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12. When he realized he'd won the lottery, he wasn't even sure it was real, so he brought the ticket to his cousin Ashley McMillan.

News of Abe's win quickly spread across the state of Florida.

News of Abe's win quickly spread across the state of Florida.

Still, you know, $12 million is a huge chunk of change for a man with a pretty humble background who came from the central Florida town of Lakeland.

Still, you know, $12 million is a huge chunk of change for a man with a pretty humble background who came from the central Florida town of Lakeland.

And here in Lakeland, Abe lived in a modest neighborhood where many folks struggled to make ends meet.

And here in Lakeland, Abe lived in a modest neighborhood where many folks struggled to make ends meet.

And Abe quickly opened his doors to friends and even strangers. And one of those strangers was Centoria Butler, who was at the time down on her luck when she met Abe at a party he threw at his new house.

And Abe quickly opened his doors to friends and even strangers. And one of those strangers was Centoria Butler, who was at the time down on her luck when she met Abe at a party he threw at his new house.

A friendship blossomed. Centuria and Abe grew close. Eventually, they welcomed a son named Jeremiah.

A friendship blossomed. Centuria and Abe grew close. Eventually, they welcomed a son named Jeremiah.

But for Abe, it wasn't enough just to provide for his own family. Abe seemingly wanted to help everyone. And pretty soon, his generosity spread throughout Lakeland.

But for Abe, it wasn't enough just to provide for his own family. Abe seemingly wanted to help everyone. And pretty soon, his generosity spread throughout Lakeland.

And Abe's fortunes might be about to take an even more serious turn for the worse.

And Abe's fortunes might be about to take an even more serious turn for the worse.

When Abe Shakespeare moved into that gated community, he was stepping into his life of luxury as a recent lottery winner. But those gates still couldn't keep people out. Friends, neighbors, even strangers still visited, asking for a favor, a loan, or a handout.

When Abe Shakespeare moved into that gated community, he was stepping into his life of luxury as a recent lottery winner. But those gates still couldn't keep people out. Friends, neighbors, even strangers still visited, asking for a favor, a loan, or a handout.

Ape tried to manage that flood of requests, turning some of those handouts into loans, but this was far from a perfect system.

Ape tried to manage that flood of requests, turning some of those handouts into loans, but this was far from a perfect system.

Abe was giving out money faster than he could keep track of. And then things took an unexpected turn with that co-worker on the trucking route. The guy who bought the winning lottery ticket for him, Mike Ford.