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

hard times, accepting his financial help-and his proposal-had seemed like the

softly. "I still want to

his face. "We've been over this, Jo. I told you, I don't want your mother interfering in

Her heart tightened.

to rebuild it back in Vancouver. Once it's ready, well be moving back. It could be

on the steering

place, Jo. Let the

in a care facility. We need to focus on our

shook her head, resolve hardening in

she

engagement ring and placed

"I've added $1,500 for interest. Thank you for everything you've done, but I can't go

at her, disbelief etched across his features.

and stepped out. "There's no need for us to

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

"We don't have anything in common,

you need to change to fit into my

I be the one

It's your job

lips. "I'm sorry you feel

you've come into some money? Think

that you own that restaurant?" His words dripped

want," she replied, turning to walk toward

her arm tightly. "You're

anger rose within

law, rebellion becomes duty.

your property, Carlo. Even if we were married,

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Chapter 77

his face twisted with rage as he grabbed Josephine's shoulder. "

I'll scream,"

ahead. Who's going to come? All you have are

old woman who

trying to

and fury collided within

off me!" she cried, struggling against

done this a long time ago," he growled, attempting to

her fist and struck him square

nose.

face as blood seeped between

porch, she turned to face him. "Leave now, Carlo, before I call

wiping his bloody nose with the