The Almighty Dominance

Chapter 77

Josephine stood over the sizzling stovetop in the restaurace Kitchen, the fauillier come of sautéed weedies and spices filling the r

With the old staff retired, she no longer had to shonides every responsibly done

Four dedicated workers bustled around her, two of whots were seasoned cocks from the pontious ownership.

In this small, strugding, marking town, gloymryd was a rare blessing, and the camaradere in the Kitchen warmed her heart.

"Hey, Jo, where did that handsome helper disappear to? I't seem khu these past few days," Stidey asked, a playful glint in her eyes as she wiped down the

commer

"How should I krw?" she replied with a casual shrug, "His ex-wife showed up, and be left with her

"Did he say if he's coming back?" Shirley pressed

"Not a word," Josephine said, a hint of infitation creeping into her voice. "Honestly, I'm considering letting him

"Oly, don't be hasty!" Shirley protested. "It's not every day we get someone that easy on the eyes around here. Give him a chance"

Josephine rolled her eyes, trying to mask her own conflicted feelings. "We'll see. Let's finish up and get out of here. There are plenty of eligible men out there for you, Shirley"

“None as handsome as him," Shirley teased, winking,

Forcing a smile, Josephine retreated to the back room to change.

As she opened her locker, she noticed a small box with a handwritten note attached. It had been there for a few days already,

She unfolded the letter:

"You're right-we poor folks have to stick together. No one messes with one of our own. I heard you're getting married soon, and I hope to be there. In case I can't make it here's a little gift for you."

She lifted the lid of the box to reveal two neat stacks of bills-$20,000 in total.

"That jerk," Josephine whispered.

"Jo, your fiancé's here!" one of the staff called from the front

"Coming!" she responded, quickly tucking the box into her bag

She composed herself and headed outside, where Carlo waited in his pickup truck.

Climbing in, she closed the door gently as he started the engine.

Carlo chatted animatedly during the drive, but Josephine found herself distant, his words fading into the background.

Her mind was elsewhere, tangled in thoughts she couldn't quite unravel.

As they pulled up in front of her modest home, Carlo noticed her silence. 1

"You okay?" he asked.

Chapter 77

look at him, taking in his

was older, with a

proposal-had seemed like the only

I've been thinking," she began softly. "I still want to be close to

irritation flashing across his face. "We've been over this, Jo. I told you, I don't want

Her heart tightened.

And the orphanage we just got word that a donor is planning to rebuild it back in Vancouver. Once it's

tightened on the

Jo. Let the kids be

We need to focus

shook her head, resolve hardening

her bag, she pulled out the small

ring and placed it inside before handing

"I've added $1,500 for interest. Thank

stared at her, disbelief etched across his features. "What

"There's no need for

scrambling out of the

him. "We don't have anything

need to change to

the one to change?"

It's your job to follow my

touched her lips. "I'm sorry

some money? Think

that restaurant?" His words dripped

she replied, turning

step, Carlo seized her arm tightly. "You're not going anywhere.

anger rose

becomes law, rebellion becomes duty.

yanked her arm free. "I'm not your property, Carlo. Even if we were

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Chapter 77

me!" he shouted, his face twisted with rage as he

or I'll

to come? All you have

woman who

to pull her

fury collided within

she cried, struggling against

a long time ago," he growled,

her fist and struck him square in

nose.

as blood seeped between his fingers. Breathing hard, she dashed

by the porch, she turned to face him. "Leave now,

nose