Miss Josefina: Nobody's Princess

Lena's heart skipped a beat as she blurted out, "We need to handle this now. We can't let anyone uncover what happened back then."

"I've sent people to deal with it, trying to get ahead of those folks before they arrive at the doctor's," came the assured response.

Hanging up the phone, Lena's anxiety gnawed at her. It was one crisis after another. She paced back and forth across her room, running her fingers through her disheveled hair, but her mind refused to settle. Dealing with a Josefina should not be this hard.

...

Billy was a bundle of nerves, pacing the living room, his brow furrowed as if the weight of the world was crashing down on him.

Lauren yawned, "Billy, for heaven's sake, what's eating you? You're not sleeping, just pacing around like a ghost. The maid nearly had a heart attack going to the loo, thinking she'd seen a specter. Why don't you turn on some lights?"

Both Lauren and Ruby, roused from their sleep and clad in their nightgowns, were none too pleased.

Billy, pointing a finger accusatorily, said, "How can you two even sleep? Ever since Josefina left this house, our company's been on a roller coaster ride. Just as we see Ruby making some headway, she gets tangled up in this darn mess, nearly tarnishing the company's reputation."

"Dad, it wasn't my

you take me for a fool? You thought I wouldn't find out about the scapegoat you and

one crucial detail: Billy was the CEO, and there was little within the company he

could Ruby possibly have? She's only trying to help you. If it wasn't for her finding that brilliant designer Erica, would the company

locked onto Lauren with an intensity that betrayed his frazzled state. Lauren only seemed to have eyes for Ruby. "Lauren, sometimes I wonder exactly what Ruby is to you. She doesn't seem like your daughter-more like your savior. No matter what happens, you're right there, backing her up, and singing her praises, like she saved your entire family in

"What nonsense are you talking about? Ruby

grew

upstairs, "Ruby, let's go back to bed. Don't mind your father-he's completely lost his marbles." Once in Ruby's room, Lauren brought

sleeping with

climbed into bed without waiting for a reply, making herself comfortable. Ruby walked slowly

bed. "Ruby, what in the world? You scared

bed. Sitting beside Lauren, Ruby frowned, her gaze intense and serious, "Mom, whose

whisper,

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