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

turned to look at him, taking in his

with a

financial help-and his proposal-had seemed like

she began softly. "I still want to be close to my

Jo. I told you, I don't want your mother interfering in

Her heart tightened.

donor is planning to rebuild it back in Vancouver. Once it's ready, well

grip tightened on the steering

the kids be sent somewhere else, and

We need to focus on

head, resolve

into her bag, she

slipped off the engagement ring and

"I've added $1,500 for interest. Thank you for everything you've done, but I

across his features. "What are

out. "There's no

Carlo exclaimed, scrambling out of the

to face him. "We don't have anything

need to change to fit into

I be the one to change?" she

It's your job to follow my

her lips. "I'm sorry you

this because you've come into some money? Think

that you own that restaurant?" His words dripped with

she replied, turning to walk toward her

tightly.

of anger rose

law, rebellion becomes

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

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Chapter 77

you dare walk away from me!" he shouted, his face twisted with rage as he grabbed

or I'll scream,"

sneered. "Go ahead. Who's going to come? All you have

an old woman

lunged toward her, trying to

and fury collided

she cried, struggling against his

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

all her strength, Josephine drew back her fist and

nose.

as blood seeped between his fingers.

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

nose with