To Daniel, Reba was the epitome of grace and elegance, and Sherman, on the other hand, was


    the cool cucumber in any crisis.


    Together, they were a match made in heaven.


    "Why waste time on women when there are more productive things to do?" Sherman strode into the


    room, his mind already on business. "How''s the CIS data blueprinting along? Has anyone


    taken the job yet?"


    Daniel paled, hurrying to match Sherman. "Not yet..."


    Meanwhile, Anthea and Nanson had left the casino early after a string of losses dampened their


    spirits.


    Nanson heaved a sigh. "Why is luck eluding us tonight..."


    "Uncle Nanson, count this." Anthea handed over the wad of cash she held.


    Nanson shifted his expression from gloom to shock as he counted. "Holy smokes! Six grand! Did


    you win all this tonight?"


    With a subtle nod, Anthea was softened by the moonlight with an ethereal glow.


    "Weren''t you on a losing streak? How''d you win so much?" Nanson was puzzled.


    Anthea smirked, "Because I win big. The losses were just small change."


    It was a strategy to avoid drawing attention if there was a constant win.


    Nanson got the picture and shed her a thumbs-up. "Smart cookie!"


    He couldn''t be prouder of his brilliant niece!


    The next morning, Anthea was up at the crack of dawn, heading to the farmers'' market to pick up


    some veggies and meat to make a nourishing soup.


    It wasn''t just any soup but a tonic for Carole, designed to rejuvenate both physical health and


    beauty.


    Anthea had a knack for ancient healing arts, after all.


    Carole woke to find Anthea bustling in the kitchen, a bittersweet feeling washing over her. Carole


    felt guilty for Anthea’s sacrifices.


    "Mom, you''re awake. The soup''s ready," Anthea announced, "Better have it while it''s still hot."


    Carole epted the bowl. "Ann, you shouldn''t have to wake up early to cook for me after working


    late. I should be the one cooking for you."


    With a smile, Anthea replied, "Don''t worry about it. I''m not tired. You can cook for me once you''re


    feeling better!"


    That afternoon, Anthea headed to work, but as soon as she walked in, Baldie called out, "Hold up."


    "Me?" Anthea looked back, slightly surprised.


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    "Yeah," Baldie nodded, trying to keep his nervousness at bay. "I''m Baldie. Are you Anthea, right?"


    "That''s me."


    Baldie blushed as he got closer to Anthea, stammering out, "Are you still in school?"


    She nodded. "Yes, I am."


    Baldie hesitated. Hadn''t Harriet mentioned Anthea had dropped out?


    Trying to recover, Baldie added, "I''m at MapleGrove High School. Which one do you go to?"


    MapleGrove High School was a well-regarded school, and Baldie couldn''t help but puff up a bit as


    he mentioned it.


    "I''m at Northbridge High School," Anthea replied.


    Baldie paused. While MapleGrove High School was good, Northbridge High School was the best


    one in Cloudcrest known for its exceptional faculty and education. He had almost made it into


    Northbridge High School himself but had fallen just short.


    Could Anthea, as lovely as she was, be a student at the Northbridge High School?


    Baldie fished out his phone. "What''s your WhatsApp ount? Let''s connect on social media."


    Anthea shook her head. "Sorry, I don''t have a phone."


    Baldie was taken aback, then it dawned on him.


    No phone? Impossible. There must be something in her social media he wasn''t meant to see.


    Perhaps, she wasn''t attending Northbridge High School after all.


    Was Anthea hiding something?