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!”

see you,

you, Nanson? Some kin

the lion’s den. He quickly stepped back, putting distance between them. “I don’t know her! She’s

wasn’t bothered and followed Nanson

was shouting themselves hoarse. “Big! It’s

with a smirk. “Three, one, five.

How’s it

about lousy

dice again, and a betting area appeared on the table. Punters could also bet on specific numbers. The

dice clattering

bet on small in the game, picked his numbers cautiously,

Chapter 10

big. Bet on five,

rolled his eyes, full of scorn.

kid think she

revealed it, saying, “Five, six, one,

look at Anthea. “She was

nerves and gambled

it wrong again. It’s big this round. Six, six,

the dealer announced the results, Nanson was

same as Anthea

right

hard, Nanson went for small