Miss Josefina: Nobody's Princess

Lauren shook her head and said. "Ruby, you silly kid. Even if you get down on your knees, she's not going to let you off the hook."

Billy leaned against the couch, completely spent from the ordeal. "Why did you have to steal what wasn't yours, Ruby? If you hadn't lied in the first place, would our family be in this mess, owing someone ten million bucks?"

Ruby was speechless, choked up by her father's words and her own remorse. "I'm so sorry."

Billy was beside himself with frustration. "What good does knowing you're wrong do now? Ten million! Even if we sold you, we couldn't fetch that kind of money."

Lauren scoffed at the absurdity. "Ten million, they might as well be highway robbers. What kind of piece of art is worth that much?"

Billy shot her a look of exasperation. "Lauren, have you lost your mind? Anya's designs could fetch more than that with ease, and here Ruby went and passed them off as her own and even sold them. It's all or her."

The words hit Ruby like a ton of bricks, and she couldn't muster a single word in her defense.

Lauren was stunned as well. Ten million-where on earth were they going to find that kind of money?

Meanwhile, at the Harrison household that evening, Josefina noticed a flurry of activity as strangers bustled in and out, moving things around.

was happening, Hattie informed her, "Your dad's clearing out a room for you to use as a studio for your designs." Sᴇaʀch Thᴇ ꜰindNʘvel.ɴet website

"There's no need, I can work

your work is no trouble at all. If you have any requests, just let us know, and your dad and

smile and thank

food for you in the kitchen.

buzzed with an incoming call, and she stepped aside to take it. Kale's voice came through on the other

instructed not to disclose her identity. So much

them I will be the one choosing our partners, and we don't accept

replied, relieved his

people looking to commission custom designs from us. It's not just my phone. Everyone is getting bombarded

of

Oliver approaching. He walked straight up to Josefina and presented her with a bouquet of flowers. "Congratulations on winning the contest, Miss Anya." Josefina knew he was deliberately saying that. "What brings you here?" she asked, setting the

here to celebrate your victory. Am I not welcome?" He moved closer,

back. "What are you doing?

"Alright, we'll

could reply, her phone rang again. She glanced at the caller ID and stepped aside to answer.