2025-01-22 00:40:57Life had a strange way of pivoting when you least expected it. Marcus sat in Sarah's coffee shop, "The Daily Grind," staring at his laptop screen in disbelief. He had come over himself to speak about the business venture that Sarah had told him about when he stumbled on the most exciting news he had ever gotten. Sarah had walked away for a moment to handle something which gave him the opportunity to surf the internet. That’s when he had seen it.
He'd bought a lottery ticket two days ago, a dollar spent on a whim while buying coffee. Now those six numbers glowing on his screen represented more money than the Wong family had ever dangled over his head.
$347 million.
“This can’t be real.” Marcus mumbled, his eyes widening at his luck. Just a few days ago, he was being thrown out of his home and left to fend for himself on the streets and now, he was the lottery winner of 347 million dollars just because he bought a ticket on a whim! It was unbelievable to say the least.
"You look like you've seen a ghost," Sarah said, sliding a fresh cup of coffee across the table to him. Over the past week, her shop had become his unofficial office, a place where he could work on rebuilding his portfolio while serving as a consultant for her planned expansion.
Marcus closed the laptop slowly, his hands steady despite the adrenaline coursing through his veins, his mind still in disbelief.
"Just reviewing some numbers."
Sarah raised an eyebrow but didn't press. That was one thing he'd come to appreciate about her – she knew when to let silence do the talking. Instead, she nodded toward a man in an expensive suit who'd just entered the shop.
"That's Derek Zhao, the investment banker I told you about. He's interested in hearing your ideas about commercial space optimization."
Marcus tucked the lottery website away in the back of his mind. According to the website, he had sixty days to claim the prize, plenty of time to plan his next moves carefully. Right now, he had a different kind of opportunity to seize. Regardless of winning so big, it would mean nothing if he didn’t have a business or venture to grow the money. The money wouldn’t last him forever.
Sarah stood up and waved Derek over, her smile drawing people in as always. Derek got closer and shook Sarah’s hand with a smile on his face.
“Derek, this is the man I told you about. He’s a great architect. I’ve seen some of his detailed work and I can tell you that he is the one for you.” She praised Marcus.
Derek turned to Marcus, his once giddy demeanor turning cold.
“Sarah…” He began as he shook his head, no doubt not wanting to speak to a man whose image was being dragged through the mud by almost everyone.
“I know he’s in a tough spot now with the Wong’s but you know how they are, Derek. Do you really believe that a man who had everything would throw it all away in a night? I can vouch for him.” Sarah tried to convince him, her voice steady and sure.
Derek sighed. He’s never been able to say no to her since he trusted her judgement. He didn’t like the arrangement but he would try for Sarah. He took a seat across from Marcus, a stoic look on his face.
“Fine. Wow me.”
It had taken Marcus thirty minutes to speak on how he thought his designs would help Derek and his new project before Derek leaned back in his seat with a smile.
"Your perspective on mixed-use spaces is fascinating," Derek said, scanning Marcus's preliminary sketches. "Would you be interested in consulting on a few other projects? Off the record, of course, given your... current situation."
News traveled fast in certain circles. No doubt the Wongs had made sure their version of events had reached every corner of the business community.
"I'm available. Though I should warn you, my former father-in-law seems determined to make hiring me... complicated." Marcus explained, sure that if the Wong’s found out about this he would be out of another job.
Derek's smile held a hint of steel.
"Richard Wong and I have different opinions on many things. Including his methods of doing business."
“Meet me at my office in three days from now. I’ll set up the appointment.” Derek mentioned, handing Marcus a business card as he got up.
“I’d like to discuss the rest of this with a contract to sign at the end.” He said with a smirk.
Marcus caught on. He was being hired. He got up and grinned with pride, giving Derek a nod.
“Thank you Mr. Zhao. I’ll be there.” He replied before Derek waved at Sarh before walking out of the building and disappearing into the busy streets.
“See, I told you that you could do it.” Sarah brought up.
“Thank you for believing in me. It means a lot.” Marcus told her, genuinely grateful for her help.
“It’s fine. I was once where you are. What I wouldn’t have given for someone to help me out. So, what are you going to do in the meantime? Before the meeting I mean?” She asked, getting up from her seat, ready to get back to work.
Marcus’ mind went back to the lottery that he had won, the paper burning a hole in his bag. Without hesitation, he began to pack his things.
“I have to get a suit.”
“For the meeting. It’s in three days though.”
“There’s no better time than the present.” Marcus replied as he slung his bag and left the building, his next destination in mind but first, he had to meet with some lawyers to hash out some things. If he was going to cash out this huge amount of money then he needed to find out what he was getting into legally.
Soon enough Marcus arrived at the new law firm. Hedge and Co. A firm with a team of discrete financial advisors. A hint from Derek while they spoke some hours ago. It was a small firm with no connections to his former life, specializing in almost everything. It was perfect.
He walked into the building and made an appointment and within minutes, he was seated with one of the lawyers in his office.
"You understand," his new lawyer, Michelle Torres, said as she reviewed the paperwork he filled in, "that concealing lottery winnings during divorce proceedings is technically illegal."
"What if the ticket was purchased after separation?" Marcus asked, his voice neutral.
Michelle's eyes narrowed thoughtfully.
"The date of purchase becomes crucial. As does the definition of separation in our state. Physical separation, legal separation, intent to separate – these are all different things."
"Hypothetically speaking," Marcus continued, "if someone were to win the lottery after their spouse's infidelity was discovered, but before any legal proceedings began..."
"Hypothetically speaking," Michelle replied with a slight smile, "timing is everything. As is documentation. If the infidelity can be proven then you owe your spouse nothing. As you stated here, a prenup was obtained so grounds of infidelity would work in your favor.”
“So you’re saying that there’s a chance to keep the winnings. Hypothetically of course.”
“Hypothetically, yes, there is.” Michelle said, indulging Marcus in his little game.
Marcus smiled at the thought. Finally, he wouldn’t be bulldozed out of money he earned anymore. Finally, he would have all he needed to rise up in the world and also to bring the Wong family to their knees. All he needed to do was to prove Victoria’s infidelity, finalize the divorce and cash out his winnings. Then he would have his revenge.
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Marcus Chen's fingers traced the edge of his coffee mug as he stared out the window of his in-laws' mansion. The morning sun painted golden streaks across the marble floors, but even its warmth couldn't pierce the perpetual chill that filled this house. Five years of marriage, and he still felt like an unwelcome guest at the Wong family's breakfast table. Still felt like an outsider even though he had done so much for them. "I see you're still wearing that pathetic excuse for a watch," Eleanor Wong remarked, his mother-in-law, her voice dripping with disdain. She adjusted her pearl necklace, making sure the movement caught the light. "Victoria deserves better than a husband who can't even afford proper accessories." She said with a scoff before glaring at Marcus. Marcus swallowed the familiar taste of humiliation. The watch had been his father's last gift before passing away and for the first time in a long time, he had decided to wear it that morning. Guess it was the wrong choice
