From Sneers to Cheers: Anthea’s Ascent ( Anthea )
Chapter 149

Chapter 149

Rebecca spoke with a gentle lilt, “Don’t be so hard on her, guys. I’m sure she didn’t mean to reject me. Maybe she’s just tied up.”

As the words left her lips, Rebecca added, “Besides, I’ve heard the new girl’s quite the whiz at chess. She might even be better than me!”

[Rebecca, you’re too modest!]

[Griffin’s chess game isn’t even a patch on yours, Rebecca. You’re giving her too much credit!]

[Griffin is so shameless! She definitely snubbed you on purpose!]

Rebecca did a great job hiding the smug look that flickered across her eyes, continuing in her soft voice, “Don’t say that, guys. It’s normal if Miss Griffin has a better game than me. After all, there’s always new blood rising to the top, a new wave pushing out the old.

As soon as Rebecca finished, the chat exploded with vitriol. They were all slamming Anthea for being delusional, a rookie thinking she could vie for the title of chess queen against Rebecca!

The nerve!

Anthea was about to start a gaming session when she noticed a slew of hostile comments on her screen.

[Our Becca challenged you to a match and you chickened out?]

[Shameless! Pretending to be innocent!]

[Do you dare accept our challenge?]

[Trash, you think you can compete with our Becca?]

Anthea arched an eyebrow, “Becca? Do I know her?”

Her fans explained.

[Ann, Becca’s a grandmaster–level influencer. She just sent you a match invite, but you declined.]

[Clean up your act! We’re here to watch Ann play, not deal with you lot!]

[What kind of nonsense? Did our Ann ever bother you?]

Realizing this Becca was trouble, Anthea decided to forego the game, asking, “Babes, do you want me to go head–to–head with her?”

[We do!]

Ann, Becca’s fans have been sour for days, claiming you used underhanded tactics to beat Mr. A. I’ve been itching to set them straight for so long!]

Yes, Ann, show ‘em what’s what!]

Alright, I’ll accept her challenge. After all, I’m all about pampering my fans!” Anthea said, sending a match invite Becca’s way.

[Another day, another reason to love Ann.]

[Ahh! Ann, you spoil us!]

The moment the connection was made and Rebecca’s face appeared on the screen, Anthea was taken aback, wondering if her eyes were deceiving her.

Was this…Rebecca?

She wasn’t seeing things after all.

Rebecca’s voice was tender as honey, “Hey there, gorgeous. How’s it going?”

“Good,” Anthea replied, unfazed.

Rebecca, seeing the newbie was camera–shy, teased with a laugh, “You’re so slender, and that collarbone… I bet you’re even more stunning in person.”

Then, Rebecca went on, “You must take great care of yourself, right? Your hands are so delicate. Unlike me, I don’t even know the basics of skincare…”

Anthea smiled lightly, her tone airy, “No wonder your skin have no glow.”

[LOL! Ann’s comeback is epic!]

[Is Ann the queen of straight talk?]

[I’m dying!]

[Ann’s like a pro at calling people out.]

Rebecca’s face chilled over. She had a bit of a sallow complexion and always had to layer on foundation and max out the filters to hide her imperfections during live streams. She hated it when people commented on her skin tone!

She couldn’t believe this rookie was being so bold!

She had completely disregarded Rebecca.

“Your wit is quite something,” Rebecca said, deflecting the jab with a smile. “Shall we start? Are you ready, darling?”

“Let’s begin,” Anthea said without further ado..

The match started.

12:51

With the help of her system. Rebecca quickly captured three of Anthea’s pieces, gaining an early advantage.

Anthea remained calm, playing her moves carefully. She noticed something odd about Rebecca’s style. It felt less like playing against a person and more like playing against a machine.

Anthes’s eyebrow quirked slightly. Something was off about Rebecca.

“Got your rook,” Rebecca said with a smile, her voice as soft as ever, “You’d better watch out, darling. I’m about to put you in check.”