The Almighty Dominance

There were ten stacks of crisp $100 bills neatly arranged inside the bag-$100,000 in total.

Josephine stared at the money, her eyes wide with shock.

"Well, that's quite a sum," Alex remarked casually. "Looks like they regretted their actions."

Josephine snapped the bag shut and thrust it back toward him.

"We can't accept this."

Alex raised an eyebrow. "And why not?"

"Because it's dirty money!" she exclaimed.

"They earned it by selling drugs, extorting innocent people, forcing others out of their homes. Who knows what other terrible things they've done? I won't have any part of it."

Alex studied her resolute expression.

Despite her obvious need, her principles remained unshaken. "Maybe we should ask the old lady inside. She might have some advice."

Inside the modest house, Ruth, the elderly woman in the wheelchair, eyed the money spread out on the table.

"I'm sorry, Alex," she said softly. "We can't accept this kind of money."

"Why not?" Alex frowned. "Money itself isn't evil. Politicians and businessmen use funds like this all the time and live comfortably. The children here desperately need help."

But both Josephine and Ruth stood firm.

Alex sighed, running a hand through his hair.

"Alright then, let's look at it differently-the money isn't for you or the orphanage, at least not directly."

Josephine looked puzzled. "What do you

mean?"

"It's a payment to me," he explained. "Compensation for my time and effort in dealing with their boss."

He gathered all ten stacks from the table, his gaze turning serious. "I'm a good citizen. I served my country, pay my taxes, and try to do the right thing. When I make mistakes, I seek forgiveness. So, I'm a decent person."

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a glance, taken

I'd like to donate $80,000 of this money to the orphanage," Alex continued. "Coming from someone like me, there's no reason to turn it

looked at each other, uncertainty flickering in

pause, Ruth finally nodded.

Alex's hand. "And

played on his lips. "Consider it a processing f*e. Dirty money in, clean money

at him, her voice laced with

she turned on her

turned to Ruth. "Do you think she

chuckled softly. "On the contrary, I think she might be starting to like

said, opening her frail arms. "It's been so long since I last saw you. Over a

moved closer,

I forget one of my own?" she replied, her eyes misting. "How is the master who adopted you? Is he

out a light laugh. "That old

11

his cheek tenderly. "Have you told Josephine who you

yet. She doesn't seem

that way?" Ruth

"Why?"

resentment toward you," Ruth explained. "She believes

11

guilt flickering

know," Ruth continued softly. "For ten years,

// Dedy

you never came

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got caught up in the war," he said quietly. "It

was just a childhood promise, wasn't it?"

distant memory-their shared words, the innocence of youth. "I didn't realize how much it

everything," Ruth said. "I tried to help her move on, to let go of the hope that was holding her

I'm here now," he

water, but the scars

acknowledged, "but she's ed.

wedding is in a

"Engaged?" Alex shocked. (1

her," Ruth said,

the mine owner's son. He's been a great help to the orphanage. Josephine feels indebted to him.