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

Sherman never imagined that the healer turned out to be nothing more than a teenage girl.

And to his utter astonishment, that girl was none other than Anthea.

At just nineteen, Anthea was more than just a tech mogul and a chess prodigy with a massive streaming following.. She had now added ‘miracle healer’ to her list of accolades.

Just how many hidden talents did she possess?

To say Sherman was stunned would be an understatement!

Who would have thought that a once down-and-out heiress, cast away like yesterday’s trash, could be so formidable? If the Morris clan knew they'd mistaken a diamond for a mere bauble, they'd be kicking themselves!

Adah chimed in. “Annie, I want you to meet my son Sherman. You should call him...

Adah paused, realizing the conundrum. Anthea considered her a sister, and she had always thought of Anthea like a younger sister. What then should Anthea call Sherman?

The family hierarchy seemed all tangled up

Adah was momentarily at a loss.

Anthea offered a slight smile and said to Sherman, “Hello there, my dear nephew.”

Sherman was speechless. What was she thinking calling him that?

After a brief silence, Anthea added, “Just kidding, don’t mind me!”

“Don't mind at all,” Sherman replied warmly.

Adah's face was a picture of surprise.

Had she really heard that right? Sherman, not minding?

Being Sherman's mom, no one knew him better than Adah did. Sherman had always been a bit of an odd duck. Cool on the outside, even colder inside.

Never one for getting cozy with girls.

He'd always worn a poker face around them, even scaring one to tears in the past. As he grew older, he took to vegetarianism and dabbled in Buddhism.

Despite his youthful age, he carried himself with the solemnity of a seasoned man But now, Sherman had actually been amiable.

Anthea had cheekily claimed a kinship, and he didn't seem to mind at all!

This was promising! Very promising! Adah's gaze danced between the two before she said, “Annie, have you and Sherman known each other for a while?”

Anthea nodded, “Yes, we met a couple of months ago.”

Not only was Sherman surprised to learn Anthea was the miracle healer who cured Karen, but Anthea was equally taken aback to find out Sherman was the grandson Karen often spoke of!

Fate really was a curious thing.

Excitement sparkled in Adah’s eyes. There was definitely potential here!

If there was patential, then they had to get their titles straight. Adah took Anthea’s hand, “Annie, you should just call fe ‘auntie’. I'm getting oan years, nd it wouldn't be right tortake advaniage of your youth. Besides, it wauid be a laughing mattecto offers.”

Anthea nodded in agreement, “Alright.

Calling Adah 'sister' would indeed put Sherman in an awkward position. Just then, Karen approached with a box in her arms.

“Ann!”

“Mrs. Christensen.”Têxt belongs to NôvelDrama.Org.

Karen, box in tow, bypassed Sherman ang-sat down beside Anthea a, “Ann, guess what delicious. treat is jfthis box?” Without waiting fora reply and worried Anthea wouldn't guess, she added, ‘ts a fruit; round and with white flesh iMSide! It’s juicy and sweet!”

Sherman looked at his grandma, didn’t know what to say. If Anthea couldn't guess, she must be living under a rock. “Lychee?” Anthea blurted out. “Exactly! You're so sharp, Ann! You got it in one!” Karen beamed with pride. She was the perfect match for her grandson — so bright, so impressive!

Adah echoed her enthusiasm, “That’s right! Who else but Annie could be so bright? Not only is she smart, but she’s also a beauty. ‘Brilliance and grace’ personified, just look at Annie and you'll understand!

Even Anthea, who wasn't shy about self-praise, blushed a little at the lavish compliments from the mother-daughter duo.

Sherman was at a loss for words, a little embarrassed.

Karen openeckthe box to reveal lychees, theigred and green hues intermingling, “Annie, these were ~ speciallysaved for you, using = state- ‘oFrthe- art preservation <> methods. Don't let the winterfool you: they're incredibly fresh Try one afd see!”

Sherman's fingers, which had been playing with the cross, paused.

If he wasn’t mistaken, these were the same lychees that the family matriarch had specially ordered from afar during last year’s Christmas trip to the Capital City.

Lychees were common enough, but this particular breed — the ‘Evergreen’ — was a rare delicacy!