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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“Another thing. I need that laptop back. It’s important that I get it back.” Marcus said as he turned back to the smirking men, wanting to get one thing straight. That laptop was still important. One of them shook his head. “We can’t. We still need to get paid by our previous employer.” He said, a small sneer forming on his face. “Do you still want me to pay you or do you want nothing?” Marcus slightly threatened. “What do we tell him when he asks?” Green eyes asked. Marcus rolled his eyes as he couldn’t believe that these men were able to kidnap people in broad daylight and not be caught but can’t lie to save their own lives. It was truly unbelievable. It was a let down. “Tell him that you got the evidence and destroyed it. As for me, let him know that you couldn’t kill me. I went straight to the police while the girls came over here and did the exchange themselves. Assure him that you’ll keep on trying and soon enough, you’ll have me killed.”The men glanced at one another bef
Chapter One Hundred and Six: MONEY SOLVES EVERYTHING
Those green eyes stared back at Marcus, Rachel and Lori menacing and ready to pounce. The man who Marcus could see clearly now, smirked at him, taunting him with that sly grin. Marcus had a feeling that this meeting was probably going to end up with someone dead since the man was purposefully going to kill him before. He could smell the bloodlust from the man.“Calm down. I’m not here to kill you. We need to take care of this business first and then I can finally end your life maybe later.” The green-eyed man spoke out, placing one hand on his waist. “Who ordered you to do this?” Marcus asked, getting a bit on edge as the man and his two partners edged closer to them.“Who ordered me to do what exactly? I have a lot of employers.” He retorted, toying with Marcus. “You know what I mean. Who asked you to kidnap those people and try to kill me?” Marcus asked him more clearly, not in the mood for fun and games. The green-eyed man waved his hands in the air.“Whoa, whoa, whoa. I’m not h
Chapter One Hundred and Five: GREEN EYES
Marcus left the mansion in a hurry with the new found knowledge that his uncle had been watching him. It irked him as he got into his car wondering how long Eric's spying had been going on. He knew that there were cameras at every inch of the mansion but he didn’t think that his uncle would be keeping such a close eye on him. Now that Lori's family had been taken by Eric, of that he was sure, he had no choice but to turn in the evidence that they had just uncovered. It was annoying that Callum was right to say the least, but he couldn't risk having anything bad happen, especially to Lori's little brother. She would never recover from that and he would blame himself explicitly. Marcus swerved through the streets trying to decide whether to go to the police station and tell Callum what had just happened or to go straight to a place he knew could disable the cameras of his prying uncle without being noticed.As he made his next turn he noticed that a car turned with him. It wouldn't ha
Chapter One Hundred and Four: THE BIG BAD WOLF
Marcus successfully got Rachel on his side after he took his time to explain what was really happening. He had pulled her into his room, Lori too and re-explained everything to the both of them also while showing Rachel the pictures that Lori had brought to further prove his point to her. At the end of his talk, Rachel blushed, extremely ashamed of the behavior she had shown when she thought that something else was going on when she saw the both of them together. She had gone through a rough time with Davon and although she and Marcus weren’t romantically involved, she didn’t want another ruined relationship that would be based on lies. She wasn’t sure that she could take that again. “Oh, I see.” She uttered, bending her head a little and staring at the ground while Lori just stood there and rolled her eyes at the situation.“But now that we have this, we have to take it to the authorities and even if nothing can be done, we have to take matters into our own hands.” Rachel said, gett
Chapter One Hundred and Three: EVIDENCE
Ever since the impromptu meeting that Marcus had attended with his family, the emotions in the mansion had shifted. While some people were rallying up against the police force and whoever they thought had put them up to framing Eric, the rest of them were confused at what had happened and right now, had no idea what route to take. Mostly because they trusted Eric but it all seemed very convenient. One of the latter being Marcus, already had something working in the background as the house was in a state of utter confusion. He sat in his room, at his workstation trying to wrap his head around not only the whole Eric situation but also the standing of the company in terms of their records when he received a call from Lori. He had called her earlier hoping that she could help him find something that could prove that his uncle was either innocent or guilty like Callum had insisted but something felt off.“Hey. You’re calling very early. Do you have anything yet?” Marcus spoke as soon as
Chapter One Hundred and Two: CAT AND MOUSE
Marcus ended up going home after some minutes of reflecting on what he wanted to do when he came face to face with the rest of his family. His car pulled up to the front of his house and he got out while a valet came up to him and took the keys to his car before taking it to the garage where it was meant to be kept. Marcus took in a huge breath before he stepped into the house.He had some relief when he entered the lobby of the house and no one was there to greet him. He turned to go up the stairs when his name rang out in the space.“Marcus!”He turned around, feeling a bit nervous about meeting her. Rachel walked briskly towards him; a questioning look on her face. She pouted as she reached him.“Marcus where have you been? Eric came back all by himself. What happened?”“Nothing. I picked him up but I needed to get something while he wanted to get back to the house as soon as possible. I gave him a car and we went our separate ways.”Rachel crinkled her eyes, obviously showing susp
Chapter One Hundred and One: THE INTERROGATION
Marcus and Callum walked silently to the interrogation room where Eric was already seated and twiddling his thumbs. They saw him first from the windows before they entered the room through the door. Marcus took a seat first before Callum did and pulled out a recorder and a notepad that he could jot on. Callum flipped through his note pad looking for the questions he had meticulously wrote down to ask while Eric and Marcus stared at one another, one not really knowing where this interrogation would lead and the other confused as to why he was even in the interrogation room being accosted by a family member. Callum found what he was looking for and broke the ice. He turned on his recorder.“This interrogation is being carried out by Detective Callum Bennet. Marcus Wei is sitting in on the interrogation. The suspect is his uncle, Eric Wei.”After Callum had introduced himself to the recorder for reference purposes, he turned to Eric and began the interrogation.“Mr. Wei, you are here as
