Chapter 5: Lottery Loophole

By the time Molly, Billy, and Beth got home Saturday evening, Chad had already moved his wardrobe to the downstairs guest room. He was sitting on the couch with Bobby and Elvis, sipping beer and watching Power Rangers reruns. Elvis raised his head and snuffled seconds before they heard the garage door open. The tension was palpable when the three entered the room. There was also a sense of triumph and excitement as they glanced about nervously and quickly parted ways for their rooms without acknowledging Chad or Bobby. Chad frowned as he watched them slink upstairs.

An hour later, he lay on the guest bed, staring at the ceiling, deep in thought, and scratching Elvis’s ears. The door latch jiggled, followed by a knock. “Chad, why are you locked in the guest room?” Molly asked.

“What do you want?” he grumbled.

There was a pregnant pause, and then the doorknob jiggled again. “Are you going to let me in?”

He didn’t bother to respond.

“So what? You’re going to lock yourself in like a child now?” her voice got louder. “Why don’t you just move down here?”

“If you had checked upstairs, you would see I already have,” he retorted, “good night!”

He heard her exhale loudly and walk away.

Earlier that evening, he gave Matt the contact information for his new divorce team and told him to send them what they needed. He arranged a conference meeting at the Bradley Law Office on Monday after business hours. Otis and Beulah agreed to meet there too.

This week, he had to call his boss, Hank Jessup, at the oil field administration building and deliver the bad news. He knew Hank wouldn’t take it well and would try to talk him out of quitting.

While Molly and the older two were out, Chad obtained two cheek swabs from Bobby and one from himself. The first kit was sealed with his and Bobby’s spit and ready to mail off Monday morning. He just needed a sample from Frank for the second kit, which Jessica promised to handle.

He envisioned her gorgeous body and thought of nothing else until he fell asleep.

Sunday morning, Chad reviewed his chore list. The neglected yard work was his priority. His truck needed an oil change, which was a simple task with it lifted. He had bought the oil and filter. He planned to pressure wash the house, but that remained to be seen.

With coffee in hand, he went to the back shop where the mower was parked, fueling it and checking it. Climbing aboard, he fired it up and got started. By 3:00 pm, he had accomplished his first two objectives and called it a day. He spent the afternoon on the front porch with Elvis, enjoying a few beers as he reconsidered his situation.

Paul gave him a list of tasks before serving the divorce papers, including canceling and paying off joint accounts. He had gathered their mortgage, insurance, taxes, and vehicle registration information. Both vehicles were paid off, but he had 20 years left on the mortgage. If they sold the place, there would be little equity to split. He needed financial and legal advice first.

Regarding extended family, he hesitated to contact his parents and had no interest in speaking with her’s. The Rustons were a quiet couple still grieving from the loss of their youngest. They welcomed them but were distant from the grandkids. Not so for his mom, who adored the three and looked forward to their visits. His dad was still butt-hurt over him running off and didn’t talk to him much. Wonder what he’ll think of me after all this? he mused. He drifted off as Jessica entered his mind. He thought of her touch and how it felt as they hesitated to draw apart. Then he imagined taking her to meet his parents before he snapped out of it and chided himself.

Tomorrow would be interesting.

“Thank you for coming,” Chad stood before the conference room table and smiled at six faces. At Jessica’s suggestion, all electronics were left in the lobby to avoid unwanted ears. A cassette recorder sat in the center of the table, recording the meeting for review. Beulah, Otis, and Matt sat to his left, and Jessica, Jennifer, and Paul to his right. He admired Jessica’s professional attire, wearing casual pressed slacks and overcoat. He met her before they gathered and gave her the two DNA kits. She took them eagerly, saying she’d send them off this week.

“Since everyone has been introduced and we’re all one big happy family—I should get started,” He reached into his pocket and produced the two receipts. Holding them up, he said, “This is the third winning ticket from last month’s Mega Millions lottery drawing,” he held it up. “And these are the winning numbers to verify it is legit.” He placed them on the table before Paul, who gazed at them stunned. “After taxes, it should be worth about 170 million dollars.”

