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?"

1/4

Chapter 163

hesitation

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

a waiting taxi and whisking her

first stop-a high-end boutique with

stopped the second she glanced at

of their minds? That dress is fifteen hundred dollars. And

unbothered. "Pretty sure that's just

you out of your damn mind?" Josephine blurted, eyes blazing as she jabbed

That could feed an entire orphanage

her heel, marching out of the store in

the absurdity of it all hit

her head, eyes dark with

be nice," she said, voice laced with quiet

live in a world where money's just something you waste...

until Josephine spotted a more wallet- friendly

and emerged triumphantly moments later, a small bag in

Alex decided to up the ante by taking her to one of Vancouver's swankiest

thousand-dollar entrée prices sent

his arm again and dragged

racket are they running in there?” she burst out, eyes

an insult to real thieves."

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

it."

could've melted steel.

laugh rumbled low. "Alright, so you want

him, arms crossed. "You sure you have

?"

promise, my bank account's more than

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

barbecue in town. The plates are a little pricey, but nowhere

2/4

Chapter 163

they were relaxing in a park near the slums, digging into Franklin

meats curled

bite, closed her eyes, and just

she moaned, practically

ages. You might've just

with chatter, warm sunlight filtering through the tall trees. Alex found

light in her eyes shone when

glances.

in attention; a

The kind of beauty that turned heads without her even

were so lost in their conversation and the easy comfort of the

spend. Cars, penthouses, designer suits.

But this?

laughter spilled into the air, the way her eyes lit up over

buy, something waiting behind