From Sneers to Cheers: Anthea’s Ascent

Even one of them was so scared that he wet himself.

“Ma’am, anything else you need?” the tattooed youth stammered, his voice trembling as he turned back to face her.

Anthea casually brushed her hair back with a graceful hand and spoke deliberately. “Tell the person pulling your strings that I won’t let him off the hook if there’s a next time.”

The tattooed youth nodded frantically. “Of course, ma’am. Can we, uh, get lost now?”

Anthea waved her hand dismissively.

The tattooed youth bolted, his legs pumping faster than ever, as if he had engines strapped to them, fearing Anthea might change her mind the next second.

Due to Anthea, these guys turned over a new leaf and became marathon runners.

But that was a story for another time.

“Uncle Nanson, let’s head home.” Anthea said, turning to Nanson with a composure that belied the fiery encounter as if the person filled with fury just moments ago wasn’t her.

Nanson gaped at Anthea, blurting out instinctively. “Yes, ma’am…”

He caught himself mid–sentence, quickly adjusting to keep pace with Anthea, correcting himself, “Okay, my dear niece.”

It was then that Daniel got a good look at her face. Was that Anthea?

He gasped, the air turning cold around him.

Anthea frowned, methodically rolling her sleeves back down, her gaze sweeping over him. “What are you staring at? Never seen a tough lady before, huh?”

Her eyes were cold, like ice in the dead of winter.

Daniel’s knees buckled involuntarily, and he didn’t come to his senses until Anthea and Nanson vanished around the tree–lined bend.

Was that Anthea?

He slapped his face lightly. It hurt.

He wasn’t dreaming. If that was Anthea, was she acting? Exclusive content © by Nô(v)el/Dr/ama.Org.

Daniel settled into the driver’s seat, looking dazed, and glanced at Sherman. “Sherman, that was Anthea, wasn’t it?”

“I saw IL” Sherman replied, turning a page of the Bible in hand.

“Do you think she was acting?” Daniel asked.

Sherman flipped another page of the Bible without responding.

Daniel continued. “Sherman, I’m sure she was acting. I was a bit unsure before, but now I’m certain. Anthea will come to the casino tomorrow night. If I lost the bet, I could handle ten cans of herring, not to mention four.”

I

“Wait and see.” Sherman said, the corner of his mouth curving slightly.

It wasn’t until he was back home that Nanson could shake the feeling of disbelief,

He used to escort Anthea home every night to protect her.

He never expected that she would be the one protecting him.

It was a thrilling experience.

On the other hand, Anthea seemed unaffected. She bathed and went to bed.

Daniel arrived at the casino early the following day, standing at the second–floor railing. watching the floor below without blinking, afraid of missing anything..

But even by 3 a.m., there was no sign of Anthea.

Time ticked by, and a waiter approached Daniel respectfully. “Mr. Robinson, Mr. Christensen. would like a word with you.”

“Understood.” Daniel turned and pushed open the door to the private room.

Sherman sat on the couch, legs crossed, a cigarette between his fingers, and a cross in his left hand.

He had the look of a saint with a hint of evilness, the kind of austere coolness that was intimidating.

Sherman’s fingers toyed with the cross. “I’ve been thinking of calling off the live stream.”

At that, Daniel’s face broke into a relieved smile. “Thanks, Sherman…

Before Daniel could finish, Sherman’s deep, magnetic voice cut in. “You’ll eat them right here.”