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

of hesitation crossed her

Alex cut in, mischief sparking in his

her toward a waiting taxi and

boutique

second she

minds? That dress is fifteen hundred dollars. And that one's pushing

comically unbothered. "Pretty sure that's just the

eyes blazing as she jabbed a finger at the obscene price

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

heel, marching out of the store in stony silence, her

hit her, a

eyes dark with

nice," she said, voice laced with

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

further down the street until Josephine spotted a more wallet- friendly store-jeans and shirts ranging

triumphantly moments later, a small bag in hand and a grin on her

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

a single glimpse at the thousand-dollar entrée prices sent Josephine's

She snatched his arm again and dragged him back

racket are they running in there?”

a restaurant is an insult

just slipped his hands into his pockets, unruffled. "But I

it."

melted steel.

"Alright, so you want something simpler. Name

scrutinized him, arms crossed. "You sure you have

?"

my bank account's more

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

plates are a little pricey, but nowhere

2/4

Chapter 163

were relaxing in a park near the slums, digging

mouthwatering aroma of spices and smoked meats curled around them

took one bite, closed her eyes,

is... oh my God," she moaned, practically inhaling the rest of the

ages. You might've just made my entire year,

filtering through the tall trees. Alex

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

glances.

a good meal and decent company

beauty that

conversation and the easy comfort of

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

But this?

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

like it was something you could buy, something waiting behind glass windows and neon signs. But