Lilian's POV
The glossy flyer practically glowed under the streetlight as I spotted it lying crumpled on the sidewalk. "Starlight Ball Gala" was emblazoned across the top in elegant script.
Without hesitation, I scooped it up from the pavement. My pulse quickened when I read the words "one million dollar prize" printed in bold letters beneath the title. My hands trembled slightly as I devoured every detail.
The competition was being hosted by a consortium of luxury hotels worldwide. Winners would be selected through audience voting, and the champion would walk away with a life-changing sum of money.
My mind immediately started calculating. One million dollars would eliminate nearly half of the crushing debt my father had accumulated through his gambling addiction. The weight of that burden had been suffocating our family for months.
