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

mischief sparking in his gaze. "Just humor me

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

boutique with

nearly stopped the second she

people out of their minds?

"Pretty sure that's just the

blurted, eyes blazing as

that kind of money could do? That could feed an entire

turned on her heel, marching out of the store in stony silence, her lips pressed

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

head, eyes dark with something

said, voice

just something you waste... instead of something you fight to survive

a more wallet-

moments later, a small bag in hand and a grin

Alex decided to up the ante by taking her

thousand-dollar entrée prices sent Josephine's

She snatched his arm again and dragged

are they running in there?” she burst out,

an insult to real

into his pockets, unruffled. "But I told you-I

it."

melted steel. "You're missing the point,

"Alright, so you want something simpler. Name

crossed. "You sure you have

?"

my bank account's

pointed down the block. "Fine. In that case, let's

town. The plates are

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Chapter 163

they were relaxing in a park near the slums,

smoked meats curled around them in the afternoon

bite, closed her eyes,

moaned, practically

trying this for ages. You might've just made my

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

lips curved into a soft smile, how the light in her eyes shone when she was happy, how she never

glances.

luxuries or soak in attention; a good meal and decent

gorgeous. The kind of beauty that turned heads without her

were so lost in their conversation

money-more than he could ever spend. Cars, penthouses, designer

But this?

into the air, the way her

something you could buy, something waiting behind glass windows and neon signs. But happiness wasn't