He Stole My $50 Million Lottery

I won the $50 million lottery. But when I went to deposit the money at the bank where my fianc, Wayne, was the manager, the teller suddenly screamed, Theres a problem with the money! Security!
Wayne rushed over and grabbed my hand in front of everyone. Ava, the source of these funds is questionable. The bank has to freeze the account temporarily. Just cooperate and go home. Ill call you.
In my past life, I believed him. Not wanting to cause him trouble, I went home obediently and waited.
But the only thing that came for me was a police summons. Wayne and that teller had conspired to steal every last cent of my money, then framed me by claiming it was the proceeds of a scam. In the end, with my reputation destroyed, I lit a charcoal stove in my tiny apartment and let the despair swallow me whole.
My soul drifted aimlessly through the lavish villa they bought with my money. I heard Wayne say to the teller, That idiot really thought I loved her? Trading her luck for our lifetime of luxury Id say she died a worthy death.
I opened my eyes again, and I was back in that moment, with Waynes hand gripping mine.
This time, I smiled, nodded, and pushed the money back across the counter.
Lets see who dies a worthy death.

1.
The smile on my face made Wayne flinch.
His grip on my wrist tightened, as if trying to decipher something from my expression.
He would find nothing.
The me from my past life would have been a panicked, pale-faced wreck right now, looking at him helplessly, clinging to him as my only lifeline.
But now, I simply pulled my hand free. I took the bank card holding the fifty-million-dollar prize, along with my ID, and pushed them back across the counter.
Right in front of the teller, Mia.
Deposit, I said. My voice was quiet but clear, easily heard by the curious onlookers whose ears had perked up.
A flash of panic crossed Mias eyes. She glanced at Wayne, silently pleading for help.
Wayne recovered quickly, his voice softening. Ava, please, don't make this difficult. I know youre excited about the money, but we have to follow procedure. Go home first, and I promise Ill call you the second this is sorted.
He reached for my hand again, trying to pull me away from the unfolding scene.
I sidestepped his grasp.
Mr. Thorne, I used his formal title deliberately, creating a chasm between us. If were talking about procedure, then lets follow it. If the bank suspects an issue and needs to freeze my funds, fine. But Ill need an official written notice. It should state the reason for the freeze, the duration, and it must be signed and stamped by an authorized bank official, correct?
A deep line formed between Waynes brows. He never expected the woman who had always been so compliant to suddenly become this difficult.
The crowd in the lobby was growing, their whispers turning into a low murmur.
She doesnt look like a criminal
Fifty million dollars! My God, no wonder the bank is on edge.
But they cant just seize her money without a proper reason, can they? Thats not right.
The rising tide of chatter made Waynes face darken. He knew a public scene would destroy his plan.
Mia, from behind the counter, grew agitated. Her voice turned shrill. We suspect the funds are related to money laundering! This is for your own good. What if youre being used by a criminal organization? Wayne is just trying to protect you!
She called him Wayne with such practiced intimacy, her eyes, when they met mine, were filled with a smug, defiant glee.
I looked at her coldly. Miss, I am discussing official bank protocol with the manager. May I ask your position? Are you authorized to declare a transaction as suspected money laundering on behalf of the bank? Or does your relationship with Mr. Thorne allow you to overstep your authority and make decisions for him?
My words were a slap across her face.
Her cheeks flushed a blotchy red, and she stammered, unable to form a coherent reply.
And Wayne, hearing me call out their relationship, his gaze turned to ice.
He finally realized it. I wasn't the same woman he knew.

2.
Ava, how can you say that about Mia? She was just trying to help. Have you been under a lot of stress lately? He sighed, putting on a mask of deep, wounded affection. I know were about to get married, and your familys situation has always made you feel insecure. Coming into this much money so suddenly, its normal to feel overwhelmed. Trust me, I would never hurt you.
In a few short sentences, he painted me as a mentally unstable woman, warped by insecurity, while positioning himself as the virtuous, long-suffering partner.
The way people looked at me shifted instantly, from sympathy to suspicion and disdain.
A masterclass in manipulation.
I didnt argue. I simply turned back to Mia. Since the manager cant provide the required documentation, I demand you process my deposit immediately. If you refuse, I will call the Banking Commission right now and file a formal complaint against this branch for unlawfully refusing a customers deposit.
I took out my phone.
Waynes pupils contracted.
The one thing he couldnt afford was for this to escalate. If I went to corporate, or worse, to the regulators, his entire scheme would crumble.
Dont! The word escaped his lips before he could stop it. He quickly composed himself. Ava, lets not be hasty.
He walked to the counter and whispered something to Mia. Though her face was a mask of resentment, she nodded.
Wayne turned back to me, his perfect smile back in place. Alright, Ava. Since you insist, well deposit the money first. But the verification process will still have to proceed. I hope you understand.
Of course, I said, nodding.
I knew he was just buying time. He would let me deposit the money, then use his managerial access to manipulate the system from the backend, transferring the funds out silently.
Just like last time.
Mia began the transaction, her fingers striking the keyboard with resentful force. When the deposit slip printed, she stamped it violently and shoved it at me.
I picked it up, carefully checked the details, and then placed it securely in my purse.
Thank you, I said to her, flashing a brilliant, satisfied smile.
The expressions on both her and Waynes faces froze again.
Ignoring them, I turned and walked out of the bank.
The sunlight was blinding, but I felt a profound sense of release.
I hailed a cab and went straight to the State Lottery Commission.
Wayne. Mia. Did you think the game was just beginning?
No. The moment you decided to cross me, the game was already over.

