Miss Josefina: Nobody's Princess

Chapter 152

Ms. Josefina?

There it was again, that honorific!

What in the world did Josefina do to earn such universal respect that she was referred to as “Ms. Josefina” by everyone?

In a huff, Lauren demanded, “Who is she? Just a foster daughter of mine, and you all address her as Ms. Josefina? Does she deserve it?”

The driver retorted firmly, “She sure does. Unlike you folks, none of you deserve it!”

Ruby bit her lip in seething resentment, unable to utter another word.

With a stern look, the driver warned them, “If you dare to trouble Ms. Josefina again, you’ll find there are plenty of people ready to teach you how to speak to her with the proper respect!”

The fierce gaze from the driver froze the family of three in their tracks. Why didn’t the security at the gates of the residential community come to assist when they saw the scene unfold?

The driver’s words cleared their confusion. “You think after bullying Ms. Josefina, the guards would help you out?” Content (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.

Tired of wasting words, the driver went over to chat with the guards for a bit before leaving.

The security staff expelled Billy and his family, with the reason being that they could tarnish the community’s image.

Lauren muttered under her breath in frustration, “Could all these people be Josefina’s lovers?”

Ruby speculated, “Could Josefina have another identity? Dad, did you ever investigate her background? She couldn’t be from a wealthy family, could she?”

Billy scoffed dismissively, “Wealthy family? If they were rich, why didn’t they send a helicopter to pick her up? You saw the person who came to get her, riding some beat-up old tricycle. Could a rich person not even afford a car?”

The family shuffled off, grumbling quietly as they went. Why only whisper? Because they dared not raise their voices. 0They couldn’t afford to cross the community’s security staff, fearing that Brandon would hear of their deeds. They had no choice but to make a swift exit.

...

Back at the office, Josefina was followed by Oliver as they headed upstairs, but she stopped him.

“We should talk here. If you come up to the office, it’s bound to cause quite the stir.”

Oliver raised an eyebrow, sitting in the passenger seat and watching Josefina’s troubled expression, with a chuckle threatening to escape.

“What’s so funny?”

“I’m laughing at you,” Oliver said. “Are you that afraid of people knowing we’re collaborating? Is it the collaboration that’s embarrassing, or is it me?”

Flustered, Josefina hurriedly explained, “Neither is embarrassing. I just want to avoid unnecessary trouble. That’s all.”

Oliver’s gaze grew more intense. “Am I the trouble?”

As Josefina felt Oliver’s presence drawing closer, she grew even more self-conscious. “Oliver, I should get going. If anything comes up, we’ll talk over the phone,” Josefina said, unbuckling her seatbelt.

Oliver caught her hand. “Can’t we talk about it here?”

His hand enveloped hers, and when Josefina tried to pull away, he only gripped tighter.

“My grandfather has already made it clear to Billy, told him to stop coming around. The marriage was called off a long time ago. It’s their family who can’t let go.”

Josefina paused, taken aback. Was Oliver explaining himself to her? “That’s your business,” she replied, not needing his justification.

But Oliver drew her in. His eyes were burning with a mixture of warmth and vulnerability, and his voice was tinged with a hint of hurt. “I wanted to make sure you knew, so you wouldn’t worry.”

Just then, Oliver’s phone rang. He glanced at the caller ID and decided to pick up. Brandon’s voice came through, frantic and urgent. “Oliver, there’s been an incident...”