Chapter Twenty

Emeka chuckled, teasingly stating, 'I thought you'd come up with a more reasonable answer. It turns out you're the boring one.'

'Emeka!' Beatrice playfully scolded him, and they all laughed.

Andrew, full of affection, put a chunk of meat into Dera's mouth and said, 'You're always the smartest...'

'Whoa... so if Dera wins, she'll get American dollars as a reward?' Emeka asked, his skepticism waning.

'Yes, Mum,' Andrew nodded. 'She might win $200, $100, $70, or any prize depending on the challenge she chooses.'

'Andrew, I only have two weeks left, and your solution is for me to join Goodwall and participate in their challenges?' Dera felt on the verge of tears. 'I thought you had something better. I don't know how to gamble.'

Andrew nodded reassuringly. 'That's the best option. I know you're a genius and capable of winning at least one or two of the challenges.' He pulled out his phone from his pocket. 'A friend of mine from the law department introduced me to Goodwall. I immediately downloaded it and created an account for you... I'm hopeful that you will win.' He opened the app and showed them. 'There are challenges like #PitchChallenge, #TrashChallenge, #ProtectWildlife, #TakeMyHand, and others.' He put down his cup of water after taking a giant sip.

'This sounds like a legitimate scam,' Emeka remarked, doubting the possibility of winning and getting the money. 'So, don't worry, I will apply for a loan.'

'Let's try this first,' Andrew said, convinced in some way.

'Okay, I believe you, big brother... Has your friend won yet?' Dera asked.

'Yes,' Andrew answered. 'He won $70 from the #TrashChallenge. Every week, winners are announced.'

'Did you see the money?' Beatrice asked, unsure whether to believe in Goodwall or to focus on raising money from her little shop.

'Not yet... He's about to claim the money.'

'I get it...' Dera smiled. 'I will give it a try. There's no harm in trying anyway.' She handed Andrew his phone back and asked, 'Does Goodwall have a money-making machine?'

'I know what you're getting at, Dera. For the #ProtectWildlife challenge, winners are sponsored by Wyss Academy. It's part of the Green Together program. All you have to do is answer questions like why people should care about wildlife conservation and what three things we can do in our day-to-day lives to help wild animals thrive. It could be anything from recycling to picking up trash! There's a $1,410 cash pool for 12 winners... Are you convinced?' Andrew looked at Dera and asked.

'A little... tell me about #TakeMyHand...' Dera enquired.

'Okay, let me read it for you.' Andrew clicked on the #TakeMyHand challenge and read it out loud. 'Have you ever helped someone without expecting anything in return…?'

'Speaking of that, my classmates gave me ten thousand naira to add to the money I have... They promised to do more.' Dera went to her room and returned with an envelope, handing it to her father. 'I hope it helps...'

'Yeah, why not? We're sure of this one and not your Andrew's false hope...' Beatrice remarked.

'Dad, I think it's legitimate. I'm going to try,' Dera said, looking at Andrew. 'Big brother, I'm sorry for interrupting you. Please, continue...'

Andrew nodded and proceeded, 'For a chance to win cash prizes, post a photo or a 1-minute video with the hashtag #TakeMyHand, telling us about your experience! Do you feel that helping others affected you or those around you?' he elaborated. 'The challenges will end in three days. So, Dera, if you're going to participate, you have three days left.'

'Any prizes for the #TakeMyHand challenge?' Beatrice asked.

'There's a $1,500 cash pool for 15 winners. It's sponsored by Friends of Bata...' Andrew replied. 'And for the #PitchChallenge, you can win $200 for your online security business idea by pitching it in one minute. How can it keep us safe while browsing? This time around, #PitchChallenge is here to make the internet a safe place…'

'Let's just focus on our food instead,' Emeka said, trying not to raise his hopes for nothing.