Miss Josefina: Nobody's Princess

Billy beamed with pride at the thought of his exceptional daughter. "With a daughter like you, I know our company is in good hands," he said, grinning from ear to ear.

"Dad, I'm your daughter after all. I'll do everything I can for the company," Ruby said with endearing dutifulness.

Billy's face wrinkled with amusement, but his smile faltered as he caught sight of Josefina. And his brow furrowed. "Josefina's here too?" Billy mused, recalling the initial rounds of the competition. Hadn't Josefina's firm been eliminated?

The contest had started with twenty fashion houses, and several had already been cut from the race. Now, from the remaining contenders, the top three were to be selected.

Lauren's smile vanished, and she said with distaste, "Seeing her here really puts a damper on things. How did someone like her even get in? She must've cheated, hired a ringer or something." Ruby, noticing the attention they were attracting, quickly tugged at Lauren's arm to quiet her. "Mom, please, let's not talk like this here. We're surrounded by prying eyes; what if someone overhears?" Lauren scoffed, "Ruby, you're just too soft and kind-hearted. If she managed to get into this competition, there's got to be something fishy. Who knows, maybe she's cozied up to the judges to snag this opportunity."

"Enough, Lauren," Billy chided, a frown creasing his face. "Don't embarrass Ruby with your gossip." It was a high-profile event, no place for idle chatter.

Lauren, for Ruby's sake, clamped her mouth shut.

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had laid the groundwork; now it was up to

say hi to Josefina. You guys go ahead," Ruby said before striding over to Josefina's team, her gaze filled

was brightly lit, and as Josefina sat there, Ruby's

at the competition," Ruby said, her voice dripping

thick eyebrows, large eyes, and an upward tilt at the corners, exuding a natural air of

why can't I?" Josefina retorted, rising to her feet, towering over Ruby even

dare a woman who climbed the ladder through men talk back to her? Where was Josefina getting this

as she stepped closer to Josefina and sneered, "This is a competition, Josefina, not a place where you can sleep your way to the top. It's all about talent here. Think

with a look of

his laughter at Josefina's quick-witted response. "You really should do something about that breath, Ruby. It's unbearable," Alex said loud enough for those nearby to

at Josefina. "You are

responded with disdain, "Your breath is too foul. Please, get away from here. You're polluting our

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