The Almighty Dominance

Chapter 380

The night grew heavy. Shadows stretched long across the small house as Alex sat quietly by the crackling fireplace, the flames painting his face in flickering gold.

Across from him, old José sat hunched in his worn wooden chair.

Neither spoke. The only sound was the faint crackle of the flames.

Josephine stepped softly from the back room, her voice gentle.

"Lucia's asleep." She moved closer and sat down beside Alex, the glow of the fire warming her face.

For a long moment, silence hung over them.

Then José stirred suddenly, rising to his feet. "How could I forget? I haven't served you a drink."

"I'll help," Josephine said quickly, springing up before he could refuse.

He glanced at her, sighing as though carrying the weight of unspoken words.

"You... ah, never mind." Shaking his head, he pointed her toward the tea.

José lowered himself back into the chair, his tired eyes watching Josephine prepare the tea.

Something in them shimmered-age, memory, sorrow. The shine of unshed tears.

Josephine returned with three cups, setting them down gently.

"Josephine," José asked suddenly, "do you have a family?"

She paused, the question touching a hidden ache. "I'm an orphan. I never had a real family, but... I had a mother. The woman who ran the orphanage. She raised me as her own."

José leaned in, questioning her again and again, as if he longed to gather every piece of her story.

Then he turned sharply toward Alex.

"Alex! Look at me. I've been so caught up in talking, I forgot to ask-have you eaten? Wait here. I'll make something.”

He hurried into the kitchen, his frail hands still steady with purpose.

"Grandpa," Josephine called, rushing after him, "let me help."

José gave her a grateful nod, and together they began preparing a simple dinner.

But before the warmth of the kitchen could settle, screeching tires shattered the quiet.

A car skidded to a stop outside. Moments later, the door slammed open with a thunderous bang.

A man stormed inside, his voice a whip crack.

"Father! How many times have I told you? Get out of this broken-down shack! My girlfriend is ashamed every time I bring her here!"

"Then don't bring them here," José answered calmly from the kitchen. "We're not leaving this house."

The man's eyes swept the room until they landed on Alex. "And who the hell are you? Who let you in?"

Alex turned to face him. The man was dressed in a sharp business suit, mid- thirties, his face twisted with contempt.

"I'm talking to you! Are you mute?"

doctor," Alex said

"A doctor? Why don't you just let them die, and I'll pay you ten times what

voice was cold. "I'm a doctor, not a

refusing to give the

intruder scoffed, dropping into a chair. "Boring. Father, why won't you listen? This stinking house isn't

never come back. You've wasted decades

roared from the kitchen.

your

sneering. "I'm waking you up from your delusion. If you want to see Maria so badly,

José's eyes glisten

chest tightened. She couldn't hold

to your

"And

Alex to

filthy mouth shut

over her, slow and calculating. His sneer twisted into

How about you quit working for this doctor? I'll pay you ten times

in a way no decent man should. But before

you hit me!" William's eyes blazed with shock

your filthy mouth," Josephine spat, her voice trembling with rage, "for cursing your

William's face twisted red.

me?"

stepped forward, his old voice carrying surprising

dripping

you try to hurt her," José warned,

snarled, then threw

out with friends later. Just

gave you a million dollars last month,"

a business," William

failed, so I

keep doing this! I won't give you another cent if you

old man barked, his

leaned back, a wicked grin spreading

man. You're going to die soon anyway.

sneered, each word dripping

is none of

this is." William's laugh

it for Maria, your precious fost daughter. Pathetic. She's gone, dead! You should

I'm

left to

mouth. You're nothing but

eyes and bellowed

me!"

of this," José snapped. "She needs

damn money. Do you think I'd ever set foot in this

out his phone. "I've transferred

you mocking me, old man? A hundred

the party," José shot

in William's face. He charged forward, fist cocked, his shadow looming

you want me to

until you learn it's

enoun