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? Some kin of yours?”

He quickly stepped back,

Nanson to a table

was shouting themselves hoarse. “Big! It’s

dice with a smirk. “Three,

How’s it small?”

about lousy luck!”

and a betting area appeared on the table. Punters

intently to the dice clattering inside the

picked his numbers cautiously, and then folded his hands,

Chapter 10

big. Bet on five, six, and one,”

his eyes, full of scorn.

this kid think she

bets, the dealer revealed it, saying, “Five, six,

Anthea. “She was

nerves and gambled on.

got it wrong again. It’s big this round.

the results, Nanson

was the same as

right again?

Nanson went for small in the