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

"Whoops!" At the back table, Daniel was sipping his water when he heard the remark. He couldn't hold back, and the water burst out of his mouth in an uncontrollable spray.

That comeback was epic!

Sherman lifted his gaze slightly upon hearing the words. A faint smile seemed to spread across his face. Amidst the food fog, that smile seemed even more unearthly and bone-chilling.

His slender fingers slowly twirled the polished cross, which was in stark contrast to his pale and detached hands.

That lady sure had a sharp tongue.

She was not someone to be trifled with.

Rebecca knew she was in a tight spot. She had hoped to curry favor with Mr. Christensen by discussing his vegetarianism, but Anthea had turned the tables on her.

Rebecca narrowed her eyes and continued, "I've been a vegetarian for years! We should respect life and not harm it needlessly. Don't you think your actions are too cruel? Consuming meat is a deep sin. I suggest you replace all the meat in your restaurant with vegetarian options!"

Rebecca thought, “After all, Mr. Christensen was a vegetarian. Surely, this would resonate with him!”

Anthea frowned slightly. What was Rebecca playing at? Suddenly the saintly one?

"Everyone has their beliefs. I respect your choice to be a vegetarian, but you can't attack those who choose to eat meat. If not being a vegetarian means not respecting life, then vegetarians are also disrespecting life! Don't plants have life too? Everything in this world has life. True faith is in one's

heart, not on their lips. If you respect life that much, then perhaps you should give up pasta as well, and oh, stop drinking water. After all, water is the source of all things. If you drink one more mouthful, the Earth loses that much water. As kind-hearted as you are, you can't bear the thought of an animal dying of thirst?"

Rebecca was incredulous as she looked at Anthea. What had happened to this nobody?

When had her words become so sharp?

Rebecca had wanted to highlight her kindness and generosity through her vegetarianism to show Mr. Christensen that she was his kindred spirit, but now Anthea had turned it into a sin to even drink water! NôvelDrama.Org © content.

And worse, Anthea's argument was so compelling that Rebecca couldn't refute it.

No, she couldn't let Mr. Christensen's attention be drawn away by Anthea. In a fit of agitation, Rebecca grabbed Anthea's hand as if she had just recognized her, "Oh, it's Anthea! I almost didn't recognize you with this new change. I apologize if I seemed taken aback by your meat dishes. I'm just not used to it, please don't mind me. If I've spoken out of turn, I'm sorry."

The underdog always got the most attention, and so Rebecca took the opportunity to apologize.

It was a classic move from the playbook of a manipulative innocent.

After her apology, Rebecca softened her tone, "My dear sister, I know you've never liked me and you have a lot of misunderstandings about me. But I believe that in time, you'll come to accept me as your sister!"

"You must be kidding," Anthea said with a faint smile.

A manipulative innocent would always remain so!

Rebecca stiffened her smile for a split second. She wanted to slap Anthea, but she had to contain herself. She couldn't ruin the image she had cultivated in Mr. Christensen's mind!

"Are you still working? Then I won't keep you. We'll just have a full vegetarian salad, please. Oh, and do you have any drink recommendations?"

"Water would be perfect for you," Anthea replied with a half-smile that didn't quite reach her eyes, "I'm busy and I’m not interested in playing drama with you."

Anthea's words were laced with double meaning and barbs, leaving Rebecca no room to retaliate, only to hold back her anger and respond with forced sweetness, "If you dislike it, I won't say it anymore."