rebecca reached out and knocked, but no one answered, even after several tries. “Is Mom not home?”

“Did you bring your keys?” Daniel asked.

Rebecca started digging through her purse. “Let me check.”

She rummaged for a while before finally pulling out the key.

The moment the door swung open, a sharp chemical stench hit them—natural gas.

Rebecca’s face went pale. She dashed inside, calling out, “Mom!”

Daniel followed on her heels.

The 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 kitchen and shut off the gas.

A heartbeat later, she collapsed in front of the doctor, weeping as she dropped to her knees. “No! Please, this can’t be! Doctor, I’m begging you, please save my mother! I can’t lose her, please!”

The 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 try. She’s gone.”

Rebecca refused to accept it, desperate and wild-eyed. “Doctor, I’ll do anything! If you bring her back, I’ll spend the rest of my life repaying you! Please, I’m begging you!”

But the doctor only shook his head again.

Daniel’s eyes were red as he gently helped Rebecca to her feet. “Rebecca, you have to calm down.”

She clung to him, sobbing. “Daniel!”

He wrapped his arms around her, his heart breaking for her. “It’s alright, Rebecca. I promise, even though your mother’s gone, you still have me. I’ll take care of you.”

“It’s all my fault! If I hadn’t gone out to clear my head—if I’d just stayed home with her—none of this would’ve happened! It’s all my fault! I’m a terrible daughter!”

Daniel tried to soothe her. “Rebecca, don’t think like that. You can’t blame yourself. No one could have seen this coming.”