From Sneers to Cheers: Anthea’s Ascent ( Anthea )
Chapter 296

"Admit it, you were ogling! And yet you stubbornly say you don't like her?" Karen fumed, "You're such a bonehead! You're not fit to be my grandson! You're nothing!" "Grandma, you've really got the wrong idea."

Appreciation is appreciation.

Liking is liking.

They seem similar, yet they're vastly different.

Sherman, who was always a model of restraint, had to admit to himself that he never harbored any other thoughts towards Anthea.

Except for those few indescribable dreams.

But dreams are just dreams, subconscious and beyond control.

Karen dragged Sherman to the living room doorway, pointing at the plump cat nestled in Anthea's arms, "Look at you, you're not even as good as Chubby!"

Sherman: "..."

Cats are family.

Anthea's family.

But he's not.

Karen continued, "Are you upset about that?"

"Nope."

Karen rolled her eyes at him, "Well, being upset won't change a thing. If you were really something special, you'd be the one in Ann's arms, not Chubby! Even a cat knows how to sweet-talk the one it likes! I'm out of adjectives to describe you! You're nothing!"

After her lecture to Sherman, Karen returned to the parlor to continue chatting with Anthea.

Her granddaughter-in-law was golden!

Not like that wretched boy!

Reeking of irritation from head to toe.

Just then, footsteps approached from outside.

"Madam, Mrs. Bowman, young Master Riley has arrived."

As the words faded, a young man in a grey hoodie entered.

Adah immediately stood up, "Riley's here."

The visitor was none other than Adah's nephew from her side of the family, Riley Bowman.

"Auntie."

Then Riley greeted Karen, "How do you do, ma'am?"

"Fine! All fine!" Karen beamed, "Have a seat."

With that, she took Anthea's hand and introduced her to Riley, "Riley, this is Ann. Don't be fooled by her youth; she's got skills. She's the one who cured my migraines!" Riley Bowman was taken aback.

He hadn't expected the legendary healer to be such a young lady.

And such a pretty one at that.

Riley, who had a soft spot for beauty, quickly stood up and extended his hand to Anthea, "Dr. Yeager, it's a pleasure. I'm Riley."

Anthea offered a faint smile, her fingertips briefly touching Riley's hand, "Mr. Bowman, you're too formal. Just call me by my first name."

Riley chuckled, "Then you don't be so formal either, just call me Riley."

Befriending someone as charming as Anthea was certainly a delight!

Sherman sat to the side.

Watching their hands lightly clasped together, his brows involuntarily furrowed, a surge of irritation at the thought of stomping on Riley's presumptuous paw. Men and women shouldn't touch so freely!

It was downright scandalous.

"Riley, have an apple," Sherman offered, picking up an apple and handing it to Riley.

Riley let go of Anthea's hand and, looking somewhat flattered, accepted the apple.

His older cousin was a decade his senior, usually so grim and serious.

And with Sherman's lofty demeanor and imposing aura, Riley couldn't help but feel intimidated whenever he was around.

He never imagined his cousin would be offering him an apple today.

It was quite the surprise.

Riley bit into the apple with a crunch.

Delicious!

"This apple's great! Want one, Ann?" Riley, ever so familiar, picked up another apple and offered it to Anthea.

"Thank you," Anthea said, accepting the fruit.

Sherman pursed his lips, the atmosphere around him turning frosty.

"Achoo!" Riley suddenly sneezed, rubbing his nose, "Who's talking about me?"

Karen's eyes danced between the two, a mischievous smile forming at the corners of her mouth.

At lunchtime, Karen pulled Sherman aside, "Listen, kid, I'm asking you one more time, do you really not like Ann?"

Sherman nodded slightly, "Yes, no matter how many times you ask, my answer is the same."

He was a confirmed bachelor.

His feelings for Anthea were nothing more than admiration.

"Alright," Karen said, "then I'll stop trying to set you up with Ann! You don't like her anyway!" With a twist in her tone, she probed, "What do you think of Riley? He seems quite compatible with Ann, don't you think?"