Miss Josefina: Nobody's Princess

Ruby stood there, frozen in a dilemma, caught between the devil and the deep blue sea.

If she left, she'd basically be admitting to having bad breath. And if she stayed, she'd be a punching bag for Josefina and Alex. The frustration made Ruby itch to claw at Josefina's beautiful face. Lauren, clacking along in her high heels, approached with the kind of stomping stride that broadcasted her fury for the world to hear.

"You shameless thing, who are you calling stinky breath?" Lauren jabbed a finger at Josefina as she started hurling insults.

Alex, unable to bear the sight, erupted in anger. "Lady, can't we tell the truth? Your daughter's got a mouth like a dumpster. She should've dealt with it ages ago."

At that moment, a stern-looking event staffer approached Ruby. "If you're not competing, get out now."

Ruby wilted, tugging at Lauren's arm, "Mom, let's just drop it." Sᴇaʀᴄh thᴇ FindNʘᴠᴇl.nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

As Ruby opened her mouth, Lauren instinctively covered her nose. Not just her-event staff winced and covered their noses too. "Your breath really does reek. How can anyone stand it when you speak?" Ruby was taken aback. She exhaled into her hand and sniffed-yep, definitely not roses.

Josefina smiled. When Ruby approached, Josefina stood up and casually waved her hand, inadvertently sprinkling powder on Ruby's body. Most of it, however, landed in her open mouth. There was no mistaking it now-Ruby's breath was a force to be reckoned with. Panicked and mortified, Ruby couldn't bear to speak to anyone.

The staffer frowned and ordered, "Competition's starting. Get back to your places, now."

buried in her hands, fled, with Lauren-pinching her nose-chasing

dumbstruck. He hadn't smelled anything off in the air at first. So had Josefina found a way to sabotage Ruby's breath? His eyes widened in disbelief as he stared at

took it as a

didn't dare to speak at all. She took the mask

to tick someone off this bad?" Erica inquired, her

mask, Ruby's breath was a weapon of

definitely behind this. That witch, she's driving

worry, sweetie. After this competition, I'll get you to the best doctor." Ruby, tears mingling with gratitude, nodded,

of that little snake Josefina! I should've

she could toss

uncomfortable pall over

poised and seasoned lady, gripped the microphone, delivering the official spiel. When her gaze met Josefina's, her

host regained her composure. "The competition begins now. First up is the fashion runway, where each model showcases our designers' creations. By the end of

as models donned the designers' garments and strutted down the catwalk,

Erica, who wore a mask, rendering her unrecognizable. Ruby stood tall,

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