From Sneers to Cheers: Anthea’s Ascent

Hearing Sallie sigh with fatigue, Elaine was quick to respond, “Have a rest. I’ll give you a shout. when dinner’s ready.”

Sallie nodded in acknowledgment.

“Hold up a second, Sallie.” Gemma suddenly grasped Sallie’s hand.

Sallie betrayed a flicker of disgust as she caught sight of Gemma’s grubby fingers. Gemma’s long and unkempt nails were caked with grime.

Swallowing her revulsion, Sallie managed to ask, “What is it?”

Gemma continued with a hint of excitement, “I got a special treat for you! Felton, bring it over here, will you?” Ccontent © exclusive by Nô/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.

Felton stepped forward with a bag in hand. “This is the pickle I made just for you.”

Gemma chimed in. “Remember how you loved it when you were a little girl? Only you and Stella get to enjoy my pickle. No one else gets this special treatment!”

Sallie and Stella were the shining stars. It was natural for Gemma to dote on them. After all when they married off, she expected them to remember herself with affection and generosity.

“Thanks, Granny,” Sallie said, taking the bag.

Gemma beamed. “No need for thanks, child. Go get some rest now.”

Sallie took the bag inside. The moment she was out of sight, she tossed it straight into the trash. She couldn’t bear to hold onto such filth for a moment longer.

It wasn’t long before Susan’s daughter Phoebe arrived.

Phoebe was the spitting image of Susan, with a talent for flattering that was second to none. One moment she was complimenting Elaine on her youthful looks, the next on how well–maintained her skin was. Her words were as sweet as honey.

Phoebe’s sweet talk made Anthea’s silence more noticeable. Sitting motionless on the couch. she didn’t utter a single charming word.

Elaine frowned slightly with a hint of distaste flickering in her eyes.

How on earth did Carole educate Anthea?

Elaine slipped off her bracelet and fastened it around Phoebe’s wrist. “Phoebe, this bracelet is for you.”

Phoebe was taken aback. “Auntie, I couldn’t accept this!”

Elaine’s laughter filled the room. “You’re my niece. Besides, with how sweet you are, you’re my favorite. This is the latest style. It’ll look great on someone young like you. I’m too old for such things!”

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It was a clear jab at Anthea, who undoubtedly felt a pang of envy as she watched the bracelet change hands. She probably regretted not cozying up to Elaine like Phoebe had.

Phoebe clung to Elaine’s arm. “Auntie, you don’t look old at all! Standing next to my mom, who would guess you’re sisters? You look more like mother and daughter! If anyone’s looking old, it’s my mom!”

Susan shot Phoebe a glare, thinking, “That little brat! There was no need to trample my pride just to win favor with Elaine. Am I really that old?”

But the sight of the bracelet tempered Susan’s irritation.

Elaine swelled with Phoebe’s flattery. “You always know how to make me smile!”

Phoebe replied, “You are young. Auntie! And this bracelet must have been so pricey. I think I’ve heard one of my friends mention this brand before.” Her eyes darted to Anthea, who seemed uninterested in their conversation.

Thanks to Rebecca’s deliberate promotion, Phoebe knew all too well about Anthea in the Morris family.

Anthea was an outsider and not even favored. She must never have seen a bracelet like this

before.

Elaine casually mentioned, “It wasn’t that expensive, just a bit over two thousand dollars.”

Two thousand dollars?

Phoebe sparkled her eyes.

Anthea, on the other hand, seemed to care little for the conversation. She pulled out her smartphone and logged onto GlobalGigaNet to pick up a task she could complete right there and then. Money was her focus now.

As soon as she accepted the task, a message popped up.

“No way! Are you the real Phoenix–YC? That master?”

“Yes, is there an issue?”

The person on the other end of the screen took off their glasses and polished them fervently. unable to believe their luck at having Phoenix–YC accept their task.

Phoenix YC’s growing fame brought a plethora of imitators with similar usernames, such as Phenix– YC, Phoenix YC, Fhoenix–YC, Phoonix–YC and so on.

The person was worried this was just another fake.

After carefully checking and realizing they were indeed in contact with the real Phoenix–YC, they hurriedly sent another message. “Boss! Please, add me as a friend!”

Anthea, absorbed in her coding, didn’t notice the incoming message.