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

to look at him, taking in his familiar

older, with

financial help-and his proposal-had seemed like the

to be close

across his face. "We've been over this, Jo. I told you, I

Her heart tightened.

And the orphanage we just got word that a donor is planning to rebuild it back in Vancouver. Once it's ready, well be moving back. It could be

tightened on the steering

sell that place, Jo. Let the

a care facility. We need to focus

resolve

into her bag, she pulled out the small

and placed

for interest. Thank you for everything you've

etched across

"There's no need for

Carlo exclaimed, scrambling out of the truck. "You can't just walk

turned to face him. "We don't have anything

change to fit

the one

your job to follow my

smile touched her lips. "I'm sorry you feel that

because you've come into some money? Think you're too good

you own that restaurant?" His

want," she replied,

her arm tightly. "You're not going anywhere.

surge of anger

law, rebellion becomes duty.

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

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Chapter 77

walk away from me!" he shouted, his face twisted with rage as he grabbed Josephine's shoulder. " No one defies

or I'll

come? All you have are a

old woman who can't even

trying to pull her

and fury

me!" she cried, struggling against

a long time ago," he growled,

strength, Josephine drew back her fist

nose.

as blood seeped between his fingers.

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

nose with the back