I retorted, “You’re the one lying and twisting things. I bought this scratch-off ticket fair and square from your shop. You saw me win and got greedy. Then, you snatched the ticket right out of my hand!”

Chloe smirked and looked at me.

“You claim you bought it fair and square. Show me your payment receipt.”

I was a regular customer at this store. Every time I walked in, Chloe would hand me the scratch-off tickets. Scratching first and paying later had become an unspoken understanding between us.

I never expected this to become her leverage against me.

I pointed at the surveillance camera.

“You handed me this ticket yourself. I didn’t just take it without asking like a thief. The security camera proves it.

“The second you handed me those tickets, a purchase agreement was made between us.

Hearing my words, the police officer requested to review the surveillance footage.

Chloe’s face turned pale.

“Only my boss has access to the security footage. He’s not here right now. So, no one can see it.”

I sneered, “Is that so? Or is it that you’re afraid to let us see it?”

Chloe put on a fierce expression and said hurriedly, “The boss isn’t here. So, we just can’t see the footage.”

Seeing that we were about to argue again, the police officer stepped in to mediate.

“We’ll contact your boss now. Once he gets here, we’ll review the footage together. Then, we’ll find out who that scratch-off ticket really belongs to.”

Chloe stammered and tried to find more excuses to delay.

The police officer had already dialed the shop owner’s phone number.

A few minutes later, a stocky middle-aged man, Felix Perkins, rushed over.

He was the shop owner.

Felix greeted the police officers with practiced ease.

“Officers, I’m really sorry you had to come all the way out here for something so small.”

Then, he looked at me and said politely, “Tiana Lowes, after all these years, you still haven’t lost your passion for buying scratch-offs.”

I said coldly, “Now that the boss is here, let’s pull up the security footage.”

Felix put on a friendly smile.

“There’s no need. I’ve known Tiana for years. I trust your word.

“Chloe definitely handed the scratch-off ticket to you. No questions about it.”

I felt so much better after he said that.

“Then, hurry and make her give me back my ticket. And fire this greedy shop attendant. Do that, and I’ll forget the whole thing ever happened.”

Felix was a reasonable person. That made me feel like my trust in him was not entirely wasted.

Having worked at my unit for several years, I often received complaints about this shop. People said Felix did not follow the rules.

But every time I sent someone to investigate, Felix cooperated with a very polite attitude. He claimed those complaints were just slander born from others’ jealousy.

Besides, I had been buying scratch-off tickets from his shop for many years. So, I trusted him time and again.

It seemed the main problem was his shop attendant.

Since he was not responsible for the issue, I did not want to ruin his livelihood.

As long as he fired Chloe and straightened out the shop, their shop’s license to sell scratch-off tickets could still be valid.

Hearing my demand, Chloe smiled at me provocatively. Then, she leaned against Felix and said coyly, “Felix, are you really going to fire me?”

Felix gave her a lewd look and reached out to pat her backside twice.

“You’re nothing but trouble. I’m going to have to punish you later.”

I felt disgusted when I saw that. I quietly took back everything I had thought before.

It was no wonder a shop attendant like Chloe dared to act so shamelessly. These two were clearly in cahoots.

Felix gave her a lecherous smile. Then, he turned to look at me.

“Tiana, it’s true that Chloe handed you the scratch-off ticket. But it’s also true that you didn’t pay for it.

“Since my employee broke the rule, I’ll deal with her later. But a ticket that wasn’t paid for still belongs to the shop.”

I protested to the police officers righteously.

“Officers, you heard him! This is straight-up theft. They’re trying to steal my scratch-off ticket. Arrest them right now!”

Felix smiled and said boldly, “Tiana, the ownership of this scratch-off ticket is just a minor dispute between you and me.

“If you’re unhappy, you can sue me in court. But you can’t have me arrested over it.”

The two police officers frowned. Although they did not agree with him, they nodded helplessly.

“Ma’am, we really don’t have the authority to arrest him for this.

“I suggest you two try to work it out. You’ve known each other for years. Why take this all the way to court over one scratch-off ticket?”

Felix smiled triumphantly. Then, he pretended to be magnanimous again.

“With the officers putting it that way, I won’t be unreasonable. After 20% federal tax, the remaining amount would be eight hundred thousand dollars. You can take three hundred thousand dollars. Chloe and I will keep five hundred thousand dollars. Fair?”

The two police officers turned to ask for my opinion.

“Ma’am, if you think that this split is unfair, you can say so. If it’s really not what you had in mind, you can also file a lawsuit against him. We’ll record today’s events accurately to serve as evidence for you.

When I remained silent, Felix spoke up again.

“I’d take the deal if I were you. Sure, my employee broke the rules first, but you didn’t actually pay for the ticket. If this goes to court, it isn’t certain who’ll win.

“If I decide to drag this out for six months or a year, you could end up with nothing at all.”

I glanced at the time and did a quick calculation in my head. My people would be arriving soon.

I might as well let Felix and Chloe experience the taste of false hope first.

I nodded in agreement. “Fine. three hundred thousand dollars it is.”

Felix was barely able to contain his excitement.

“Words aren’t enough. Since both officers are here, let’s sign an agreement. Once we pay you three hundred thousand dollars, you’ll have nothing to do with the scratch-off ticket anymore.

“From now on, if you come to my shop demanding any more money from us, that’ll be seen as extortion.”

What perfect timing! That could not have worked out better.

With this agreement, I would have solid proof that their shop engaged in illegal practices and stole a customer’s money.

I nodded again.

Felix and Chloe’s smiles broadened. They hurried off to prepare the agreement.

The onlookers, however, spoke up. They all thought this deal was unfair.

“Are you serious? That’s one million dollars. After he gets his cut, you walk away with just three hundred thousand dollars! Did you actually agree to this rip-off deal?”

“Talk about fumbling a gift from above. If it were me, I’d fight him tooth and nail.”

“The bottom line is that you haven’t seen enough of the world. You were bought off for a measly three hundred thousand dollars.”

I acted as if I had not heard a word from the crowd. When Felix brought the agreement, I made sure to request two copies and sign them.

After that, Felix transferred three hundred thousand dollars to me in front of everyone.

After politely seeing the police off, he pulled Chloe into his arms and kissed her.

“Chloe, you’re really my good luck charm! With you around, I can’t help but get rich.”

Chloe leaned against him and whined, “Felix, don’t just say it. Out of five hundred thousand dollars, give me at least half.”

“Don’t worry, sweetheart. You won’t get shortchanged.”

After they fooled around for a bit, Chloe noticed that I was still standing in the shop. Her expression turned dark as she saw me.

“Hey, old lady! What are you still doing here? Take your money and get lost!”

Felix also glared at me.

“Let me tell you something. The deal is signed. Even if you change your mind now, it’s too late.”

I smiled and said, “I’m just waiting here to watch you two regret it.”

As soon as he finished speaking, two officials from the state lottery agency walked in.

“Mr. Perkins, you have been operating in violation of regulations. We are hereby confiscating your unlawful proceeds and revoking your shop’s license to sell scratch-off tickets.”