Ava Wayne NovelHe 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.