From Sneers to Cheers: Anthea’s Ascent

Karen was born and raised in Cloudcrest, her roots as deep as the ancient oak trees that lined its quaint streets. Her heart belonged to the town’s warm, familiar, and tight–knit community.

The socialites of Capital City, with their impeccable style and grace, always seemed to lack a certain warmth that Karen found indispensable.

“Marrying into the family should feel like home. We’ll get a local girl from Cloudcrest for Sherman, someone genuine,” Karen declared with a nod of conviction.

“You’re right, Karen! Let’s find Sherman a sweetheart here in Cloudcrest. We’ll have a lot of time introducing her to Capital City!” Adah agreed, her laughter echoing her support.

A thought struck Karen. “Oh, by the way, about that rumor about the Christensen Group facing a financial crisis, did you start that?” Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

“Not me,” Adah shook her head, puzzled. “I thought you were behind it, Karen, playing a strategic game with the Morris family!”

Without that false rumor, they would have never seen the true colors of the Morris family.

Karen frowned. “It wasn’t me, either.”

Adah’s brows knit together in confusion. “If it weren’t you and me, then who?”

“It was me.” A dapper figure entered the rooms as these words settled in the air. The young man was dressed in a decent suit, fingers playing with a silver cross, and a small, striking mole adorned the corner of his eye.

“Sherman, you’re back!” Adah smiled at her son, noting how much he resembled her. With her excellent self–care routine, the pair looked more like siblings than mother and son.

“Wait, Sherman. Are you saying you’re the one who spread the news about the financial crisis?” Karen’s gaze shifted to her grandson.

Sherman nodded, playing with the cross in hand.

“What was the Morris family’s reaction?”

Adah replied with a scowl, “They looked down their noses at us! The minute they heard the Christensen family was in trouble, they washed their hands of us. They even had the nerve to throw a measly $200,000 at us as an insult!”

Sherman remained unfazed, his expression serene.

“Why don’t you say something. Sherman? Your grandmother and I were so offended, all for your sake!”

Sherman glanced back at Adah, his voice calm. “Getting worked up over such people only diminishes us. Besides, I’ve always said the Morris heiress wasn’t a good match. But you and Grandma were insistent.”

“We were insistent for you, you ungrateful rascal!” Adah was livid.

11:19:

Sherman’s lips tightened with a hint of helplessness. His mature reaction made Adah seem like a petulant teenager.

“Sherman,” Karen turned to her grandson, “tell me honestly, is there someone in your heart? If you have someone in mind, I can be relieved. I can’t bear the thought of our family line ending with you.”

Karen’s concern was genuine. The Christensen family had been carried on by men. And Sherman, the fifth and only male child in the line, had a lot of expectations on his shoulders, especially with his ascetic lifestyle.

Fiddling with the silver cross, Sherman replied, “No, there’s no one.”

“Is that the truth, or are you just saying that?”

“The truth.”

Karen continued, “Your mother and I are open–minded. With our family’s status in Luxphinia, we don’t need a marriage alliance to shore up our position. So, Sherman, if there is someone, please tell me. I don’t ask for much!”

Even if Sherman brought back someone less than perfect, Karen would welcome her with open. arms. Wasn’t that expectation humble enough?

Yet Sherman remained silent on the matter. What was he thinking?