Chapter 1: Chance of Destiny

During a Sunday afternoon, Robert, the old wealthy man, wanted to read a book for
entertainment. His niece answered his phone call and received his request to purchase a book,
which he planned to read on the balcony with his favourite whiskey.

The niece rushed straight to the renowned Madam Angel’s Old Bookstore to search for a suitable
book.

“Good afternoon, madam”. The young man asked Madam Angel for help finding a suitable book
his uncle would enjoy reading.

“Sure thing”. He asked her specifically about the books he would enjoy reading. Madam Angel
replied.

“His favourite books remain unknown to me, but I trust you can select an excellent choice from
your bookshop.”

The bookshop owner made her way to a collection of ancient books and noticed only one
volume, which was hidden under delicate webs and particles of dust.

“I will give this book to you, sir. The establishment of this bookstore was made possible by this
book, and I sincerely hope your uncle will find it captivating.”

The young man expressed his gratitude and then returned to the mansion of his uncle.

He brought the book to his uncle after arriving at the scene a few moments later.
Steve received the ancient book, which the dust and cobwebs had almost enveloped.

“Thank you, Arthur.” The old man will now begin reading the book with his preferred whiskey
at hand.

“The Cursed Lottery, huh?” Robert started reading the novel after he opened the book to explore
its contents.

In a struggling village where life was anything but easy, a boy named Steve Musk did everything
he could to support his parents. He was truthful and who worked hard, helping them pay off their
debts, putting food on their table, and securing medicine that they badly needed.

One evening, while walking home, Steve noticed something on the ground—a lotto ticket. A
surge of excitement rushed through him as he picked it up. It was for tonight’s draw, and an
excited spark grew within him, so he raced home as fast as his little legs could carry him. He
couldn't wait to share this amazing thing he'd found with his parents.

But as he got close to his place, his excitement began to turn to dread. Big black smoke curls up
into the sky, and flames tear through everything. Fire-fighters battled the inferno, their voices
sharp with urgency.

“Sir!” Steve's voice wavered as he hurried straight towards the scene, where he reached out and
asked, "Are my parents okay?”

A fire-fighter turned to him, his eyes heavy with sorrow. “I'm so sorry, kid, but your parents
were in there when the fire started. They didn’t make it out.”
Those words hit Steve like a blow to the stomach. His legs gave out beneath him, and tears
blurred his vision as reality sank in. The only place he had ever called home and the people he
had known and loved as family no longer existed.

Struggling a bit, he wandered over to a friend's place in search of a moment or two of comfort.
Time passed in a blur of grief, but then, suddenly, a thought startled him back—the lotto ticket.
“Could it change everything?”

With a racing heart, he ran to the lotto station. His trembling hands shook as the dealer called out
the numbers. One matched. Then another. His breath hitched—three, four, and five…

“And the final number is… 54!” the dealer announced.

Steve’s eyes widened in disbelief. “I—I won?” His voice barely came out, and then suddenly, a
surge of emotion broke through. “YES! I WON! ” He shouted while his hands were shaking.

The dealer chuckled. “Well, kid, congratulations! You just won yourself $23 million! Do you
have a guardian who can help you claim your prize? ”

Steve’s smile quivered, and his voice grew small. “Sir… my parents passed away today. Our
house burned down. I—I don’t have anyone.”

The dealer’s expression softened, his excitement replaced with sympathy. He placed a reassuring
hand on Steve’s shoulder. “I’m so sorry, kid. You don’t have to go through this alone. I’ll help
you. Just wait here, and we’ll head to the bank together.”

The dealer walked beside Steve towards the bank. The boy held the crumpled lotto ticket tightly
in his hands, still trying to comprehend everything that had taken place within the day.
"Sir, thank you for helping me." Steve shifted his eyes toward the dealer.

The dealer smiled. "No worries, kid. After what you’ve been through, this is the least thing I can
do.

Upon entering, they were greeted at the counter by a woman and asked, "What can I help you
with today?"

"We are here to collect the winnings. This young man just won $23 million in the lotto."

The teller's eyes widened. "Wow! That's amazing; congratulations!" she exclaimed, smiling at
Steve. "I'll start the claim now. Why don't you go and take a seat over there while you wait?"

Steve and the dealer took a seat on a couch nearby as the boy tapped his foot nervously. It felt
like hours before the teller finally called them back.

She pushed the check across the counter. "Here you go—for $22 million. The bank takes $1
million for taxes." She smiled.

Steve gazed at the check in front of him, grappling with the reality of it. "Thanks so much,
ma'am," he barely said.

As they stepped out of the bank, Steve looked up at the dealer, a flicker of curiosity in his eyes.
"Mister… where do you live? Do you have a family?"

The dealer's smile gradually faded. He hesitated before speaking. "Well, kid... I don't have a
family anymore. They left me when I was just a boy. I have been on my own ever since. I live in
a little house on Warner Street."

Steve went quiet for a moment, holding his thoughts. But then he looked up, determination
blazing in his eyes.

"Mister, can I live with you?" he asked. "I don't have a family anymore, and you don't have one
either. Maybe we can have a fresh start and help each other and build a better life together."

The dealer gazed at him, his shock gradually turning into understanding. Then, a warm smile
crept across his face.

"You know what, kid? That doesn't sound like a bad idea at all." "Yeah, let's do it. We'll look
after each other.

For the first time in years, they felt a spark of hope—something they had long forgotten. As they
walked side by side, they knew this was the start of a new journey, a fresh beginning that held
the promise of a brighter future—perhaps even one that could change the world.
Several hours have passed, and the two of them arrived at the dealer’s house. The walls are
starting to give up, paint is slowly fading, rodents are all over the place, and there is one single
clock in the house. Both of them entered the house and began to share each other’s dreams and
experiences in their lives.

“Mister, what are your dreams and goals in life?”

“Well, kid, I always dreamt of living in a decent house with fewer problems about food, utilities,
and clothing, but the one thing I desire the most is to live in a house with my family. What about
you, kid? ”

“Mister, the only thing I want to achieve in life is to help less fortunate people, provide them
their needs, and most importantly to live happily in this world.”

“That’s good, kid; I see a great future in you.”

The dealer and Steve go out to buy food, new clothes, appliances, and things to help them
renovate the little house. After buying, the two of them start to renovate the house, including
paint, electricity, appliances in the house, and restocking some food in the fridge. As the sun
began to set, both of them took a rest and grabbed snacks to fill their stomachs after a long day of
working.

“Hey mister, after we renovate the house, can you accompany me to go to the mall? I want to
experience going there for the first time. ”

The dealer didn’t even hesitate and said, “Sure thing, bud, I also want to experience going to the
mall.”

As the two of them arrived at the mall, they encountered a beggar who was asking for money to
buy food and clothing for his wife and children.
“Sir, can you spare some change? My family and I barely make ends meet, and by giving some
pennies, you can change our lives for my family and me.”

The two of them pity the man and give him some cash to help him get back on his feet. They
arrived in the mall and were amazed by it because the infrastructures are huge and new to their
eyes.

“Wow! The mall is so nice and huge; I wonder what kind of stuff is in here,” both of them said.

First, they entered a fast food place where they ordered delicious food and beverages. Next, they
played at the arcade, where they developed a great bond together, and lastly, they visited an
antique wood carving shop to look for exceptional designs.