From Sneers to Cheers: Anthea’s Ascent

Although Harriet couldn’t speak French, she could tell from how Anthea chatted up with a group of foreigners that she was something.

How could this be?

Anthea hadn’t even finished middle school. How on earth could she speak French? And how could she speak it so well?

It just didn’t add up!

Baldie was the French whiz of their class. How could he possibly be outdone by a middle school dropout?

Harriet often praised Baldie before Lauren and put Anthea down every chance back in the day. And Anthea had slapped her arrogance right back in her face. How could Harriet’s pride not take a hit? Property © NôvelDrama.Org.

Harriet’s ego wasn’t just bruised, it was shattered, and she wasn’t alone in her suffering; Baldie was also tied up in knots, feeling the sting.

He had Lauren summon Anthea over with the wicked intention of making her the butt of the joke. But instead of flopping, Anthea shone bright.

She was dazzling!

Baldie’s palms were slick with sweat as he looked up at Anthea. She stood there, basking in the brilliant light, her already stunning features taking on an otherworldly beauty under the glow. The crowd behind her seemed to fade into the background, props to her radiance.

She was gorgeous and brimming with confidence.

Not a trace of nerves marred her aloof visage.

It was as though she wasn’t facing a group of foreigners but chatting with old friends.

She was so poised and graceful, the epitome of elegance.

No, she wasn’t supposed to be like this.

Baldie clenched his fists.

Anthea wasn’t supposed to be like this.

With his superior education and family background, Baldie had always felt a sense of superiority over Anthea.

But Anthea had crushed his pride underfoot.

This new Anthea also showed him a distance he couldn’t bridge.

Baldie was in agony. He couldn’t even believe it was reality.

Anthea, for her part, didn’t give it much thought. After wrapping up the conversation with the foreign clients, she took her notebook and headed to the kitchen..

The table had guests with allergies to fish and garlic, so she needed to communicate that with

the chef.

The foreigners turned back to Harriet and Baldie, giving a thumbs–up and a hearty “GOOD!”

Harriet and Baldie squirmed in their seats.

Lauren exclaimed, “Oh my goodness! Who knew Anthea had it in her? She’s amazing! Don’t you think, Harriet?”

“Yeah, sure,” Harriet forced a stiff smile.

After a moment’s thought, she added, “But you know, being good at French isn’t enough without a proper education, Lauren. Haven’t you seen the news? That old lady picking up trash at the tourist spot knew French, too.”

So, what if she spoke a few words of French?

So, what if she spoke fluently? She was still working for them! She was a mere working girl!

There was nothing to brag about.

Her son attended a prestigious high school and would enter a top university. He was to join the elite, marry a beauty with brains and wealth, and reach the pinnacle of life!

Anthea could only wait and work for them forever.

Thinking this way made Harriet feel much better.

Baldie, too, found comfort in his mother’s words.

What did it matter if she spoke French? She was still working for their family despite her proficiency, wasn’t she?

His status remained higher than Anthea’s.

Her education was still inferior to his, and being fluent in French couldn’t save her from her low educational background and social standing.

Baldie turned to Harriet. “Mom, I’m going to my room to study.” He was determined to work hard, enter a top university, and outshine everyone.

When the time came, Anthea would still be a middle schooler, and he would be an outstanding postdoc.

“Go on, dear,” Harriet nodded with maternal affection.

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