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

Janet couldn't stand to see Darleen get the short end of the stick. She took Darleen's hand firmly and said, "Don't you worry, Darleen. When Gerry gets back, I'll give him a piece of my mind."

Gerry was indeed a bit thoughtless, Janet thought.

His words were too harsh, but thank goodness Edna was kind-hearted enough not to hold it against the kid.

Then there was Jonah who couldn't even come back for Gerry’s birthday.

Who knew what he was so busy with?

Edna chuckled and said, "Janet, you shouldn't spoil Darleen so much. You're going to ruin her!"

Janet held onto Darleen's hand tighter. "Girls need a bit of spoiling. Gerry is becoming more and more of a recluse..." Janet's voice trailed off, her face clouded with worry.

Edna reassured her, "Janet, I think Gerry's a sensible boy. A quiet nature in a boy isn't a bad thing. Don't fret over it."

"You're the only one who lets it slide."

Outside the estate, Gerard made his way to the roadside and spotted his classmate, Healy, waiting for him.

"Gerard, over here!" Healy called out, waving his hand.

Gerard jogged over. "Have you been waiting long?"

Healy shook his head. "Just got here a bit ago."

After a brief pause, Healy continued, "So, your sister didn't come with you today?"

It was common knowledge that Gerard always had a little shadow following him around.

Gerard replied coolly, "She's not my sister. Why should she follow me?"

Healy teased with a grin, "Well, you never know. If her mom becomes your stepmom one day, she'll officially be your sister."

Gerard pursed his lips, a mysterious veil cast over his youthful face by the shadow, "What about that matter I asked you to check on?"

"No word from Zack yet," Healy replied. "But I'll let you know the moment I hear anything. Let's get moving. Kearney and the others are already there!" Content property of NôvelDra/ma.Org.

Gerard nodded in agreement.

Before long, the winding mountain road was lit up by the bright headlights of several speeding motorcycles.

A small car passed by them.

Edna and Darleen were in the back seat.

Darleen pouted, "Mom, aren't things fine as they are? Why do you keep trying to ingratiate yourself with Janet and Gerard?" It was bad enough that Edna was doing it, but to drag her into it too...

Edna turned away from the window and poked Darleen's shoulder. "My silly girl! Who do you think I'm doing all this for? It's all for you! Everything we have is thanks to the Lindsay family, without which we might as well be left out in the cold!"

"We live off grandpa's fortune. What does that have to do with the Lindsay family?" Darleen argued.

"Do you think your grandparents would've let us stay for eighteen years without the Lindsay family? Once your father passed and the company tanked, I was left alone with just you. If not for the Lindsay family's clout, your grandparents and uncle would've lost patience with us a long time ago!"

Their hope was for Edna to become the hostess of the Lindsay family, which would elevate the Fletcher family in Capital City by leaps and bounds.

Edna continued, "It's precisely because you're the Lindsay family's heiress that your grandparents dote on you so."

In other words, without the Lindsay family, they would be nobodies.

Darleen was stunned. Had her beloved grandparents' affection been conditional all these years?

Edna spoke with gravity, "Darleen, you must be obedient and make us proud. Don't let your grandparents down. Once I marry into the Lindsay family, you'll be the sole granddaughter. The Christensen family and the Lindsay family have always been close. I've heard the Christensen family have called off their engagement with the Morris family. The Christensen family would be a perfect match for you. Then, you'll be the hostess of the Christensen family!"

In a family that historically only had sons, Darleen would indeed become a precious gem.