From Sneers to Cheers: Anthea’s Ascent (Anthea ) novel Chapter 441

"Wash up, will ya?"

Sherman turned to tackle the dishes.

Anthea spun around, heading for the living room.

No sooner had she reached it than she burst into uncontrollable laughter.

Sherman looked back, "What's so funny?"

Anthea, pointing at the TV, managed to say, "I can't...this guy on TV...such a goof!"

Her laughter grew even louder, unrestrained.

Sherman, puzzled, wondered if Anthea was poking fun at him, but he had no proof.

After the dishes, Sherman brought out a platter of snacks.

Peeled lychees and mangosteen.

Sliced pineapple.

And sweet, juicy watermelon.

Before they knew it, five days had flown by.

In these five days, Anthea and Sherman's interactions became more relaxed, less formal, just like Karen had said – Anthea now treated Sherman as if he were a close buddy.

The island wasn't big.

Over the past five days, Anthea and Sherman had explored every nook and cranny.

Of course, they also encountered a fair share of the island's wildlife.

The first day, they chased after coconut crabs.

The second day, Sherman was coaxed into raiding bird nests.

By the third day, they were hunting for wild honey...

Now, even the ants took a detour when they saw her coming.

"Sherman, I just got off the phone with Mrs. Christensen. She said she and Adah can't make it for now. Should we head back?" Anthea suggested, feeling a bit bored now that they'd seen and done everything the island had to offer, including getting their fill of seafood.

"Sure," Sherman put down his newspaper. "Let's pack up and head out soon. You start packing; I'll handle the rest."

"But isn't the yacht captain not here yet?" Anthea inquired.

"I can pilot the yacht."

"You can?" Anthea raised an eyebrow in surprise.

Sherman nodded.

"Focus," Sherman instructed, one hand on the wheel, the other on the throttle, "This is the throttle. Push it down."

Anthea did as told.

"This is the speedometer. When it hits 5000 RPM, you're good to go."

Learning to pilot the yacht was surprisingly easy with Sherman's guidance, and Anthea caught on within ten minutes.

Piloting on the sea felt more thrilling than driving a car. To ensure her safety, Sherman stayed by her side.

The cockpit was spacious enough for both, but Sherman stood close, until Anthea suggested, "Aren't you tired? Sit down with me."

Sherman took a seat beside her, maintaining a gentle distance.

However, as he leaned back, a mere glance at Anthea – from her graceful neck to her delicate collarbone – stirred an unaccustomed warmth within him.

He stood abruptly, "I'll step out for some air. Keep steady."

"Okay," Anthea nodded, focused on piloting.

On deck, Sherman gazed at the vast ocean, fiddling with a cross necklace, reciting prayers in his mind to calm the turmoil inside.

What a lapse! In thirty years, he'd never been so off kilter.

Fortunately, Anthea was too absorbed in piloting to notice anything amiss.