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!”

with you, Nanson? Some kin of yours?”

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

bothered and followed Nanson to a

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

unveiled the dice with a smirk. “Three, one, five.

How’s it small?”

about lousy luck!”

the table. Punters could also bet on specific numbers. The

the dice clattering inside the shaker.

game, picked his numbers cautiously, and then folded his hands, praying

Chapter 10

Nanson, go for big. Bet on five,

eyes, full of scorn.

she was,

the dealer revealed it, saying, “Five, six, one, small!”

look at Anthea. “She was

nerves and gambled

big this round. Six, six,

announced the results, Nanson

the same as

right

small in the third round.