The Almighty Dominance

Scarface approached Josephine with a carefully practiced smile, his voice mild yet charged with tension.

"Forgive me, Ms. Everheart. I bear full responsibility for that slob's behavior. Clearly, I've failed in keeping my people in line. I promise to make it right."

Josephine raised an eyebrow, leveling him with a cool, assessing look. "My, aren't you the picture of fairness and justice, Mister Scarface. I'm almost impressed."

He let out a strained chuckle, something guilty flickering behind his eyes. "Just doing what's right, ma'am. That manager's long overdue for a lesson in manners."

He gestured for her to head back into the office. "If you'd follow me, we can wrap up the paperwork. I'll see to it that the money's wired into your account by day's end."

Josephine hesitated, glancing at the contract on Kelvin's battered desk. "I only need a hundred thousand," she said, a cautious lilt in her voice.

Scarface dismissed her concern with a flick of his wrist.

"Trust me, it's fine. This bank is part of Mister Carlos' holdings. He's got a soft spot for needy causes-especially orphanages. He'll happily throw money at any project that helps kids get a better start."

Even as he spoke, Scarface's gaze drifted to Alex, hunting for approval.

The subtle nod Alex offered looked less like a friendly okay and more like a silent command. Scarface swallowed, forcing down a rush of nerves.

When Josephine emerged from the office, her signed contract in hand, she found Kelvin and the entire staff lined up as if they were greeting royalty-each one bowing at a precise ninety-degree angle.

She blinked, taken aback. "Alex, I've never seen a bank with... such warm hospitality."

Alex smirked. "Yeah, they're really pulling out all the stops"

Josephine sighed, checking her watch. "Well, the day's still young. I've got a few hours before my bus home.", "How about we do a little shopping?" Alex

suggested, the corners of his mouth curling up.

"Lunch too, maybe a new phone while we're at it."

Josephine huffed a laugh. "Please. I'm not made of money."

Alex flashed a playful grin. "I'll pay. I won the lottery last week."

She shot him a skeptical look. "Really?"

"I'm swimming in spare cash. Do me a favor and help lighten my wallet, would you?" He gave her a winning smile.

Josephine set her hands on her hips. "I'm not comfortable taking handouts."

Alex heaved a melodramatic sigh. "Fine. I guess I'll suffer alone, weighed down by all these bills.'

Rolling her eyes, Josephine shook her head. "You're impossible."

“Come on,” he teased, voice dropping to a gentle plea. “You spend your money on kids, helping everyone else. Let someone return the favor for once. Or are you just too proud to accept a little kindness?"

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Chapter 163

flicker of hesitation crossed her

in, mischief sparking in his gaze. "Just humor me

she could protest, he was guiding her toward a waiting taxi and whisking

high-end boutique with dizzying

stopped the second she glanced at row

hissed under her breath, "are these people out of their minds? That dress is fifteen hundred dollars. And that one's pushing

looking comically unbothered. "Pretty sure that's

blazing as

Do you know what that kind of money could do? That could feed an entire orphanage for two months!

of the store in stony

then, just as the absurdity of it all hit her, a bitter, mocking

shook her head, eyes dark with

be nice," she said, voice laced

to live in a world where money's just something you waste... instead of something you fight

a more wallet- friendly store-jeans and shirts ranging from ten to

marched inside and emerged triumphantly moments later, a small bag in hand

to up the ante by taking her to one of

single glimpse at the thousand-dollar entrée prices

his arm again and

of racket are they running

an insult

pockets, unruffled. "But

it."

could've melted steel.

so

him, arms crossed. "You sure you have money? You're not

?"

bank account's

answer, then pointed down the block. "Fine. In

the best food truck barbecue in town. The plates are a

2/4

Chapter 163

they were relaxing in a park near

spices and smoked meats curled around them

her eyes, and just

God," she moaned, practically inhaling the rest of

of trying this for ages. You might've just

warm sunlight filtering through the tall trees. Alex found himself watching her-really

her eyes shone when she was happy,

glances.

a good meal and decent company were all she

gorgeous. The kind of beauty that turned heads

were so lost in their conversation

ever spend. Cars,

But this?

the air, the way her eyes lit up over the smallest

something you could buy, something waiting behind glass windows and