3.
At the Lottery Commission, I went directly to the public relations department.
A director named Mr. Peterson greeted me.
I didnt give my full name, only that my last name was Sterling and I was the recent $50 million jackpot winner.
Mr. Peterson was visibly surprised but maintained his professional composure. Ms. Sterling, congratulations. How can we help you today?
Id like to do an anonymous interview, I said, getting straight to the point. The topic is how jackpot winners can protect themselves from financial risks and fraudspecifically, risks from within the banking system itself.
Mr. Petersons eyes lit up.
This was a major story. A jackpot winner speaking out was more effective than a hundred of their own dry press releases.
Ms. Sterling, are you suggesting youve encountered some trouble? he asked, his journalistic instincts kicking in.
I shook my head, my tone light. Not trouble, just a minor incident that made me feel its necessary to warn future lucky winners. For instance, what to do if bank staff try to illegally seize your winnings, claiming the funds are from an unknown source.
I recounted what had just happened, omitting names and the specific branch, describing it in a calm, matter-of-fact way.
Mr. Petersons expression grew serious.
Thats completely outrageous! He slapped his desk lightly. Ms. Sterling, rest assured, we will publish your warning through all our official channels. Furthermore, I strongly advise you to go to a notary public immediately and have your original lottery ticket and the claim receipt notarized. Its the strongest legal evidence you can have.
Thank you for the advice. That was my next stop.
It was the other reason I had come.
In my last life, it was the lack of this crucial evidence that allowed them to brand me a fraud, a stain I carried to my grave.
Leaving the commission, I went straight to a notarys office.
Everything went smoothly.
As I held the notarized documents, my phone rang.
It was Wayne. I answered.
Ava, are you home? Dont be angry with me, I was just looking out for you. Ive booked a table at your favorite restaurant tonight. Lets talk properly.
I could almost picture his handsome, earnest face.
It made me sick.
Of course! But I might be a little late. Im out running some errands. Just gathering a few documents to prove my innocence.
On the other end of the line, Waynes breath hitched.
What documents? His voice was laced with suspicion.
Oh, nothing much, I said breezily. Just some official papers. Fifty million is a lot of money, after all. Better to be safe than sorry. By the way, Wayne what do you think would happen to someone who tried to steal that money and frame the real owner with fake evidence?
A long, heavy silence stretched from the other end of the phone.
I could hear his breathing, suddenly ragged and harsh.
He was scared.
Good.
This was what I wanted. To watch him fall from grace. To make him taste the same terror and despair that had consumed me.
Ava, what are you talking about? he finally managed to say, his voice strained.
Just kidding, I laughed lightly. See you tonight.
I hung up, the smile on my face turning to ice.
Wayne, your good life is officially over.

4.
I went to a caf to meet another familiar face from my past.
Elias Vance. In my last life, he was the only financial advisor who had been willing to believe me in my darkest hour.
Unfortunately, by the time I found him then, it was too late. Wayne had woven a web of lies so tight, with all evidence pointing to me, that even Elias couldnt save me.
His last words to me were, Ms. Sterling, if time could be turned back, you must come to me the very second you get the money.
Now, here I was.
Elias, dressed in a impeccably tailored suit and gold-rimmed glasses, looked calm and professional.
Ms. Sterling, he said, extending a hand.
I shook it briefly and pushed my bank card, deposit slip, and a copy of the notarized documents across the table.
Mr. Vance, today I deposited a fifty-million-dollar lottery prize. The bank managerwho is also my fiancand a teller publicly claimed my money was dirty and tried to freeze it. Although the deposit went through, I have every reason to believe they will make a move on the funds.
Elias listened, his eyes scanning the documents. They sharpened. Your fiancs name, and which branch?
Wayne Thorne. Manager at the Sterling Trust Bank, Westgate branch.
At the mention of the name, a subtle change crossed Eliass face.
Ah, him. Ive heard things. He has a reputation for high-risk ventures that have caused the bank more than a few headaches. I never thought hed target you.
So that was it. A history I knew nothing about in my past life.
Ms. Sterling, your instincts are correct. Eliass expression turned grim. A man like Wayne Thorne wont give up easily. He has countless ways to move your money within the bank's internal system and then create a flawless paper trail that will leave you with no way to defend yourself.
So what should I do? I asked.
Its simple, a cold smile touched Eliass lips. We call the police. But before we do that, were going to let him hand-deliver all the evidence of his crimes to us.
He looked at me, his gaze seeing right through me. I suspect you want more than just your money back, dont you?
I met his gaze and nodded.
I wanted their ruin. Total and absolute.
Just then, my phone rang again. A number I didnt recognize.
I answered. A stern, middle-aged mans voice came through. Is this Ms. Ava Sterling? This is Director Walsh from Sterling Trust Banks internal affairs department. We need you to come to our corporate headquarters to assist with an investigation regarding a deposit you made at the Westgate branch today.
It was happening.
Wayne was moving faster than Id anticipated.
He was striking first, trying to solidify his narrative and paint me as the criminal.
I hung up and looked at Elias.
He simply smiled. It seems the show is about to begin. Lets go, Ms. Sterling. Ill accompany you. Im quite curious to see what kind of gift Wayne has prepared.

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