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

"Do you think you’re the belle of the ball, huh?" Elaine glanced at Carole with a mix of amusement and disbelief. "Carole, the only reason I'm even bringing this up in front of Irvin is that we're sisters. Otherwise, do you think this deal would just fall into your lap? Do you think everyone gets this lucky?" NôvelD(ram)a.ôrg owns this content.

The unspoken message was clear that Carole should stop playing hard to get! Why bother to pretend?

"Then, by all means, pass this great opportunity to someone else! I can't handle this blessing," Carole retorted with a soft but firm tone that betrayed her usually gentle nature.

After all, she wouldn't have chosen to bravely move out on her own with her child if she were the type to be easily manipulated.

"Elaine, you're a woman too, and you’re a wife. Put yourself in my shoes, how would you feel if someone tried to set your husband up with a mistress?" Carole challenged.

Elaine choked on her words, her face contorting with displeasure.

This was not going according to plan.

She thought Carole would be grateful for introducing her to such a fine man like Irvin!

But instead, Carole was biting the hand that fed her.

She even suggested that Hancock would have a mistress. Ridiculous!

"Alright, let's not get nasty. We're all family here, no need to ruin the harmony," Saul stepped in at the right moment. "Carole, Elaine's just looking out for you. Since Irvin seems like a decent catch, I

think you should give it some thought! You're a single mom, have you considered how you're going to manage in the future?"

Saul, ever the scholar and the moral compass, his stance was always upright.

Who would've thought he'd stoop to such skewed morals?

Deep down, Saul wanted no part in this mess, but Elaine had dangled a carrot that if Carole and Irvin hit it off, he'd receive a house as a thank-you gift.

Money talked after all.

Especially a house, considering the average price in Cloudcrest was skyrocketing.

Carole looked up at Saul, as if seeing him for the first time, "The poor have their way of living, and the rich theirs. Saul, you needn't worry about our household."

"Are you sure you won't regret this?" Saul pressed.

"I'm sure."

He continued, "I hear Anthea's high school tuition isn't cheap. School's about to start. Do you have enough for tuition, living expenses, miscellaneous fees, rent, utilities... We're not lending you money this year!"

Traditionally, Carole would borrow money from them around the start of the school year.

Saul's words left Carole with no exit.

If she refused, Anthea would have to drop out, and their lives would be plunged into hardship.

Taking a deep breath, Carole stood her ground, "Don't worry. From now on, even if we die poor or starve, we won't ask for a penny from you again!"

With those final words, Carole stormed out of the study.

"That ungrateful bitch. She even turned the world upside down! I’m still alive, and she dares to show such disrespect!" Gemma fumed, smashing the teapot on the table to the ground.

Saul chuckled, placing a reassuring hand on Gemma's shoulder, "Mom, don't worry. It's a done deal. Nobody's lending her a dime this year. She'll come crawling back to us."