Even the crickets were silent as he looked around at the astonished faces. Except for Beulah and Otis, none had a clue.

A whistle sounded from his right. “Damn Paul Bunyan! You sure know how to make an entrance!” Jessica mused with a flick of her head. She eagerly took both slips as her twin passed them down. “This is huge! Yet so ... tiny.”

Several questions were raised quickly, and Chad was ready to respond before Otis cut him off. “I think the boy is leadin’ up to something, but he ain’t seen fit to share it yet,” he grinned and winked at the Celtic pixie across from him. Jess gave him a sweet, disarming smile.

Chad shuffled his feet uncomfortably and sat in the chair before him. “The problem is I don’t want a dime of this to go to my ex-wife.” He saw the uncertain expressions on his Lawyers and Accountant.

“Chad,” Jennifer said quietly, “Does it matter? Half of $170 million is still a lot of money. Trying to withhold it from her puts us on a slippery slope.”

Her sister observed Otis’ face and glanced back at Chad expectantly.

Chad spread his hands and placed them on the table. “True, it would simplify the division of assets. But I won’t give her a cent if I can help it, and she won’t get the jackpot either.” He was firm despite the soft rumble of his voice. “Because it won’t be mine to share.”

Another silence fell over the table as the ticket completed its circuit and was placed again before Chad. He grabbed it, walked it over to Otis and Beulah, and put it on the table before them. He raised his hand to quell any questions as he returned to his seat.

“After speaking with Matt,” he acknowledged his confused friend. “I decided to have Otis and Beulah claim the lottery jackpot,” he nodded at their astonished faces. Then he glanced at Matt. “And I want them to put it all into a trust fund under one of those corporate entities you mentioned.”

Chad saw the light bulbs flash in their eyes as they realized what he was saying.

“I want everyone at this table listed as an officer or board member. Then, ensure each of you receives an immediate sum of one million dollars in the most tax-efficient way,” he grinned at their stunned expressions, “Except for me,” he added. “I will be a silent partner, and until this divorce is finalized—I wish to remain penniless.” He stopped talking and leaned back, indicating he was ready to hear their thoughts.

Paul looked shocked, and his wife stared at the giant man with wide eyes. She opened and closed her mouth before finding her voice. “Uh ... Chad. This is—” She looked over to her sister, who also appeared at a loss for words. “This is ... incredible! I’m not sure what to say.” she stammered.

Beulah calmly approached him, wrapping her tiny arms around his neck. “Oh, sweet boy! You don’t have to do this for us, Cheri,” her voice was as sweet as honey as she peered lovingly into his face. “We don’t need your money, Chadwick—we are just happy to have you in our lives.” Tears flowed down her face as she hugged him again.

“Now, just wait up there, woman!” Otis cackled suddenly, “I’m lookin’ forward to one of them rich folk dinners!” His eyes twinkled humorously. “And I want some of those fancy clothes too!”

Beulah turned back to her loud husband while still holding her wet cheek to Chad’s. “Oh, hush you!” she retorted lovingly, “You’re a terrible man!”

Giggles erupted from the twins, and Chad saw Jessica dab discreetly into her left eye.

After that, the discussion became animated, and many thoughts were shared. With Paul and Matthew steering the conversation and adding their expertise, a plan was drafted for consideration, and pages of notes were taken. Matt advised on various corporate structures, including LLCs, C Corps, and S Corps, and explained the procedures for establishing offshore shelters and Swiss accounts to protect their money. Paul discussed having the corporation pay off Chad’s mortgage and agreed to research the ramifications of divorce proceedings.

Matt would have the paperwork ready within a week before meeting again to collect signatures and notarizations before filing. Once established, an account would be opened to transfer the lottery proceeds directly. Since Otis and Beulah were tasked with collecting the prize—they were elected as Chair and Co-chair of the board. They discussed voting rights, survivorship, and responsibilities. Chad’s face lit up with inspiration when asked what to name it. “We will call it the Elvis Foundation,” and the first order of business was ratified.