From Sneers to Cheers: Anthea’s Ascent (Anthea ) novel Chapter 543

Anthea gave a slight nod. “So you’re the infamous ex-fiancée of Sherman—the one who dumped him for money and left him high and dry?” She remembered Karen mentioning Sherman’s ex-fiancée before, but she hadn’t expected it to be Rebecca standing in front of her.

Small world, she thought wryly.

Rebecca’s face burned with humiliation as tears streamed down her cheeks. “That’s not true! I’m not ungrateful, I swear! None of this is my fault!”

It was all Daly and Sandra’s doing.

Anthea arched an eyebrow.

Seeing Rebecca so distraught made Daniel’s blood boil. He couldn’t stand to watch Rebecca being bullied.

“Anthea! You’d better apologize to Rebecca right now! Or don’t blame me for what happens next!” Daniel’s fists clenched tight, his whole body trembling with anger.

He couldn’t hold it in any longer.

Anthea looked down at him from where she stood, her tone icy. “What, you want to take me on?”

Daniel’s temper snapped. With a furious shout, he charged at Anthea, fists swinging.

Everyone always said a real man never hits a woman.

But this time, he couldn’t help himself.

Anthea had gone too far.

Even if Rebecca could swallow the insults, Daniel couldn’t. Someone had to stand up for her—otherwise, Anthea would think Rebecca had no one to back her up.

Anthea didn’t bother to dodge. She simply stood her ground, calm as ever, then lifted her foot with practiced ease.

Thud.

Daniel crumpled to the floor, pain twisting his features.

“Daniel!” Rebecca cried, rushing over to help him up.

Beads of cold sweat formed on Daniel’s forehead. Agony pulsed through his body.

The pain was excruciating.

Rebecca glared up at Anthea, voice trembling with anger. “Anthea! How could you treat Daniel like that?”

Anthea pointed up at the ceiling. “He attacked me first. That was self-defense. Security cameras caught everything. Are you planning to call the police? Because if you are, I’ll wait right here for them.”

“You—!” Rebecca sputtered, furious.

Anthea calmly tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear. “If you’re not calling the police, then I’ll be on my way.”

She instinctively touched her stomach, tears spilling over again. “Honestly, I can’t blame them for not coming. After all, my parents treated Sherman’s grandmother and Adah so terribly when they were alive. If it were me, I don’t think I could forgive them either.”

Daniel protested, “But your mother is gone now. The dead deserve respect. Those things had nothing to do with you!”

Rebecca’s face was streaked with tears. “Daniel, can I ask you for a favor?”

“What is it?” he replied gently.

Rebecca hesitated. “I want you to invite Mr. Christensen out to meet me—as yourself. There are some things I need to say to him.”

Daniel nodded. “Of course.”

“Thank you, Daniel.”

After leaving the funeral home, Daniel called Sherman and arranged to meet him at a hotel downtown.

Sherman agreed without hesitation, not even bothering to ask why.

Once the meeting was set, Daniel called Rebecca to tell her the good news.

Rebecca was nearly breathless with excitement.

Finally, she’d have a chance to speak to Sherman alone.