From Sneers to Cheers: Anthea’s Ascent

Chapter 10

As cool as a cucumber, Anthea trailed behind like she was out window shopping on a breezy

afternoon.

Nanson whirled around, his temper flaring. “Anthea Morris, are you out of your freaking mind? Why the heck are you following me?”

Anthea grinned. “Uncle Nanson, I’m not a Morris anymore. You can call me Ann as Mom does, and last I checked, the sidewalk isn’t your private property. If you can walk here, so can I.”

Nanson choked on his retort, muttering as he strode on. Before long, they arrived at a place ablaze with lights.

It was Cloudcrest’s biggest underground casino.

Before entering, Nanson pressed his palms together and prayed earnestly. “Oh, Lady Luck, watch over me! Spin the wheel of fortune my way! I’ll light a candle in your honor when I hit the jackpot. I promise!”

The casino was a hotbed of vice and variety.

Those on a winning streak were head over heels in ecstasy.

Losers wailed their sorrows away.

hev

Nanson was a familiar face there, and as he walked in, greetings flew his way. “Hey, Nanson’s here!”

to see you, Nanson!”

Nanson? Some kin of yours?”

the lion’s den. He quickly stepped back, putting distance between them. “I don’t know her! She’s nobody to me!”

bothered and followed Nanson to a table deep

was shouting themselves hoarse. “Big! It’s got to be big!“.

the dice with a smirk. “Three, one, five. That’s

How’s it small?”

about lousy luck!”

betting area appeared on the table. Punters could also

to the dice clattering inside the shaker.

in the game, picked his numbers cautiously, and then

Chapter 10

Bet on five, six, and one,”

rolled his eyes, full

this kid think she was, a gambling prodigy? Ridiculous!

placed their bets, the dealer revealed it, saying,

a puzzled look at Anthea.

nerves and

wrong again. It’s big this round. Six, six, one,” Anthea

announced the results,

same as Anthea had said.

she right

hard, Nanson went for small in the