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

And Edna was playing the hostess to perfection!

She directed the servants with such ease and flair, outshining even her days with the Fletchers.

"Miss Edna, your coffee," Delia said, presenting a steaming cup.

Edna smiled and gratefully accepted the coffee from Delia.

Seizing the moment, Delia whispered something in Edna’s ear.

Edna’s expression darkened, and she set down her cup, hurrying toward the door with Delia in tow.

They made their way to a secluded spot in the Lindsay family’s expansive backyard, near a quaint little rockery.

Edna frowned and said, “Are you sure that’s what Gerard told Janet?”

Delia nodded, “Heard it with my own ears.”

Edna’s frown deepened. That boy Gerard was so ungrateful!

She had felt for him when he was little, motherless, and had tried to care for him

But Gerard had flat-out refused, preferring formula over any warmth she could offer!

She had doted on him, coddled him, all these years, and now he had the nerve to say he’d accept anyone but her as a stepmother!

It was true what they said. This content provided by N(o)velDrama].[Org.

No matter how you raise them, someone else’s child will never be your own!

She had been so good to Gerard, and he repaid her with betrayal, biting the hand that fed him.

A true ingrate!

Delia glanced around before continuing, “Looks like marrying into the Lindsay family by winning over Gerard is off the table now.”

“I’m well aware,” Edna snapped back. She had seen Gerard as her stepping stone into the Lindsay family, but now that he had his own agenda, he was useless to her.

“So, your only hope now is to cozy up to Janet,” Delia said. “While she still calls the shots, you need to get yourself married into the Lindsay family. You and Jonah are still young; have a bouncing baby boy. When Darleen ties the knot with the Christensens, your son could inherit the Lindsay fortune, and you’ll be the most respected woman in Capital City! As for Gerard, let him stew in his own juice!”

Edna nodded in agreement.

Delia was right. Gerard was a lost cause, and now her only chance was to leverage Janet's favor, marry into the Lindsays quickly, and have a child with Jonah Lindsay as soon as possible.

After chatting with Delia for a good while, and noticing that Janet was about to wake, Edna returned to the front hall.

Just as she entered, she overheard Janet pleading with Gerard, “Gerry, Edna brought me nourishing soup again. If it weren’t for her, I’d have been six feet under by now!”

Gerard remained silent.

"Why can’t you approve of Edna marrying your father? What’s so hard about that? If only you were half as sensible as Darleen, our family wouldn’t be in such disarray!"

In Janet’s eyes, Darleen was far more sensible than Gerard.

At least Darleen never stood in the way of Edna marrying into the Lindsay family, unlike Gerard!

Edna was a good woman, and her joining the Lindsays would surely bring happiness back into the fold.

The current state of the Lindsay household was anything but a home – just a cold, empty house!

And it was all Carole Yeager’s fault!

Gerard’s foolishness was a direct result of taking after Carole.

If Carole had been a decent woman, she wouldn’t have seduced Jonah into having a child out of wedlock!

The thought made Janet’s blood boil.

The Lindsay family used to be so harmonious, full of maternal love and filial piety.

Carole was nothing but trouble!

Gerard ignored Janet's ramblings and simply said, “Grandma, I’ve got plans with some friends for a late-night bite. I won’t disturb your rest any longer.”

With that, he turned and walked away, bumping into Edna on his way out.

"Edna," he greeted her, his tone neutral.

Edna, as always, greeted him with a warm smile, "Where are you off to, Gerry? I made your favorite cake, and it's fresh from the oven. Want a slice?"

Gerard didn’t respond and continued on his way without looking back.

Delia followed and reassured, "The young master has been in a sour mood lately, Miss Edna. Don't take it to heart. Deep down, he really does care about you."

Edna smiled and said, "I know, Gerry takes after his dad – cool on the outside, warm on the inside. Oh Delia, make sure to save some of that cake for Gerry, will you?"