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

"Annie, can you do some digging for me on Cindy?" Lizzie asked.

Anthea nodded in agreement.

It didn't take long before Anthea unearthed all the information on Cindy.

Cindy.

Female.

45 years old.

Her husband had been bedridden for years, and she had a son studying abroad.

Tanya frowned and said, "Holy shit! This lady is six years older than your dad! No wonder she looks past her prime! Your dad sure has some... unique tastes!"

Lizzie felt sick to her stomach!

Anthea raised an eyebrow. "Unique is one way to put it."

Taking a deep breath, Lizzie said, "Annie, thanks for today. I know what I need to do now."

"What are you planning?" Tanya asked.

Lizzie replied, "I'm going to ensure my dad walks away with nothing!"

She had decided that the marriage between her parents had to end!

Even if her mother wanted to salvage the marriage, she would persuade them to divorce!

"It's good to see you've figured it out, Lizzie," Tanya said, wrapping her arms around Lizzie. "Keep your chin up. There's always a rainbow after the storm, and Annie and I have got your back. Just holler if you need us."

Anthea nodded slightly, "Tanya's right. If you are in any trouble, we're here for you."

"Thanks," Lizzie said with a small smile.

For the first time, she truly understood the value of having friends’ support when the going got tough.

...

Back at home, Gina was still bustling around the supermarket.

While watching her mother, Lizzie's heart ached.

Gina worked hard to provide for the family, while Malcolm squandered her hard-earned money on another woman.

It was ridiculous.

"Mom," Lizzie said, trying to keep her emotions in check as she approached Gina.

"Lizzie, you’re back," Gina said, arranging items on the shelves.

"Where's Dad?" Lizzie asked.

Gina's brow furrowed, sensing something off with her daughter. "What's with you lately, always asking about your father? He's out stocking up on supplies."

He was stocking up again.

"Mom, why is he always 'stocking up'? Are we running that low on supplies?" Lizzie asked.

Gina laughed. "Business has been booming lately. Those imported candies we got have been selling like hotcakes. Sadly, your father has made a few trips and hasn't restocked, so he went out again today!"

Gina had known Malcolm since they were young and trusted him implicitly. RêAd lat𝙚St chapters at Novel(D)ra/ma.Org Only

She'd never doubted him.

"Mom, do you trust Dad that much?" Lizzie asked.

Gina stopped what she was doing and patted Lizzie on the head. "He's your father and my husband. Who else should I trust if not him? Now, tell me, what’s been bothering you?"

Lizzie felt an overwhelming wave of sadness.

Gina trusted Malcolm so much. Yet he had betrayed her.

"Mom, have you ever thought that maybe Dad isn't really out 'stocking up'?"

"If he's not stocking up, where else would he be?" Gina inquired.

Taking a deep breath, Lizzie said, "Mom, let's talk upstairs."

"I'm swamped right now!" Gina answered.

She was indeed busy.

The two-story supermarket spanned 1,200 square meters, and she only had ten employees.

Many tasks required her attention.

Lizzie grabbed Gina's arm and suddenly had an outburst. "Mom, I need to talk to you!"

Seeing Lizzie like that, Gina was startled and quickly jumped down from the step ladder, "What's gotten into you, Lizzie? There, there, don’t cry! I'll go upstairs with you."

The mother and daughter went upstairs.

Gina hurriedly got some tissues for Lizzie. "What is it, sweetie? Did someone bully you? Tell me!"

"Mom!" Lizzie embraced Gina, sobbing uncontrollably.

"What's wrong? Tell me what happened," Gina urged, growing anxious.

It took a while for Lizzie to calm down enough to speak, her voice breaking with sobs. "Mom, Dad... he’s not out stocking up."

Gina froze. "I thought we were talking about something bothering you. Why are you talking about your father?"

Lizzie held Gina's hands. "Mom, just listen to me."

"Go ahead."

Lizzie took a deep breath, carefully choosing her words. She had thought it would be easy to tell her mother everything, but she realized how difficult it was to tell the truth while facing Gina.

"Dad, he... Dad... He..."

When she saw Lizzie struggling, Gina’s face went pale with worry, "What about your dad? Did something happen to him on the road? Lizzie, don’t scare me!"