Chapter 2

Clenching the ticket in my hand, I smiled at Jessica and said, "My mom must've been mistaken, Jessica. There's no way I'd be lucky enough to win anything on a lottery ticket."

I knew Jessica was no fool. Something had to be up if she was willing to fork out 200 thousand dollars on a lottery ticket that only won 20 dollars.

I could take the money, but who knew if she'd end up regretting the exchange and decide to come after me again? Basically, I couldn't let her have the ticket.

"You didn't win anything?"

Jessica didn't believe me. She held out her hand and demanded, "Give it to me. Let me take a look."

My heart was pounding, but I was able to maintain my cool as I pulled the ticket from my pocket and handed it over.

She examined it thoroughly and confirmed that I hadn't scratched the winning numbers. Enraged, she let out a litany of curses as she threw the lottery ticket onto the floor and stomped on several times.

Then, she glared at Mom and snarled through gritted teeth, "If you're having problems with your eyesight, Aunt Emma, you should probably get your eyes checked."

Mom was so scared she didn't dare say a word. The rest of our relatives all lowered their heads and crowded over, scrambling to pick up the ticket. Then, almost in unison, they let out disappointed sighs.

I quietly let out a breath of relief. It was a good thing I hadn't washed this outfit yet. There'd been a lottery ticket in my pocket from half a month ago. Since it hadn't been a winning ticket, I'd just stuffed it in there and forgotten about it.

Well, it came in handy now.

But I hadn't relaxed for long before my younger brother, Hector Wilson, suddenly said loudly, "Henry, didn't you buy a scratch-off lottery ticket the other day? Did you mix them up?"

Mom's eyes lit up right away. She rushed over and grabbed my arm roughly, growling, "Henry! Did you hide the winning ticket? I knew it! There was no way I was just seeing things. Hand it over right now!"

Jessica, feeling like she'd been played for a fool, marched back over and slapped me hard across the face. "You bastard! How dare you try to play a trick on me? Give me the real ticket. Don't make me give you a good thrashing!"

"I already told you I didn't win anything!" I hastily protested. "Why would I have any reason to lie to you guys?"

Hector chimed in again, "But I didn't see you throw the old lottery ticket away."

At that moment, Dad—who hadn't said a word so far—stepped in front of me. I thought he was finally going to stand up for me, but instead, he slapped me as well.

As I crumpled to the floor, he roared at me, "Give the ticket to Jessica now, you piece of shit! If you waste any more time, I'm going to kill you!"

Despair filled my heart.

Sneering, Mom rolled up her sleeves and walked toward me. "So be it. I'll search him myself. I'll strip him naked if I have to. We'll see if he still refuses to hand it over then!"

"Mom! Dad! Have you lost your minds?" I shouted hoarsely. "You're causing such a huge spectacle at my party over some lottery ticket you think I'm hiding?"

Jessica kicked me. "If you displease me, Henry, forget about the party—I can make sure you don't even get to attend the college you just got into."

Unable to believe what I just heard, I looked at my parents, who both scoffed at me in contempt. "We've got no money, Henry. Jessica and her family are the ones paying your college tuition. If you want to attend college, then you'd better do as she says!"

I tried to resist, but several relatives quickly pinned me down on the table. Right there, in front of everyone, Mom tore open my clothes and started searching for the ticket.

Overwhelmed with shame and humiliation, I was on the verge of tears.

Mom spent over 15 minutes searching every nook and cranny of my body, but she still didn't find a second lottery ticket on me. After shoving me aside, she whipped around and slapped Hector. "You brat! Say any more nonsense, and I'll sew your mouth shut!"

Hector clutched his stinging cheek, his eyes turning red as he glared resentfully at me.

Meanwhile, Jessica continued to stare at me in silence, seemingly deep in thought.