From Sneers to Cheers Anthea's Ascent novel Chapter 102

Carole nodded with a smile, "Yeah! Ann, you've thought of everything."

Carole couldn't help but marvel at Anthea's prowess.

Here was a teenager, but she approached problems with the kind of thoroughness and maturity that put most adults to shame.

Just then, Fanny burst through the door, "Hey, why'd you close up shop so early?"

Of course, Fanny knew the answer well enough.

Why close early if not for lack of business? She was just there to rub it in.

Carole laughed it off, "Fanny, take a seat. Business was booming today and we sold out of all the dishes, so we shut the doors a bit early."

What?

Fanny registered pure shock.

Booming business? Sold out? Carole was laying it on thick!

Did she think Fanny was born yesterday?

Just this morning, when she dropped by, the place was dead, not a soul in sight.

Fanny pressed on, "Come on! No need for pretense. Even if business was slow, I wouldn't tease you about it!" Her eyes darted around, and she added, "Oh! I get it now, you're looking to offload this joint, making up stories about good business to bait a buyer, right?"

Carole sighed, a bit exasperated, "Fanny, you've got it all wrong! We did have a good day, and there are no plans to sell the place."

Fanny grabbed Carole's hand, "We're both in the trenches of commerce. I know the truth!"

Carole still tried to pull one over on Fanny as if she was that easy to fool.

After more than two decades in business, having seen more than Carole had ever walked, Fanny wasn't about to be duped.

At the sight of Fanny's conviction, Carole didn't bother to explain further.

Convinced by Carole's silence, Fanny left. After a few more snide remarks, Fanny was sure that she was being misled.

At ten in the evening, Carole and Anthea arrived home.

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