chapter 3
Early the next morning, I got a call from the shop owner next door.
Her tone was extremely anxious. "Fiona, what on earth are you doing? Hurry up and cash in the lottery!"
"Do you know how many people are crowding at your shop's door right now?"
"Your shop door has already been splashed with paint, and even those of us who spoke up for you are getting dragged into this!"
Hearing the noisy shouting and cursing on the other end of the line, I said nothing and directly hung up the phone.
At that moment, someone opened my door.
My husband Henry Parker and daughter Bella Parker, who were supposed to return the day after tomorrow, stood at the door.
As soon as Henry walked in, he anxiously asked me, "What's going on online? Why aren't you giving out the prize?"
Seeing that I didnt respond, he continued, Do you have any idea how scary netizens can be? Theyve already dug up information about Bella and me!
"Go claim the prize immediately, I'll drive you there."
I stepped aside to avoid his reaching hand. "I won't give her the prize."
Henry frowned and questioned, "What's wrong with you? You run a lottery shop, a customer wins, and you refuse to pay? What does that mean?"
Bella whispered, "Mom, youre not really thinking of keeping the money like theyre saying online, are you?"
"But even if she doesn't take out the winning ticket, you still won't get the money."
"Didn't you hear her? Her parents are in the hospital waiting for this money to save their lives!"
Looking at their anxious expressions, I calmly said, "I told you, I won't cash this lottery ticket."
Henry immediately got angry upon hearing this and grabbed my hand, trying to drag me out. "I think you've really lost it!"
"Do you have to ruin all of us before you're satisfied?"
"My boss already recognized you! He called and told me to sort out my family issues quickly, or I won't get the promotion!"
Bella sobbed, "Mom, my classmates are all laughing at me, saying you bully people from the countryside. What's wrong with you? You weren't like this before!"
Seeing her in tears, my heart ached terribly.
But in the end, I just trembled and said, "I still stand by my words, I will never give her the prize."
Henry stared at me for a few seconds and said, "If you refuse to give her the prize, then we'll get a divorce!"
"Bella's custody goes to me. If you're willing to be the sinner and face the consequences, we won't."
I took a deep breath and finally nodded in agreement.
Henry, furious, packed up with Bella and left.
Not long after, my mom called. "Fiona! We told you not to open a lottery shop, but you insisted.
"Now, you refuse to give customers their prizes, making such a mess. You've completely embarrassed your dad and me. From now on, just stay out there and never come back!"
After hanging up, I realized my mom had removed me from the family group chat.
All the relatives in the family also blocked and deleted me.
At this moment, I looked at the clock on the wall, and it pointed exactly to ten o'clock.
Great, the lottery redemption deadline has passed.