From Sneers to Cheers: Anthea’s Ascent ( Anthea )
Chapter 294

Sherman never imagined that the healer turned out to be nothing more than a teenage girl.

And to his utter astonishment, that girl was none other than Anthea.

At just nineteen, Anthea was more than just a tech mogul and a chess prodigy with a massive streaming following...

She had now added 'miracle healer' to her list of accolades.

Just how many hidden talents did she possess?

To say Sherman was stunned would be an understatement!

Who would have thought that a once down-and-out heiress, cast away like yesterday's trash, could be so formidable?

If the Morris clan knew they'd mistaken a diamond for a mere bauble, they'd be kicking themselves!

Adah chimed in, "Annie, I want you to meet my son Sherman. You should call him..."

Adah paused, realizing the conundrum. Anthea considered her a sister, and she had always thought of Anthea like a younger sister.

What then should Anthea call Sherman?

The family hierarchy seemed all tangled up.

Adah was momentarily at a loss.

Anthea offered a slight smile and said to Sherman, "Hello there, my dear nephew."

Sherman was speechless. What was she thinking calling him that?

After a brief silence, Anthea added, "Just kidding, don't mind me!"

"Don't mind at all," Sherman replied warmly.

Adah's face was a picture of surprise.

Had she really heard that right? Sherman, not minding?

Being Sherman's mom, no one knew him better than Adah did. Sherman had always been a bit of an odd duck. Cool on the outside, even colder inside. Never one for getting cozy with girls.

He'd always worn a poker face around them, even scaring one to tears in the past.

As he grew older, he took to vegetarianism and dabbled in Buddhism.

Despite his youthful age, he carried himself with the solemnity of a seasoned man.

But now, Sherman had actually been amiable.

Anthea had cheekily claimed a kinship, and he didn't seem to mind at all!

This was promising! Very promising! Adah's gaze danced between the two before she said, "Annie, have you and Sherman known each other for a while?"

Anthea nodded, "Yes, we met a couple of months ago."

Not only was Sherman surprised to learn Anthea was the miracle healer who cured Karen, but Anthea was equally taken aback to replace out Sherman was the grandson Karen often spoke of! Fate really was a curious thing.

Excitement sparkled in Adah's eyes. There was definitely potential here!

If there was potential, then they had to get their titles straight. Adah took Anthea's hand, "Annie, you should just call me 'auntie'. I'm getting on in years, and it wouldn't be right to take advantage of your youth. Besides, it would be a laughing matter to others."

Anthea nodded in agreement, "Alright."

Calling Adah 'sister' would indeed put Sherman in an awkward position.

Just then, Karen approached with a box in her arms.

"Ann!"

"Mrs. Christensen."

Karen, box in tow, bypassed Sherman and sat down beside Anthea, "Ann, guess what delicious treat is in this box?" Without waiting for a reply and worried Anthea wouldn't guess, she added, "It's a fruit, round and with white flesh inside! It's juicy and sweet!"

Sherman looked at his grandma, didn't know what to say. If Anthea couldn't guess, she must be living under a rock.

"Lychee?" Anthea blurted out.

"Exactly! You're so sharp, Ann! You got it in one!" Karen beamed with pride. She was the perfect match for her grandson - so bright, so impressive!

Adah echoed her enthusiasm, "That's right! Who else but Annie could be so bright? Not only is she smart, but she's also a beauty. 'Brilliance and grace' personified, just look at Annie and you'll understand!" Even Anthea, who wasn't shy about self-praise, blushed a little at the lavish compliments from the mother-daughter duo.

Sherman was at a loss for words, a little embarrassed.

Karen opened the box to reveal lychees, their red and green hues intermingling, "Annie, these were specially saved for you, using state-of-the-art preservation methods. Don't let the winter fool you; they're incredibly fresh. Try one and see!"

Sherman's fingers, which had been playing with the cross, paused.

If he wasn't mistaken, these were the same lychees that the family matriarch had specially ordered from afar during last year's Christmas trip to the Capital City.

Lychees were common enough, but this particular breed - the 'Evergreen' - was a rare delicacy!