After dropping Devin off at school, Tyler didn't turn in the direction of his, instead he started making his way home.
His current objective was to check the lottery's draw result at Tony's store. As for school, it's not in anyway important to him.
As someone who had already gone through the education system—and been chewed up by it—school held no appeal for him. Especially with how useless it was for him in the long run.
The things topping his list of priorities at the moment are: making the money needed to fix his family's current financial situation, unlocking a Core knowledge branch before the 72-hour window expires, and—last on the list—finding a cure for the illness. School didn't even make the list.
This urgency was even more pressing considering he had only a few hours left before the 72-hour discount expired.
He received the discount at noon, nearly three days ago. Over 60 hours had already passed. If he didn't get the required amount soon, it would expire.
But Tyler was also aware that he would still have some explanation to do if he really skips school today. As he'd have to dodge questions from his mom later, and that was why he decided that he would still try to go after he gets his winnings.
There was always the possibility that he didn't win. But Tyler refused to entertain that thought.
Right now, he had no backup plan, no safety net—just a single ticket and the hope that the universe hadn't turned on him again.
He had no choice but to believe he won.
Another thing to consider is the time it usually takes to process the payment of the winning tickets.
But Tyler doesn't have to worry about that as the winnings are always paid on the same day and he can receive it at Tony's store.
It would sound completely out of place for anyone but it's the way it is for Gold Rush lottery ticket.
There are licenced stores that are allowed to pay out winnings for it and Tony's store is one of them.
As for why it is so? Tyler had no idea and he doesn't care. As long as he gets to receive his winnings, he doesn't care.
This was one of the reasons why Tyler hadn't bothered to fret over how much time he had before the discount expired.
Naturally, it wasn't exactly 100% convenient for Tyler as he can't receive the winning himself, due to the fact that he's underage. But that won't a problem as he already has someone who will help him with that.
....
Some minutes later, Tyler arrived at Tony's store. He pushed the door open and walked in, making his way to the counter.
"Good morning, Tony," he greeted.
"Good morning, kid. Why aren't you in school on a Monday morning?" Tony asked with a strange look on his face, observing Tyler with suspicious eyes.
"I just wanted to check the draw result for the Gold Rush lottery ticket I bought my mom two days ago, and I will be on my way to school," Tyler replied calmly, with a smile.
"I see... But you know that you don't have to do it as your mom can check it herself," Tony said slowly, carefully observing Tyler and wanting to hear his response.
He felt that there was something suspicious about the kid in front of him but he just couldn't place a finger on what it was.
Tyler naturally understood what Tony was trying to do, and it made him smile. Having met and interacted with all kinds of people in his past life, someone like Tony didn't faze him one bit.
"I know that. Since I was the one she asked to get it for her, I felt like checking the result was my responsibility," Tyler replied, with a polite smile on his face.
Tony saw the look on Tyler's face and sighed inwardly. He knew the kid had made a valid point.
"Do you have the ticket on you?" He asked.
Tyler nodded and passed the ticket to Tony for him to scan and check if he had won.
He watched as Tony began punching buttons on the terminal and he couldn't help but start feeling anxious.
Seeing that he was losing control of his emotions, he closed his eyes and took a deep breath, steadying his emotions.
Opening his eyes,he saw a shocked expression on Tony's face and his fist clenched involuntarily in even more anticipation.
From the shocked expression on Tony's face, he knew that it was very likely that he won. But due to the fact he hadn't heard it from him for a fact, he still felt anxious.
"Umm... kid...," Tony spoke slowly, as he raised his head from the terminal.
"Your mom won!" He laughed heartily.
"Huh?"
Even though Tyler was expecting the news, he still found himself surprised by it.
"She won $50,000, kid!" Tony burst out laughing.
Tyler also found himself unconsciously letting out a deep breath when Tony repeated the news.
"Finally...," he smiled, and sighed in relief.
"Thank you. Can you please sign it?" He asked, the smile not leaving his face.
Tony nodded and quickly signed the lottery ticket, and gave it back to him.
Tyler received the lottery ticket and gave a small nod in appreciation, before turning and leaving the store.
"What a lucky kid," Tony smiled, as he watched Tyler leave the store.
...
Leaving Tony's store, Tyler didn't hesitate as he immediately bolted towards David's place.
Since he had confirmed that he won the lottery ticket, the next thing was to claim his winnings. And since he can't do it himself because he's underage, he has to get the only trusted adult who's not his mom, to claim the winning for him.
After a few minutes of running,he finally arrived at David's place, feeling out of breath.
He took consecutive deep breaths, steadying his breathing before knocking on the door.
"I just hope he's home," he muttered, as he waited for a response.
He didn't have to wait long as the door opened and he saw a surprised David standing there.
"Tyler, why aren't you in school?" He asked in mix of surprise and confusion.
"I need your help," Tyler replied, deflecting David's question.
He started explaining to David everything. And as Tyler explained, he saw the look on David's face go from surprise, them to shock and then disappointment.
"So, what you're telling me is that you want me to help you claim the $50,000 you won from a lottery?" David asked in confirmation, with a solemn look on his face.
"Yes," Tyler nodded.
"Tyler," David sighed, shaking his head.
"You mean to tell me that you used the money you borrow from me to buy a lottery ticket?" He asked, with the disappointed look on his face deepening.
"I understand how it looks like but that's not what's important right now, David," Tyler said.
He understood that David was feeling disappointed in him, but the truth is that he doesn't care. All he just need is his assistance.
David sighed, shaking his head at Tyler's response.
"I'm sorry, Tyler, but I can't help you with this. And I will also be reporting you to your mother," he said, and was about to close the door.
Tyler's lips curled into a faint smile, at David's words.
"Though I understand your reason for not wanting to help me and also wanting to report to my mom. But will she? Especially when you're the one who borrowed me the money that I used to purchase the lottery ticket. What will you tell her that your reasons were for borrowing a kid $100?" He asked.
Tyler knew that he was being rude and taking things too far with his words, and he intends to apologize later.
He has no other trusted option beside David. And the fact that the discount will expire by noon wasn't helping matters.
He has to claim the winning and unlock the Core knowledge branch as soon as possible.
David frowned deeply hearing what Tyler said. He felt hurt and manipulated, and it didn't sit well with him.
"Are you trying to blackmail me?" He asked.
"I'm sorry, David, but I really need your help. Please," Tyler said politely.
David's jaw tightened, his eyes searching Tyler's face for a hint of remorse, and sighed heavily. He wanted to refuse but he could see the sincerity in the kid's eyes.
Also, he knew that what Tyler said about his mother was true. No matter how he looks at it, he felt that Helena might find him at fault. And he doesn't want anything to strain their relationship.
'Dammit, David.' he cursed inwardly.
He felt so irritated as he was supposed to be the adult and be the one in control, but he let a kid get one over him.
"Fine... Let's go," he said, sighing in resignation.
Tyler smiled faintly, hiding the relief behind a mask of calm, as he started leading David to Tony's store.