Chapter 4The Lottery Lie

The next day, I went to the bank and deposited $15 million into a high-yield savings account.

I kept $5 million liquid.

Then I invited an old guy friend I hadn't seen in ages to lunch.

While we were eating, Zoey sent me a screenshot with a question mark: [?]

It was a text from my mom asking Zoey if she won the lottery.

I laughed internally and replied:

"Didn't you win? But you know my mom, she loves to borrow money. Even ten bucks she'll ask for. So whatever you do, don't tell her you only won $500."

Information asymmetry is a powerful weapon.

Zoey replied with an [OK] emoji.

I secretly took a photo of my handsome friend and sent it to her:

"Having lunch with my bro."

Zoey immediately asked for the address.

Fifteen minutes later, Zoey, dressed to the nines, pushed open the door and exclaimed:

"Lily! Fancy meeting you here. What a coincidence."

She turned her gaze to my friend. "And this is?"

I stood up to introduce them.

"This is Julian, a friend who just got back from studying in the States. His family owns the Julian Group. A proper rich second generation."

Then I said to Julian:

"This is my roommate, Zoey. We live together."

Julian raised an eyebrow:

"In that dump you rent for $1500 a month?"

Zoey immediately pinched me and giggled at Julian:

"We just moved to New York, funds are tight, so we found a small place to transition."

She paused, then added:

"But my family owns property in Manhattan."

I knew she was lying, but I didn't bust her. I invited her to sit and eat.

During the meal, Zoey flirted heavily with Julian. They chatted enthusiastically and exchanged contacts.

When I dropped a chopstick and bent down to pick it up, I saw Zoey's leg rubbing against--

Oh my eyes!

After lunch, Julian offered to take Zoey for a spin in his Porsche Panamera.

Playing hard to get, Zoey actually refused.

After Julian left, Zoey suddenly grabbed my wrist, staring into my eyes.

My brow twitched.

Zoey whispered:

"Lily, did you see the news? The city rezoned 4th Avenue. How is it so coincidental that your apartment is included?"

"The news said compensation is over $1,000 per square foot. The $20 million should be in your account already, right?"