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



Crash-

Gerard was lounging in the living room, half-watching the news.

The TV screen went blank suddenly.

A power outage?

The house had a generator that kept the power running 24/7. If there was indeed a power outage, someone of importance would have been notified in advance, and the butler would have everything sorted.

So, what's with the sudden blackout?

Gerard frowned slightly.

Something felt off about this.

Just then.

J, all smiles and laughter, walked in with her daughter Edna.

"Grandma," Gerard said, promptly ignoring Edna.

Unfazed, Edna greeted Gerard with a smile, "Looks like Gerry's at home."

Gerard made a noncommittal response before turning to J, "Grandma, did the power go out?"

J replied, "Seems like a line went down. They're fixing it now."

"Okay." Gerard nodded, put down the cat he was holding, and picked up his phone from the table, "Grandma, I'm stepping out for a bit." J reminded him, "Be back early for dinner."

"Got it."

With the master out, the chubby cat remained sprawled on the sofa.

Darleen had no love for such creatures and walked over to kick the cat, "Why on earth would Gerry keep such a mangy thing?"

"Meow!" The cat yowled in distress, darting upstairs.

J shared the dislike for the cat, "Who knows what goes through that boy's head!"

In her eyes, this was nothing but a common alley cat.

If one was to keep a cat, it should at least be a pedigreed Persian.

Such a commoner's cat, if seen by outsiders, would surely make them laugh at the Lindsays' lack of taste.

Darleen, however, was a true Lindsay.

Her reaction alone showed she would never keep such a demeaning pet.

If it weren't for Gerard's recent top score at the university, which gave J & reason to boast, she

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I've gotten rid of the cat

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Stepping out of the estate, Gerard saw the butler instructing a gardener on pruning the front hedges. Seemingly in passing, he asked, "Grandpa Butler, when will the power be back on?"

The butler paused, then smiled, "Should be any minute now."

Gerard nodded.

Ten minutes later.

Gerard arrived at their secret hangout.

George Kearney and Healy were already there.

Seeing Gerard, Healy exclaimed excitedly, "Gerard! You've got to see this video! It's freaking awesome!"

"What video?" Gerard approached.

It featured a car - clearly a learner's vehicle on a driving school's S-curve track. Yet, the driver executed, maneuvers you'd only expectin

professional racing.

Drifting!

Jumping side-slides!

Each move more thrilling than the last, stirring one's blood.

Had they not seen it with their own eyes, they'd never believe such feats possible in a learner's car.

Gerard, a car enthusiast, was captivated.

Impressive was an understatement.

He'd seen plenty of races, yet never anyone with such skill.

"Who's this? A rising star in racing?" Gerard inquired.

Healy shook his head, "No clue. It's a video that went viral recently. Rumor has it, the driver's just a student at a driving school."

George was dumbfounded, "A student? Really?"

"That's what they say," Healy continued. "Right here, it says 'Cloudcrest Driving School student!""

Cloudcrest.

Hearing this, Gerard's interest peaked, "I'm planning a trip to Cloudcrest soon."novelbin

Kearney gasped, "Gerard, going again? Aren't you worried about your grandma's scolding?"

Gerard's expression remained cool, "She scolds because my mom's in Cloudcrest. So, I have to go!"