From Sneers to Cheers: Anthea’s Ascent

Dr. Lyons was flabbergasted.

In Cloudcrest, his medical prowess was unrivaled.

But who was this mystery healer who had turned Karen’s health around?

If he had known that someone else would cure Karen, he would never have let pride get the better of him, let alone demand an apology from Karen.

Had he accompanied the butler to the Christensen family, he would’ve been the one to claim

success.

However, there’s no pill for regret out there in the world.

Right now, Dr. Lyons was so frustrated and could’ve kicked himself.

Just then, the air was pierced by the shrill ring of the telephone.

Could it be a call from Larkin? A glimmer of hope sparked in Dr. Lyons‘ eyes.

Surely Karen’s condition had worsened again!

He was certain there was no one in Cloudcrest with medical skills to outshine his.

“Hello?” Dr. Lyons drawled, taking his sweet time to pick up the receiver.

After all, it was the Christensen family’s turn to ask for his help.

He expected to hear Larkin, but instead, he was greeted by a young woman.

“Hey! Hanny, I’ve found the perfect house with three bedrooms in a great school district, which costs five million. When can you transfer the money?”

Dr. Lyons was taken aback, “Wendy? When did you change your number?”

it?”

“Just got a new one! Didn’t you save it?”

Dr. Lyons fell silent, his expression turning sour.

“Hanny, I’m talking to you! When are you transferring the money?” Wendy urged. Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

“I don’t have that kind of cash right now.”

“No money? Didn’t you say you’ve got a wealthy old lady on the hook? Don’t tell me you’re backing out of getting us that house?”

That was a sore spot. Dr. Lyons darkened his face even more. “Don’t worry about the money, just give me some time.”

The displeasure was evident in her voice. “Alright then, Hanny. Are you coming over tonight? Carl says he misses you.”

Dr. Lyons intended to refuse, but at the mention of Carl, the stormy look on his face eased

11:01

slightly, “Sure, I’ll come over after work.”

Meanwhile, a sleek black Bentley pulled up discretely by the roadside.

Disheveled Karen, leaning on a cane, stepped out and waved to the driver. “You can head back

now.”

The driver nodded and turned the car around, driving off into the distance.

Karen stood beneath the thick branches of a tree, its lush leaves shielding her from the blazing sun. She pulled out a basic cell phone from her pocket and dialed a number.

The call connected almost immediately, “Hello?”

The voice on the other end was soft and soothing like a cool breeze on a hot day.

“Guess who!” Karen pinched her nose to disguise her voice playfully.

Anthea’s laughter rang out from the other side. “Mrs. Christensen!”

“Ann, you’re so sharp! You guessed it right away!” Karen beamed with pride, having chosen such a bright candidate as Sherman’s wife.

Anthea responded proudly, “Of course! By the way, where are you now?”

Karen glanced around, “I’m over at the Sunshine Market. Ann, where do you live? I’ll come to you.”

t stay!

“I’m nearby. I’ll come to you.”

“Alright.”

Karen had barely hung up when she spotted Anthea dashing across the street towards he

“Mrs. Christensen!”

“Ann.” Karen waved back.

Today, Anthea was dressed simply yet strikingly.

With a red T–shirt paired with denim shorts, her legs looked incredibly long and slender under the golden sunlight.