"So it looks like you won't be getting a single penny from that demolition payout, will you?"

Aunt Diane's eyes swept over me with undisguised contempt. "You know, you're not getting any younger. Why not find someone to marry while you still can? My nephew is about your age—he sells pork at the town market. Makes a decent living, tens of thousands a year. What do you say?"

Her nephew. Five foot two, pushing two hundred fifty pounds, didn't even finish elementary school.

I shook off her grip, my voice flat. "Not interested."

Uncle Robert's brow furrowed instantly. "Corinne, what kind of attitude is that?"

"Your aunt is doing you a favor by offering her nephew. Show some gratitude!"

He stepped closer, jabbing a finger toward me. "Let's be honest—your father's dead, your mother can't stand you. Once they tear down that house, you won't even have a roof over your head. If you don't lock down a husband now, how exactly do you plan to survive?"

I let out a cold laugh. "That's my problem. Don't trouble yourselves."

I turned and walked away without looking back.

From there, I went straight to the State Lottery Office.

Verified my winnings. Paid the taxes. Signed the paperwork.

By the time I walked out with tens of millions of dollars deposited in my account, night had fallen. I booked a room at a five-star hotel.

That evening, I ate the kind of expensive French cuisine I'd never dared to order. I slept in the kind of luxury suite I'd never dared to imagine.

For the first time in my life, I understood what people meant when they said money changed everything.

It was incredible.

The next morning, I took a cab to Emerald Oasis.

The most exclusive development in the entire city.

The kind of place I used to feel guilty just glancing at when I walked past.

But today, I was here to buy a home of my own.

The moment I mentioned paying in full, the sales manager—a man named Jordan Dickerson—came out personally to greet me.

Manager Dickerson was professional and efficient. When I told him I wanted a move-in-ready villa, he showed me several options.

In the end, I chose the one with the best location, the best views, and the interior that suited my taste perfectly.

Total price: two and a half million dollars.

When I pulled out my card without hesitation, his composure cracked—just for a second. A young woman, paying cash for a property like this. I could see him recalculating everything he'd assumed about me.

While processing the paperwork, curiosity finally got the better of him. "Ms. Fox, if you don't mind my asking—someone with your resources, where were you living before?"

"Westside," I said evenly. "The old village district."

He blinked, clearly not expecting that answer. Then he recovered, nodding slowly.

"Ah, I know the area. Word was they were planning to demolish it—big redevelopment project." He paused, shuffling papers. "Though our company tends to hear things early. Apparently the plans got adjusted. That district isn't in the demolition zone anymore."

He shook his head with something like sympathy. "A lot of people who were counting on those payouts are going to be very disappointed."

The Westside demolition plan had been adjusted?

I almost laughed out loud.

So my mother and her precious relatives were about to watch their windfall vanish into thin air.

Perfect.

Jordan excused himself to print some documents, leaving me to wait in the reception hall.

With nothing better to do, I wandered through the showroom—and stopped dead.

Walking through the entrance were my mother, my sister, and my aunt and uncle's entire family.

They were dressed to impress. Designer clothes. Gold jewelry dripping from their wrists and necks. Clearly, the moment they'd heard about the demolition payout, they'd gone on a spending spree.

The second my mother spotted me, her expression soured. She marched over, heels clicking against the marble floor.

"Corinne. What are you doing here?"

"Buying a house," I said simply.

Her face twisted with disbelief. "You? Buy a house? The cheapest units here start at millions. Where would you get that kind of money?"

Before I could respond, Penelope sidled up beside her, smirking.

"Oh, I get it now." Her voice dripped with false sweetness. "You must have found out we're about to receive our five-million-dollar payout and came here to spy on us. Followed us to see what we'd buy, didn't you?"

She tossed her hair, gold bangles jangling. "Well, let me remind you, sister—we signed those papers cutting you off. Even if we buy a mansion, you won't see a single cent of it!"

"Don't even think about showing up here and mooching off our property."

Uncle Robert's family closed in around me, watching me like I was the punchline to a joke.

Aunt Diane fired the first shot. "Weren't you always so proud and above it all? Then go back to your little job and your rented shoebox!"

"Places like this aren't for bottom-feeders like you."

Philip let out a derisive snort. "Exactly. If you didn't know us, you wouldn't even be qualified to set foot in this sales office."

Uncle Robert drew himself up with all the pompous authority of an elder, looking down his nose at me. "Corinne, I'm telling you this for your own good—you need to be realistic. Stop reaching for things that were never meant to be yours."

"With the pittance you make, you couldn't even afford a bathroom in this place."

"Now leave, before you embarrass yourself further."

I let my gaze sweep over them, my voice perfectly level. "Who says I can't afford a unit here?"

My mother's laugh was sharp and cold. She looked at me like I'd lost my mind.

"Corinne, do you even hear yourself? Every cent you saved in three years of working—you gave it all to me. You probably can't scrape together five hundred dollars right now, and you have the nerve to claim you can buy property here?"

That was my mother.

Even knowing I'd given everything to this family, that I might be completely broke, she'd still thrown me out without a second thought.

In this moment, I was more grateful than ever for that lottery ticket. It had shown me exactly who she was—and saved me from ending up on the streets.

My sister looked me up and down, her voice dripping with scorn. "What's your game here, sis? You think if you talk big enough—maybe play the crazy card—we'll feel sorry for you and hand over some of the settlement money?"

"Dream on. You're not getting a single cent from this family!"

Philip was practically doubled over with laughter. He jabbed a finger at me and announced to the entire sales office:

"Everyone, come look! We've got a broke nobody here pretending she can buy property!"

"This is hilarious—she's dressed head to toe in bargain-bin garbage, couldn't afford a single tile in this place, and she's still putting on airs!"

Heads turned. The other clients stared at me, sizing me up with open amusement and contempt.

"Young people these days—can't earn a decent living, but they sure know how to run their mouths."

"Seriously. This is the most exclusive development in the city. Someone who reeks of poverty like her, buying here?"

"Probably just wanted to sneak in, take some photos for social media, pretend she's somebody. I've seen her type before."

As the commotion grew, my mother's face hardened. "Leave. Now. Stop making a spectacle of yourself."

My expression didn't waver. "I'm an owner here. Why would I leave?"

Aunt Diane burst into mocking laughter. "Oh, that's rich! The lies just keep getting bigger! Take a good look in the mirror, sweetheart—what makes you think you qualify to own anything here?"

Uncle Robert's face had gone rigid with irritation. He raised his voice, directing it at the sales office staff:

"What kind of operation is Emerald Oasis running? How does just anyone wander in off the street?"

"We came here specifically because of your reputation—your environment, your security. If we buy here and then have to deal with lowlifes like this causing scenes, what does that say about the caliber of residents?"

His outburst had the desired effect. Security guards converged from all directions, forming a tight circle around me, their expressions hard and watchful.

My sister's lip curled with satisfaction. She snapped her fingers at them like they were servants.

"Well? What are you waiting for? Throw her out!"

"Why would some broke nobody who can't even afford a house stick around here embarrassing herself?"

The security manager heard this and immediately signaled his team to drag me out.

But before they could lay a hand on me, Manager Dickerson's sharp voice cut through the air from across the room:

"Stop right there!"

The command froze the guards mid-step and drew every eye in the room.

Under the crowd's bewildered stares, Manager Dickerson hurried over to me and said respectfully:

"Ms. Fox, the paperwork for the villa you purchased outright at Emerald Oasis has been finalized. Here are your keys."