" Exactly . You made this big show today . Wasn't the whole point to let us witness you cashing in your prize ? " " Come on , let's go . No more stalling . " Before long , the entire group filed out of the restaurant and crossed over to the shop next door . However , the moment they arrived , everyone froze again . Three police officers were standing there , sealing off the convenience store . Patrick's face was drained of color . knees buckled as he stumbled forward , voice shaking . " Officer ... What's going on here ? " One of the officers looked at the group with some confusion before calmly explaining, " This convenience store was operating illegally . All the tickets they sold were counterfeits . We jus shop is now sealed off . " received a report . So , we're here conducting an investigation . The The words hit Patrick like thunder . His vision swam , and he nearly fainted on the spot . Even Emily's hands were trembling . " You mean ... all the tickets sold here were fake ? So the so - called winning Ric fake too ? " Chapter 7 +25 BONUS The officer nodded . " That's correct . Did any of you purchase a ticket here ? We'll be issuing a public announcement online shortly . " The real winner , the middle - aged woman , finally straightened with pride . " I told you , young man . Your ticket is fake . But you wouldn't believe me . You insisted I'd been scammed . Well , my prize money is already in my account . How could I have been scammed ? Face it : you were the one who got scammed . " As soon as she finished her sentence , Patrick suddenly spun around and lunged , not at the woman , but at me . way