From Sneers to Cheers: Anthea’s Ascent (Anthea ) novel Chapter 545

The dining table was loaded with dishes—each one perfectly arranged, fragrant, and mouthwatering. Honestly, the meal looked and smelled every bit as good as anything a five-star chef could whip up.

Daniel couldn’t help but marvel to himself: Rebecca was the very image of a devoted wife and mother.

If only Sherman could see it. But no—Sherman was blind as a bat.

Anthea couldn’t hold a candle to Rebecca, not even halfway, yet Sherman seemed incapable of seeing anyone but Anthea.

Rebecca opened a bottle of wine, filling Daniel’s glass before pouring herself one. “Daniel, this is for you. Thank you for everything you’ve done to help me these past weeks.”

She downed her glass in one go, but as soon as she swallowed, she started coughing hard.

“Rebecca, are you okay?” Daniel asked, his voice tight with worry.

“I’m fine, really. I just don’t hold my liquor well,” she replied, forcing a smile. “Come on, Daniel, drink with me.”

Obligingly, Daniel tossed back his own glass.

Rebecca watched him empty it, then topped him off again.

And so it went: one glass after another.

By the end, Daniel’s mind was swimming. Heat flushed through his body—he fumbled with the buttons on his shirt, desperate for air.

Rebecca stood up. “Come on, Daniel, let me help you to the bedroom so you can lie down.”

Daniel was completely out of it by then. He confused Rebecca for one of his usual flings and leaned in to kiss her.

“Daniel, stop! You can’t—” Rebecca tried to push him away, but in the end, she couldn’t break free.

When Daniel woke up the next morning, something felt off. The bed, the room—it all looked unfamiliar.

Where was he?

He turned—and froze. Rebecca was lying next to him.

Panic shot through him as the memory of the night before came flooding back.

He’d had too much to drink. He’d mistaken her for someone else.

He’d forced himself on Rebecca.

Oh god.

What had he done? He was no better than a monster.

He deserved to rot.

At that moment, Rebecca stirred awake. When she saw Daniel beside her, she didn’t show much emotion at all.

He was destined to be nothing more than a stepping stone for her.

“Rebecca, I’m begging you! Please—just give me a chance to make things right!” Daniel crawled over, clutching at her legs.

Rebecca closed her eyes, letting two tears slip down her cheeks, then rasped, “Daniel, get up.”

“No! Rebecca, I won’t get up unless you say yes!”

She let out a long breath. “Alright… I’ll marry you.”

“Really?” Daniel’s eyes lit up, hope surging through him.

Rebecca nodded.

“Thank you, Rebecca! Thank you!” Daniel scrambled to his feet and wrapped her in a grateful hug.

With Rebecca’s forgiveness, Daniel wasted no time—he called his father, Jake, to tell him he was marrying Rebecca.

Jake nearly choked with rage when he heard. “You ungrateful brat! If you marry that woman, don’t expect me to call you my son ever again! You’re no son of mine!”

Daniel’s voice was resolute. “Dad, no matter what you say, I’m going to marry Rebecca. You just don’t understand her—she’s a wonderful woman.”

Jake hung up on him without another word.