Fortune makes us rich, by the way (4)

I believe the answer is:

fate

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'fortune' is the definition.
(synonyms)

'rich by the way' is the wordplay.
'rich' becomes 'fat' (synonyms).
'by' says to put letters next to each other.
'the way' becomes 'e' (Compass direction - East).
'fat'+'e'='FATE'

'makes us' is the link.
I am not very happy about this link. Some or all of it may be part of another bit of the clue.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for fate that I've seen before include "Final issue" , "Destiny, kismet" , "Clotho, Lachesis or Atropos" , "Lady luck" , "Predestination" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.

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