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

A faint voice echoed through the room, yet it landed with a thud.

All eyes turned towards the entrance.

From the doorway, a slender sound made its entrance.

In the midst of a frigid December, she was clad in nothing but a thin white hoodie, black jeans, and a pair of white sneakers that accentuated her long, elegant legs.

Her face, untouched by makeup, was breathtakingly beautiful.

Upon seeing Anthea, Carole's heart found its calm. With a steely face, she said to Felton, "Annie's right. I've cut ties with you all a long time ago. Our home doesn't welcome you, so please leave at once!"

"Brat! What did you say?" Felton slammed his hands down on the table, glaring fiercely at Carole.

Vanessa, ever the diplomat, knew they'd come for money, and relations mustn't sour too much. With a smile, she played peacemaker, "Dad, don't get angry. Carole didn't mean it like that. She's your daughter. She'd never cut ties with you!"

After her speech, Vanessa turned to Carole, "Carole, darling, that whole misunderstanding at your sister's house—everyone was hot-headed, and things were said in the heat of the moment. They weren't meant to sever ties. Surely, you don't believe that! Look, your mom and dad, your brother and I came to apologize today. You know, as children, we should honor our parents. It's a sin to hold anger against them. Carole, I know you're not that kind of person! And besides, mom, dad, your brother and I, we've always had you and Annie in our hearts. Look, we know how much you love peanut brittle, so we brought you some specially."

Vanessa was quite the wordsmith. With her eloquence, she not only appeased Carole but also reminded her of her duties as a daughter.

A good daughter, regardless of her parents' actions, must never harbor anger towards them. That was the duty of filial piety.

Carole furrowed her brow tightly.

She was never one for words. The weight of filial piety could crush a person...

Vanessa had indeed struck a nerve with her speech.

For a moment, Carole was at a loss for words.

Anthea chuckled and joined in, "If you really cared about my mom, why didn't you visit even once when we lived in that basement all those years? For eighteen years, even our next-door neighbor thought my mom was an orphan with no parents! Now that we're doing well, you come with a bag of stale peanut brittle to show affection?"

Now that Carole had opened three restaurants and moved out of the basement, life was looking up, and these people couldn't sit still.

They never considered how they had humiliated Carole back at Elaine's house!

Anthea had lived enough to see all kinds of people, but this level of shamelessness was a first for her!

Vanessa's face momentarily betrayed her embarrassment.

The peanut brittle they brought was indeed stale, meant to placate Carole, but Anthea's keen eyes saw through their ruse.

"No, Annie, you've got it all wrong!" Vanessa quickly added, "Saul and I couldn't bear to eat this peanut brittle, saving it for your mom! Who knew it would expire so quickly? They say it's the thought that counts, and this peanut brittle represents our affection for your mom."

Stale peanut brittle, spun by Vanessa into a priceless token of affection. Text © by N0ve/lDrama.Org.

Not everyone had such a gift of gab.

Anthea's lips curled slightly, "We can't accept such valuable affection! The door is right there; please leave immediately! You're not welcome in our home!"

"Carole! Is this how you've taught your daughter?" Saul rose from his seat, livid.

Anthea looked up at Saul, "This is my house. How my mom raises her daughter is none of your business. Who do you think you are?"

"Little bitch! Is that how you speak to your uncle? I won't let you get away with this today!" Gemma leaped up, grabbing a nearby feather duster to strike Anthea, "You impudent child! Your mother didn't teach you manners! I'll do it for her today! If you don't apologize to your uncle, I'll teach you a lesson you won't forget!"