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

had followed him into 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

hoarse. “Big! It’s got to

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

it

lousy

Punters could also bet on specific numbers. The more you hit, the heftier

the dice clattering inside

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

Chapter 10

Bet on five, six,

eyes, full of scorn.

think she was, a gambling prodigy? Ridiculous!

the dealer revealed it, saying, “Five,

at Anthea. “She was just lucky!” he

his nerves and

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

the results, Nanson was dumbfounded.

was the same as Anthea had

she right again?

small in the third