Miss Josefina: Nobody's Princess novel Chapter 434

"Ms. Josefina, you've been working the hardest, of course. I won't keep you from your rest any longer. See you tomorrow."

After hanging up the phone, Josefina tidied up her things, secured the important items in a safe, and then went to bed.

...

The Antonio family was huddled together in their living room, their faces etched with anxiety.

"Billy, this is on you," Lauren snapped, her voice tinged with frustration. "If you'd just shown Josefina a bit more patience, hadn't burned bridges, we'd all be in a better place right now. But no, look at her soaring high, and us? Just look at this mess we call home!"

Billy shot back defensively, "Oh, come off it! You weren't exactly stepping in to play the hero when I lost my temper with her, were you?"

Caught off-guard, Billy redirected his frustration at Lauren.

"Mom, Dad, stop it, both of you. It's all on me. If Josefina hadn't caught me out, she wouldn't have come after our family like this."

But it was too late for regrets.

"Maybe we should switch gears," Lauren suggested with a hint of desperation. "If not fashion, then what about another industry?"

"And do what? Pharmaceuticals?" Billy scoffed. "That's the Xaviers' turf. They're not even giving Ruby the time of day anymore. You think we can poach the Rowlands' business without digging our own graves?"

Ruby chimed in with a starry-eyed notion. "Why not launch me into showbiz? I could make a mint as a celebrity. If only I could rub shoulders with Calix, the tycoon's son. If I get in with him, would we ever be short on cash?"

The idea seemed to ignite a spark in Billy and Lauren; making money through Ruby's fame sounded promising.

"I'll sniff around tomorrow, see what it takes to break into the entertainment scene," Billy resolved. "Ruby, you should still try to work things out with Xavier. Maybe we can strike a deal as agents for their company. Didn't you say Xavier was head over heels for you? He strutted past us at the banquet like we were invisible. What's the real deal with you two?"

"Dad, you know how Marina is, all possessive and controlling. Anything Xavier wants to do, if she's not on board, it's a no-go. I'll talk to him tomorrow, try to get to the bottom of it," Ruby replied, hoping to salvage the situation.

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