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,

Nanson? Some kin of yours?”

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

wasn’t bothered and followed Nanson to a table deep

“Big!

dice with a smirk.

How’s it small?”

about lousy luck!”

again, and a betting area appeared on the table. Punters could

listened intently to the dice clattering

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

Chapter 10

go for big. Bet on five,

his eyes, full of

this kid think she was, a gambling prodigy?

dealer revealed it,

puzzled look at Anthea. “She was just

nerves and gambled

it wrong again. It’s big this

announced the

was the same as

right again?

Nanson went for small